Knitting on the Road: Sock Patterns for the Traveling Knitter by Nancy Bush is a really nice book full of lovely patterns for making knitted socks. This book isn't really for the beginner but would suit someone who has learned the basics. The outstanding feature I think is the chart showing many different sock yarns, yardage, weight, tension and needles to use. Comparison charts like this are quite rare and this one will be invaluable if you plan to use a different yarn to the pattern you have chosen. There is also an excellent suppliers list showing the yarns different companies make, so that if you know the name of the yarn but not the company that makes it you can find it here.

The patterns are well written and exceptionally clear. They are laid out in the form of chapters and beside the start of each pattern is a good clear photograph of the finished item, and a coloured sidebar strip showing the yarn requirements, tension gauge etc. that you will need. The most valuable information of all in my view is the way that on this coloured strip also displays the exact finished size of the sock. As a knitter with non-standard size feet I can tell you that this information is absolutely essential for me.

The knitted socks in the patterns are absolutely beautiful. All are knitted from the leg down with a heel flap but several different heel flap styles are used. The pattern styles vary from plain stocking stitch with stripes to fair isle, lace, cable rib patterns and more. I actually ordered some yarn right away because I so liked the first pattern in the book! Each pattern is named for a city or country that the author has visited and in many cases she has used techniques related in some way to the country or city, which gives the patterns more variation.

I really do recommend this very attractive hardback book which as it is slightly smaller than most hardbacks would fit well into a travelling bag. If you would like to purchase it, it is available from Knitting on the Road: Sock Patterns for the Traveling Knitter.