Thursday, February 17, 2011

knit.sock.love

I took some time on Sunday to read Cookie A's latest, Knit.Sock.Love

This book is absolutely stunning. Stunning I tell you. Laura Kicey did the photography and she did a stunning job. Did I mention it was stunning?

cookie a, knit sock love
















It's a collection of 19 patterns. Some of them are old favorites like Monkey and Hedera while others are brand spanking new. She's broken the patterns down into three sections, Columns, Tessellations and Diagonals. Within each section, the patterns are presented in increasing levels of complexity. It's all very organized which makes me very happy.

The Columns section are variations on vertical design elements. Repeating elements are stacked on top of one another. Cables immediately come to mind. So do some simple lace patterns. Columnar patterns make it easy to keep track of where you are by checking your current work with the work below.

This is Stalagmite. It's shown here in our Shepherd Sock color 22ns Turquoise.

cookie a, stalgmite, knit.sock.love
















The next segment is Tessellations. (Please tell me I'm not the only person who'd never heard that word before.) A Tessellation is an arrangement of shapes on a surface the leaves no gaps between them. Mosaic tiles are a good example. The world famous Monkey Sock is probably one of the best known examples in the knitting arena.

This section includes Clandestine. Lorna's Laces worked closely with Cookie in the creation of a special color for this sock, Cookie's Deep Dark Secret. The marriage worked quite well, don't you think?




















The final section is Diagonals. Cookie describes diagonals as patterns that travel off the grid. She's embracing the idea of adventure and pushing boundaries. How cool is it that a sock can do that for us? I think my favorite of these socks is Sake. (Named after sake sashimi rather than the rice wine.)

cookie a, sake
















The patterns are available as singles or you can go ahead and buy the book. I always prefer to own a book. It keeps things nice and tidy for me.

Would you like a copy for yourself? I have a signed one right here. Reply to this post by Friday, February 18th at 5PM central time and me know which pattern you want to knit and we'll let the random number generator pick a winner. We may even throw in a skein of yarn to enable you even more. (I've only put up three pictures, you should really take a look at them all here. There are so many nice ones. Rhombus and Stricken. Cusp and Wedge. BFF and Marilinda.)

We all need a little sock p0rn in our lives. Especially when it's this stunning.


**Also, you all should know that the book was written before we changed our put-up. Now it's 100g and 435 yarns so you'll only need one skein of Lorna's Laces for a pair of most socks.

197 comments:

  1. Cookie A and Lorna's Laces - perfect partners :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. please! sign me up for some of that, quick!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love it! Just cast on for my first pair of Monkeys with Montrose this week, and now can't wait to start Clandestine.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, Clandestine looks and sounds intriguing, especially combined with a yarn called Deep Dark Secret! So that would be my first choice but it sounds like they might all be "must knits"!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cusp would be first, then Sake! Love them all!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow so many gorgeous patterns. I can't decide between BFF and Stalagmite... I want them all! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am all about Cookie A's patterns. And the first one I want to do from this book is Lissajous - I am all about knee high socks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd probably do the BFF first as I haven't gotten too expressive with my socks before - then, I'd move to Wedge and then work my way up in difficulty - to Rhombus :) sigh. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ooh! What a lovely book. I really adore Clandestine and what a color Cookie's Deep Dark Secret is! Amazing. (I'd also have to make the German Stockings - they're too cute).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do I want a copy of that book. Are you kidding woman. ;) I love the diagonals section so much, I want to knit every one of those. And some of the other ones. Ok, all the other ones. Bring me an ice pack for my wrist! :D marusempai on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have to pick just one? I want to knit ALL THE SOCKS!!!!!!!!! But my favorite in this book (right now anyway) is twisted flower.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Have wanted to do a pair of Monkey socks. now's the time to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. which ONE? i want to make them ALL!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stalagmite. The book looks gorgeous, er, I mean stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'd love to make them all but I'll start with BFF : )

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think I'd start with Marilinda!!!! And continue on from there to Sake, then Stricken (but I'd have to do that in a different colourway as I'm not partial to yellow) ;>)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Okay, so I'm a little biased toward the Mona pattern. I test knitted the original and she named it after my long departed Italian Greyhound dog.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like all of the diagonals, but I think Stricken is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sake is gorgeous! It looks it would be challenging for me but I want to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This book looks awesome! Even if I don't win, I think I'll check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the Sake one - maybe its time I knit my first pair of socks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Loving those diagonals! Mmm, sock knitting...

