Book Review: Knit Like a Latvian . . . Socks
If you’re looking for a new knitting challenge, look no further than Knit Like a Latvian . . . Socks (affiliate link) by Ieva Ozolina. This book takes sock knitting to a whole new level, with intricate patterns and beautiful designs. Today we’re going to take a closer look at what you’ll find featured in the book, so read on to learn more!
Latvian Knitting Traditions
Ieva Ozolina is a Latvian-born knitwear designer and yarn shop owner with roots in Latvia’s capital, Riga. She has been designing knitwear for more than 20 years, and her work has been featured in numerous publications. In Knit Like a Latvian . . . Socks, she shares her love of Latvian stranded knitting traditions. This is the second title in her Latvian knitting series and through it she offers toasty warm sock options to readers all over the world.
Ozolina begins the book with an introduction that reflects on Latvia’s long history with knitting. And she shares the regional museums where she was able to view antique samples made over the last several hundred years. However, she takes care to note that the patterns in her book are modern interpretations of those traditional designs, not replicas.
Latvian Sock Patterns
The book includes 50 sock patterns divided across three styles: ankle socks, knee-length socks, and legwarmers. The designs featuring colorwork range from using just two colors to as many as six colors—many with the traditional solid-colored foot. Keeping the colorwork just around the leg allows for easy repair work when the sole wears out. Sprinkled among those with stranded colorwork are several lovely projects with lace and cable designs.
All of the patterns rely on a basic recipe in the back of the book. The charts opposite the featured image become the main ingredient when whipping up your own pair of socks. Experienced knitters will find the recipes easy to use, especially when adjusting the sizing to their own foot measurements. For the adventurous beginner, basic instructions on substituting yarns, measuring gauge, and reading from charts are provided, along with several helpful illustrations for tricky techniques.
So, if you’re looking to introduce colorful wooly socks into your wardrobe, or simply want to try your hand at a heritage knitting technique, Knit Like a Latvian . . . Socks is the book for you!
—Kerry Bogert
Content Manager, Yarn
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