The Mitten Handbook by Mary Scott Huff, photographs by Lesley Unruh, pub. Abrams, 2017. This unassuming paperback is one of the best books about knitting and designing mittens that I have ever read. Oh yes, there are patterns at the end of the book if you want to knit Huff's irresistibly cute/gorgeous/original designs. But the book begins with an overview of the design process and some pro tips. Part 1, "Designing Your Own Mittens," names the components of a mitten, covers gauge and size, looks at design theory (of color, texture, proportion, and repetition), and provides a list of some common types of mittens (various ethnic or technique-based). Included is a design worksheet (with a sample completed one as well as a blank one to photocopy) that directly translates to a pattern (along with a sample of how that works). Part 2, "Components," is a dictionary of edges, cuffs, thumbs, and tops. The beginning of each category gives an overview of the component's purpose, feel, and potential for visual impact ("The top of your mitten does more than cover your fingers"). The entries include notes (top-down or bottom-up, left/right interchangeable, etc.) as well as tips for customization and easier or neater working of the particular element. The introduction to Part 3, "Techniques," includes advice on how best to use online videos to learn new skills. The techniques themselves are not what you might expect: Measuring, Ease, Gauge and Swatches, Choosing Yarns, and Mitten Architecture (comprising Knitting Direction and Needle Configuration). I appreciate starting with measuring as a technique to be explored. It is the first, most basic step. Part 4, "Patterns," takes up the majority of the pages. For me, this book is less about the designs and more about the design process. For others, I can imagine that while the opening material might be interesting, Huff's adorable mittens take center stage. I heartily recommend this book for anyone interested in knitting or designing mittens...for any age group! Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own.
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This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been notified. Thanks to all who participated! Slow Knitting by Hannah Thiessen, photography by Katie Meek, pub. Abrams, 2017. This hardcover book is beautifully put together, from the embossed title to the sidebars and schematics. The impetus of the book is to encourage knitters (and everyone!) to "source carefully, produce thoughtfully, think environmentally, experiment fearlessly, and explore openly". Each chapter outlines the author's thoughts and research on this topic, then profiles a couple yarns that exemplify that particular value. After each yarn profile is a pattern using the yarn and highlighting its qualities (and often, the value named in the chapter title). There follows a section called "Yarn for Thought" which gives brief overviews of several other yarns which could easily have been included in that chapter. "Next steps" sidebars nudge us to act on the values outlined and even go beyond, examining seasonality and embracing innovation. I recommend this book for anyone who has never thought about where their yarn comes from as well as those curious about the slow knitting movement. If you like even two of the patterns in the book, a purchase would be worthwhile. And now the giveaway: Leave a comment about one of the five Slow Knitting values (source carefully, produce thoughtfully, think environmentally, experiment fearlessly, and explore openly) and what it means to you. How have you enacted this value in the past, or have you never thought of it before? Do you practice it with regard to something else in your life (like food or transportation) but are just now applying it to knitting? Do you have a friend who embodies it admirably? What's one step you could take toward it? I'll choose one comment at random on October 26. Be sure to leave a method of contact (email address or Ravelry handle). Provide me with a U.S. address, and I'll mail a copy of the book to you. Good luck! Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own.