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've been looking at this book since Christmas! I would love to own a copy! My favorite is "Lissajous"! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Clandestine looks awesome! I would like to challenge myself with many if these, though. I've knit and enjoyed Hedera.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have to choose just one? Rhombus!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would have to say that German Stockings and Wedge are my favorites. I love her creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  27. That Sake is brilliant! I'd love to knit it. (I'd love to win.)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I want to knit all of them, but I'll probably start with the Hedera.

    (PS - pick me please!!)

    ReplyDelete
  29. This book looks so awesome! I would love to knit Sake! I had some $200 sake over winter break and it was so smooth, I didn't even get buzzed.

    ReplyDelete
  30. i have been dying to get my hands on this book. i would probably start with hedera since i've always wanted to make them. thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I NEED to make twisted flower. YUM.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love Cookie's socks and have knit quite a few pairs - everyone in my family owns their own Monkey's. I would love this book and thanks for all the great giveaways :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. "sock porn" LOL! Thanks for that ;)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh, Clandestine is glorious. That one is first one my list!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd like to knit them all eventually. Love how the Cookie socks fit on me.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm gonna have to go with Rhombus, but only because I already have the individual patterns for German Stockings and Thelonius already.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would love a copy since I'm currently a part of Cookie's sock club!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Stricken - I've been stricken to knit MORE socks!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would like to knit the Rhombus socks. And maybe a few others too. :)

    Thanks!
    Lisa H. (aka Meanest Mommy)
    meanestmommysrules (at) gmail (dot) come

    ReplyDelete
  40. I definitely must knit the Sake! So beautiful! I love Cookie A.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love the patterns, HATE the Gilbertian title. Am I the only one who feels this way?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wow... beautiful! I might want to knit them all! First on my list BFF, then Rhombus and Mona...

    ReplyDelete
  43. And I thought the first book was spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ohhhh... I love the Saki...must knit those!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. i'd like to knit gothic spire. i would love this book!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh my goodness - Sake is just beautiful. What else can I say?other than Me Please............

    ReplyDelete
  47. I can't decide between Monkey and Clandestine, but all of the patterns are so beautiful! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love Lorna's Laces and have many sock yarns just waiting to become these socks!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow, this book is amazing and Cookie A is , just wow! I luv a challenge and the SAKE pattern is calling to me. Can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've been meaning to make a pair of Cookie A's socks for a while now...a lovely book and Lorna's Laces yarn would certainly bump it up in my queue!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hmm, hard to choose, but I particularly like the rhombus, but also the bff and the saki is really extraordinary!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would love the challenge of Sake. Blues or greens or whatever Sheppard Sock you throw in.
    -april
    A2zme@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  53. I luv Lorna's Laces... and Cookie A is awesome. I'm currently knitting my first Monkey sock. not sure what I'll do for my next pair

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love the Sake pattern. I agree with you about having all the patterns in one spot, works so much better for me

    ReplyDelete
  55. Some really interesting patterns in the book, once I got past the absolutely gorgeous cover photo. :) I'd love to knit Gothic Spires or Lissajous!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I've tried to look away from that book, but Stalagmite is delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I am so all over this book. I have perused it, but I want to own it. Gotta love the diversity of this book. Just the best.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I don't traditionally knit many socks, but I soooo want to knit Stalagmite!

    ReplyDelete
  59. First, I need to make In and Out. Then, oh all of them!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Oooh, Cusp. Just the perfect amount of patterning, would love a copy of the book

    ReplyDelete
  61. The Stalagmite ones are super cool.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hedera for sure. Gorgeous book, gorgeous socks!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Ooh, please enter me in the drawing! I love the diagonals, especially Pointelle, but I have to say, these are such gorgeous colors!

    ReplyDelete
  64. They are all gorgeous but my personal preference is stalagmite.I love the geometric shapes.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Pick me! Pick me! I want to knit Rhombus, it's just the thing for spring.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I love this book! Awesome patterns and beautiful photography and I have yet to it in real life. as popular as it is, I still have yet to knit the monkey sock.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Oooh, so many choices -- I think I like Pointelle the best, so far! At least right now.

    ReplyDelete
  68. It would have to be Hendera or Pointelle, or both, or all !

    Beautiful book!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I really like Pointelle, but they are all lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I absolutely adore the German Stockings. Also, I love that the pattern info says it has direction for up to a 21" calf. It is really nice to see patterns that are already written for bigger calf sizes.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I love all of them! Think I'd start with Pointelle.

