Knit Real Shetland Review

Ravelry Link

This is a lovely showcase for Jamieson & Smith yarn, and ironically I just finished watching Shetland the TV series yesterday (which I enjoyed).  After an introduction by the inestimable Kate Davies it launches into the patterns and sadly it features one of my pet hates, garments that aren't modeled by people. Sigh.

Hopefully some day Ravelry will provide pictures.  I live in hope, at the time of writing at least two of the garment projects doesn't feature photographs.  Unusually there's no preamble for the patterns talking about inspiration etc and I found that I kinda missed that.

15 patterns from clothing to tea cozy, this is an interesting inspiration and variety.

The first project is the Wave Cardigan, by Toshiyuki Shimada and Grace Williamson steeked, this features 3 basic colours and then 24 other colours, perfect for if you can't decide which of the 2 ply jumper weight you want.  Round necked cardigan.

Next up are the aran-weight Feathercrest mittens by Jared flood, with a reverse stocking stitch palm. Done in the round.

Next up is probably the pattern that most tempts me, the Peat Hill Waistcoat by Hazel Tindall, steeked again, with rounded edges so I really want to see this on someone, I have never done steeking before and want to know how it will turn out first. Muted colours it really appeals to me.

Cross Tam by Daniel Goldmanto me this looks like sunset, bright orange main colour and blues, the crosses fall down the hat.

Viking Tunic by Sandra Manson, a jumper that echoes Viking dress

Osaka Tea Cosy by Msami Yokoyama features teapots as part of the design and a star tops it, this is charming.

Kergord Scarf by Mary Kay is a delicate lace scarf, worked from both ends and then Kitchenered in the middle.

Melby Jumper Dress by Gudrun Johnston would be a dress for my niece but more tunic for most adults.  Features pockets and stripes.

Wool Brokers Socks by Lesley Smith white and berry tones with striped cuffs and sole. Lush and beautiful

Muckleberry Gloves and hat by Mary Jane Mucklestone complex colourwork in rich reds and blues creating wearable works of art.

Caavie Gansey by Candace Eisner Strick a complex steeked jumper that's full of colour without being overwhelming.

Madeira Lace Shawl by Joyce Ward a triangular lace with a scallop pattern and v-shaped edging.

Buttoned Hat Aka Lexie by Woolly Wormhead made in an Aran weight yarn this is a cloche with buttons that channels a Downton Abbey type of aesthetic and features interesting texture.

Olly's Allover by Jean Moss; cables in the middle with colourwork at the edges this is knit in Aran-weight.

Overall it's an interesting mixture of patterns and full of inspiration.  For a knitter with some experience, worth a look at least.  I borrowed it via Dublin City Public Libraries from South Dublin Libraries.  I would add that some pages fell out although it didn't really have a huge circulation from what I could tell.

Knockout Knits review

Knockout Knits by Laura Nelkin

Interesting collection of knitwear accessories under three basic themes; wrapped stitches, lace and beading.  I'm not sure why I'm not more impressed with this, it's possibly because it's not quite me.  They're nice but I was looking at it and I wouldn't buy it for me.

It's filled with interesting information, detailed advice on techniques and on swatching and in many ways it's an excellent book, but it's just not me.

Each project has a feature to it to lift it out of the ordinary, several clever ideas and designs.

Wrapped Stitches at Play has several interesting projects:

Wave Cuff - basically an exercise in how to work with wrapped stitches. Done in DK weight yarn on 4.5mm needles.

Prolix Mitts - worsted weight with 4 and 5mm needles, fingerless mitts with a long cuff, the wrapped stitches provide a rouching.

Folly Cloche crossed wrapped stitches pull the band in, very Downton. Knit in worsted yarn with 4 & 4.5mm needles

Laxo Hat - faux cable using wrapped stitches, a fairly unisex beanie hat.  Made in fingering weight yarn on 2.75 & 3.25mm needles.

Bootsy Boot Toppers - knit in bulky yarn with 8mm needles. A good test of the cross stitch method.

Las Cruces Shawl - two mirrored panels with a centre panel knit in a light fingering weight yarn with 4mm needles, sadly the only apparent photograph in the book is of it worn wrapped round someone's neck.

Traversus Socks - top down socks with a crossed stitch pattern down to the heel and along the edge, interesting for very busy variagated sock yarns. Knit in fingering weight yarn with 2.25mm needles.

Crux Cowl - dropped stitches and criss-cross stitch in a DK weight yarn with 4mm needles. Way to open a cowl for me.

Get your lace on features tips and tricks on lace knitting, including lifelines.

Gateway Cuff - something small to learn how to start into lace knitting useful for playing with some laceweight and 2.75mm needles.

Juego Cowl worked flat in a plain and patterned yarn using both slipped stiches and lace, worked flat and then joined. It's worked in sport-weight yarns on 4.5mm needles. With the right yarns this could be spectacular, the designer here uses a Noro yarn and something like that where the yarn play with each other would be amazing.

Fornido Shawlette worked from the bottom in an aran-weight yarn first making the border and then the body with short-rows.  Knit with 5mm needles.

Techo Hooded Scarf a hood with a scarf attached in sport-weight yarn and using 4mm needles.

Quadro Convertable Shrug interesting construction to this sport-weight shrug and shawl/scarf. Buttons enable the arms to be closed or left opened, it works from the centre with a square and then becomes a rectangle. Worked with 4mm needles.

Gyrus Tam - nupps and lace every round, this one would need care and attention.  Worked in fingering weight yarn with 3.5 and 3.25mm needles.

Loco Shawl - top-down lace shawl in laceweight yarn with 3.75mm needles. A central panel with two increasing triangles, somewhat unusual construction again here.

Beaded beauties details several methods of adding beads to a piece.

Bulb Cuff and necklace - again starting with a piece to learn the technique, the necklace fastens with a sew-on snap. Uses fingering weight yarn, size 8 beads and 2.75mm needles.

Hibisco Necklace A more complicated neck-piece this is in laceweight yarn with size 8 beads and 2.75mm needles.

Cha-Ching Tam - coin stitch with an attached bead. Interesting and looks warm uses light fingering-weight yarn and 3.25 an 3.5mm needles.

Cha-Ching Mitts - the gloves that decorate the cover of this edition, to match the tam, if you want, again with light fingering-weight yarn and 2.5 and 2.25mm needles.

Halli Shawl - garter tab shawl worked in lackweight yarn this is an interesting use of an ombre yarn.

Laden Fauxbius - worked flat and then twisted, grafted and anded to hide the seam.  Optional beads here, worked in fingering-weight yarn with 3.75 and 3.5mm needles.

Trapese Scarf - centre out both sides this is in light-fingering weight yarn with 3.5mm needles and size 8 beads.

Reversible Undulating Waves Scarf- a double sided lace that almost looks like entrelac in a fingering-weight yarn and with 6 and 8 beads and 3.75mm needles.

Forza Scarf is a free teaser from the book, included on the Ravelry page, but I don't recall it in the book.

The book closes with basic how-tos and abbreviations etc which is always useful if you need to check something that could be ambivalent. 

It's a book that I probably would have bought earlier in my knitting career but the projects aren't standout enough against the rest of the library for me to get it.  Nice stuff but the book isn't different enough for me to add it to my collection.  I'd say many people I know would really love it.

