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.

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.

This week's pretties and huh's

I'm going to start doing a new pretties and huh's hopefully weekly post.  I've been doing it on twitter occasionally but I think it would be nice to make the links a bit more permanent.

Pretties needs no explanation, huh's are those patterns that are not my aesthetic.  Your mileage may vary on both.  I'm going to try to explain what I like or dislike about it.

Pretties:

Raindrops, an apt pattern for the weather that's in it!  Love the water drops and thanks to the designer for permission to feature the picture

Rosewood Cardigan - now while this suffers from one of my pet hates, calling the pattern after the colour you designed it in, I love the way the cable twists around, it would be a great pattern for a tweedy yarn.

Chalet is another pattern with a lot of plain stocking stitch and some nice little details, yes I like v-necked cardigans, I find them more wearable for me.  I'm also a fan of pockets.  I'd be tempted to lengthen the body, or at least to see where it would hit and adapt if necessary to make it come down to the top of my legs.

I have a fondness for modular pieces and Taku looks interesting.

Vivika looks like my kind of winter jumper, not rounded neck, comfortable looking with multiple cables

I'm torn when it comes to heavier yarns in wools and fabrics that are more open for practical reasons, however I kinda like this one Sunray Medallion Tunic

Ivy - a scarf inspired by Art Nouveau ticks a few buttons for me, I'm a huge fan of Mucha and most Art Nouveau and this is a nice tribute to it.

Huh?

Ruffled Sparks Clutch now I will admit that clutches aren't my thing, I like bags with shoulder straps, I don't like carrying things around (and my hands dislike it too) and ruffles make me twitch, so this just isn't my thing

I know owls are popular but this doesn't really appeal to me.  Give a Hoot Crochet Owl Hat oh man, not my idea of pretty.

Saturnalia should be my kind of thing, but there's something about it that just doesn't gel with me.  I keep looking at it and wondering.  I think it might be the band, tweaking it might make it work.

Now I like the actual garment but file this one under Photographs make a difference, Ombre Dyed sweater and also it feeds a minor pet hate, it's a cardigan, to me sweaters don't have an open front.

Nice Idea for a pattern, Woman's Sideways Cabled Cardigan but it's a bit too bulky, bulky yarn plus cables = huge bulk, it's not flattering if you have weight.

I am a fan of waistcoats, but this Lets Go Loopy Waistcoat made me shudder

I think I've done enough here for this go-around.

Coffee Press Quest

I got me a new coffee press from Lidl and thought idly of making a coffee press cover, so that in times like this, I could make a batch and drink it over several hours.

Now I have to wonder about these (ravelry Link, login required) now yes, I'm searching for a french press cosy, but several of these lack something in the practicality aspect.
Lets' eliminate the Fleur de Lys "cozy"; scarves belong on people not as useful beverage warming items, I'd say the spillage aspect for this one is high. I could imagine it would be easy to put down on the trailing edges of this scarf. Very "Tish" making, shattered glass mixed with coffee is not a good beverage.
In my mind a French press cosy should have a number of useful aspects, the ability to keep pot warm while brewing, so the ones with the top with no space for the press mechanism are out immediately, vide: Midnightsky's Ribbed French Press Cozy and the felted press cozy; and the Oo la la French press cozy, no matter how pretty and the felted eggplant cozy.
Spout space is also good, along with handle space, eliminating the cozy by Adrian Bazilla.
Heat rises, and maximising coverage is good. Thus eliminating the ones by Lynne Anne Banks, Gillie Parsons; Jen Price; and Jane D
Larissa Brown's one is cute but lacing the damned thing up in a half-awake state? No!
There's fluffy yarn involved in this one

I think I need to go make myself a cup of coffee and swear a little before doing anything else. I may have to design something myself. Looking at some of the ones charging for their designs, I have no qualm about charging if I do design something!

Gods but theres a space for a well-designed caffietiere cozy. The project pages are also a "how not to shoot" an item. There's a few with no action shots, or where you can't see the full caffietiere.

Irish Knitting - Patterns Inspired by Ireland

Irish Knitting: Patterns Inspired by Ireland (Hobby Craft) (US Amazon Link)
Name of Book: Irish Knitting - Patterns inspired by IrelandRavelry Link
Author: Rohana Darlington
Any other info: 0713633395, 1991, A&C Black

Types of patterns: Garments

Number of Patterns: 24: Cardigan (2); Tank top/sleeveless top (2); Childs Jumper (3); Jumper (14): Baby Layette (1, 4 part); baby dress (1); bedspread (1)
Split of patterns: Men/women/children

Size Range: 32"-43" not all patterns cover this range. But with the plain portions of the garments several of them would be very adaptable both up and down.

Colour/Black & White: Colour photos, black and white sketches, colour charts, written cabling instructions, often in panels.

