Or my likes and dislikes.
Okay, I'm opinionated about what I like and dislike in pattern books, and sometimes I get a little sarky, this being said I do try to be as balanced as I can. I try to point out good points in books, and often when I re-read posts I try to clarify that maybe it wasn't that bad, that maybe it was an overwhelming ugh that got to me. There are some things that will always get to me.
Lack of detailed pictures. I'm am guaranteed to get a little snippy if the model is more in focus than the knitted object, it's also guaranteed to make me a little sceptical about the garment. Lack of front views when there's details there? Garment unworn, particularly if other garments in the book are worn? Collar covered by a scarf? Closure not clearly shown? Repeated photographs, just with a little more focus on a random portion, or the worst sin of all, repeated photograph flipped? Oh yeah, colour me sceptical.
Lack of Schematics that actually tell you something. If the details in the introduction piece tell me that the garment is x inches or cm long and the sleeves are y inches long, I don't see why your schematics shouldn't tell me more. Useful details often include depth of neckline, width of waist, depth to waist if you have a fitted waist, the details that can help a person change things for the better. Your pattern will never be perfect for everyone, live with it.
Repeating patterns within the same book with no more a significant change than yarn or colour.
Online patterns, go to our website to get this pattern often means a year later it's gone and I have no hope of getting it.
The words funky or edgy fill me with dread. They usually actually mean this is an unholy mess.
I have to admit to a dislike of fun fur and other novelty yarns of most sorts, particularly when they're used for a whole garment, writers who insist that this style suits all women and other such absolutes. I also admit to a certain impatience with books that don't include mm needle sizes, or at least a quick guide to mm, but thats a bit of a personal preference.
What do I like? Well written patterns that allow me to adapt them to my 40" chest, 5'1" stature, I like classically styled pieces with some slightly unusual or different quirks. Yarns that aren't difficult to source or extremely expensive. Books that also make me think or inspire me will get my vote.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Another Pair of socks
My eleventh pair of socks this year! I am on track to knit 12 this year, particularly as I've cast on for the twelfth already and am into the first repeat of the ankle.
These are my George R R Martin socks
Why George R R Martin? The first sock was completed while listening to George R R Martin's Guest of Honour Speech at Octocon this year. Yes I'm a geek.
I love how Autumnal this colourway is, I think it may have originally been bought to make a pair of socks for my husband but they're mine now. They're quite apt for wearing today, which I am doing.
ETA: These are Hermoine's Everyday Socks which definitely lok more complicated than they are, a nice pattern that breaks up possible pooling on the yarn.
These are my George R R Martin socks
Why George R R Martin? The first sock was completed while listening to George R R Martin's Guest of Honour Speech at Octocon this year. Yes I'm a geek.
I love how Autumnal this colourway is, I think it may have originally been bought to make a pair of socks for my husband but they're mine now. They're quite apt for wearing today, which I am doing.
ETA: These are Hermoine's Everyday Socks which definitely lok more complicated than they are, a nice pattern that breaks up possible pooling on the yarn.
Simple Stylish Knits Review
Also known as So Simple Knits
Book Depository Link Ravelry Link
Types of patterns: Garments
Number of Patterns: 24; Coat/Jacket (6); Hat (2); Cardigan (5); Top (1); Cape (2); Poncho (1); throw (1); Jumper (3); tank-top (1); Headband (1)
Split of patterns: Men/women/children - Womens only.
Colour/Black & White: Colour photographs
Schematics: Yes, for most, however they're a bit thin on detail, often only mentioning length, no mention of the various widths.
Target Audience: beginner to intermediate
How to knit guide: Much of the basics are covered quite quickly.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: some classical pieces but it's mostly fairly modern.
Comments: A mixed bunch of patterns
The first chapter is "Classic"
Long Asymmetrical Coat - the photographs aren't clear about how it's asymmetrical but it's got a pointed front that fastens with a buckle, this is knit on 7 & 12mm needles so it's big and bulky. The bulky yarn brings down the shoulders and the sleeves look quite baggy on the model, classed as Easy.