Fitted Knits Review

Stephanie Japel - Fitted Knits

Dublin City Public Libraries
Ravelry

Now this one strikes me like French Girl Knits, the patterns are nice, not me but there are a few that would inspire me to play with them and create something else out of them that would work for me.  Being of a broad shouldered build round neck and boat neck tops don't work on me, I also end up distorting close round necks when I wear them because I spend a chunk of my wearing time tugging at them as they tend to be a wrong fit for me.  This book is mostly populated by patterns of this type.  I'm also broader at the hips (and stomach, yes I admit it) than the bust so long-ribbed jumpers do nothing for me.  She's also fond of horizontal elements that really don't add to my comfort. However this book is full of ideas that make me want to play with the designs and make my own.  I also ain't small and large sized yarn tends not to flatter either.  So maybe sometime in the future I will mesh with this style more than I do now.

This is not to say that this is a book with no redeeming factors.  There are plenty of patterns in this book that are quite good and the introduction about knitting for your build is excellent.

The patterns follow a similar aesthetic with horizontal and vertical elements created by different stitches and there's a lot of fitted styles here.  If you suit that sort of style there's a lot here for you.

It's a book with patterns for women, done from the top down with a lot of visual elements.

After some instructions on how to decide on a size and how to tweak the pattern for your own measurements the first chapter is Tubes, tanks and tees, the first pattern is a split-neckline cap-sleeved tee.  If I was making this for myself it would be a v-neck and I'd eliminate the side fastening, but then again this would change it completely.  Edged in a contrasting yarn this is a fitted tee.  Rated as simple.

Coquette Lace Tube Top, one for the braver than me.  This relies on the stretch of the Tencel/Cotton yarn for staying power, it does suggest single crochet chains for straps, or ribbon or leather lacing. Rated Medium.

Drop Stitch lace tank is a buttoned top with a drop stitch detail, careful choice of underwear needed with this one as it will be on display.  Described as very stretchy it suggests choosing a size 6" smaller than actual bust measurement. Rated Medium.

Spicy fitted v-neck tee is knitted in bulky weight yarn and has a lacy detail running from the neckline down the front and along the sides to the back. Rated medium

Crisp rectangle tunic top is worked side-to-side using short rows for shaping.  It's fastened at the top with buttons. Rated Medium

The next chapter is Shrugs, Cardigans and Wraps.

First up is a Two-tone ribbed shrug, rated simple. A fair bit of picking up of stitches is involved in this and the ribbed edging wraps around the shrug.

Bold and bulky mini-cardi is one that I really wouldn't knit for me, big yarn, big buttons, and it would stop in the wrong place for me.  However it's an interesting piece that would allow you to modify it if you wanted for length.  Rated medium.

Carie Cropped flared-sleeve cardigan, a empire line end point on this, again in a bulky yarn this one would be all sorts of bad on me.  Rated medium.

Cropped cardigan with leaf ties.  A scooped neckline for this one with picot edging this one doesn't appeal to me.

Airy wrap-around lace sweater - This is one I would like more photographs of, particulalry open.  Knit with large needles and a mohair yarn it has decorative cables below the elbows on the sleeves and a tie-front.  The diagram doesn't really tell you much about the actual construction of the garment, I don't think it would be a good look on me but it's an interesting idea.  Rated Challenge.

Puff-sleeved feminine cardigan, a variation on a theme here, the puff sleeves and high neck wouldn't make me want to knit it. Rated Challenge


Short-sleeved cardigan with ribbing. Look at the photo of this one, notice the way the last closed button on the bottom is pulling? if I was going to knit this I'd add some increases at the bottom to help this or go up another needle size for the last half of the rib.  Also I think the waist of this could do with being a little higher for the model. Your mileage may vary, I'd look at the elements of this and pick and choose where things sit.  Rated Medium.

I adore the look of the Elizabeth Bennett Cabled Cardigan, but not on me.  Sadly the photography missed out on the flare on the sleeves but I do like the slight flare in the hips.  Beautiful stuff, if I was going to knit it I would play with the neckline, but I'm not sure that that wouldn't ruin the look.  Rated Challenge.

The next chapter is Sweaters, vests and coats.

Back-to-School U-neck vest.  I like this one, then again I have a weakness for tank tops/vests/whatever you're calling it.  Worked from the hem up for a change. Rated Medium.

Perfect Periwinkle, a turtleneck sleeveless vest. This one has not for me written all over it, to start with I don't have shoulders that need displaying.  Rated Simple.

Keyhole-neck blouse with eyelet details. This is another no, apart from the neckline, the horizontal stripe at the bottom before the rib would fall on the widest part of my stomach, yeah, that would be flattering.  Rated Challenge.

Cozy v-neck pullover with deep ribbing.  Deep, yes, all the way from just above the waist to the bottom. Rated simple.

Boatneck Bluebell sweater, has flared sleeves and some underbust horizontal stripes with stripes at the bottom after some ribbing.  This is a lovely sweater but not my type.  Rated medium.

Textured tunic with side buttons, this one has buttons on the bottom to the side and a button on the side of the neck.  Horizontal stripes above and below the bust with textured knitting along the bust line.  This is an interesting garment, again I like it but the neckline is a problem for me and I'm not sure that I could fix it without ruining the look of the garment.  Rated Medium

Alexandra Ballerina top.  Knit in a bulky yarn this has cables running down the front and breaks up the variagated yarn nicely, the cable runs down the sleeve, though the photos don't really show it.  Rated Challenge.

Thick and thin cardian coat is an interesting use of a thick and thin yarn with contrasting edging and cuffs.  Rated medium

Long coat with chevron lace is pretty simple but the lace adds some interest, knit in a bulky yarn (9mm needles here) it's interesting and would be a quicker knit than most coats.  Rated medium

Dress-up clothes is the next chapter

First up is a skirt and jacket set, tweedy v-neck, that needs better photography, nice cardigan, I could see myself wearing it.  Rated medium.

Saturday in the park perfect dress is a dress with cables and a u-necked front, rated complex this is a nice knee-length dress. The cables wrap around the waist.

I had some frustration with the photographs, sometimes it looked like they were trying to cover up issues with the outfits or were aiming for more artistic than informative, but that's a personal gripe.  Overall not a bad book at all.

Knit Nordic Review

Knit Nordic

Dublin City Public Libraries
Ravelry

 Using a variety of patterns inspired by Nordic traditional jumper patterns creating accessories.  Most of them could be interchanged with each other.  Creating a huge variety of patterns.  I have knit one of them, the iPad cover
myself as a gift. And I found the instructions clear and simple.  The recipient is happy with it which is a bonus.


Each section covers a particular pattern; Marius; Setesdal; Fana and Voss, there's also a section on techniques and advice on stranded knitting.  She discusses each pattern and it's history in Norway and how it developed.

Marius mostly blue and white with some red highlights.
All-Day Handbag using a chunky yarn in the original the bag has red highlights on the top
Racerback top with a deep rib and patterning above it, then red on the top and along the edging on the top knit in DK yarn
Hotpants - exactly what they imply, red to the bottom.  4ply yarn.
Maurice the Teddy Bear - mostlly blue and white with some red highlights and a red head.  Knit in DK
Christmas Stocking - red heel, toe and some highlights, knit in DK.

Setesdal black and white contrasts, it's an interesting traditional pattern
iPad Cover - see my version above, it's a nice piece, the contrasts make it stand out.  Knit in DK.
Necktie - mostly black with a black and white end.  Knit in DK.
Slippers - the slippers swap the regular pattern exchanging the white and black and Brioche stitch sides and bottom.  Knit in DK.
Wristwarmers - lowering the contrast to grey and cream, knit in DK again.
Beanie Hat - again using the grey and cream, also pictured in white and red.  This is knit in DK.

