Japanese Inspired Knits

BookDepository Link Ravelry Link


Types of patterns: Women's clothing

Number of Patterns: 12 - Cardigan (5); Jumper (4); Top (1); Poncho (1); Coat (1)

Split of patterns: Women

Size Range:36"-54" (91.5-137cm)

Colour/Black & White: Colour with some black and white illustrations

Schematics: Yes, and notes if the schematics don't necessarily fully reflect finished garment

Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced. This book has colour work, lace, entrelac and modular work among others.

How to knit guide: Nope, guides to the more advanced stitches yes and some clarification of what terms mean.

Experimental/Classical/Modern: I think it's pretty classical stuff with roots in Japan

Comments: I find this an interesting collection, some of the designs are not really for me but several of them are quite interesting. There are 12 patterns taking a theme from the months of the year as the book progresses, also taking concepts from some of the Japanese traditions around certain months.

(All links below are to the Ravelry Page for the pattern)
January: Stone Garden Jacket - a side tied jacket with coloured tips to the cuffs and fronts and some colour to the tie. The moss stitch and honeycomb body is interesting. As common with a lot of Marianne Isager's work it's in fine yarn used double. I like this one.

February: Winter in Tokyo - Entrelac jumper with diagonal patterned sleeves and some bobbles to add variety to some of the lighter boxes, this is followed by a workshop on Entrelac, not a me design but interesting.

March: The Fan - interesting construction top with radiating fanlike front, elbow length sleeves, another one I like

April: Flower Buds - a cardigan with a shawl collar, ties and stripes that are broken up by being bobbles and a variety of colours.

May: The Carp - this one is my favourite piece and has potential for some interesting uses for a fine yarn, like sock yarn and possibly in a variety of colours. It's a short sleeved top. Slight shaping.

June: The Umbrella - an interesting poncho with intersting patterning on the top. I'm not sure about the entire pom-pom thing.

July: The Sun - Almost shadow knitting these are suns in either a large or small size depending on taste on a jumper that's an interesting effect but not for me. Could be a great use of a subtly variagated yarn.

August: Summer in Tokyo - fairisle cropped raglan jumper whose sleeves end just below the elbow, could be lengthened to taste, probably using more repeats in the first pattern or the body pattern depending on how much extra you would like. Not really for me.

September: Rice Fields - a zipped cardigan with panels at the end these create triangles with colour use. It's not really my kind of top but it's an interesting inspiration for colour use and shape play.

October: Indigo - the cover jacket, worked from the neck down this is a long flared jacket with three buttons on the top. It also has a wave-like pattern on the bottom. It's an interesting pattern but it's not something that my bodyshape would like.

November: Maple Leaves, knit either in stripes or in a solid colour this is a lace piece that gently flares with 3/4 length sleeves. It could be a great use of some fingering-weight yarn, possibly some yarn that's too good to use for socks! Could also be a good piece to use a variegated yarn to make the variegated yarn play a bit more with itself, like this project

December: Sake and Soba - a long-line jumper with cables and turtle-neck, a nice piece.


Overall I'm quite impressed with this book, there are a few pieces I'd like to knit (Maple Leaves, The Carp and Stone Garden Jacket with a possibility for the Fan) and a few that I could see getting inspiration from. She does go into detail about how to do any vaguely complicated technique. These are pieces to stretch your wings with. Pieces that made me think. She also has a lot of photographs and detail shots which is very useful.

There would appear to be extra patterns in the German version of the book that aren't included in the English.

Buy/Borrow: Another one to borrow and see if it inspires, I'd be inclined to add it to my collection, almost more for inspiration and ideas than actual patterns, though a few of the patterns are calling to me!

Where found: Wicklow County Libraries via Borrowbooks.

Newish Finished Object

I finally got around to actually taking the photograph off my camera and now I'm posting about it!

So the lovely Debbie (my other sister-in-law) gave me a voucher for my birthday and I decided to knit Siesta Source(1) by Cork Based Carol Feller but I felt I needed to make some changes (apart from the incidental turning the pattern updside down and getting the decreases along the body the wrong way around, but consistently the wrong way around!)



