WTF Knits

WTF Knits by Gabrielle Grillo and Lucy Sweet, is one of the low-hanging fruit of the knitting book world, sometimes it is easy to mock patterns and to find them ridiculous.  To me some of these fall into 3 categories, Art, actually clever if you think about it and lastly they're strange adventures in using yarn.

It seems to be coming from a place where yarn is only good if it's used for a utiliarian project and not in sculptural projects and as some of the profits from this are going to charity it would have been hard for many of the copyright owners to refuse use of their photos for use here.

Much of it is stuff I'd never knit but I found some of it more clever than WTF.  It did annoy me to see the TitBits in here.  These are pieces knit for women with Breast Cancer as soft, caring, replacement prosthesis while they're healing and need something soft and the idea that someone would do that for me appeals, also the knitted falopian tubes are being used in activism.

Much of the garments are insane and I couldn't see myself wearing or making them but Haute Couture is insane, the yearly fashion design student catwalk is full of garments that will never be worn outside of the runway, but the authors of this choose to mock rather than to ask why fashion is so out of touch with reality, why it's almost compulsary for designers to make garments with no function (though it could also be asked why companies are making fortunes from making shoes that are crippling people more comfortable!).

Overall this book just made me slighly annoyed, yes there are knits in it that I have no idea why they were even conceived but there also knits that I can see could be used for education or entertainment. Kids get fake food toys all the time we don't seem to question it as much when we get it from a shop, or see it in a gallery, but we seem to question it a lot when someone who isn't part of the artistic establishment chooses to make it themselves.

I still don't understand some of them, but I also sometimes don't understand modern art, I wouldn't choose some of it for my house or to knit it myself (unless hugely bribed, and it would have to be huge) but each to their own.

I got this one from the library a while ago. Dublin City public libraries employ me and provided this book, I get no added inducements for doing this above my salary, access and generous lending facilities

Review of Pop knitting

Pop Knitting
Dublin City Public Libraries
Ravelry

This is a book to inspire, to expore and work with knitting stitches to create different textures and to play with shapes in your knitting, a book to add to your design library more than a book to just knit from, there is a pattern and some samples but they're just there to help you start.

Many different ideas, some of which were more along the lines of what I wouldn't knit, I don't really like jumpers with holes in, but other people's mileage may vary.

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.

Great Little Gifts to Knit Reviewed

Great Little Gifts to Knit

Dublin City Public Libraries 

Ravelry

Divided into four sections Baby; Hers; His and Home; Jean Moss does a book of small projects.  The adult hats aren't modelled on people.

Baby
Cuddle Cocoon - worked in the round with Rowan Big Wool.
Shower Set - DK baby set of Hat, booties and mittens. Trimmed in a contrast colour with optional flowers.
Baby love Blanket - a small amount of shadow knitting lifts this DK project.
Whoopla Beanbags - beanbags knit in DK with a variety of patterns on each side.
Jubilee Jacket and Hat - colourwork inspired by Selbu designs sized for up to 4 years old.  Knit in DK.


Hers
Fiesta Shrug and Fingerless Gloves - knit in fingering weight yarn these are lace gloves and a shrug or stole.
Jive Leg Warmers - knit in Rowan Big Wool with cables.
Glow Wristlets - 4 ply beaded wristlets.  A fairly simple pattern but a nice result.
Froufrou fingerless Gloves - Rowan Kidsilk Haze fingerless gloves with layers of frill.
Amulet Purse - knit in fingering-weight yarn with a lot of beading and beaded fringing in both a small and medium size.
Deco Backpack - slipstich pattern in a DK yarn, this would be a useful beach bag, drawstring top.
Will-o'-the-Wisp Shawlette - plays with some contrasting yarns to make an interesting shawl with or without beads.
Galaxy Beret - a chunky weight yarn with variegated colour is showcased in this otherwise quite plain beret.
Kitten's Paw Stole - could be adapted to almost any yarn, open lace with a frilled edge. (for the lighter weight version)
Odalisque Turban and Hat - worked in Brioche rib with and without a top. Interesting varieties, knit in worsted yarn.
Zebra Mittens - knit in a bulky yarn, worked with an afterthought thumb.