Fana lowers the contrast yet again to light blue and white, delicate but interesting.
Beret - knit in DK.
Half-sweater - again in DK this is sometimes referred to as a Caplet by many people, it's a shoulder cover that comes just down to the underarms.
Sleeves - could be combined with the half-sweater under or over a coat for added warmth.  Knit in DK again.
Cafetiere cosy - Knit in DK again, this would be a good starter to learn how to do the techniques.
Cup Cosies - also in DK, this uses a variety of the Fana patterns for handle-less cups or tall glasses.

Voss - almost like tiles, patterns are contained within squares.
Toilet Roll Cover - for containing one toilet roll, knit in DK.
Potholder - tiled potholder, knit in 4ply doubled
Snood - a dk neckwarmer.
Cushion Cover - a superchunky cushion cover.
iPhone cover - knit in 4ply yarn

I got this from Dublin City Public Libraries and it's one I'm somewhat tempted to buy.  Its another book that's very useful as inspiration for adapting traditional patterns, it's a book that would encourage looking at traditional patterns and adapting them for new uses.

Dublin City Public Libraries offer me no inducement to write these other than a salary and access to the books.

Review of Knitter's Book of Wool

Knitter's Book of Wool

Dublin City Public Libraries 
Ravelry Link

  The book starts with a tonne of information about wool and how it's processed to produce the yarn we know and many of us use.  It's interesting and informative and worth the admission price.  It expands quite considerably on the information in the Knitters Book of Yarn.

The patterns are almost an added bonus to the book.

They fall into four categories; Hats, Hands and Feet; Sweaters and Tops; Scarves, Shawls and Stoles and Home and Beyond.  Any patterns without designer attribution are by Clara Parkes

Hats, Hands and Feet
Hill Country Hat - a simple hat with an interesting twist. In a bulky-weight yarn.

Ficka Hat - fairly simple colourwork hat, a band of colourwork, sportweight yarn.  Designed by Shelia January
Sweet Fern Mitts - fingerless mitts with a cable, simple but effective.  Worsted weight yarn.
Risti Mittens - Colourwork mittens with colourful cuffs, designed by Nancy Bush. Fingering weight yarn.
Cabin Socks - lightweight yarn socks with a simple pattern.  Effective and quite beginner or conservative male friendly.
Windjammer Socks - a sock with nice cables and a little lace, designed by Jennifer Tepper Heverly.  In a fingering weight yarn.
Reversing Leaves Socks - a Cat Bordhi pattern with an interesting patterning in a fingering-weight yarn.

Sweaters and Tops
Bella Baby Ensemble - a wrap top for under 2-year-olds, quite sweet, designed by Sandi Rosner, knit in pieces and seamed.  Knit in sportweight yarn.  Also a Bonnet and Booties
The Three Bears Pullovers - designed by Sandi Rosner a set of family jumpers, children and women's jumper features a wide rib, man's jumper is knit plain.  Simple jumpers but well designed.
Comfy Cardigan - in a mediumweight yarn, worked side-to-side on the top and then down from the bodice.  Designed by Pam Allen.
Allegan Cardigan - ribs make this worsted-weight cardigan designed by Sandi Rosner with tapered ribs which make the yoke a feature.  Sleeves and body are worked first and then joined at the yoke
Leafy Glen Shell - has strategically placed lacework, designed by Ilga Leja in lightweight yarn, for me this would need carefully planned underwear, which might negate the airiness of the top.

Scarves, Shawls and Stoles
Nara Scarf - lightweight yarn lace scarf designed by Shelia January
Prairie Rose Lace Shawl - fingering weight shawl by Evelyn A Clark with diamond patterns.  Flower and leaf pattern.
Falling Waters Shawl - designed by Jane Cochran, knit in a lightweight yarn, this is miles of beautiful stole that is begging for a special yarn.
Tibetan Clouds Beaded Stole - fingering-weight yarn lacy shawl with beads, designed by Sivia Harding, knit from the centre and then out the side.
Lillia Hyrna Shawl - 2-ply laceweight yarn, triangular shawl with several motifs designed by Shelia January in two-colours.

Home and Beyond
Frida Pillow - by M. Diane Brown, knit in DK weight yarn, this is a colourful cushion.
Reflecting Pools Bag - knit in fingering-weight yarn, this is an interesting colourwork pattern with flowers and stripes.

The book closes with some advice on washing wool.

Overall the information on Wool itself attracts me more than most of the patterns, it's the shawls and the bag that attracted me most.

I got the book from Dublin City Public Libraries who offer me no inducement to do these other than paying my wage and giving me access to the books.

Review of the Irisn Countrywomen's Association book of Crafts

ICA Book of Crafts

 Dublin City Public Libraries

I will admit that I have not been positive about the ICA before but I'm trying to be as positive as possible here. This is part of a series the ICA have recently published, most of which are cookbooks, this one is crafts though and it does have a few knitting patterns, none of which seem to have made it to Ravelry, yet.

The book is divided into 4 sections; Stitch and Sew; Make and Wear; Store and Keep and Celebrate and the range of skills is quite impressive. However I felt, looking through it, that it wasn't really for me, many of them felt too simple, maybe it's just my skillset.

The book starts with a short introduction to the ICA and how it has been involved with crafts, with an emphasis on how the ICA enabled women to create their own income. This did lead to women realising that they could have an independent income.

Stitch and Sew 
Entertainingly the first pattern is by a family friend. The Hairpin lace Stole that is a basic instruction on how to do this technique.  Aran weight yarn used.

Crochet Cushion cover is made using motifs which are then joined, which if you wanted could create a bigger project, like a bedspread.  The instructions are written out. No. 20 crochet cotton used.

Alsorts Patchwork Quilt very sparse instructions, quite general.

Chicken Scratching Embroidery Tea Cosy "you can check the internet for patterns"

Smocking gives basic stitches and how-tos but really doesn't enter into any depth, the created piece illustrated is beautiful.

Shadow Embroidery again a general description of how to do the technique.  No real depth.

Redwork Embroidery Cushion Cover basically using a stem stitch in red embroidery thread to create a pattern. An outline pattern is given but no notes on enlarging or anything like that.


Cross-Stitch Bookmark - using a piece of Aida and not using strips of Aida that are readily available, and glued with PVA to felt.  This made my inner Cross Stitcher twitch.

Rag Rug again quite general. Mentions a rag rugging tool but doesn't go into any specifics.

Make and Wear 
Child's Aran Jacket written in pieces, raglan sleeves.  This is written as I have seen many traditional patterns written with a pattern set between a set number of edge stitches.  Mentions Aran yarn

Crochet Hats starting from the top and working down in a shell like pattern.  DK weight yarn

Whirl Scarf using the astoundingly popular wide mesh-like yarn, this is the basic instructions on how to knit with it. The illustrations are poorly reproduced and look like multiple generation photocopies.

Upcycled Child's skirt and Cap using very general instructions that would require basic sewing skills, and honestly would be best done with a commercial pattern as a template to help.

Clones Lace Wild Rose Medallion Necklace uses no10 and no20 crochet cotton.  A Rose medallion with a crocheted chain.  Would also look good in Pink and Green threads.  Written instructions


Irish Crochet a crochet sequare and an abstract flower

Peyote Stitch Bracelet a basic how-to on Peyote Stitch with extra instructions on adding the fixings for a bracelet.

Beaded Ring Necklace how to use some fairly basic beading and how to make rings that connect.

Tissue Paper Pompom exactly what it says.

Donegal Tweed Necklace and Ring using fabric, beads and buttons to create a ring and necklace.

Felted Bead Necklace how to use needle felting and wet felting to create beads.

Button Rings - using buttons and beads to create rings.