You Can Knit That by Amy Herzog, photography by Karen Pearson, pub. Abrams, 2016 Amy Herzog has done it again---written a book that speaks to beginning and experienced sweater knitters, topped off by a couple dozen wonderful patterns. Her signature design is a plain sweater with set-in sleeves, knit in pieces. There may be a touch of colorwork here or there, or a sweet bit of lace, or a line of texture or cabling. But her genius is in the fit, and it's such genius that it wants to be displayed rather than hidden by excessive adornment. In this book she stretches out, displaying that same genius in raglans, circular yokes, drop shoulders, and integrated sleeves. She reveals that the secrets to great fit aren't just in the measurements but also in the yarn. For instance, anyone who subscribes to the stereotype of drop-shouldered sweaters as boxy and bulky would be surprised by the Cushy Pullover (right). Made with a baby alpaca/merino blend, its fabric has "enough movement and 'crushability' to comfortably lie under the arms." Its modern silhouette feature slimmer sleeves. And though the body is oversized and unshaped, the sides are ribbed to provide a little bit of cling. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The reason for all these construction types is to explain in loving detail the procedure for knitting any kind of sweater. The book's mission, as evidenced by its title, is to demonstrate the accessibility of knitting beautiful, comfortable garments. The Introduction, written in Amy's amiable prose, explains (among other things) that these sweaters in this book are "lower stakes, fit-wise, than the classic tailored pullover." Chapters 1 - 3 are even lower stakes than the patterns, encouraging practice with swatches, with pencil and paper, and with tape measure and sweaters you actually own. These chapters are named "Before the Knitting," "During the Knitting," and "After the Knitting." They cover the following:
Herzog's wealth of experience and unique perspective almost guarantee that even if you have heard a particular pointer, you have not heard it put exactly that way. I especially appreciated the sections on fabric, ease, and trim. Next come the patterns. Divided by construction, they include one "mini" project for each category. Mostly sized for toddlers through 10-year-olds, these projects are intended to familiarize the knitter with new ideas without a huge investment in yarn or time. But they're also darned cute! Most pattern books have blurbs introducing the pattern. These are usually "romance copy," paragraphs sketching the inspiration for an item, or suggesting where and how it might be worn. This is how Amy romances us on the Entangled Raglan (orange sweater in the upper right corner of the cover): One of the most exciting things about the raglan construction, from a designer's perspective, is that the raglan lines offer a beautiful chance to show off stitch patterning. In this cardigan, I combined a smooth, lovely wool with beautiful cables that I used to adorn the seams of the garment. Those seams are important for stability (cables are heavy!), as are the buttons at the top of the cardigan. As you knit, make sure your neck edge is strong, since much of the weight of the sweater is supported by it. You'll be rewarded by a stunning garment that's also comfortable to wear. That's a lot of information for what's often the "fluff" section of the pattern! Occasional "Bonus Lessons" appear in sidebars throughout the book, ensuring that Amy is able to pack in as much content as possible. Whew! But so we don't have to wade through all the info every time we start a new project, Amy's included a two-page "super-quick guide to super-wearable sweaters" near the back of the book. She thinks of everything! Karen Pearson's photography is joyful and the styling by Astrid Scannell-Long is creative but not distracting. I'm looking forward to knitting the Heublein Pullover---I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. I'm a little concerned because it's worn by my favorite model and I think that may be swaying my decision. But it fills a gap in my wardrobe and I'd like to test the difference Amy says seams will make in a raglan. I recommend this book for any and all knitters. Reading it is like sitting down for a meal with a good friend who knows a lot about the things you love. And the patterns are the icing on the cake! Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own.
On the Loom: a Modern Weaver's Guide by Maryanne Moodie, photographs by Alexandra Grablewski, pub. Abrams, 2016. A gentle introduction to weaving, this book contains clear tutorials for 5 different stitches (and a tassel) on rectangular, circular, and non-traditional looms. With essential information about tools, fiber choice, and color design, it's a comprehensive guide for novices, but even experienced weavers will likely discover pleasant surprises. The projects range from standard woven fare (rugs, wall hangings, placemats, baskets) to wearables (scarf, necklace, even a hair tapestry!) to the unusual (lampshade, teepee, party backdrop). Many of the projects include instructions for making your own loom. Materials can be as simple as a piece of cardboard or as sturdy as wooden stretcher bars with nail pegs. Sometimes the loom is an existing object like a bicycle basket or lampshade. In these cases, and in the holiday ornaments, the loom remains a part of the finished product. The party backdrop can be woven between two trees (a beautiful idea for an outdoor wedding). The tote bag (below right) is made from an existing rag rug (homemade or purchased). The photography is well done. The tableaux at chapter openings convey an accurate idea of the contents to follow. The project photos contribute to the book's air of gentle fun. The colors used are pastels with punches of vividness which is harmonious without being monotonous. This book would make a great gift for someone who likes crafts. Many of the projects are of manageable size and require nothing more than cardboard, yarn, and a tiny bit of time. Maryanne's instructions and photo tutorials are excellent, striking just the right tone. She covers many techniques of weaving besides the different stitches. I recommend this book for anyone interested in weaving or learning new skills. Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own.