His
Hugs Socks - Fair Isle socks worked in Aran weight yarn.
Masham Scarf - a plain garter stitch scarf worked with either the same or dissimilar needles to produce different effects.
Galway Beanie and Head Wrap - worked in Aran weight yarn with some cables and cleverly used decreases in the ribbing.
Tutti-Frutti smartphone sleeve - with a Pear symbol on it rather than any other fruit. Knit in sport-weight cotton for the original.
Hendrix Guitar Strap and Linen Belt- suitable for either gender this linen/cotton blend DK yarn would be quite stable.

Home
Checkers Cushion and Seat Cover - uses shadow knitting to create interest in this colourwork dk weight cover, finished slightly differently for the cushion and seat cover.
Flavor place mat and napkin ring - DK Linen/cotton blend creates an interesting set.
Wensleydale Tea Cozy - tuck stitch tea cozy in a worsted weight yarn that would allow you to use snippets and other decor to ornament it.
McDougal Dog Jacket - knit in a super bulky yarn this is a somewhat tartanish pattern.
Welcome Toran Door Hanging - knit in sportweight cotton this one is pretty complicated and you'd want to have a place in mind for it, but would be impressive when finished.

Overall not a bad set of patterns which would be useful for gift-creating.  Many of them would be good for time-sensitive situations and could be fairly easily adapted for a variety of tastes.  Some of the patterns are quite unisex dependent on colours chosen.  Some are things I would never knit for myself, I am not a fluffy frilly person.  Overall it would be good for an advanced beginner, some of the patterns would be a stretch but many of them aren't too complicated and would allow for learning. 

Got this from Dublin City Public Libraries who don't offer me any inducement to do these other than my regular salary and access to the books.

Knitter's Book of Yarn review

Knitter's Book of Yarn
Book Depository Dublin City Public Libraries
The Knitter's Book of Yarn - Clara Parkes

0307352161/9780307352163

I was about 20 pages in when I thought about buying it and by about 60 I had an order into the Book Depository for it.  I will admit that the patterns don't really fire me with huge enthuiasm but the information in this book is gold.

Yes, other authors have written on this theme, but Clara is like being in a good yarn shop with a friend who is very knowledgeable and who doesn't have a huge bias against pretty much any yarn, she sees the utility in almost every yarn and wants to share her enthuaism for it all.

The book opens up with an exploration of different fibers, starting with Protein fibers - wool, alpaca, silk etc; Cellulose Fibers - made from cotton, Linen, hemp etc; Celluostic - using industrial processes to create a fiber but deriving from natural materials like wood, bamboo, corn etc and then synthetic - nylon, acrylic etc.  She discusses the pros and cons of all the fibers.

Then the book moves on to production and I finally understand the difference between worsted and woolen spun.

Then the patterns, they are divided by ply, to encourage exploration of how this works with the yarn.

Starting with single ply yarns, there are the Maine Morning Mitts; Cabled Tea Cozy, honeycomb hat and Seascape Bolero.  The mitts are ribbed and pretty plain, the Tea Cozy is a good use for a small amount of luxury yarn and the honeycomb hat plays with textural stitches to create an interesting play with light.  The Seascape Bolero is not my aesthetic, I just don't like the way it sits and I think the buttons on the back would interfere with my comfort.