Store and Keep 
Lumra Rug written directions in quite a general manner, using wool tops. Sounds something that would be quite doable but I would like some illustrations to help me, it is one of those crafts that is sadly under-represented online.

Leather Bag basic instructions on how-to create a bag.  Again suggests using the internet to find patterns and leather.

Covered File Box the quite good instructions are marred by a preamble that involves getting "hubbie and his tools" to work on it.  Why not learn how to use new tools?  Apart from that the instructions seem clear.

Hedgerow Basket no-nonsense how-to with willow weaving.  I was reading this wondering if I could use some of my lavender or grape vines to make this.  I found it inspirational.

Rushwork Coil Table Mat - using bull rushes, suggests shaking off mould before using which made me worry about the instructions, granted there is varnishing afterwards but mould needs to be treated carefully.  There's no real information about joining lengths of rushes.

Hand Stamped Tea Towel using potato stamping and a Cookie Biscuit cutter

Celebrate 
Lace Crochet Baby Bonnet and Bootees using no10 crochet cotton, this looks like the kind of heirloom project for a very special occasion like a baptism.

Iris Folding an interesting way of playing with paper, somewhat like quilting.

DIY circular disc Banner - sewn 5" paper circles,

Mr and Mrs Claus two stuffed toy figurines, lacks patterns or templates

Two little angels mostly knit figurines.

Carrickmacross Lace an embroidered lace piece, well illustrated.

Mini Wreath stuffed and plaited, interesting.

Christmas Table Runner and Place Mats again lacking patterns or outlines, this gives general outlines on how to create the runner and place mats.  Despite the lack of patterns the instructions are quite clear.

Hat Pin Cushion a lace adorned pin cushion.
 
DIY Ribbon Dispenser painted pasta jar with hole cut in lid... yes indeed.

Christmas Card Holder this design would also be useful as a mail holder for a family in a more plain fabric.

Knitted Easter Chick DK knitting yarn, with a stuffed head and embellishment. Cute egg cosy.

Homemade Blackboard Sign exactly that.  Painted blackboard, beading as framing glued on and then holes drilled for a cord through it.

Honestly my overriding feeling from it is that it needs more, more patterns, more information, could be so much better, sadly left me wanting.

I got this from Dublin City Public Libraries who offer me no inducement to writing these reviews other than the unlimited access I have to the book stock.

Knit to Flatter review

Knit to Flatter by Amy Herzog

1617690171 / 9781617690174

Now I have read the introduction to this before, on Amy Herzog's blog, and yes, it's packed full of useful and interesting information about fit and how to find patterns that will flatter you. And by flatter she has a set of criteria and I did like how many of the models looked in their sweaters. Your mileage may vary.

She also has an interesting piece on changing an existing pattern to make it work more for your size and what parts are easiest to change (set-in-sleeves are unsurprisingly hard to change)

She divides shapes into three basics, Top-heavy, bottom heavy and proportional with another chapter about other issues, like larger busts, smaller busts and on the straight. Curvy waists get a mentionand longer or shorter torsos get a look in. It's the kind of book you need to sit down with and work with and maybe you don't like the patterns, but the information is sound and merits application.

Starting with the Top-Heavy patterns, and all patterns have some suggestions for modifications, the First pattern is the Draper vest/cardigan is an almost waterfall style cardigan that's more fitted.

The Cypress Cardigan has a scooped neck and lace to break up the monotony

The Eloria Turtleneck has cables and bell sleeves with some of the cabling incorporated. If I was knitting it myself I would lose the cowl neckline.

The Oceanic Skirt seems almost out of place in a book that's talking about sweaters...

 Next up Bottom Heavy patterns. The Striper wrap has some colourwork detail on the sleeve and shoulders, which makes this wrap into an interesting pattern.

The Flutter pullover has short wide sleeves with some cable detail on them, and cables down the sides.

Andies cardigan is a round necked cardigan with short sleeves.

Stoker Cowl has 3/4 length sleeves and a large cowl.

Next we have proportional shapes, the Classic Pullover is cropped with cables and has a crew neck.

The Holloway Pullover has some lace to the side and a wide collar

The Squared Cardigan features an unusual squared necklone and some textured stitches at the hem and sleeve to give it some interest. Loved the yarn too.

Coin Cable Cardigan, single button at the bust trimmed with a cabled pattern

The other issues start with the Dorica Hoodie, some minor patterning again breaks up the plainness and makes it an interesting design

The Delish cardigan has an interesting textured pattern a pattern I liked

The Dansez pullover has a lacy hem and a deep scoopneck, the lace is repeated on the 3/4 length sleeves.

The Minx Tank has a high neckline and cables along the length.

 The Chimera cardigan is a roundnecked cardigan with some cables down the sides, pattern is for both the long-sleeved and a short-sleeved version.

The Enrobed wrap would be a great pattern to use a tweedy yarn, as shown. Miles of stocking stitch tho.

Overall the book is interesting and useful and I am tempted to pick it up.

I got the copy from Wexford County Libraries via the Borrowbooks scheme, thanks to Dublin City Public Libraries where I work, but have no influence on my opinion on this book.

Review of Home Made SImple

Home Made Simple

Dublin City Public Library

This is a book about using a variety of items which would otherwise be waste or redecorating items to enhance them.  A lot of it is quite easy to do and looks easy enough to do with minimal fuss.  It also includes some knitting patterns.

It's divided into three main sections; Home; Giving and Celebrations.  Some very easy projects some harder; all well-illustrated and with plenty of illustrations for how-to where necessary.

Home has such projects as Pinlight Canvas - where a string of LED bulbs are used with canvas to create an image, simple but effective.  Wine Crate Desk is a good crafting desk, not heavy duty; Wine Crate Desk Tidy - a corral for papers; Fabric-covered desk tidy; Pallet Coffee Table; Posh Pallet Table, fabric covered; Fabric Cable Lights; Basic Upholstery; Wall-hung Bookcases;  Magnetic Spice-jar Space Savers; Whitewashed Wood offcut chopping boards; Ironing Board Cover; Tree branch Pegs; Tennis Ball Door Block; Tassel Pulls; Foaming Pump Dispenser; Photo Key Box; Photo Box; Cross-body Utility Sack; Oversized Oilcloth Shopping Bag.

Giving has Clay Tea Light Shades; Simple Candles.

Knitting: with basic instructions, including advice on buying wool; the first pattern is a chunky patternscarf that she suggests fastening with  a kilt pin.

Knitted Wrist warmers are also in chunky yarn in a moss stitch pattern knit in the flat.

E-book reader/notebook cover - knit in a chunky wool held double.

Mobile Phone pouch knit in chunky wool held double

Glasses Case is knit with chunky wool held double as well.

There's also how-to on finger knitting.

The chapter continues with a Simple Gift Bag; a Bottle Gift Bag; a pretty lined purse; Reversible Ribbon-Handled Bag; A simple charm bracelet; Leather Card Case; Peppermint and Lime Lip Balm; Rose and Mardarin Bath Oil; How to melt Chocolate; Chocolate Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds and Raisins; Chocolate honeycomb; Breakfast in Bed tray; Engagement Ring Gloves; Personalised Picnic Blanket; Bike-seat cover

Celebrations
Golden Chocolate Eggs; Speckled Ganache Eggs; No-stress Pancakes; Lily of the Valley Eggs; Baklava; Hanging Firefly Glass Lanterns; Rangoli Lace Cake and Cards; Patterned Divas; Peg Hanukkiyah; Sufganiyot; Lucky Envelopes; Fabric-covered lanterns; Furoshiki Wrapping; a Thanksgiving book; The Tree; Whitewashed Pine Cones; Golden Apples; Wire COathanger Centrepiece; Clay/Salt Dough Star Garland; Chunky Paper Chains; Sky Lanterns

Overall an interesting book for someone of a crafty bent, which assumes that you're willing to try.  Many of them are quite doable without too much complications or effort.  I liked it and would consider buying it.