Basketweave Coat and Hat are knit in Sirdar Bigga in 15mm needles. This is HUGE. and I have to wonder about the needs some experience for the Basketweave pattern, if you can do a neat rib you can do a Basketweave pattern. Rated as easy.
Long Shawl-Collared Coat this one is knit in Rowan Ribbon Twist on 12mm needles and comes across as being less bulky and not as heavy as the other two, this is designed to go down below your knees and may need some modification for the short. Rated as Easy.
Striped Sweater, it's a pretty standard stocking stitch and it appears to have waist shaping, although that's not evident from the pictures. The schematics aren't clear about the sleeve width but they look quite wide on the sleeve, rated as very easy.
Cardigan with Loop stitch Collar: stripes, loop stitch collar, ribbon tie and buttons. It doesn't appeal to me. Rated as easy.
Moss Stitch Jacket and top. The Jacket is knitted in moss stitch and knit on 6.5mm needles; the top in 3.25 and 4mm needles, there's pockets and fringing, the top is sleeveless. They're rated as Easy
Two-Colour Jacket is a high necked jacket; designed to be knit in a yarn with a long colour variation this would be a good piece for someone who liked a high neck jacket. If I was to knit it myself I would be tempted to knit it in the round to the underarm, and would possibly attempt steeks for the piece above the underarms in order to keep the colour moving smoothly. Rated as very easy.
Two-Colour Cape is knit in two contrast colours. Rated as very easy this has some textured stitches. The schematic isn't very clear, the only photograph on the page is the back the only clue about how it's constructed is the making up.
The second chapter is Weekend
Hooded Cardigan with Embroidery. It's a nicely designed hooded cardigan with a zip and applied cross stitch in a contrast yarn. It would still be a nice piece even without the cross stitch. It's knit in a relatively thick yarn, Rowan Cork and knit with 7 & 8mm needles, the hood is knit flat and seamed. This is the garment on the cover of the book. Rated as Easy.
Jacket with Funky Collar where funky collar is Sirdar New Fizz or a "novelty yarn" that knits to a large gauge, the body is in Sirdar Bigga. The whole thing is knit on 12mm and 15mm needles and is quite a large looking jacket and I don't think it would suit larger sizes. Rated as very easy
Patchwork Coat is knit four shades of yarn on 5.5 and 6.5mm needles big rectangles and the ribbed edge goes in. I would be inclined to add a hem instead. Though again it's not a piece I'd actually knit, the ribbed collar with fringing is an added reason not to. It's a very bulky piece and again lacks a full front picture. Rated as Medium.
Poncho and hat with earflaps: Knit in Rowan Big Wool Tuft which I'm sure you would be gutted to know is discontinued. It's knit on 15 and 20mm needles. The hat is seamed and the poncho has fringing. I think this classifies as my second least favourite piece Rated as very easy.
Sweater with Fringing - Knit in Rowan chunky print, with 7mm and 8mm needles, this has a slight point to the front, fringing and a cabled pattern down the front and back and a cowl neck
Throw-over wrap, knit with 15 and 20mm needles this is a fairly plain wrap you could possibly avoid seaming by knitting until the cast on for the neck and then knitting the other side and then knitting both together. There's no schematic for this one. Rated as very easy.
Third chapter is Casual
Cardigan with Ribbon ties - this has some contrast on the wrists and bottom of the cardigan and a slight shawl collar, The contrast is worked with a chevron knit pattern. There's some waist shaping. If I was to knit this I would leave off the ribbon decoration. Knit with 3.25 and 4mm needles. Rated as easy
Cardigan with Beads, high collared with a bead detailing around the collar. This is a pretty plain boxy cardigan. Knit on 7&8mm needles. The beads around the collar are quite bulky, I would be quite tempted to use them as buttons instead or as well. Rated as very easy
Sweater with frilled hem and cuffs. This is knit in Rowan Summer Tweed with 5mm needles. I'd be tempted to knit this with a different edging, if I was to knit it. The textured knit complements the yarn well, you could also do the centre piece in a contrast yarn. Rated as easy.
