First, the facts:
Title: All New Homespun Handknit: 25 Small Projects to Knit with Handspun Yarn
Author: Amy Clarke Moore
Published by: Interweave Knits, 2009
Pages: 143
Type: Knitting patterns for handspun yarn.
Chapters:
No chapters, really, just a list of the patterns in the Table of Contents
Pattern Size Range: Not really applicable
The In-Depth Look:
This book is an updated take on Linda Ligon’s classic Homespun Handknits–a book dedicated to a collection of small projects you can make with your handspun yarn.
Now, the first thing you need to know? This is NOT a book about spinning. There are occasional spinning tips in the sidebars, but this is primarily a knitting book. It just assumes you’re working off of yarn you’ve spun already, or had someone spin for you.
No, what this book is is a collection of patterns for small projects. The largest designs in here are a couple of child-sized sweaters and lace shawls. Most of the patterns are for mittens, hats, wrist-warmers, scarves, and small bags. This is handy because, so often, you have just one skein of handspun yarn and no plans for what to do with it. What can you do with your 4 ounce skein of Bluefaced Leicester sock yarn? Or your Cormo laceweight?
Here’s where you find out. There are at least two pairs of mittens in here that I’d love to make (if I ever actually wore mittens instead of gloves). There is some beautiful lace, and a bonnet for a little girl that I adore. Not a baby bonnet, mind you, but headwear for a girl that’s halfway between a hat and a hood, and that I’m seriously thinking about sizing up so I can make one for myself. It’s part of a set, too, that comes with a two choices of sweaters, and a hat for a boy.
There’s a great variety of knitting techniques, too. Entrelac socks, an Argyle bag. Color work of both the simple and more-complex variety. Some lace, as I already mentioned. No cables that I see, but a little texture, which makes for some nice variety.
None of the patterns seems unduly complicated, but they’re not boringly simple, either. Just what you’d want to showcase your handspun yarn. Amy Clarke Moore and her team of designers did Linda Ligon’s original proud.
But what, you’re asking, if you don’t spin? You’re in luck. Each project comes not only with detailed notes about how its yarn was spun for the spinners among you, BUT it also comes with notes as to what kind of yarn you need in case you want to use the commercial variety. (It’s okay, nobody considers that to be cheating.)
This fine book is available from Amazon.com.
Want to see pictures? Click here.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!