I lengthened the body overall splitting it after the last set of increases and also added some extra to the sleeves with the cable along the edge of the sleeves and the edge of the split. I started when I was doing the last set of increases by doing two rows of p1 either side of the side markers and then p2, then k1p2, k2p2, k3p2, k4p2 and then splitting into two and doing the same cable as in the neck. When I got to a length I was happy with I then cast off using a loose cast off. The sleeves I knit 7 rows (could have possibly knit 9-10 actually as I was left with 6g of yarn at the end and there was about 1g per round) and then cast on 6 stitches and repeated the cable edging, p2 tog at the end of every second row and then sl1 k1 p4 every return row. I'm very happy with it.

(1) I had some problems printing on A4 with it, I ended up having to print in landscape to get all the details, I think the website is formatted for US Letter.

Book wishlists

I have a number of wishlists, which I'm going to put on the sidebar eventually but in the interests of getting some feedback about some of the books on it I'm creating this post. Yes, if you're feeling really generous I wouldn't say no to you buying me books, however this is more in a "Have you read this and what do you think of it" fishing expedition. There are a few I've actually handled and seen and would like a copy for myself, thank you, but some are sight unseen and I'm kinda curious.

Yes, I have too many books I want to buy and yes they're categorised into sections so I can decide to buy a few fiction and a few non-fiction and I do try to shop from the end.

Amazon.com Craft List
Amazon.com Non-fiction OOP and To be Published List
Amazon.com mixed top of the pile list aka those books and things I'd like to have NOW!

Amazon.co.uk Craft List
Amazon.co.uk Non-fiction OOP and To be Published List
Amazon.co.uk mixed top of the pile list aka those books and things I'd like to have NOW!

Book Depository List

Kilt Hose and Knickerbocker Stockings

Amazon.com link
Ravelry Link Book Depository Link

Any other info: 1980, Rannock Press is the edition I looked at, the available editions are later and it appears they have more information about the collector, Veronica Gainford

Types of patterns: Kilt hose and Knickerbocker stockings - socks, socks and more knee socks

Size Range: No real sizes given but it's more aimed at adult socks

Colour/Black & White: Black and white illustrations and photographs

Schematics: No

Target Audience: You'd need to have some knowledge of sock making. Most of the patterns are more about the edging and then you do the rest yourself

How to knit guide: No

Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty classical stuff, kilt hose, evidenced by this being republished a few times.

Comments: Pretty much a classic of it's genre. There's not a huge demand for Kilt hose and less for Knickerbocker stockings but this is a pretty comprehensive collection of designs. Veronica Gainford sallied forth and collected these designs and has built this collection to keep the patterns on record and allow later generations to use them. I plan to try a few for my husband who has been seen in a kilt a few times. I also plan to knit some for myself. There are a good variety of both male and female styles (as well as some unisex ones) so if it's what you're looking for it's ideal.

Buy/Borrow: If it's what you're thinking of doing it's a good book to have as a secondary reference. You'll need a good grasp of knitting socks for it as it concentrates on what makes them different from regular socks rather than what makes them similar. It does assume a knowledge of sock making (there is a basic pattern included but it's sketchy) so as a companion to one of the big sock books out there it (Getting started knitting socks, Vogues' ultimate sock book or Sensational Knitted Socks to name a few off the top of my head)

Where found: Glasgow Libraries via Inter-Library Loan

Beads, Buttons & Lace review

Ravelry Link; Book Depository Link
Known both as Beads Buttons & Lace (UK title) and Romantic Style (US title)

Types of patterns: Garments, Accessories, Household

Number of Patterns 21: Camisole (1); Cape (1); Dress (1); blouse (1); cardigan (2); shrug (1), top (1); Dressing Gown (1); Throw (1); Socks (1); coat-hanger covers (1); Button (1); Cushion (1); Bolster (1); necklace (2); Belt (1); shawl (2); Bag (2); Hat (1)

Split of patterns: Women

Size Range: 32-40

Colour/Black & White: Colour photographs

Schematics: for garments.

Target Audience: some beginner pieces, most for intermediate with a few pieces that might need more time than experience.