I borrowed it from the libraries and would seriously consider buying it for myself.  Dublin City Public Libraries offered me no inducement to review this book other than my salary and access to the books.

Amateurs

I was recently watching a program about English Embroidery and the presenter said something along the lines of "not the work of mere housewives" and steam started rising from my ears. What he undoubdedly was talking about was beginner work. Things that are often referred to as amateurish.  And it started me thinking about the terms amateur and professional.

As I have never been paid (well not really, family don't coumt) for knitting or crochet I fall into the ranks of amateur, some might add the word talented, I couldn't possibly comment. I have embroidered semi-professionally (got paid in fabric, patterns and yarn) but I still wouldn't regard myself as professional.

I mean, I am an amateur, by the very definition of the word. It comes from one of the first words you learn to decline in latin "Amo" meaning to love (technically amo means I love, but I'm trying not to confuse things too much), it means to do something as a passtime, because you love it, the lacking expertise part is secondary, and really we need to use another word for that, "tyro" is a perfectly good word for novice or beginner, "dilletante" sounds too much like lounging around.

There is also the issue of value for work that I have been thinking about lately. Before the time of washing machines and vacuum cleaners housework without maids was long hard work, even today it's work, keepimg up with it, hobbies and a job can keep you exhausted, and some of those women, those housewives that presenter dismissed, not only cleaned and scrubbed and clothed their children, they also made things, some for charity, some for their local church (kneelers etc) and in many instances their work is considered trivial, belittled.  Yes, sometimes the colours were garish, think of the conditions, garish would stand out in firelight, garish brought a bright into sometimes drab lives, garish might have given that woman a smile, no-one can dismiss garish, it implies a playfulness that maybe we miss. Garish could also imply sales, that hank of embroidery thread that wasn't selling, thay could be got on a tight budget, but the woman could feel like she had done something, contributed.
And we forget this, these women carved time out of their days, time they could have spent doing something else, perhaps for themselves, to contribute and we then talk about this work as if it should be trivialised, and maybe they weren't amateurs, maybe they hated doing it, but we need to reframe how we think about this.

Also the world of art is strange. Many of the knitted pieces I've seen are works of art but we don't treat them as well as we should. I've seen pieces devalued in price by the seller, who doesn't seem to value their time or their work, and we let them in pursuit of cheap goods. I've seen knitted garments I'd prefer to see on my walls than some artworks that cost 100 times more.
Maybe we do need to put a price on crafts that propery reflects the work and artistry that goes on.

The other part we ignore about womens crafts is that it was the one acceptable way for women to create art. There is art to choice of colours, the work, the interplay of colours etc. And I'm pretty sure a lot of it answered an artistic yearning many women had, by making it into "useful" items they had an excuse, a reason, they could devote that time to this output, or I'm sure, in some instances, time when they could think, relax, while still technically doing something.

Two posts in one day after a few months away, well there was Christmas and then ill, I've had a cold/flu with added strep throat since early January. Plus a minor bike accident that caused my shoulder to flare, I have a few reviews that need me to add the links and check them, then they will be posted.  I'll probably set them up for once a month for a few months and may backdate a few.e

Review of Fantistical Hats and Beanies

  Book Depository Link; strangely none on Ravelry. Dublin City Public Libraries

 Fantastical Hats and Beanies - Jenny Occleshaw

These are hats for babies knit in dk or 4-ply yarns, knit mostly in the round and they are somewhat insane, and I mean that in a good insane way.  They're almost works of art and a lot of work.

Starting with Busy Bee, with feelers and emroidered bees, I'm sure the embroidered bees could be replaced with buttons or pre-made bees.  Pretty simple and cute

Apple Blossom - "This is a delightful hat for any little girl who loves pink" now when you're talking about 18 months to 4 years I have problems that this is a personal choice speaking or parental choice, but this is a white hat with dark and pale pink ruffles.  The ruffles are crocheted on after the hat is made.  Cute and could be made in other colours as a use up leftovers project.

Little Ladybird uses bobbles in black yarn on a red hat, cute.  The bobbles are made after and sewn on.

Baby flowers uses pre-made felt flowers to decorate a plain hat.

Cheeky Elf uses noro yarn and applied i-cord leaves.

The Great Gatsby is a beret, scarf and shoes set inspired by the 1920s, fair-isle bands with a tweedy yarn.  This is cute and while suggested for boys is fairly unisex.

Ladybird, ladybird has more complex ladybirds applied after the striped hat is finished.

Moonbeam is a nightcap style striped hat with some knitted balls added attached with i-cords

Baby Jester, knit in the round with two peaks, knitted balls finish of the tops

Hello Sailor is a floppy beret with beads and some matched slippers. Cute.

Pearly Queen, with pearly buttons on the top and a ribbon to tie it on, this one could be troublesome for teething babies.

Black Magic - Black mohair and velvet with polka-dot knitted balls, looks like a cupcake.

Coconut Ice - pink with kid mohair flowers in pinks. "Perfect for the little princess who loves all things pink and flowery" shades my perception of this hat.

Feathered Fancy - multicoloured with flower and feather decoration this one needs close supervision when worn.

Bluebells Cockleshells - uses blue oddments and has added bluebells and cornflower flowers.

Butterfly uses variagated striped yarn to create an interesting contrast to the plain yarns used.  Has applied butterflies and bobble on the top.

Polka Dots, simple beany topped with red and white knitted balls and i-cords and an optional ribbon.

Chasing Rainbows uses multiple colours to make a colourful hat with stripes, bobbles and icord top knots.

Blue Top Knot is a blue variation of the polka dots pattern.

Starting from about here I was starting to think about tea cozies.

Cherry Ripe has cherries and leaves to decorate this red white and green hat

Strawberries and Cream, bobbles, beaded strawberries and leaves decorate this hat.

Twist and twirl has curly tails and bobbles and topknots and balls, a way to use up leftovers.

Loopy hat. Not a hat for a baby who dislikes hats as the 30 loops would make it very easy to catch on fingers.  finished off with knitted balls.

Carnival looks like a carnival ride with multiple adornments.

Socks on the Washing line - 6 miniature socks would be a great use of leftover sock yarns and also a great way to try socks if you've ever wanted to knit them.  A very busy hat.

Blooming Gorgeous has flowers and a watering can.

The Tea Party - cup cake with a tea party on top. The hat is pretty basic but the rest is fiddly.

Blackberry Pie has beaded berries and leaves adorning a textured stitch hat.

Autumn Harvest has multiple colours of autumn and some leaves and acorns.

Ho Ho Ho is red and white with some white leaves and red berries and a knit ball.

Fin's Penguin has a penguin(with a scarf!) and lots of bobbles.

Frog in a pond - multicoloured hat with a frog on top of leaves.

Hop to it, a rabbit on leaves

Plum in the garden has a cat on the top surrounded by leaves, flowers and flower pots.

Rabbit in a Hat, a rabbit surrounded with flowers.

Daisy mouse is a tube hat with a mouse peeping out of the top.

No knitting instructions but some embroidery instructions.  The book goes from simple to complex and some of them could be adapted to be simpler.  I did start to think about tea cozies half-way through and I'd say several of the patterns would be adaptable to that idea.  Many of them look very complicated and fussy and you'd also have to ensure that all the items were well-sewn on.