The Modern Natural Dyer by Kristine Vejar, photography by Sara Remington, pub. STC Craft, 2015. This very thoughtful guide to natural dyeing captured my heart and my imagination. It explores various dyestuffs and encourages experimentation. It includes knitting and sewing projects as well as ready-made items. And it presents everything in an easy-to-use format without excessive page turning and cross-referencing. The author is Kristine Vejar, of A Verb for Keeping Warm. She has worked in Washington, D.C.'s Textile Museum and traveled to India on a Fulbright to study natural dyeing. The first chapter includes a glorious gallery of natural dyestuffs in various forms and used on various materials. A short paragraph describes each one, what it looks like and the range of colors it produces. Sara Remington's photography is sumptuous, and Alessandra Mortola's choices, styling, and backgrounds all work together perfectly. The accompanying text is succinct yet informative, including tips on where to find plants and how to extract the dye. Then comes a brief overview on choosing fiber. It covers animal, silk, bast, seed, and fibers manufactured from natural materials. Chapter 3 is the heart of the book: Dyeing 101. The steps are outlined, as well as features of indoor and outdoor workspaces, recommended and optional tools, and the value of a dye journal (as well as what to record in yours). Then each step is detailed, with supplementary photos. Natural dyeing seems a little like making tea . . . in an extraordinarily large pot! The "Dyeing With Whole Dyestuffs" chapter includes several fetching projects including an adorable and useful sewing kit done with "eco printing." This involves rolling whole flowers up in the fabric before simmering. The "Dyeing with Extracts" chapter features a couple of shade cards (one for protein-based and one for cellulose-based fibers) and volume-to-weight conversion charts. There are also eight projects including the useful Wanderlust Bags and the beautiful Sandstone Shawl (below). Each project clearly states a list of skills you will learn as you work. The next chapter explores indigo dyeing, an intriguing process which is different from other natural dyes. The final chapter covers surface design: painting and resist dyeing. Resist dyeing interests me the most. It uses thread, yarn, and even wooden blocks to create color patterns. Kristine includes a resource list, bibliography, and glossary, as well as an index. But this inspiring book is full of interesting trivia and gorgeous photography, even if you never put dyestuff to pot. I recommend this book for lovers of color everywhere, as well as those interested in natural dyes. Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own. One-Skein Wonders for Babies, edited by Judith Durant, photograph by Geneve Hoffman, pub. Storey Publishing, 2015. This is charming book has 10 chapters: Little Ensembles, Little Tops, Little Bottoms, Little Dresses, Little Hats, Little Socks & Bootees, Little Accessories, Little Blankets, Little Toys, and Little Miscellany. That last chapter includes "Mom's Stress Reducer", an eye mask to wear while Little One naps. The others cover practically anything you might want to knit for an infant or toddler. All 101 patterns are thoroughly tech edited by Edie Eckman, so you can knit them with confidence! I love Cathy Campbell's Circus Rings Baby Hat shown in the top right corner of the cover. It uses a long-stripe variegated yarn to achieve stripes of horizontal ribbing. The Elephant Blanket Buddy by Gwen Steege (also on the cover) is one of three adorable blanket toys included in the book. It might be my favorite, because of the trunk which is good for holding onto or sucking. The Sail Away with Me top (at left) by Janice Bye has a delightful sailboat detail in purl stitches on the front. The water ripples are echoed in the sleeves. As is common in this book, the pattern is only given in one size. I imagine this is because of the one skein constraint. Sidebars such as "Babies and Lace" and "Toy Safety" encourage crafting which is mindful of the intended user (and therefore more likely to be used!). Vicki Byram's Vertical Lace Baby Cardigan (at right), Jenny Snedeker's Diamond Vest, Evelyn Uyemura's Greenleaf Baby Hat, Lindsay Lewchuk's Ruffle Bumpkin, Sarah Gomez's Friendly Lizard, and Andrea Wong's Easy Baby Booties were a few of the patterns that caught my eye. But it was extremely difficult to choose just a few! Nearly all the patterns attracted my interest---and that very seldom happens. Another design of note is my own Faux Bow Baby Hat (below). The bow "loops" are double-knit, and the ties are I-cord. And now for the giveaway: Leave a comment by October 20 saying to whom you would give a Faux Bow Baby Hat. This could be an existing or expected baby, a charity, or something else! I'll choose two random entries and send them each a ball of Willow Daily DK courtesy of the folks at Willow Yarns. That's enough for a hat plus some! The pink hat is Willow Daily; the other hat is the buttery Green Sheep Sport in the Tide Pool colorway. Lastly, a few more patterns from the book: Ingenious rattles by Lynn Wilson, each featuring a different knitting technique; Debbie Haymark's take on Mary Jane shoes ("Lizzie Janes"), and Ann Faith's Montana Moccasins. I recommend this book for anyone who's knitting for babies or toddlers, or just wanting a quick project. There's a wonderful mix of cute, clever, and sophisticated designs! Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a free copy of this book. Kangath was not compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own. Gertie's New Fashion Sketchbook by Gretchen Hirsch, illustrated by Sun Young Park, pub. STC Craft, 2015. This sketchbook's subtitle is "Indispensible Figure Templates for Body-Positive Design." In other words, if you want to create clothing that looks good on different body types, you can't do without this book. Gertie supplied the inspiration for this book, nine pages of introductory material, and a band of designer and sewing friends to try out Sun's drawings. These drawings are made up of several lines "nested" like the different sizes in sewing patterns. They are very pale so you can choose the size you want, trace just those lines, and when you photocopy the sketch the other lines will disappear! For instance, I have slender shoulders and generous hips. I can trace the narrowest lines on top and the broader ones at the hips. The only direction these croquis aren't customizable is height. Sun provided several poses, including two of my most wanted: rear view, and arm extended. Though no size is quite as large as the "plus-size" figure I usually use, the proportions are the main focus of this book. Of the introductory material, I especially enjoyed the "Styles That Have Endured" section which lists design components and sample ways to combine them. But the "Sketching Pointers" were useless to me. Terms like "softer edges" don't translate to my pencil. Luckily, the "Recommended Reading and Research" section had a couple promising books listed. I highly recommend this book for professional and amateur designers who aren't comfortable drawing their own models. Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own. Knit Wear Love by Amy Herzog, photography by Karen Pearson, pub. STC Craft, 2015. I can't say enough good things about this book. Amy Herzog is one of my favorite knitting voices. I enjoy her non-judgmental word choices and straightforward message: we are all beautiful. That said, when I first saw this book I looked at the cover and wondered what the publisher was thinking. the sweaters weren't attractive to me, the styling seemed off, the camera angles were unflattering... The clouds cleared from my attitude when I opened the book and saw what it was. Of course it's not just a collection of patterns! That's not what Amy's about. She opens with a chapter on identifying your personal style. Proposing no fewer than eight categories, complete with descriptions of fiber, fabric, and color, she gives five exercises to help label your tastes. This is important because if we articulate what we like to wear, we are less likely to choose to knit something that attracts us for other reasons (for instance, the setting it's worn in). Chapter Two is a crash course in sweater choice and customization which will guide us through eight meta-patterns, each with three samples worked up in different styles and yarn weights. Each meta-pattern is written for twelve sizes from 30" to 54" bust. The patterns are brilliantly laid out in chart form, resulting in a surprising clarity, given that there are mix-and-match instructions for three radically different sweaters on the same page. It's like a cross between a knitting book and a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Novel. The bolero below (in bulky weight yarn) is written with the worsted-weight Avant Garde Bolero and the fingering-weight Romantic Bolero. All three patterns are given in all three weights, with caveats about yarn suitability for special features such as puffed sleeves. They are only broken out by specific styles when necessary (as for the lower edge or the sleeves) otherwise they are written as one pattern. It works. Knitters can choose to use a different stitch patterns or yarn weights or even change the increase and decrease rates following Amy's instructions. It's liberating, and the possibilities are endless. I highly recommend this book for knitters who want to be able to customize their sweaters for fit or for style. Also for those who'd like their knitting to fit better (some important information about measuring gauge in Chapter Two), those who want to choose a sweater that flatters their body type, those who are hesitant to knit a sweater in pieces or have trouble with seaming, and those who just plain like Amy Herzog patterns. Disclosure: The publisher sent Kangath a review copy of this book. Kangath was not otherwise compensated for the preceding review. All opinions expressed in Kangath's reviews are her own. Lithuanian Knitting by Donna Druchunas and June Hall, project photography by Dominic Cotignola, Double Vision Press, 2015. Donna Druchunas has an interesting style of knit design. Inspired