First, the facts:
Title: Knitting Architecture: 20 Patterns Exploring Form, Function and Detail
Author: Tanis Gray
Published by: Interweave Press, 2013
Pages: 159
Type: Patterns
Chapters:
1. Form Follows Function
2. The Details
3. Materials
The In-Depth Look:
It’s really such a comfort to know that I’m not the only person who gets distracted by stunning details in the buildings I walk past. I often take more photos of architecture than I do of the people I’m with, and there have been many times when I’ve been tempted to translate a beautiful sculptural detail into a knitting design.
Well, now I don’t have to, because that’s the point behind this book by Tanis Gray.
Because here we have twenty designs inspired by beautiful buildings or techniques. Sweaters and wraps, mostly, but socks mittens, hats, and bags make an appearance as well.
Each pattern comes with an introduction (and photo) of the inspiration, whether a building or a detail of carving or tile. (Actually, my only regret is that the photos of inspiration aren’t bigger, but that could just be because I really do appreciate eye-catching architectural detail.) The photos of the actual patterns, though, are good–they illustrate the knitwear nicely, being attractive without being too “artistic” (i.e., deliberately obscuring flaws by having models leaning sideways while holding large books in front of the sweater … because that happens, you know)
The best part of this collection, though, is that the knitwear is actually wearable. Nobody’s trying to make you look like a building, or being so true to the original inspiration that they forget they’re designing something to be worn by a human being, rather than being lived in by one.
All in all, a gorgeous book, which can be found at Amazon.com or your local shop.
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!
