First, the facts:
Title: Modern Country Knits: 30 Designs from Juniper Moon Farm
Author: Susan Gibbs
Published by: Sixth & Spring Books, 2014
Pages: 144
Type: Patterns
Chapters:
(No chapters, just a listing of patterns)
The In-Depth Look:
In the interests of full disclosure, I’m telling you right now that I’ve known Susan since 2008 when I joined her fiber CSA for what was then known as the Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm. I’ve been reading her entertaining blog since about forever. I’ve watched as she transitioned from producing yarn from her personal flock of adorable sheep and goats to a commercial line of yarn that I’ve consistently loved knitting with. I’ve also test-knitted for her several times and done some pattern editing for her, all the while impressed at her enthusiasm and energy.
So, really, the fact that Susan now has a book out is almost unsurprising, because of course she’d write a book, too. I’m starting to think there’s nothing she can’t do.
Now, for this review I’ve got an added advantage of having spent several hours today at Knit in Newtown, PA for a book-signing/trunk show where Susan showed live samples of just about every garment in this book. This means I can tell you that they’re just as gorgeous in person as they are in the pages of the book. (Because, really, you can’t always be sure about that kind of thing, can you?) There’s nothing quite like seeing live samples on live people to boost your confidence in the designers.
So, if all this makes me biased, well … there are worse things to be biased about, because this book is a winner.
Modern Country Knits is filled with an assortment of sweater and accessory patterns, all for women. Sweaters, hats, mitts, dresses, shawls … it’s the usual kind of assortment. Some of the patterns might look familiar because they’ve been lifted from earlier Juniper Moon Farm pattern leaflets, but most of them are new. (And if you haven’t been as obsessive about following Susan’s farm grow and expand as I have, you probably haven’t seen most of these, but even if you have, they are her most popular patterns to date for a reason.)
Seriously, this is a great book with good patterns and really beautiful photos. (Just the kind I like, too, because they’re great to look at but actually show off the garments without looking like they’re trying to hide anything.) And of course there are schematics to go with the patterns, and stitch charts as needed … everything you need.
It’s entirely true that I might be biased, here, on behalf of my friend, but don’t let that stop you from checking out this book! Run to your nearest shop or go straight to Amazon.com to get a copy.
(Because, honestly, if I’d hated the book I’d try to be tactful and not hurt anyone’s feelings, but I’d still let you know I was disappointed … and, obviously, that is NOT the case here. This is an honest-to-goodness rave. Just because I’m biased doesn’t mean I’m wrong!)
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.
This review copy was kindly donated by Susan Gibbs. Thank you!