    ReplyDelete
  72. The engineer/mathematician in me says I HAVE to try tessellations! Love Cookie A and her intriguing patterns, and have been a loving fan of Lorna's for more years than I want to admit! Did my first lace project with a Lorna colorway and have not looked back since...

    ReplyDelete
  73. I like the Hedera sock looks very comfortable.What a wonderful book to win & have.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Marilinda would be my first choice. But they all look exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I've always wanted to knit Hedera. But, every pattern could go in mu queue!! I love Cookie's patterns. And Lorna's Laces!

    ReplyDelete
  76. I would love to knit a monkey (can't believe myself that I haven't yet!). But also love BFF and Clandestine.
    Thanks so much for the fun review and chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'm torn between Sake and Pointelle. Both of them are different from any other sock I've ever knit, and I am a confirmed Socknitter™. The only sweaters I've finished are for infants. It's socks all the way!

    I love Cookie A's Monkeys so much I broke my rule (only one pair of socks per pattern) and knit two pair: one for me, and one for my sister. I might even knit a third sometime, the pattern is that good.

    If there is yarn and a color choice, anything in the blue-green to purple spectrum, especially eggplant, is preferred.

    ReplyDelete
  78. It's a beautiful book..I'm particularly obsessed with the idea of knitting the german stockings, but also the marilinda, clandestine, stalagmite etc, all pretty compelling

    ReplyDelete
  79. Love the Gothic Spire, followed by the Stricken, then the Twisted Flower. What am I saying? I love them all....

    ReplyDelete
  80. My favorite pattern is "Stricken". It's just stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  81. If I HAD to choose just one, I'd choose Lissajous!

    ReplyDelete
  82. I love Cookie A's designs, and I have to say I am in love with Gothic Spire, the more intricate the better :0)

    ReplyDelete
  83. I've been wanting this book and would love to knit all of the patterns! If I have to choose just one to start, though, it would have to be Rhombus. The mathematician in me loves the name as well as the design!

    ReplyDelete
  84. I really love them all, but at the second I want to knit Pointelle. So pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  85. I love Cookie A's socks. I am fascinated by all of the diagonal patterns, but I especially love the Sake pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Wow! I love "Clandestin">

    ReplyDelete
  87. Ooooohhhhh! I love so many of them, but I think Pointelle, Sake and Staglagmite are my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Will love to have this book!
    I think Wedge will be my first choice or maybe Hedera, so hard to choose but I think I will manage!

    ReplyDelete
  89. My choice is Marilinda -- I love the combination of large and small cables. It will be a stretch - but I'm sure I can do it :)

    ReplyDelete
  90. Wow, only pick one favorite? Pretty tough, but I really like Wedge... it's an unexpected design among all of the beautiful lace and cables.

    ReplyDelete
  91. I want it!! If I won I would knit In and Out. If I don't win I think I will have to knit Mona with the Amy's Vintage Office that I bought today. :D Either way I win!

    ReplyDelete
  92. I have knit Marilinda- an awesome pattern! Would love to win the book as i love all of Cookie A's patterns! First pattern would be Thelonious. i like the side pattern emphasis.
    Joanne U.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Loved the last book but was seriously frustrated by the lack of sizing, I really don't buy a book to have to do my own math. But I am, sure I will get the book anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  94. A very hard choice - they're all stunning. I'm drooling over Twisted Flower. That said, there would be a lovely irony in knitting yet another pair of Monkeys!

    I love the beautious Dark Secret sock yarn!

    ReplyDelete
  95. oooh, two things I love, Lorna's Laces yarn and Cookie A's sock patterns. They are all lovely, but I think Marilinda is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  96. I really love Wedge and Thelonius... what a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  97. I would love to make the stunning Clandestine with any stunning Lorna's Lace!

    ReplyDelete
  98. They're all beautiful, I would like to try Diagonals (I've knit Monkey before!) Though the whole book would have me dithering about what one to start with.

    ReplyDelete
  99. I'm a beginner sock maker but I would aspire to knit Stricken.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Definitely want to knit Stricken and Sake.

    ReplyDelete
  101. I love the sock porn!! Stalagmite is the one that caught my eye - or was that Stalactite??

    ReplyDelete
  102. Well how can I resist an invitation which may result in a new signed Cookie Sock Book? I think Sake. I too am in the process of changing boundaries and dreaming of new adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Clandestine for sure. The sock is gorgeous and I love the name.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Sake is surely the one I would like to make first...hard to choose which one to knit next

    ReplyDelete
  105. It is really hard to choose just one. I think Thelonious.