The next are two-ply yarns; Step ribbed stole in two different texture yarns; Baby Soft Cardigan; Optic Waves Shawl; Raspberry Rhapsody scarf; Vines Cardigan; Guernsey socks; Little Shells Socks; Endpapers Shawl and double thick mittens.  I like the pattern on the double thick mittens, simple but interesting; endpapers shawl shows an interesting use of some handpainted yarns and colour graduation; Little shells has texture from the ankle up; Guernsey socks are interesting textured again showing variation; Vines cardigan is an angora piece, not my thing, not into fluffy, the style is interesting and I could be tempted to knit it in a less fluffy yarn the Raspberry Rhapsody scarf is relatively simple but a nice showcase for a yarn; Optic waves uses the variegations in the yarn to accentuate the waves in the pattern. Baby Soft cardigan is for 3-24 months and is cute. The step Ribbed Stole would be a good piece against busier pieces.

Three ply yarns are the next logical step; opening with the Rhinebeck hat and Mitts, colourwork enters the game, using a variegated yarn with a plain to create a fair isle style.  I like elements of the Cabled Swing Cardi, the collar doesn't work for me, I'd be tempted to tweak.  Swirly o socks have a fairly simple pattern that would work with a lot of multi-coloured yarns.

Four-ply and more is next.  Beginning with a very simple baby hat; then more colourwork in the Norwegian Snail Mittens, which are playful and cute.  The Patchwork Carriage blanket works with stripes and textures. The girly tee uses hemp and is an interesting fairly plain pattern; two catnip toys make an appearance. Iris side-to-side sleeveless top is grafted together and then edged with vertical stripes.  Ripple and lace leaf linen basket liners have an interesting texture, deceptively plain  they would make a nice gift.  Princess Mitts are wrist warmers with a cabled back, ideal for a small amount of luxury.

Then we move to cabled yarns, plied yarns plied on themselves.  Wavy socks use cables in a loose way to create interesting movement. XOX vest is a tank top with cable detail down the middle and is a temptation for me to knit. Cabled Headband is pretty and useful, the butterfly mobius is an interesting piece for some luxurious yarn.

Textured yarns are up next. The chunky winter set uses a thick and thin yarn to good effect, the Architect's hat plays with colourwork and slip stitches in interesting ways. Diamonds and pearls shawl uses the strengths of the yarn involved to create a pretty piece.

Bouchle yarns has a honeycomb bag again using slip stitches for a colourwork pattern that compliments the yarn

Brushed yarns has a scaruffle that shows how two different yarns can produce two subtly different results.

Chenille uses a cotton chenille to produce a classic washcloth that looks lush.

The felt factor has a very pretty Calla Lily personal security nightmare bag. No way to fasten it but it's pretty.  The retro cloche is a small hat that pearches on your head and I would hate it.

Then she discusses care of fabrics and some other information.  There are a few errata

The book is a great resource of information and useful knowledge and I look forward to it being part of my collection.


This book was obtained from Dublin City Public Libraries where I work.  Dublin City Public Libraries pay my wages but offer me no inducements to write these reviews.

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.

Animal Hats - review

Book Depository, Dublin City Public Libraries; Ravelry
Animal Hats - Vaness Mooncie

Knit in chunky yarns these are entertaining, not sure if I'd wear many of them, your mileage may vary.

There are two schools of thought with animal hats, that they only belong on young children or that they're fun for all ages, if you think of them as the latter, this is the book for you.

The hats are done in two sizes, children's and adults, all bar two (Pig and Cat) with ear-flaps and mostly in chunky or aran weight yarns so a pretty quick knit.

First up is Chicken - beak and cox-comb included

Frog has two big stuffed eyes

The Penguin has a bow tie and buttons to tie up the wings.

The Elephant has a trunk, ivory and big ears

The monkey is the typical sock monkey style

The pig doesn't have ear-flaps but does have a curly tail.

The fox and also called Professor of Cunning is intarsia work

The lion has a loopy mane

The Mouse uses a variety of yarns to create texture

The Rabbit has big floppy ears

The cat uses bouclé wool to create texture

The Dog has an eye patch and floppy ears can be worn buttoned up

The Koala has big pom-pom ears

The Panda has button eyes.

The Cow has horns and friesian markings


There are also suggestions for lining the hat with either fleece or a knit lining.

The book closes with some basic how-to's

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