The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting

by Lynne Vogel

Book Overview

With simple directions and tips on how to dye, paint, spin, and knit yarn to create authentic socks, this book offers all the information necessary to fashion socks with personality. Included are... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931499160
• ISBN13: 9781931499163
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Interweave Press
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great dyeing, spinning, and sock knitting book

Even if you are not a spinner, this book provides excellent basic information on how to create your own multi-colored yarns. You don't even have to use the dyes discussed in the book. My friend and I have had great success dyeing roving and yarn using this book. Vogel also discusses how to make the best out of multi-colored roving -- how to split the roving, how to spin it for different effects. She covers several basic cast-on, cast-off, and heel methods for socks as well as giving a basic sock pattern that even my mom is able to follow and use. The example socks are beautiful. She writes in a clear, concise way that I found helpful.

Much more than you'd expect!

Why is the Twisted Sister Sock Workbook always getting sold out at yarn and fiber shows? Because it's a great book! It not only teaches a beginning to intermediate knitter how to knit a basic sock, but it then proceeds to expand your creative mind with myriad variations on a theme. You learn about multiple ways to turn a heel, various toe treatments, after-thought heels, knitting flat, knitting a tube, selecting yarn, dying yarn (ha! you probably didn't expect that from this book), various top-edge treatments, Fair Isle patterns, and on and on! This book gives you so many ideas that rather than make you follow a boring pattern to make your socks look like the ones in the book, you get so jazzed you can't stop improvising and creating. You'll be making your own unique works of art for feet in no time. I find myself often browsing through the book in the evening just for the pure enjoyment of the photos, artwork, and enthusiasm. Twisted Sisters is a book that will kick your creative expression to a new level.

This book is perfect for me

While I cannot judge for others, this book was a perfect match for me. I love knitting socks, I have just learned to spin, and I love dyeing. The only (slight negative is that only spindle spinning is covered but there are plenty of other books on spinning). The range of information on creative dyeing, spinning and plying for knock-your-socks-off socks is here, and with great illustrations. Every sock is an inspiration and you are walked through several methods of dyeing, how to process the results to spin beautiful yarns and several ways of knitting socks. No other book has all of this in one place.

The best manual out there for informal and fun dyeing!

I teach spinning and dyeing classes, and I have often used this book as a manual for those classes. Many people are afraid to try dyeing, especially after they read most other dyeing books (_Color in Spinning_ comes to mind) that are very technical and intimidating. Usually dyeing books are written for the engineer, rather than the dabbler. All you really need to make beautiful dyed yarn and roving are some acid dyes, vinegar, water, and an oven. Dyeing is all about exploration, serendipity, and enjoyment of color, not worrying about depth of shade or how many tenths of a gram of dye to put in a stock solution. It's really terribly simple. This is the only book I have ever found that celebrates that simplicity. This book is clearly and cheerfully written, with excellent illustrations and an enthusiasm that makes you want to dive right in. The information on spinning painted roving is also exceptional. I haven't even tried the sock patterns yet (they seem to be thorough and walk you through lots of different options like afterthought heels and other ideas I haven't seen many other places), but this book is worth it for the dyeing information alone.

Inspirationally Twisted!

As a spinner and knitter by profession, I love books that inspire and create ideas--not just give me a batch of patterns that I usually don't follow anyway. I've read the book from cover to cover 3 times and tested almost all the patterns. I discovered or re-discovered many ideas. I like the way the book is laid out. It's a great size for working with or to put in a bag. I love the beautiful photography--tons of photos! TSSW has excellent gauge charts, clear and easy to understand instruction diagrams, many variations on knitting, dyeing and yarn design. IMHO, it is an excellent resource book for those who use handspun yarns, want to use lots of color in their work, or yarns from their stash. This book is definitely a must have for those who don't color between the lines..... and those who want to be inspired/encouraged to go beyond the published pattern and yarns that everyone else has!