 Kung Fu Knits by Elizabeth Green Musselman, illustrated by Ben Bender, pub. Cooperative Press, 2014. This charming book is a graphic novel(ette) with knitting patterns. Elizabeth, who also did the photography, offers 6 designs for active children: A gi in sizes 4 - 12 (jacket, pants, and belt), nunchucks, shurikens, and a shoulder bag to put them in. This book is done with typical Cooperative Press attention to detail: watermark dragon emblems on each pattern page and mini emblems by each page number. Patterns and schematics are very clear, and the illustrations are sweet. Elizabeth's son Liam is an adorable, I mean, indomitable model. In addition to the individual project yarn amounts, Elizabeth includes a list of how much yarn you would need to make all the projects in the book.  Each project comes with an amusing subtitle and clever details. The Gi Jacket is a modified drop-shoulder wrap cardigan fastened with two i-cord ties. The zippered bag has a wide shoulder strap which goes all the way around the top of the bag. Each shuriken is knit in a single piece before stuffing, not as individual points and base. Anyone who has struggled to get a child to wear their hand knits will relate to the story at the beginning of the book---and the parodic cry "Now we must knit!" is sure to resonate through Ravelry.
Disclosure: Kangath received a review copy of this book from the publisher. No other compensation was provided. The opinions expressed in all Kangath's reviews are her own.
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 Dishcloth Diva Knits On! by Deb Buckingham, pub. Cooperative Press, 2013. The 15 designs in this book range from classic to divine. Some are straightforward combinations of knits and purls, while others include slipped stitches or cables or yarnovers to get the desired effect. All the projects are about 8" square, quick and easy, with memorizable stitch patterns. This is not to say they lack interest. I found several patterns I would like to knit up (for my husband, who does the dishes).  We've been searching for years for a dishcloth that works and stays soft. I even tried my hand at knitting a couple. Recently my stepfather-in-law offered us some crocheted dishcloths that he didn't care for. They're wonderful, and it gives me hope that with the right pattern I could do better than my first attempts. Ethel looks like woven cloth but is actually made up of stitches slipped with the yarn held alternately to the front or the back of the work. It's attractive in its elegant simplicity.  Lucille Bell, on the other hand, is a feisty pattern. The only two-color cloth in this collection, the slipped stitches and purl rows give it a "scrubby" texture. Deb does her own photography, and it comes out really well. The photos in this book are even better than the ones in her last book. The wooden countertop with stainless steel, tin, glass, and wicker in the backdrop are more to my taste than the orange plastic, and they tell a more romantic story.  In addition to the patterns, this book contains a brief overview of the aspects of wool. Wool? Well, Deb's first book already covered cotton. Wool is definitely not recommended for dishcloths, but Deb had the idea of knitting dishcloths in wool and sewing them together to make a "lapghan" (a cross between a lap quilt and an afghan). She donated the completed lapghan to the Ronald McDonald House, and devoted a section of the book to this charity and its mission.  At just under a page and a half, Elizabeth is the longest pattern in the book. (Most are less than a page long.) This pattern and a couple others would work well using charts, and there's enough blank space to accommodate them, but there are no charts in this book. Still, Deb says once you get going you'll be able to see where you're going without constantly referring to the instructions, and I think she's probably right.  This is an excellent book with clever patterns at a good price. It does not cover the benefits of knitted dishcloths, or the properties of cotton. I know her first book covers the latter, and it just might cover the former as well. After I knit my dishcloth (I think I'll start with Nellie) I'll tell you what the advantages seem to be, how well it absorbs water, how scrubby it is, in short, how I like it. Or how my husband likes it. . . . Disclosure: Kangath received a review copy of this book from the publisher. No other compensation was provided. The opinions expressed in all Kangath's reviews are her own. 
I'm on my church's Bereavement Committee, and am frequently asked to contribute food for funerals. My specialty is cake, although I have been known to make lasagna or Spanish rice. Recently I've been asked to make salads, which is awkward for me. Salad fixings need to be fresh, and it can be difficult to squeeze in an unplanned shopping trip.
