Knitting socks, that is? Well, there’s no need to be because Rowan has released a new pattern brochure titled Fine Art Collection which not only includes fourteen sock and accessory designs but also eight pages on how to knit socks. The information includes everything you need to know about knitting socks from using double-pointed needles, knitting in the round, turning the heel, working the foot section and shaping and closing the toe. It also includes information on how to measure your foot and many tips like this one:
“Some people like to cast on one extra stitch, placing this extra stitch on the first needle. Then, at the end of the first round, knit this “extra” stitch together with the last stitch, to reduce the stitches back to the required number. This tends to “pull” the ends of the first round together a little more and make the finished cast-on edge a little neater.”
Most of this information is not just applicable for knitting socks as the techniques and tips included are used for all kinds of knitted designs. For example, Kitchener grafting, where two sets of knitting that has not been cast off are joined together by replicating a row of knitted stitches. Kitchener grafting is not just used for the toes of socks but where you don’t want the thickness of bound-off edges sewn together like the top of hoods and baby garments. This book is indeed a fantastic resource for all knitters and not just beginners.
Rowan’s Fine Art Collection brochure has been published to coincide with the release of their new yarn Fine Art which is a premium hand painted sock yarn. Rowan describes Fine Art as:
“a blend of fibre and colour, especially blended for sock knitting, but can equally be used for shawls or other accessories. Made with merino wool, kid mohair and mulberry silk and some polyamide to make it suitable and durable for socks.”
I find Fine Art sock yarn is easy to knit with and has great stitch definition with a lovely subtle sheen. It comes in eight lovely self-striping colourways which have been aptly named after birds.
As I mentioned earlier the brochure includes fourteen sock patterns, two scarves and two wraps, so if you love the yarn but don’t want to knit socks you could try a scarf or smoething larger like a wrap?
To see all these patterns click here which will take you to the Fine Art Collection on the Rowan website.
So, don’t be afraid of knitting socks as Rowan has made it fearless!