About the Author

Kate Atherley was taught to knit as a child by her grandmother, Hilda Lowe. Hilda was a legendary knitter in her own right. A family legend - sadly unconfirmed - says that Hilda used to earn a penny turning the heel of socks for knitters in her neighborhood, when she was a girl. Kate is a mathematician and refugee from the technology industry. She has written two
books: Beyond Knit and Purl (Cooperative Press, 2012), and Knit Accessories: Essential and Variations (Cooperative Press, 2012). She is Knitty's Lead Technical Editor and also does other freelance technical editing. Plus, Kate's a regular contributor to books and magazines, including most recently the Spring 2013 issue of Sockupied. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their challenging, but mostly adorable, rescue hound Dexter.

Reviews

"Socks are a go-to project for many knitters, and this detailed yet user-friendly guide demystifies the process of custom-fitting socks--meaning no more droopy or too-tight socks." --Library Journal, starred review

"...with a near encyclopedic amount of detail on everything you need to know about hand knitted socks. Kate takes the measurements and the good fit of socks very seriously. By telling us how to measure our feet, what to measure, and what amount of ease to allow for, she really helps us get on the right path to well-fitting socks." --Knit and Travel

"I've looked at a LOT of books... and I can say that this is the first book that made me consider designing socks." --Kyle William

"Kate Atherley has done a massive amount of homework, here, to give you step by step instructions about everything you need to know to make a good, perfectly fitted sock. She tells you how to measure your foot correctly-and what measurements to pay attention to. She talks about the right yarn, and how to make adjustments for everything from a shallow arch to adjusting the shape of the toe to fit most comfortably." --Knitting Scholar

"Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet (F&W, 2015) is an invaluable resource for knitters, crocheters, and sock makers in general. While the information is knit focused (and some only applies to knitting) the information on sizing, measurement, and yarn is information every maker should have." --Rohn Strong Designs

"...if you knit socks, you NEED this book. True to the title, this book gives you everything you need to knit socks that fit--whether you have 'average' feet or unique feet, Kate gives you all the tools you need to create a great fitting sock, either from someone else's pattern or when creating your own." --Media Peruana Designs

"Custom Socks is filled with a huge amount of wisdom, technique, inspiration, great patterns and more! If you're a sock knitter I really think this is one book that will be much loved...each chapter includes sub-topics and TONS of helpful information!... Kate's written a book that is designed to allow the knitter to learn how to make a stylish and great fitting sock without overwhelming or intimidating them! She breaks it all down in an approachable yet educational manner. A great gift for any sock knitter this holiday season!" --Very Shannon

"Kate is smart, and witty and does a lot of math for you! One thing I love about this book is that if you are the kind of knitter who cares about how the math works to achieve perfect fit Kate dives deeply into all her formulas. On the other hand if you want the calculations taken care of so you can get knitting, she's done that too!... This is really a sock encyclopedia!" --Laura Nelkin

"Perhaps my favorite aspect is that it is equal parts textbook and bathtub knitting, which speaks volumes about the versatility and usability of this treasure. Kate provides infinite resources and tips, but also offers a knitterly escape into juicy details of patterns and unique inspiration--which is perfect for a few stolen moments of tub soaking!... Custom Socks is full of hard data, numbers, and charts that make it a handy go-to and essential tool. I've knit over 50 pairs of socks in 12 years, and believe me when I say that I learn something every time I pick up this book. Custom socks with no bunching, no slipping, and no guess-work!... Custom Socks may be my 10th sock book, but it definitely ranks #1 on the shelf!" --Knitty Magazine

"...if you are interested in becoming a master sock knitter, I think you will learn a great deal about the craft from this book." --My Central Jersey's "In Stitches" column