This time I was called in the early afternoon for a funeral the next morning. Since I was going to be teaching most of the rest of the day, there was literally no time to shop. I was given a choice between salad and casserole. Most of my casseroles involve cheese, and cheese is a limited commodity around here these days for budget reasons. I knew I had some macaroni and it occurred to me I didn't have to make a green salad. In fact, last time I made a cucumber salad. So I chose to make a salad. A thorough search of my pantry uncovered few suitable ingredients for macaroni salad. Most critically, we were completely out of olives. But on my way out of the pantry I tripped over a bag of potatoes. Ah, yes! I never make potato salad because the rest of my family hates it. We're not talking "will only eat it if I have to" or even "don't let it even touch any food on my plate," but rather a deep-seated revulsion of the kind I don't have the heart to describe. Because potato salad is one of my very favorite foods. I improvised this recipe, and saved out a serving for myself. Next time I'll make double the amount and eat an entire batch---maybe in one sitting. It was that good. Potato Salad 2 pounds yukon gold potatoes 1/2 pound carrots (3 or 4 medium) 2 ribs celery 2 boiled eggs 3/4 cup mayonnaise 3/4 cup sour cream 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 green onion (greens only---about 10" long each) Scrub potatoes and celery. Peel and slice carrots. Place whole potatoes in boiling water and cook for 12 - 15 minutes or until a fork goes through them easily. Remove with slotted spoon. Add carrots to boiling water (I used a steamer basket for easy removal) and boil for 5 minutes. Chop potatoes, celery, and eggs. Mix with the carrots in a large bowl. Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, salt, paprika, and pepper. Pour over salad and mix. Chop green onions and stir gently to add. Enjoy!  hat before blocking and trimming When Gwen told me she was going to be the Mad Hatter for Halloween, I took that as a cue to knit the top hat from Hat Couture. She looked good in it, too!  Gwen before dance class  Magpies, Homebodies, and Nomads by Cirilia Rose, photography by Jared Flood, pub. STC Craft, 2014. This a gem of a book contains 26 patterns, categorized by personality. Magpies collect shiny things, including small amounts of precious yarns. Homebodies quietly enjoy the comforts of home. And Nomads venture out into the world, seeking friendship and inspiration. Photographer Jared Flood portrays each personality in its own habitat. The Magpies flit along a wooded path, or wander on the beach. The Homebodies dwell amid potted plans and cooking utensils. And the Nomads take to the street. Each design is photographed from a number of different angles, with the care (and eye) of a fellow knitter.  Heima Slippers Sizing is fairly generous, with most sweaters sized to fit chests size 31 to 53, and one hat and a pair of slippers presented in 3 sizes. There's only one size for all the other accessories, which include a couple hats and a pair of mitts but are mostly scarves. Along with the patterns there are pages and pages of worthwhile information. Tips on color, styling, and yarn substitution. Advice on organization, packing, and shopping. Referrals to books and blogs outside the knitting circle. And many more useful tidbits given in Cirilia's good-natured, matter-of-fact tone. Even the pattern introductions can have hints of wisdom gleaned from Cirilia's experience with greats such as Norah Gaughan. The intro to the Tisane Tank talks about developing a design vocabulary and points out that Tisane is a fraternal twin to the Garance Camisole (both pictured below) from an earlier chapter.
 Isla Cardigan and Marion Collar Much of Cirilia's work is not to my taste, but I absolutely adore her Isla Cardigan (cover photo and left), especially worn with the Marion Collar. The cardigan itself has several very sweet knitterly details such as slightly puffed sleeves, shoulder tabs, and a defined pleated ridge at the bustline. Reinterpreted from a thrift store find, it is a lovely piece on its own. But paired with the Marion Collar, it simultaneously evokes wilderness and elegance. If the cardigan is perfectly pleasing, the ensemble is thrilling. The collar is a knitted base worked in two extra soft yarns (lambswool and angora), with "lustrous, colorful, curly locks" pulled through afterwards using a crochet hook. Visit Weir Crafts or comb through Etsy to find the curly locks.  Gezell Coat Other designs which caught my eye are the Heima Slippers (above), the Coterie Cardigan, the Rainier Cowl, and the Raven Bag. The slippers look ultra-comfortable, and I love the way they are styled with tights that coordinate with the ribbon tie. The cardigan is a true double-breasted, military inspired piece. The cowl is a vegetarian take on fleece-lined suede. And who can resist a bag shaped like one of Odin's (or Poe's) iconic ravens? I also admire the Gezell Coat, shown at right. It solves the problem of pocket bulges by embracing them, incorporating them into its shape. And I love pockets. But I'm also developing a newfound affection for bobbles, which Gezell gratifies. The eyelets along the back seam make an interesting foil to the round buds at hem and cuffs.  Studio Pullover I was surprised, given the disparity of our tastes, at how similar Cirilia's thought processes are to mine. Her bibliography, including Teva Durham, Britt-Marie Christoffersson, and Maggie Righetti, looks very similar to my bookshelf. I recommend this charming book as a good read for any designer, knitter, shopper, or bricoleur (Cirilia's word). There are several references in addition to the bibliography which merit further exploration. And of course her designs may attract you on their own. This book stimulated and inspired me. Perhaps it will have the same effect on you! Disclosure: Kangath received a review copy of this book from the publisher. No other compensation was provided. The opinions expressed in all Kangath's reviews are her own. |
Hi! I'm Kangath---knit designer, musician, writer, and mother 
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