I was also glad to see many unisex patterns but I had some issues with the pink for girls assumption.  I know that later many children do have preferences but very young babies only have preferences given them by parents.

I got my copy from Dublin City Public Libraries who offer no inducement other than my wages and relatively easy access to the titles.

Some finished items.

So I actually finished a few items, since my post about starting the hat I have some finished items.

The Hat is done. Has been worn and is very effective against the sun (I do wear sunscreen on my face as well)  The pattern is Azealia from a recent Let's Knit magazine



A baby jumper
One of Mac's Workmates has had a baby.  He requested something for a boy.



Rather sweet, easy enough pattern from Ravelry, Telemark Pullover top down so when it was done it was done.

Classic Knits - Review

Classic Knits by Marianne Isager 

Book Depository Link

Dublin City Public Libraries copy: 
Interweave book - eBook


Ravelry Link

Marianne Isager is a Danish Designer and this is 20 plus patterns by here with emphasis on technique and playing with concepts rather than more complex designing.  I like her style and have bought a copy for myself (one of my first electronic knitting book purchases!)

Yes, there are things that I would tweak in the designs to make them more me, I dislike round necked cardigans, I don't wear summery tops without sleeves (if you saw my shoulders you'd understand why) unless I'm at home and I reckon if I made some of these tops I'd want to show them off. 

She believes in knitting in the round and in using her own designed yarn, but she also believes in her own style of gauge swatch which is often also a test swatch of what is going on with the garment, so you can see if the colours you've chosen or yarn will work with the pattern quite clearly.

She also believes in combining yarns to create a look she wants taking several light-weight yarns together and producing a heaver yarn and often interesting colour interactions and texture.

There are several garments I want to knit from this book and several I would be interesting in playing with to produce something more me.

The first top is Corsage, a buttoned semi-corset with a slip stitch detail to create interest.  I'm not sure that I wouldn't knit this a little large to make it into a waistcoat.

Next up is Cossak, knit in a rib with added thickness in the peplum my only gripe with this one is that the fur collar is mentioned as optional but there are no photos I could see without it.

Sugar is my style of summery cardigan, light and crisp and with a tapered rib  and cables to create interest.

Fisherman is a plain man's jumper with a rib to keep interest and a woven twill pattern at the cuffs to give it a little twist.

Monk is a hooded jumper with interesting texture created by using ribs in different ways, a touch of colour at the end of this one creates an interesting effect.

Elf is a one-piece baby outfit with a hood and is charming.  Colour blocks here make it interesting and added edging in a contrast to the other two colours makes it pop.  There's also a section of colour play at the front, which could be a great use of leftovers of the right weight.

Short Jacket is a jacket with a cross over front that uses reversible stitches to keep it double sided, it also uses Brioche Stitch and contrast edging.

Knit & Purl uses the trick of different weights and needle sizing so you could make boy or man sized garments, a jumper in the Gansey tradition, subtle enough for men but interesting enough for knitters.

Beach flowers uses embroidery to enhance a jumper that uses textured stitching to create something rather special.

Pearls uses seed stitch and slip stitch to create an interesting edging to a seed stitch cardigan.

March is another slip stitch pattern that could be used to use up leftovers, there's some colour lurking in this otherwise black, grey and white jumper that's designed with men in mind.

Zigzag top is one that I'd like to make for me, but with sleeves, using increases and decrease it's clever and without horizontal stripes it would probably suit most.

Zigzag jacket is interesting in the way it uses cables and colour and would be another choice for using up some leftovers.  I like how the colourwork works on this but the zip fills me with fear.

Mie's Jacket is designed for children and again uses interesting colourwork against a plain background, a great candidate for leftovers again there's also a matching hat

Waves is worked in a honeycomb pattern edge to edge, short rows shape armholes

Honey is also worked on a honeycomb pattern, and this is possibly the first top I'd like to knit out of this book.  It's a candidate for a variagated yarn or several in similar colours tied together by the neutral background.

Dashes is a top I'm unsure of, to be honest I'm never sure of horizontal stripes and the photographs of this one don't inspire me.  Then again the photographs of most of the pieces are not clear enough for my taste and not enough of the pictures are focused on the garments so I can see what they're doing.  It could be an interesting tank top/sleeveless vest with more subtle colouring.

Newsprint pullover uses a technique of adding in a contrast colour every few rows to create what almost looks like newsprint from a distance.  Another one designed for men

Newsprint top is worked in chevron stripes in the same idea and then seamed down the middle.

Black and white plays with African motifs and the newsprint concept, colour blocks and contrast edging

Relief is a textured jumper with contrast edging and a pop of colour above the rib.

My one gripe about the book would be the pictures, a few items I was a little unclear about the design and how the different elements combine, it's a minor gripe in certain ways but I like knowing how necks sit on the front of garments without hands being held in strange poses.  Yes the stylist can have fun but you also need functional photographs that tell you more about how the garment works for the knitter to decide how they want to work with the design.

As I said, I bought this one.

Dublin City Public Libraries are my employer but do not offer me any inducement, apart from access to these books and my wages which sometimes enable me to pick up my own copies of these books!

Hat and an update

My shoulder is still acting up a bit, I went home to visit my folks and did some crochet and that appears to have triggered a flare, making even typing sometimes painful so it was an occasional choice between knitting and blogging, and often neither. I started a hat, in cotton blends one variagated one plain and while its taking it's time to do, I like whats happening so far.

review of New Encyclopedia of Knitting Techniques

 New Encyclopedia of Knitting Techniques by Lesley Stanfield and Melody Griffiths.

 Inside the cover it states "a comprehensive visual guide to traditional and contemporary techniques" and I would be hard-pressed to disagree. There are no garment patterns in this book, this however is an excellent introduction to knitting and a comprehensive reference to most techniques for knitters. Illustrated with both diagrams and photographs. It's also described as a lightly updated edition of the best-selling "Encyclopedia of Knitting Techniques"

 Starting with the basics this book then goes into a variety of cast-ons, and a variety of techniques, along with advice on reading patterns and choosing patterns, though it does only show the threaded on method of adding beads. There is a section on design that's not comprehensive but good basics. The second part of the book is a stitch collection, along with most of these there are sample garments for inspiration. All of the stitch collection are charted as well as an explanation of how it works and how the fabric behaves with these patterns. They also provide a key to the patterns at the back, as well as a comprehensive index.

 This would be a good book for a beginner or intermediate knitter to expand their repertoire  More experienced knitters may also want it but it covers the same territory as a few others in the field. A good book, worth adding to your library as a reference if you need one, if I didn't have a comprehensive library of reference books I'd be buying this one to add to the collection. The only thing really missing is a bibliography or other recommended reading list.

 Obtained from Dublin City Public Libraries who pay me my wages but offer no inducement to write these.

Review of Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

 Book Depository; Dublin City Public Libraries; Ravelry

 Vintage Knits for Modern Babies
Hadley Fierlinger
1580089607/9781580089609

I will admit that some of these patterns are very cute, and I do agree that good quality yarns are a good thing, particularly if there is a stay-at-home parent with an awareness of yarn (probably another knitter or crafter), but chances are that some parents won't have the mental capacity to launder some of these as they need to. And from what I know of children they will get sick (and do other things) on a lot of things, ensuring it can be cleaned can be very important. On the other hand some of the garments would also be great special occasion garments. Hadley also gets some kudos from me for dressing a little girl in blue, loses some for not having schematics and for the addiction to seams, even in hats.
The book starts out with an introduction, an introduction to the background of the author and a run-down of some of the fibers used.