    ReplyDelete
  106. I love Saki. And the color is lovely, too.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Stricken, first. Then...the rest!

    ReplyDelete
  108. I'm in awe of Stricken. But I think Rhombus is probably much more to my taste and abilities.

    ReplyDelete
  109. She is such a fab designer! I have Sock Innovations and am working my way through it. I know the Monkey well enough to do it in my sleep. I think Hedera would be my next choice.

    ReplyDelete
  110. i keep finding myself drawn to the yellow socks. Though i think i would like knitting the German Stockings most of all. They have just the right amount of fun on them.

    ReplyDelete
  111. I love Clandestine, Cusp, and Gothic Spire, but my mathematician husband would probably convince me to knit Rhombus.

    ReplyDelete
  112. I would love to knit Sake and Clandestine. And, I'd love to win the book!
    -Brenda (goodstuff on Ravelry)

    ReplyDelete
  113. Ooops, forgot to say those yellow German Stockings are fabulous. But I would probably knit every single pattern in the book.

    ReplyDelete
  114. I like the Wedge. It's simple, but striking, and would be great for us guys.

    ReplyDelete
  115. I think I'd start with Pointelle and then move on to Sake.

    ReplyDelete
  116. I would love to have a copy of this beautiful sock book. Knitting socks is on my needles must of the time.

    ReplyDelete
  117. Oh my goodness, I think I'm in love with monkey and or Rhombus as a stretch forward in my sock knitting. Thanks for the beautiful yarns that I have been graced with from friends in the Windy City Knitters Guild. Blessings to you and Cookie A on a yummy book.

    ReplyDelete
  118. I finally knit a pair of Monkeys this past fall. I loved the pattern and will knit it again. Cookie's a genius :)

    ReplyDelete
  119. Marilinda or Clandestine...I would try either or both!

    ReplyDelete
  120. I already have this book, but would love to donate mine to the Library if I win an autographed copy! I really want to make then all!!

    ReplyDelete
  121. Stricken are lovely, but I think I would have to vote for Sake. They are brilliant. I have never seen such a unique sock and I would love to knit a pair.

    ReplyDelete
  122. So hard to choose! But I think I'd start with Sake!

    ReplyDelete
  123. Lorna Laces and Cookie A. Two great things. I would have to say Hedera, I just like the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  124. I would start with BFF - it's time for me to embrace my fear of cables and wrestle it to the ground!

    ReplyDelete
  125. I think the book is worth it for the cover alone. But then there are patterns and patterns, oh my!

    ReplyDelete
  126. I'd have to start with the easiest, I'm a sock newbie! I love the tesselation socks, always meant to make a tesselation quilt, but knitting caught me in its trap!!!

    ReplyDelete
  127. I got stuck with must knit already with the first:
    Stalagmite and in that lovely turquoise...and then to continue with these gorgeous patterns one by one.

    ReplyDelete
  128. I think I'd start with Wedge and then when I'm feeling confident...Lissajous.

    ReplyDelete
  129. deep dark secret and clandestine make me swoon...wow. the woman is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  130. I would love to win the book - and make Clandestine.

    LaurenS

    ReplyDelete
  131. wow! They really are so beautiful. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Thelonius!

    ReplyDelete
  132. I'm torn between Lissajous (knee highs!) and Stalagmite. I simply adore socks!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  133. How exciting! I've always wanted to try a Cookie A sock pattern, and that Sake sock is really calling my name...hope I win!

    ReplyDelete
  134. I think I'd have a hard time deciding between In and Out, Pointelle, Thelonius and Mona!!

    ReplyDelete
  135. Why, Monkey, of course! Please sign me up for a chance to win this book. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  136. Oh gosh! Sake for sure. But all of them!! She's a genius, and I can only hope to just follow her directions. Love love love!

    ReplyDelete
  137. Sake for me! Thank you for the giveaway - I have been drooling over this book!

    ReplyDelete
  138. I've been drooling over Stalagmite! Would love a copy of Cookie's book. Huge fan since my first pair of Monkeys!

    ReplyDelete
  139. ohhh I am excited about Stalagmite, AND Clandestine of course. They're both absolutely GORGEOUS!

    ReplyDelete
  140. I knit my first pair of socks out of Shepherd Sock and Cookie A.'s patterns are always stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  141. I love Cookie A's books! She was just in town and I took one of her classes. She's amazing!