Scoop-necked top with lacy edging - knit on 5.5 and 6.5mm needles this has a leaf and bobble edge on the bottom, most of the body is knit in stocking stitch in the main, this is a wide-necked piece; almost off the shoulder. Has some waist shaping but the photographs are unhelpful. Rated easy.
Striped Sleeveless Top is knit in a chunky chenille, a standard v-necked tank top this one, it could be knit easily in a single colour, this has some waist shaping. Again the photographs reveal little. Rated easy.
Silky Mohair Cardigan is in Kidsilk Haze which some people like and some people dislike. Knit with 3&3.75mm needles. The original uses heart-shaped buttons. Boxy and knit mostly in stocking stitch it rates as very easy.
Chapter 4 is titled Glamorous.
Cape and Headband: Knit with 7&8mm needles (surely this is what everyone wants, a headband in big chunky wool) This is semi-circular shaped. Rated as very easy.
Sweater with Lace Collar and Cuffs, this is what it says, knit in lurex with 2.75; 3.25 and 4mm needles, this reminds me a little of work by White Lies designs not a lot of lace but enough to take this piece from mundane to a little exciting. Most of the body is knit in stocking stitch. Rated as easy.
Bolero Jacket - knit in 7mm needles this is a blocky piece but as chenille it's not too bad, it's cropped.
Last and definitely least in my book Wrapover Cardigan. This has frilled edge and piece on the cuffs. The body is knit on 8mm needles and the edging in 3.25mm. This one just makes me shudder and I can't say anything good about it. There's no shot of the front, it bags in the front at the waist, taking a garment that could be flattering and making it quite ugly. Rated as easy.
This book depends a lot on big yarns and blocky shapes, while there are a few very nice pieces they are also a few dogs, only if you like a few of the patterns would I get this one. While I'm interested in one or two of them overall I'm unimpressed by the whole thing of it.
Buy/Borrow: Borrow it, honestly if you want a look ask me. If you like it you should probably buy it but I could probably imagine that most who like it would be thinner types, bulkier yarns are often not flattering to larger women as they add bulk
Where Found: I own a copy, bought it second-hand.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Knitting And Stitching Show
It's the weekend of the Knitting and Stitching show and I'm not there. The why is a little complicated.
For starters I'm broke, broke as a broke thing in Brokestown. It was not helped by my having to visit a doctor or pay out on medication, I mean, I'm not destitute but I don't have a lot of spare money
Secondly: last year I wasn't all that impressed and didn't really buy an awful lot, to pay a relatively high entry fee and then not find things I wanted to buy is kinda annoying.
Thirdly: I have kilometers of yarn to knit. My stash needs reduction not increase! This is the main reason to stay away.
Hope everyone who visited enjoyed themselves.
For starters I'm broke, broke as a broke thing in Brokestown. It was not helped by my having to visit a doctor or pay out on medication, I mean, I'm not destitute but I don't have a lot of spare money
Secondly: last year I wasn't all that impressed and didn't really buy an awful lot, to pay a relatively high entry fee and then not find things I wanted to buy is kinda annoying.
Thirdly: I have kilometers of yarn to knit. My stash needs reduction not increase! This is the main reason to stay away.
Hope everyone who visited enjoyed themselves.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Slightly Pink Socks
So these are technically September socks because I finished them last week.
I knit the first two repeats on 2.75mm and the remaining sock on 2.5 and I could possibly have gone with 2.5 and 2.25 to be honest but the yarn has a lot of cotton in it and I predict that there will be some shrinkage over time. I still like them a lot.
And no, the colour and the style has nothing to do with the fact that October is Breast Cancer Month. Please support your local cancer support services, please know what's normal for you and realise that if you feel like you're wasting your doctor's time maybe you need to change your doctor, and also remember, women don't only get Breast Cancer, I didn't.
I knit the first two repeats on 2.75mm and the remaining sock on 2.5 and I could possibly have gone with 2.5 and 2.25 to be honest but the yarn has a lot of cotton in it and I predict that there will be some shrinkage over time. I still like them a lot.