How to knit guide: brief guide to some extra ideas, including some advice on following patterns and some crochet motifs and edgings.

Experimental/Classical/Modern: Most pieces are fairly classical but may need some tweaking to make a little more fashionable or wearable.

Comments:

This was published as Beads, Buttons and Lace in the UK and as Romantic Style in the US. From online reviews I see that some of the patterns were also published in Rowan Magazine. If the designer isn't mentioned it's Jennie Atkinson.

Divided into sections we start with Out and about
The cotton Camisole, knit in cotton this has a fitted bra top, though there's no mention of what to do if your bust is bigger or smaller. I'd lean on Knitting Lingerie Style for a better version if your bust doesn't correspond.

Beaded Cape, this has a tie fastening that wouldn't suit me. and has a simple petal shape, the beads are knitted as you go so it may be interesting to block when finished. The sample looks both stiff and creased. Knit in Merino.


The Butterfly Dress appears on the US Edition cover, a slip dress that needs planned underwear, knit in Kidsilk haze with spagetti straps this is fitted, open lace work, this would also need bravery.

Lace Blouse also needs planned underwear as it's quite open, a short-sleeved buttoned t shape, covered in lace

The Beaded Jacket by Kim Hargreaves is in cotton with beading, a slightly flared peplum in moss stitch, long sleeves, and a collar that to my eyes sits a bit high, I'm not a fan of collars that point at my shoulders. I also don't think I'd be decorating myself with the ribbon around my waist. I'd like to see a shot of this open, as this is how I tend to wear my cardigans.

Beaded shrug: A elbow-length shrug with crocheted on beads and a hood. Knit is kidsilk haze open and lacy I can see this appealing to fans of kidsilk haze.

Chevron Lace Top by Kim Hargreaves - this is a long-sleeved top with a henley style opening, again the collar is quite high, I'd be inclined to lose 1-2 of the buttons and lowering the collar, almost more work than it's worth. The open lacework would again demand underwear planning

Then we move to Home Comforts
The first two patterns in this chapter are almost a cheat, one is the longer version of the other, the Bed Jacket is the short version and then the Dressing Gown is the floor-sweeping version, many people have commented that they would shorten it if they were to actually knit it, to be a more practical length. They have a large shawl collar, it's what appears on the Beads, Button Lace version of the book, lace edged, very pretty, knit in Rowan Kid Classic, it's acres of knitting for the long version.

Diamond Throw is knit in three pieces then a crochet border and a fringe added

The Lacy Bed Socks are pictured all slouched but they're either knee or over-knee height and with a ribbon to finish and fasten.

Hanger Covers - for decorative covers on padded hangers, probably a good introduction to lace work

Rose Button Cushion - by Lois Daykin inartasia roses with beads and decorative buttons

Buttoned Flower Bolster by Lois Daykin - see the words "girlie dream" just make me want to break out in dark colours and sharp objects, this is a lacy bolster with beads and ribbons and a decorative flower to add to it.

The next chapter is Little Extras.

Starting with Crochet Necklace - it's done in lurex yarn that looks like copper and no picture shows how it would sit, judging by eye it's probably close-fitting but the lack of model is offputting.

Crochet Choker is also in Lurex with 116 beads this would be a nice piece for someone who likes neck chokers.

Crocheted Belt uses lurex again and 93 beads and is picturesquely displayed on a statue rather than on a person, I do like how it looks but I have no idea how it looks in real life. (alas no-one has tried it yet on Ravelry)

Crochet Shawl by Kim Hargreaves uses Kidsilk Haze and square motifs crocheted together in what looks like a long stole style with fringing.

Crochet Motif Bag by Martin Storey is a knitted bag with a ribbon decorating the gusset and with a decorative crochet motifs.

Lace Shawl by Sharon Miller is another stole style knit in Kidsilk Haze in a zig-zag lace which looks pretty simple but is written rather than charted, there's also a beaded loop to thread the shawl through.

Button Crochet Belt - a wide obi style belt with buttons decorating it and long ties.

Crochet Cap by Kim Hargreaves - motifs around the edge and a filet crochet top.

