The author says in her introduction, “My first love was, and still is, stockinette stitch, that perfect companion to the classic, unfussy sweaters that I adore; sweaters that are equally at home in the office or on an evening out. But it wasn’t long before I discovered that the judicious addition of texture patterns–achieved by the simple combination of knit-and-purl-stitch building blocks, sometimes incorporating a few artfully placed yarnover increases and directional decreases–could make a garment truly special.”
Last week I just told you about a bunch of great new knitting books, but let’s not forget spinning and crocheting, huh? Handspun The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn Spin Art (Review coming soon.) Handspinning and Natural Dyeing Learn to Spin Seamless Crochet Simply Crochet Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet Custom Crochet Sweaters Knitting and [...]
Simply put, stash happens, and this is usually a good thing. Except … eventually you need to figure out what to do with it.
Here are some new and upcoming books to get excited about, in no particular sequence. Some are out already, some still have a bit of a wait, but the list sure is inspiring!
You know how stitch dictionaries work. They (usually) show you a photo of a sample swatch of the stitch, alongside a graph and/or row-by-row written instructions on how to knit it for yourself. I love stitch dictionaries, but after a while, they tend to run together …
And then one like this comes along.
First, the facts: Title: All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin Author: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Published by: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2011 Pages: 235 Type: Knitting Humor. Chapters: No chapters, exactly, just essays The In-Depth Look: I’ve been a fan of Stephanie-the-Yarn-Harlot for years. I’ve been reading her blog since long before her first [...]
First, the facts: Title: Knitting Stitches Visual Encyclopedia: 350 Stitch Patterns, Edgings, and More Author: Sharon Turner Published by: John Wiley & Sons, 2011 Pages: 240 Type: Knitting stitches Chapters: 1. Knit and Purl Patterns 2. Rib Patterns 3. Bobbles and Textured Stitches 4. Slipstitch Patterns 5. Twist-Stitch Patterns 6. Cable Patterns 7. Drop-stitch, Yarn [...]
“My inspiration for the form and shape of my sweaters most often comes from the fashion metropolis of New York City. Frequently, as I walk about during my daily routine, I notice people wearing unique and unusual clothing. Tailored coats always intrigue me. Their stunning silhouettes help me discover compelling shapes that lend themselves beautifully to sideways construction.”
This collection begins, “Simple, stylish knitting for the free spirit; this is the Knitscene mission. From its debut in 2005 as a special issue to its progression to quarterly status in 2011, we have sought out fresh projects, up-and-coming designers, unusual yarns, and fun ways to photograph them. This anthology celebrates the best of those efforts from the magazine’s first five years.”
Garter stitch, while easy, has never been my favorite stitch. I’ve always preferred smooth stockinette to its bumps and ridges. So when I heard Schoolhouse Press was coming out with a new EZ book devoted to garter stitch … I was torn. One the one hand, it was Elizabeth Zimmermann who is considered a master for good reason, but on the other … how much did I really want a book about garter stitch?
The authors write: “We love knitting hats. They are small, portable projects, great for tucking into your everyday bag and knitting on trains and buses. Hats are the perfect little knits for passing time in waiting rooms or stitching during meetings. Hats provide the opportunity to try new techniques without committing to a bigger project, such as a sweater. They allow us to indulge in luxury yarns that we might not invest in for larger projects. Best of all, hats can be quickly knitted and make great handmade gifts.”
Hey, folks, I’m in the middle of updating webhosts, so if Knitting Scholar goes briefly quiet … don’t worry! It’s only temporary!
This is a treasure-trove of charts. Collected by origin (Norway, Russian, Celtic, Birds & Flowers, and so on), it doesn’t so much as tell you what to do with them as give them to you to do whatever you wish. You can knit with them, embroider, stencil, mosaic … anything you like. The possibilities are endless.
This is Clara Parkes we’re talking about here. She’s already established herself as an expert on yarns with her reviews at Knitter’s Review and her two earlier books about yarn and wool. You would expect a book of hers about socks to not simply be a collection of patterns. You would expect more … and you’d get it.