And no, the colour and the style has nothing to do with the fact that October is Breast Cancer Month. Please support your local cancer support services, please know what's normal for you and realise that if you feel like you're wasting your doctor's time maybe you need to change your doctor, and also remember, women don't only get Breast Cancer, I didn't.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Knitting your own Designs for a perfect fit
No Ravelry Link
Types of patterns: Garments
Number of Patterns: Jumper (7); Waistcoat (2); Top (3); Baby (3); Child jumper (3); Cardigan (8); Child's Cardigan (2); Skirt (2): Child's Coat (1); Coat (1); Tank top (1); Dungarees (1)
Split of patterns: Men/women/children mostly women, but many patterns are unisex.
Size Range:
Colour/Black & White: Colour photographic plates but black& white otherwise
Schematics: yes and no, there are a lot of schematics scattered around the book but not attached to the garments, however if you read the guidelines for the pattern it would tell you where to go for the garment
Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced, beginners would probably not be well served by this, it requires some basic knowledge.
How to knit guide: yes, this is mostly what the book is about
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Classical mostly
Comments: This is not the book with a tonne of cast-ons and cast offs and a lot of detail about knitting, the garments are of their time, but under some of the strange styling and rather suspect colourwork many of the patterns are pretty classic, but this isn't what the book is about, scratch a little deeper than the pictures and the cover and you will find a comprehensive book that lists almost every possible shape and style, how to alter already knit garments to fit better and other detail besides. While there are no schematics for the garments listed there is a listing of shapes, which would allow to check what the choices would be. It's comprehensive and most possible ideas are listed and comments about advantages and disadvantages involved. She also works on ideas for optical effects, colourwork, knitting direction and motifs. All illustrated in line drawings. While most of the garments suffer badly from age some are quite classic, or could be adapted to be more up-to-date. The patterns are also more guidelines than actual patterns, the detail is described and the sizing and other details left to the knitter.
Polo-neck jumper with cevron design: Today's style would probably suggest a different neckline, and it has no shaping, still it's a pretty classic style that would probably suit men, or with some adaptations to remove some of the bulk most women
Alpaca Waistcoat, - pretty plain waistcoat with no shaping and ties, could be easily modernised or again, with plain buttons could be quite successful for men.
Maroon Poloneck with Chevrons on Sleeves:L Interesting use of colourwork on the sleeves this also has a saddle shoulder.
Blue/grey Tweed Collared Jumper: Big ribbed mens' jumper with a collar, pretty classic stuff here
Baby Briefs and Matinee Jacket - babies stuff tends to be the most classic and this isn't an exception
Toddler's Chenille Top: this suffers badly from age, drawstring bottom, laced boxy sleeves, it's just not that appealing, though some of the ideas could be used.
Camisole Evening Top : Interesting use of colourwork which is well placed and not too busy, could do with wider straps but otherwise not a bad piece
Mohair Cardigan: Shetland Shell Stitch ornaments this v-necked cardigan with pockets, could probably be translated into another yarn without too much trouble for an interesting piece, would probably lend itself well to self-striped yarn
Camel-Coloured v-neck with striped borders - sleeves are knit along the yoke and the body grafted to the yoke, the stripes along the ribs would be an interesting place to use left-overs or busy yarns
Green Cotton twin-set: mosaic patterning along the body of this square necked top with only a small amount of detail on the sleeves of the cardigan, unfortunately the body of the cardigan is obscured by the styling/photography
Peach Mohair Jacket - fastened to the front with a bow it does look dated, though lose the bow and the mohair and it turns into a relatively decent garment with a little stitch detailing along the edges and yoke.
Bouchle Cardigan with eyelets is an interesting pattern, v-necked cardigan with a scattered eyelet pattern to keep interest going, has potential.
Girls cardigan in blue and white uses a few different colours of blue and is pretty classic, you might have to change the neckline for a more modern look
Boy's Jumper with diagonal stripes on front - a change of colour for this would modernise it.
Purple tunic with Jacquard Design: gathered at the waist and then flaring out the patterning is interesting, patterning along the sleeves to match
Man's grey waistcoat; Square bottomed with pockets and some stitch detail.
