I purchased Sensational Knitted Socks because I'd seen it recommended a number of times in various knitting groups in which I participate. I was very impressed with it when it arrived and found the content so informative and helpful that it has been difficult to put it down.

The book itself is beautifully produced in full colour. Every sock is shown in clear photographs and although it is paperback quality paper and card covers have been used. Unfortunately the book does not lie flat easily which would be a bonus while following any sock pattern.

Technical illustrations (such as how to divide stitches on three needles and join them into a round) are shown in clear coloured drawings, and there are detailed charts providing information to allow you to knit almost any size of sock you would like using almost any sock weight yarn of your choice.

Instructions are provided for knitting socks from the toe upwards (somewhat unusually incorporating a heel flap - usually toe up socks are knitted with short row heels) as well as knitting from the top of the leg down to the toe. The author discusses the problems of narrow and wide heels and high insteps and provides information on how to resolve these issues. She also does not write her patterns for one size or one type of yarn; instead they are written for a range of stitch tensions and sizes so that you can customise the sock to your requirements.

The chapters in the book are carefully arranged with the first few chapters providing a wealth of technical information, with all sorts of helpful instructions on how to avoid dog ears on your socks and holes at the corners of the gussets, how to make selvedges on the heel flaps and more.

The remaining ten chapters of the book are divided into different styles of stitch pattern, starting with easier ones and finishing with more difficult to knit patterns. Each chapter provides you with one pattern for a multi-size sock and then you can customise the stitchery with additional patterns provided at the end of the chapter.

This is one of the best of the sock books that I possess and I would recommend it to any knitter, beginner or advanced, who wishes to knit socks. Not only will you learn a lot just from reading it, it is very difficult to choose which sock to knit first because the photographed socks are in such lovely patterns and so beautifully made! If you would like to buy it, Sensational Knitted Socks is available from www.amazon.com.