by ethnic traditions and enhanced by her own quirky intelligence, she turns out items to dress in from head to toe and then some. She has collaborated with June Hall on a masterwork which combines history, technique, designs, and even a bit of animal science---all Lithuanian or inspired by Lithuanian knitting. This review is part of a blog tour to help raise money to publish a printed version of the book, available soon in pdf format. The book contains over 100 pages of background material: photos, artwork, charts, maps, and text. It is always clear who is writing (the passages are labeled "Donna" and "June"), and both women have clear, engaging tones. The introduction explains the genesis of this book. The next chapter is called "The Land and the People" and explores the way the town and the country, the people and their stories, provide inspiration for knitted motifs and art in general. Chapter Three, "The History," describes how the Lithuanian National Costume developed and takes a quick look at Jewish Lithuania. When I signed up for the blog tour, I chose a date that would give me plenty of time to read the book and prepare a review. Or so I thought! Nearing that date and not even halfway through the background material, I skipped ahead to Chapter Seven, "Lithuanian Knitting Techniques." This chapter contains several exciting new techniques like the Bulgarian Cast On, and recipes for custom-sized socks, mittens, and gloves. The subjects of Chapters Four and Five are Lithuanian Sheep and Wool. I was happy to have the time to go back and read them. It's worth the price of the book just to read June's loving treatment of these topics. Chapter Six describes knitters and their traditions in over a dozen Lithuanian cities and villages. Then come Donna's patterns! Nine mitten designs, five glove designs, ten sock designs, and three wrist warmer designs. Here are a few of my favorite socks: I knit the "Rumsiskes in Summer" sample socks above. Note: made in Litwool, they are not intended to be worn in warm weather, but represent the colors and images of Rumsiskes Open Air Museum in summertime. This place, like Crossroads Village in my hometown, or the Rural Life Museum where I live now, replicates the buildings and tools of yesteryear. I also started a pair of "Vytis, Lithuania's Knight" gloves for use in the book. I was especially looking forward to the patterned fingers but ran into trouble with them and ended up sending them back to Donna for reworking. I guess I'll just have to knit my own pair! The final sample was knit in Rauma Finullgarn and more closely matches the colors of the museum gloves that inspired them. Now for the giveaway: I'm offering the yarn used in the sample on the left (enough to knit a pair of Vytis gloves) to a randomly chosen commenter with a U.S.A. address---Knit Picks "Palette" in Safflower and Midnight Heather. Safflower is a sweet yellow, somewhere between lemony and buttery. The Midnight Heather is a deep navy blended with just enough turquoise to make it shine. The pattern is part of the book, which you can either get as a premium on the Pubslush page or pre-order on Ravelry. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment by May 26 saying when or where you'd wear your Vytis gloves, or who you plan to give them to. Or tell me your favorite pattern from the book (there are so many good ones, but I rather like Marija's Kneesocks). Do check out the Pubslush Campaign to raise money for the print version of this worthwhile book, as well as the rest of the blog tour. Good for all knitters, with information on design as well as solidly written patterns, the book has enough background information to attract non-knitters as well. Wonderful! Disclosure: Kangath received a preview copy of this book from the author. No other compensation was provided. The opinions expressed in all Kangath's reviews are her own.
Duct Tape by Forest Walker Davis, pub. Quarry Books, 2015. When this book arrived on my doorstep, my tween snatched it away before I had a chance to look at it. Eventually she looked the other way, and I snatched it back. Forest's tone, casual yet focused, appealed to me instantly. The shiny projects are delightful and the instructional text is clear. This book contains a balance of photo tutorials (that look like they've been attached to the page with duct tape) and detailed project descriptions (that fall just short of instructions). For example, in the "Flowers" chapter there are photo tutorials for different kinds of petals and flower centers. There's also a gallery of various real and fantastical flowers with descriptions that tell how they were made. In addition to flowers and the obligatory wallets and purses, there are belts, neckties, dog leashes, and caps! I don't care for the book's font, which besides looking cramped is annoyingly small in places, but a hipper person might find it attractive. This book widened my horizons a bit---always a good thing. I haven't read many books on duct tape crafts, but I enjoyed this one. 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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