Next we have some Pattern instructions and Special Techniques. The patterns are sized from 0-5 years, she also lists what her experience levels mean.

First pattern up is the Layette Cap, a fairly simple hat, knit flat in Cashsoft Baby DK on 4mm needles, then there's Pompom booties; Tiny Trousers and a Crossover jacket to match, all in the same yarn, all knit flat and seamed.

Next up is a Matinee Jacket, using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK this is knit with 2 fronts, a back, sleeves and then joined to knit the yoke. Has some seed stitch details. Honestly, I'd make the body as one piece to the armholes, these are paired with slippers with a "feminine strap"

Nana's Bunnies are a pretty simple toy with minimal shaping, two colours in an organic cotton that uses low-impact dyes to minimise issues with children sucking on them, Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Organic Cotton and 3.5mm needles for this. If you make a few you can put them on the Bunny Mobile that has a decorated embroidery hoop and some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino trim

Next is a Wavy Cashmere Blanket, knit in 15 balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (which would set you back about €94 in This is Knit - price from website on 25/1/13) with 3.25 mm needles. Done in 3 colours this could also be a great stashbuster for DK weight yarns! Basic Feather and Fan changing colours every 4 rows.

Angora Bolero - knit in pieces, this is knit in Sublime Angora Merino (and my edition has a typo in the number of balls for the pattern in the larger sizes, check before committing with ravelry and publisher errata) this would be ideal for a girl who is going to be involved in a wedding or event.

Organic Heirloom Blanket, a simple eyelet pattern in Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Organic Cotton and 5mm needles.

A Modern baby Bonnet, in Sublime Baby Cashmerino Silk DK and 4mm needles, uses a button fastening, seamed down the back.

Vintage Pixie Cap, basically a peaked hood in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK with 4mm needles and a button fastening. Matching Mittens as well, seamed again.

Anya's Cardigan is an exception to the rule, worked in one piece to the armholes this raglan cardigan is round necked and the eyelet pattern adds interest and could be omitted, a good piece to adapt. Knit in Rowan Wool Cotton with 3.25 and 3.75mm needles.

Cabled Booties in Jo Sharp DK Wool with 3.25 and 4mm needles, this has a plain foot and mock cables along the leg.

Baby Clothes Hanger Covers in leftover light worsted or DK and 5.5 mm needles as you use the yarn doubled and decorate with buttons.

The Apron Dress is cute, fastening with buttons, this is loose and can go from dress to tunic. Knit in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk this is knit flat and has a pocket.

Ballet Blossom Cardigan is knit in RYC Baby Alpaca DK and 3.25 and 3.75mm needles. A wrap cardigan with a flower detail.

Charming Raglan Pullover is a pretty plain raglan jumper knit in pieces it has buttons at the back opening, knit in Jo Sharp DK Wool with 3.25 and 3.75mm needles.

Double Breasted Car Coat, knit in RYC Cashsoft DK with 4mm needles, this is an a-line coat with a large collar and pockets. There's a Petite Beret to match with a contrasting i-cord that threads through.

Lavender Sachet has embroidery applied and a ribon to hang it with, knit in Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Organic Cotton with 3.25mm needles.

Birdy Cardigan is a round-necked cardigan with duplicate stitch birds, knit in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino with 3.25 and 3.75mm needles.

The Hooded Caplet is knit in White but admits inspiration from Little Red Riding Hood. Knit in RYC Cashoft Baby DK with 4mm needles. Pompoms decorate the twisted cord ties.

The book also has a useful terms and abbreviations list inside the front cover. 

The patterns are pretty and classic, a pretty good book of nice baby patterns, but use the yarn that would suit the parents.

Borrowed from Dublin City Public Libraries who pay my wages but offer no other inducement to write this.

Grannies Inc guide to Knitting - review

Grannies Inc Guide to Knitting - Katie Mowat

Book Depository copy; Dublin City Public Libraries; I can't find it on Ravelry

0091943612 / 9780091943615

A pretty good guide to knitting, starting with some basic stuff on yarn, then the basics of knitting, mentioning both continental and English style of knitting, it starts teaching caston by the simple knit cast on and progresses to more complicated.  It is a whistle stop tour of knitting, without a huge amount of detail, but she does suggest using youtube to help.

The projects

Cable Beanie - a pretty straightforward cable hat, a good introduction to cables in a small project.

Baggie Beanie- a slouchy hat, ribbed at the bottom and then plain for the rest.

Snowflake Earflwpper, an earflap hat with some colourwork.

Bow Headband a pretty plain headband with a bow, using an elastic hairband at the end to help it stay on, which is clever

Berry Beret - a pretty lace pattern, probably a good introduction to lacework.

A super snood - a long snood.

Two-gauge garter scarf - using two sizes of needles to create tecture.

Diamond scarf - in a chunkier yarn than the berry beret but a similar stitch.  Chunky lace

Cosy Collar - a fairly tight-fitting cowl/neckwarmer

Lacy Cape, a rectangle with a button, knit in lace.

Utility Wrist Waarmers, ribbed wrist warmers with button details

Fingerless Gloves - worked flat fingerless gloves with a lace panel on the back of the hand.

Mittens knit in a chunky yarn with cables.

Dancing legwarmers in a chunky yarn

Slouch socks - need ribbons to hold these DK weight socks up, has a cable and lace detail down the front and are seamed up the back.

Wellie Socks in a chunky yarn, knit flat with a cable detail knit horizontally before knitting the socks from the cuff down.

Reusable shopper - knit in cotton yarn with a lacy stitch.

Argyll Bag - chunky knit simple bag

Laptop Cozy - intarsia pattern

iPod cover - with an intarsia pattern on the front

While the patterns are done in the Grannies Inc yarns they do suggest some substutions at the back of the book.

It's a fairly trendy book that would be good for a teenager or 20something to get into knitting, many of the patterns are quite straighforward and not bad, just not my type of pattern

Got a copy from Dublin City Public Libraries who pay my wages but aren't affiliated to my blog

Review of Learn to knit, love to knit

Book Depository; Dublin City Public Libraries; Ravelry

Learn to Knit, love to knit
Anna Wilkinson
With some clear diagrams on how to knit and 20 modern styled patterns this isn't a bad book, it's not my style, but if I was starting out the opening how-to photographs are worth it. I have similar patterns to any of the ones that attracted me elsewhere in my collection. The lack of schematics for the clothing is somewhat annoying, though there are fairly detailed lists of sizing info, including bust, length, and sleeve seam. Most patterns go up to 14 or 16 UK sizing (38-40 Inch or 97-102cm)

First section is learn to knit: First up is a striped scarf and mittens, with pompoms. Knit in superbulky weight yarn. Varying stripes that can be decided by the knitter.

Shopper with dropped stitch detail is not bad, knit in bulky weight yarn, a slightly complicated technique made easy by it not being crucial if you err.

Wristwarmers with contrast rib feature on the cover, knit in DK weight. the contrast colour is used for the cast-on as well.

His or hers bobble hats - bulky weight hat with pompom

Hand Puff and collar with embroidery, knit in a superbulky weight bouchle yarn. The embroidery produces a slightly tartan effect. Puff (or Muff as we used to call them before it became slightly rude) is also padded and lined.

Simple round neck sweater with raglan sleeves. This sort of simple jumper is crying out to be made in the round and the yoke done as one piece, but alas, it's made in pieces and seamed. Dk weight yarn.

