First, the facts:
Title: Sleepy Eyes Knit: Wonderlace
Author: Gina House
Published by: Signature Book Printing, 2013
Pages: 80
Type: Lace patterns
Chapters:
A listing of patterns rather than chapters.
The In-Depth Look:
This charming book of lace patterns is a self-published creation of the author, Gina House. It’s actually her second book. Her first was the small, spiral-bound “Dreamscape” in 2009, and the greater publishing experience shows in the new book. The new book is hardcover and more a “real” book in terms of heft and detail, filled with glossy photos and nice, large charts for knitting.
All the patterns (13 of them) come with written instructions as well as charts. The charts themselves are helpfully, generously sized–no need for squinting or magnifying glasses to read them. The key for the symbols is included on each page, too, to make flipping back and forth to the glossary unnecessary.
The patterns are all fairytale-inspired lace projects, mostly shawls, though there are other things, too–socks, a hat, fingerless mitts … even a washcloth and little black bag perfectly sized for carrying tarot cards or a cell phone. (And, speaking of tarot cards, there’s also a knitting-inspired card spread to try for readings, if you’re into that kind of thing. I can’t remember the last time I pulled my own tarot cards out, but there’s something nice about the idea of a card spread designed just for knitters, don’t you think?)
Gina has also produced her smaller, earlier “Dreamscape” book of 12 lace designs. I actually like the small, spiral-bound size because it would be easy to stash in a knitting bag. (How often can you ever say that about a knitting book?). I like the designs here, too–a lot of hats and scarves. I’m not fond of the dark, moody photos, though, which I think take away from the projects. You can see them clearly enough, but, well. I’ve never been a fan of over-artistic photos of patterns in knitting books. The important thing, though, is that the text and charts here, too, are easy to read.
I love that this Wonderlace is a Kickstarter-funded project, as well–something I hadn’t realized until I saw the list of backers lovingly named at the end of the book.
Wonderlace can be found at Amazon.com or at Gina’s Etsy page–you can get either hard-copy or PDF versions of either of her books.
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.
This review copy was kindly donated by the author. Thank you!