    I'm knitting Monkey right now and its just a fun and easy pattern! I keep eyeing knit sock love, but haven't quite put down the money yet. I love the gothic spire pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  142. Sake. It is awesome. Thank you for letting us know about the book and for the wonderful string you help make.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Oooh! Stalagmite looks stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  144. Clandestine or Monkey (which has been on the to do list for awhile). I need to knit more socks since I just walked through my first pair I made. :(

    ReplyDelete
  145. All of them... but Pointelle first! Cookie A patterns are fantastic, and Lorna's Laces yarn... my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  146. This will be the fourth contest I've entered to win this book! hehehehe Maybe 4th is the charm. :)

    I want to knit Lissajous! I LOVE knee highs! :) Especially in Chicago during the winter!

    ReplyDelete
  147. Ah, with so many beautiful socks, choosing one is a happy dilemma. I think I would go for Sake.

    ReplyDelete
  148. Aside from being tempted to just work through the book from beginning to end (like some folks are doing with cookbooks and the like), the first two that really grabbed me were Pointelle and Lissajous. Lovely patterns all!

    ReplyDelete
  149. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  150. Ooh! This looks great! I just got the sock bug :)

    ReplyDelete
  151. I want to knit the Stalagmite socks. They are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  152. Ooh! I love love to learn socks from a master. I might become a sock knitter. The patterns are beautiful.

    angie.smith@q.com

    ReplyDelete
  153. If I look through the complete list, I'll never be able to settle on one. And since I knew I wanted to fav Stalagmite on ravelry as soon as I saw it here, that's my choice.

    ReplyDelete
  154. I especially love Marilinda, but I could fill my sock drawer with at least one of each! Thanks. ggratton

    ReplyDelete
  155. There are so many beautiful designs but I think my favorites are Cusp & Thelonius

    ReplyDelete
  156. Love love love this book - Can't begin to choose a favorite but my first knit from the book was the Monkey socks. I'd never knit them before! WOW! I think Pointelle or Stricken will be next.

    ReplyDelete
  157. They are all so gorgeous! the one I love the most is twisted flower!

    ReplyDelete
  158. I'm looking forward to knitting Sake.

    ReplyDelete
  159. I would have to go with Stalagmite on this one. I so love Cookie A's socks. I saw this book in my LYS and fell in love with it.

    ReplyDelete
  160. Gothic Spire is probably the first one I want to make. I want to make them all though!

    ReplyDelete
  161. Which one is my favorite? All of them. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  162. O no did I miss it? I want Knit Sock Love!!!

    ReplyDelete
  163. Sake looks 'stunning' hehe! But really didn't see a bad one in the bunch!

    ReplyDelete
  164. Wow, what a beautiful sock pattern book! I would like to knit Hedera or Wedge. They are all so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  165. ohh! all. sake first. are any of them toe up?

    vtknitboy on twitter, rav

    ReplyDelete
  166. Bring on the sock porn! I'd love to knit Sake! But they are all so pretty it would be hard to choose.

    ReplyDelete
  167. Wow I don't know which one I like better! Cookie A always does such a good job!

    ReplyDelete
  168. As one of the last people who hasn't done it, I'd have to say the Monkeys are at the top of my list!

    ReplyDelete
  169. I've been trying to find this book! still not readily available in australia *sigh*

    *grabby hands*

    ReplyDelete
  170. Love Cookie's designs... Hard to choose one but Imy heart belongs to Sake.. my love of those stitches that seem to meander is worn on my sleeve.

    I'd love to go for a ride with this book... along with the Valkyries ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  171. I have to choose? I've narrowed it down to Sake. With Stricken and Lissajous running a close second and second.

    ReplyDelete
  172. Monkey will always be at the top of my list!

    ReplyDelete
  173. Definitely Cusp - what a beautiful pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  174. I would love to try Marilinda.

    ReplyDelete
  175. I want to make all the socks in this book, even if it takes a lifetime!

    ReplyDelete
  176. Thanks everyone!! The winner was rinebird, number 80.

    ReplyDelete
  177. I was drooling over this book yesterday and would love a copy so I could decide what to knit first. Love her designs.

    ReplyDelete
  178. I really like Thelonious. Oh, and Pointelle. And BFF. Oh darn; I like most of them!

    ReplyDelete
  179. I love em all! But Clandestine is high up on my list.

    ReplyDelete
  180. Glad to find this:-) Would love to win.

    ReplyDelete
  181. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete