First, the facts:
Title: Unexpected Cables: Feminine Knitted Garments featuring Modern Cable Knitting
Author: Heather Zoppetti
Published by: Interweave Press, 2015
Pages: 127
Type: Clothing and accessories
Chapters:
1. Unrefined
2. Lace
3. Abstract
The In-Depth Look:
The first sentence of this book resonated for me right away:
“One of the things I love most about knitting is the endless opportunity for learning.”
I so agree with that! Because, while I love that my favorite hobby leaves me with warm and cozy and beautiful things to get actual use out of, if that was all it was, I’d be bored by now. Knitting the same old shapes in the same old techniques … that might be fine for the sock project permanently living in my purse, but when I knit at home, I want to try new things.
Even better, I love applying old, well-known techniques in new and different ways.
Not everyone wants to sit with a book talking about technique, though. A lot of knitters learn best by actually trying things out—and considering how complex some patterns get, sometimes you need to just take a leap of faith and follow instructions. There really are times when over-thinking can get you in trouble.
So what better way to take a fresh look at something as basic as cables than through a collection of patterns?
The author writes:
“Cable knitting, like lace, is both beautiful and somewhat magical. When many people think of cable knitting, the first images that come to mind are big, boxy fisherman sweaters. This is exactly NOT what you will find in Unexpected Cables. The goal of this book is to update the cable from heirloom to modern in unexpected ways. “
The book is split into three chapters.
- Refined (six patterns that “employ the humble cable in a refined way”)
- Lace (six patterns that “feature lace that ranges from all-over to a simple sprinkling of eyelets, as well as balances the openness of lace with the denseness of cabling”), and
- Abstract (projects that “feature cables on the canvas of unexpected construction” to keep things modern and edgy)
Now, this is not the first book I’ve seen that promises to ‘update’ cables from the old-school view of bulky Aran sweaters, nor is it the first to use cables in a light, modern way. So for that reason, I could probably argue with the title, that these are hardly “unexpected,” but that doesn’t mean they’re not good. You’ve got sweaters, wraps, gloves, socks, hats … the usual blend of project types to keep you busy and inspired. There’s not a lot by way of instruction or explanation—this is solely a pattern book, not an educational one, but that’s not a bad thing. Beautiful patterns are practically the soul of knitting, after all—right after keeping cozy and warm.
You can find your own copy at Amazon.com.
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!
