"No detail is ignored and Ann anticipates questions as if she is sitting next to you. This is a finger twitching book--it makes me want to drop everything and knit something from it right now." --KnitPicks Podcast

Ann Budd learned to knit in 1968 while attending a local school when her family lived in Switzerland for a year. Although she couldn't speak German, Ann immediately took to the language of knitting. She went on to get a graduate degree in the sciences, but abandoned it for a career in yarn. Ann has been at Interweave Press for 17 years. She has three boys who love the idea that their mother writes books, and who have learned to preface every request with "when you finish that row..."

Materials Yarn Needles Other Tools Sock Basics Measuring Gauge Ways to Knit Socks in Rounds Casting On Join for Working in the Round Cuff Leg Heel Flap Heel Turn Gussets Foot Toe Finishing Basic Sock Instructions Choosing a Size Basic Pattern for: 8 Stitches/Inch, 7 Stitches/Inch, 6 Stitches/Inch, 5 Stitches/Inch, 4 Stitches/Inch Color and Texture the Easy Way Wide Stripes Socks- This cotton/wool yarn is comfortable for year-round wear. Narrow Stripes Socks- This is another example of self-striping year. Spiral Stripes Socks- In yarns dyed with color bands that are not long enough to accommodate all of the stitches in a round. Magic Stripes Socks- This sock looks like it involves a lot of tricky color changes, but that's due to the way the yarn is dyed. Boucle Socks- Acrylic boucle yarn gives a lush, cozy texture to these thick slipper socks. Adding Your Own Color or Texture Pattern: Stripe Patterns Fibonacci Stripes Socks- One of my favorite stripe sequences is based on the Fibonacci series, where you begin with the numbers 1 and 2, then add the last two numbers of the series together to come up with the next. Magic Ball Socks- These socks are knitted from five different colors of yarn that were leftover from various other projects. Rib Patterns- The juxtaposition of columns of knit and purl stitches causes the fabric to contract widthwise, making ribbed patterns ideal for snug-fitting socks. Seeded Rib Socks- The masculine rib pattern on the leg and instep of these socks alternates single knit stitches with 2 purl stitches and 2 seed stitches. Spiral Rib Socks- The diagonal pattern on these thick socks is nothing more than a knit 2, purl 2 rib that shifts laterally 1 stitch every round. Cable Patterns- Most cable patterns are based on a ribbed foundation, with the cable crosses worked on the columns of knit stitches bordered by purl stitches. Right-Twist Cable Rib Socks- In these socks, 1/1 cables travel across knit-4 ribs, giving the appearance of 2/2 cables without the draw-in. Cable Clock Socks- These socks show how just a little bit of cable can make an interesting design. Lace Patterns- Lace patterns can transform the common sock into a fancy or feminine accessory. Herringbone Lace Socks- These comfortable socks are worked with a relatively simple 6-stitch lace pattern around the leg and along the instep. Chevron Lace Socks- A simple 7-stitch chevron pattern forms tiny zigs and zags around the legs and down the sides of the insteps of these colorful socks. Cuff and Leg Variations- So far, all of the sock patterns in this book have had a crew shape with legs that begin about halfway down the calf. Picot Anklets- These anklets are a lot like short sport socks. Ruffle Cuff Anklets- These pretty socks are fashioned after those typically reserved for little girls. Knee Socks- A lace pattern extends along the leg and instep of these knee-high socks.