The Cripped cardigan with cabled sleeves - I can hear some of my friends already mocking the bobbles in the pattern, round necked from the sizing on the models I'd be inclined to be very careful with sizing and probably make it much longer. Then again I dislike over-tight cardigans that gape. Knit in pieces, dk weight yarn

Lace collar with tie fastening, button detail to front, tie to back, an ornamental collar in laceweight yarn.

Lace top with bow, vertically striped sleeveless top made in mohair, with a bow.

Random Striped Sweater, horizontally striped raglan in dk weight, plain sleeves with contrast cuffs.
Second section is love to knit

College-style cardigan with patch pocket, knit in 4ply, with a textured stitch, if I was making this I'd make it bigger, longer, and I'd be really careful about the placement of the patch pocket.

The Shawl Collar Cardigan with floral embroidery is knit in a dk weight yarn, v-necked this one would tempt me, longer again, probably in the round the photographs have the intarsia/swiss darned/embroidered parts looking quite puckered, you'd need to be very careful with this one to make sure that the stretch when embroidering equals the stretch when wearing.

The Fair Isle Band Sweater with short sleeves I like the pattern but very boxy, knit in DK weight. Pieced.

Textured Cardigan with ribbed waist, knit in dk weuight this has no full-length photo near the pattern. it looks interesting but this is where I would like to see a schematic.

Fair Isle Rib tanktop, I assume this 4-ply tanktop comes to approximately the waist. for me this would be too short, I'd do another repeat of the pattern for extra length.

Cabled Tam and Snood, bobbly cables knit in a dk weight yarn.

Polka-dot socks. Polka dots added as french knots afterwards. These have ribbing at the back of the leg, which can be very good for folks like me with wide calves. The heel is knit plain, I'd do a slip stitch heel, but then again I live in boots.

Cabled Cardigan with short sleeves (and frilly collar) I like the main pattern of this one. the pattern includes instructions on making the buttons, this one could be very nice in a cotton yarn. At first glance I liked this one but the collar wouldn't suit me.

Tartan sweater with three-quarter length sleeves - knit in 4-ply this is and interesting design and one of the few I would think about knitting but then I looked at it again and I'd have to play with it to make it work right. Some day I may make a variation inspired by it. Ribbed portion of the side gusset helps make it more fitted.

Tweed cape - worked in a slip stitch in DK weight yarn, the shoulders look a bit funny to me in this and would definitely not flatter me.

Got a copy from Dublin City Public Libraries who pay my wages but aren't affiliated to my blog

Evil Knits - Review

Book Depository Link, Ravelry Link, Dublin City Public Libraries Catalogue Record

It gets bonus points for the mad cracked nail illustrations in the primer.

The book starts with an introduction to knitting and some techniques to work with, including soft circuits!  This is a pretty comprehensive introduction.

The Projects
Monkey with Miniature Cymbals - a knitted version of the clockwork toy.

Ferdy Hand Puppet - looks a lot like Freddy from Fridy the 13th...

Voodoo Doll Cat Toy - yeah, reverse stocking stitch voodoo style doll as a cat toy.

Necronomicon iPad Cosy, oh yeah, a plain bag with appliqued felt shapes and I-cord outlining.  Kinda cool, but also kinda creepy, has advice on resizing it for other electronic devices.

Shrunken Head in a jar, yeah, exactly what it says.

Zombie Egg Cosy - an egg cosy designed to stay on so it looks like you're eating it's brains...

Freak Show Finger Puppets - Bearded lady, elephant man and Lion-faced people, as finger puppets.

Creepy Clown cushion cover - yeah, creepy intarsia clown.

Monster Merry-go-round - potential for using luminous yarn...  A canopy with some dangling monsters.

Light-up ghost is a classic ghost shape with a simple LED to light it up

Abominable Snowman - a good way to learn fur stitch!  It's a pretty classic shape and style.

Kracken Tentacle - as suggested could be a Draft Excluder, throw pillow or as a cat bed.  Quite a funny piece

Nosferatu - inspired by one of the oldest adaptations of Dracula, this is pretty creepy with glowing LED eyes.

A Grue Wallet - a monster inspired wallet with a lot of detail and optional LED circuitry.

Zombie Marionette - a zombie puppet

Creature from the Black Lagoon Sleep Mask - a sleep mask knit in green with felt eyes, an icord frown and lined with felt.

Haunted House Diorama - knitted playhouse stiffened with Plastic Canvas, a pile of skulls, and some gravestones.

Little Witches are some small project.  weighted with a small beanbag they are a cute small project

Haunted Tree - a tree shape which uses PVA glue for some stiffening.

Entertaining projects but none of them really called on me to do them, the ones that involve electronics would be ideal first projects to try this as there isn't much involved in it.

Bergere de France Knit & Stitch Volume 1 review

Yes, I have poor impulse control when it comes to buying this sort of thing.  I usually buy at least issue 1.  This is the latest offering from Eaglemoss as a part-work.  Now I hope Eaglemoss have improved their deliveries because the last few times I subscribed to something from them it resulted in blood-pressure heightening phone calls to try to sort out issues about missing shipments.

The bumpf does mention free shipping in the UK but doesn't mention what the cost would be to Ireland (or Eire as they style it).  This issue is 1.99 (UK 99p) the second will be 3.99 (UK £2.50) and subsequent issues will be 6.99 (UK 4.50), this price works out pretty well to Eason's current 7.49 for a £4.99 magazine.  You might think about using something like Parcel Motel to ship to Belfast if that would work out cheaper, you get the magazines in lots of 4. So you will be waiting anyway.

Issue 1 comes with two balls of acrylic yarn, Bergere de France's Barisienne, issue 2 will be offering the same, issue 3 will be Eclair yarn.  Now somehow I don't think you'll be getting some of the Alpaca yarn mentioned in the guide to yarns used in this collection but I could be proven wrong.

It also comes with some 3.5mm needles, the recommended size for the yarn, a how-to-knit DVD and the magazine, along with the guide to the yarns, which I would carefully store for substitution purposes, as well as a lot of bumpf on the series.

This part-work promises to cover not only knitting and crochet but also tapestry, crewelwork and felting.  They say that there will be needles and crochet hooks with the series and binders along the way.

Part 1 starts off with how to cast-on, using the thumb or long-tail cast-on.

A plain garter stitch is the first square, using one of the balls, the squares are 20cm each and while tension isn't terribly important, it is a good thing to practice how to achieve tension on.  Cleverly they suggest labelling the square with an ID number.

There's also a fringed shawl knit project, using a slightly fuzzy yarn, an increase on the rs row until x number of stitches are achieved and then decrease back down to the original number of stitches, unhelpfully it's not diagrammed.

The next project is a cuddly teddy, crocheted using the other ball of yarn, this does have a schematic.

A Classic V-necked jumper for kids from 4-16 is next, schematic included, this is knit in pieces and has a simple rolled neck edge.  A good plain jumper.

A squared cushion is a tapestry piece inset into a cushion.  

Next up is a know-how piece on reading a pattern card and what their measurments are for each size etc.  Seeing as they use the French and European number sizing this is going to be useful if you're going to use this series at all.  They also include a list of reference abbreviations, I'd be inclined to get this laminated, or buy a second copy to do up a laminated version of this one and have it at the front of the collection.

Crochet basics are done as well, right-handed of course.  To round out the magazine there's a basic guide on Tapestry basic half-cross stitch and tent stitch. Both of which look the same on the front but there's a bit of a difference on the back.

So will I be buying it? The jury is still out, I'll probably buy the first three to see what happens, and to have the binder in case I impulse buy some more.  I do like the idea of one ball for the throw and one for another project.  This could be an interesting series to watch.