Buttoned Bag by Kim Hargreaves is knit in wool with random buttons decorating it

Buy/Borrow: I'd borrow, I'm glad I did rather than buy, it's not really me, some pieces made me look twice but they would need some serious work to make them work for me. Nice but not quite nice enough for me to hunt it up. Several of the pieces I liked weren't really things I should knit for me, either they were styles that aren't me or needed too much tweaking to make more me. I like lace but a lot of the lace work would require too much planning to wear. To be brutally honest the book was on my wishlist before I saw it, it's now off.

This book contains some of my pet hates, in particularly arty photography that focuses on the model and not on the piece, and many of them are photographed out of context so you can't tell how they look while being worn or being used. This is a major fault with many knitting books.

Where found: Cork County Library has it and I got it through Borrowbooks

Frankfurt and area wool shopping

So I went to Germany to a wedding and of course I came home with wool. I did try to get German brands and as usual I picked up sock wool.

I went to Germany and visited two wool shops and was quite restrained (even my husband remarked about my restraint!)

First was in Frankfurt

Woll-Boutique Elflein, resulted in this loot (with two balls of some)



Wiesbaden resulted in this:

From Wolle Rodel I bought a few balls of cotton rich sock wool there.

Most is sock wool, whether or not all will become socks in the future is another question. Some was just rather cool wool that wanted to come home with me for me to play!

Annis Drying

I like how it almost looks like a wing.

Mostly finished objects

Well they're almost finished, they both need pressing and the Luna Shawl seriously needs blocking.

Seaside Cardigan

It went into the washing machine today, finally. Yes, later it will go onto a drying rack but I wanted it to benefit from the good drying outdoors today.

Ravelry Link


Luna Moth Shawl



Luna Moth as pile of yarn actually. Ravelry Link for this

Boggled

I have no real idea when my subscription for the Knitting magazine runs out so I'm almost constantly surprised when it turns up. It's often a nice surprise. It arrived Monday and I brought it upstairs when I changed and part of the way through I let loose a snort/surprised noise, Mac was worried.

It was the More Stash than Cash article by Erika Knight....

A hanging basket liner pattern - not a bad thing.

"Materials:

DK or 4ply (used double) smooth and textured yarn

One ball of each is sufficient" (Sufficient!!)

"A= Rowan Q: Summer Tweed
B - Rowan Q : Cotton 4ply used double
C- Revive Q: revive DK
D - Rowan Q: Pima Cotton DK
E - Rowan Q: Cotton Glace
F - Rowan Q - DK Cotton
G - Rowan Q - DK
E - Rowan Q - DK Tweed"

Summer Tweed is about €7-8.50 and is a silk and cotton mix
DK Tweed is about €7.50 - merino wool, alpaca and viscose
4-ply cotton is discontinued - pure cotton
Revive is silk, cotton and rayon - €6.50 per ball
Pima Cotton - 100% cotton - between $4.95 and $9.95
Cotton Glace - 100% Cotton - $8.50
DK & DK cotton I'm not sure about, there are a number of yarns in this category in the Rowan Range, most Rowan yarns don't cost less than €5. I'm not sure that I would use these premium yarns for this purpose, instead of using something like a much cheaper cotton & acrylic or cotton yarn. What about Lang Cotton at €2.95 per 50g in the Yarn Room or maybe Cotton Viscose from Garnstudio from the Constant Knitter at €2.80 per hank, or Paris (100% cotton) from Garnstudio again from the constant knitter at €2.15... and these are just a few random samples I could find of fairly cheap cotton or cotton rich yarns.

I have, and I do have a few hanks of Rowan yarns, I won't be using them for this, I would be putting them aside for a while waiting for a project to justify them, particularly the fact that they're expensive yarns that even if I had only one or two of them I wouldn't be setting them up to rot under my plants. If I happen on premium yarns at a cheap price I wouldn't regard them as disposable like this. I would regard this as a lucky find that should be used when I could for something quite good rather than something minor.

Choices

So I'm almost finished Luna Moth in Schaefer Anne and I'm going to be joining the Annis knit-a-long with This Is Knit, and I've narrowed the choices down to a few.



They're all beautiful and I want to use them all NOW!

Dammit