Schematics: no, sketches of the garment

Target Audience: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced/mixed

How to knit guide

Experimental/Classical/Modern

Comments: Pretty typical late 80's early 90's book, some of the patterns are a bit laughable but I think it could be useful for inspiration in places and in other places the patterns aren't too bad. The author also delves into history, visiting the National Museum and the Aran Islands as well as other places to delve into the history of Knitting in Ireland and doesn't perpetuate the Aran Jumpers Myth, she does detail some of the myths that have built up around it, but clearly stating that these myths have now passed into part of the story of the jumpers. She also notes which ones are newer designs than others. When she was finished talking with some people she went back to the National Museum and lodged her notes with them.

Yes there's no real shaping in the pieces and you would probably have to play with some of the designs to make them work but what's interesting about them is the completely different slant she has taken to Ireland and Irish design. She's exploring more of the heritage than I've seen many designers do and using it in different ways. A book that it would be interesting to use for concepts and ideas and maybe for some designers to look at to see if they too can play with the concept of Irish beyond cabling.

Pattern Links are to Ravelry
Newgrange Cardigan is an Alice Starmore meets Kaffe Fasset concept, the swirls of the entrance stone with a variety of yarns it's complicated and shapeless but an interesting idea, knit in 5mm needles with a bulky yarn and sport weight yarn, pictures notable for only showing back of the garment

Inishmore: uses Kilcarra Bulky yarn - a tank top with texture, designer wanted to capture the stone walls.

Crios uses DK for a childs jumper that captures the traditional belt or Crios used on the Aran Islands. Main body in bright red with colour bands on the bottom of the jumper, cuffs and top of sleeves

Torc is a sleeveless top knit in "Naturally Beautiful Aura 8/2 Silk" which sounds like fingering weight as it's knit on 2.75mm needles, plain with detail at top and hem

La Tene is another starmore/fassett work, this time in a jumper

Tara: Knotwork in the body and a torc type top, the colourwork is a bit off but it might work as a solid piece in another colour.

Kells Mosaic is a striped jumper with colourwork stripes, interesting but only for the thin

Dublin Silver is a double breasted shawl collar cardigan with colour and cableing,yeah.

Herald is a colourwork jumper with heraldic motifs. scary

Carrickmacross is a jumper worked in a nubby yarn with a lacework collar and cabled cuff and welt.

Shamrock Lace Layette is a heirloom christening set in white. There's a shamrock lace motif but otherwise not too twee, it is knit in very fine laceweight.

Primrose Petals is a baby dress in yellow with white trim, not the fussiest party garment for an infant I've seen.

Kerry Bedspread: Adapted from one crocheted in cotton in Listowel in the mid 19th century this is a spread knit in diagonal squares and then sewn together. Bobbles abound.

Sampler: In my humble opinion these belong on walls, as cross-stitch, the author disagrees and makes it into a jumper in 2ply shetland yarn no less!

Fisher Gansey: Red with moss stitch stripes this isn't a bad one of it's type, would probably suit a man

Diamond and Cable Aran - interesting rib detail with not too much cabling

Carrageen: not only modern designers show garments modelled in swimwear! Batwing jumper worked in one piece with cable running along the top of the sleeve and irish moss stitch body, original knit in Cotton DK.

Honeycomb Cable Aran - knit in aran wool, this has a cabled rib and cuffs and strap shoulder shaping

Betrothal Aran: heavily cabled with trinity stitch this is an interesting piece, blocky but the variation on the aran theme is interesting.

Rope Plait Aran - an aran weight jumper with some fairly heavy cabling this would be a good man's jumper, particularly if he likes boating.

Sailboats - Kids Jumper, inartasia but one for the boater. Not the worst of it's kind

Galway Racer - Kids Jumper with horses racing from side to side.

Seabirds is an adult jumper featuring an ocean, a few different textures of yarn for clouds and seabirds, I've seen much, much worse of it's kind.

Wild Fuschia - Plain jumper with fuschia along the neck and the sleeve top. Not something for me but not a bad jumper overall

Buy/Borrow: I'm adding it to my wishlist, I like some of the ideas and might try a few of the jumpers with some ammendations.

Where found: DUblin City Public Libraries has a few copies.

100 afghans to Knit and Crochet

Name of Book: 100 Afghans to Knit and Crochet
Author: Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss
Any other info: 1402740271, 2006, sterling publishers



Types of patterns: Afghans

Number of Patterns: 100

Split of patterns: Knit: 14 patterns Crochet 86

Size Range: baby rugs to throws

Colour/Black & White: Colour

Schematics: No

Target Audience: A mixed bag of experience but some knowledge of US terms vs UK terms is advised (listed in the back of the book)

How to knit guide: No, some guides on some of the more complicated stitches

Pretty classical stuff

Comments: Throws fall into three real categories here: Squares sewn up, strips sewn up and work it all in one go starting at the side or bottom. Most of the knitted ones are single units with a few strips thrown in, a lot of the crochet ones are squares, which makes it a good thing for people trying to use up leftovers and also useful if you want to change the size. It is more crochet than knit so wouldn't be as useful to most knitters as crocheters. Some of the Afghans are pretty basic and I do like how many of them look.

Buy/Borrow: I'd borrow to see if it's what you want, if you're into making afghans or throws this is possibly one of the better ones out there, particularly for crocheters.

Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries have a few copies and I got them to note the UK vs US terms issue on the barcoded front page of the book.