Pompom Skirt in hand-spun wool: this is one o the greatest crimes this book commits and almost unforgivable, it features on the cover as well and honestly I can't see a reason to make it, ever.
Little Girl's Red Coat: has an integrated scarf, stitch detail and is quite cute
Boys Bomber Jacket: Colourwork down the side and arms, this is a pretty classic style and shape
Girl's Square-necked striped top: modernise the colours, it would work now
The Heavy Winter Coat is not my style but I can imagine it updated and not looking all that dated, features the current large collar style
Thick Jumper in three shades of blue: Knit in Double-Double yarn this looks about aran weight, or maybe a little heavier, actually would look quite well in cotton I'd say, tweed sttich along the bottom and top, it's a nice use of three shades of blue in a garment
Sleeveless blue v-necked top: ribbing detail tank top.
Off-white summer suit in slk noil: skirt and short-sleeved loose cardigan make up this ensemble, skirt looks kneelenght, but it's hard to say from the photograph what shape it is.
Linen top: Colour stipes adorn the top and bottom of this garment, ooh look, horizontal stripes. along the body it has diagonal stitch detail. Photography is poor with this garment but I don't really hold up much hope for it being all that good a plan
Navy blue cardigan : pretty plain with some interesting rib detail, v-necked cardigan in a tweedy yarn, the pattern actually does show off the yarn.
V-necked jumper with Jacquard Bands - on a man this has the jaquard bands along the bottom of the body and the top of the sleeves, however it's not well photographed, so it's overall look is hidden.
Green Chenille Bomber Jacket - Pretty plain bomber jacket with pockets, again the photography obscures the garment
Tweed and chenille Bomber Jacket, buttoned and collared with contrasting details, this could probably be modernised and made into an intersting garment.
Baby's Travelling Bag - not for carrying items for a baby but a swaddling coverup with a hood. buttoned in the bottom this might work today but I have my suspicions.
Young Child's Dungarees _ stripes adorn this but the photography doesn't really show the garment well.
All of this being said this isn't a bad book, dated yes, and the garments certainly show age but overall it's not a bad book, in fact it's packed with information and occaisonally more than is usually given by a lot of designers. I could imagine an updated edition that would be more interactive, this would lend itself well to becoming an interactive text.
Buy/Borrow: if you're thinking about going into design this would be a good buy, if you can find it, I have my own copy that I look at occasionally. You need to ignore the surface of the book and dig a little to find the meat.
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries has a copy, I have one myself, I went hunting for the books by Montose Stanley in the system and this is the only one still in circulation.
Types of patterns: Garments
Number of Patterns: Jumper (7); Waistcoat (2); Top (3); Baby (3); Child jumper (3); Cardigan (8); Child's Cardigan (2); Skirt (2): Child's Coat (1); Coat (1); Tank top (1); Dungarees (1)
Split of patterns: Men/women/children mostly women, but many patterns are unisex.
Size Range:
Colour/Black & White: Colour photographic plates but black& white otherwise
Schematics: yes and no, there are a lot of schematics scattered around the book but not attached to the garments, however if you read the guidelines for the pattern it would tell you where to go for the garment
Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced, beginners would probably not be well served by this, it requires some basic knowledge.
How to knit guide: yes, this is mostly what the book is about
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Classical mostly
Comments: This is not the book with a tonne of cast-ons and cast offs and a lot of detail about knitting, the garments are of their time, but under some of the strange styling and rather suspect colourwork many of the patterns are pretty classic, but this isn't what the book is about, scratch a little deeper than the pictures and the cover and you will find a comprehensive book that lists almost every possible shape and style, how to alter already knit garments to fit better and other detail besides. While there are no schematics for the garments listed there is a listing of shapes, which would allow to check what the choices would be. It's comprehensive and most possible ideas are listed and comments about advantages and disadvantages involved. She also works on ideas for optical effects, colourwork, knitting direction and motifs. All illustrated in line drawings. While most of the garments suffer badly from age some are quite classic, or could be adapted to be more up-to-date. The patterns are also more guidelines than actual patterns, the detail is described and the sizing and other details left to the knitter.
Polo-neck jumper with cevron design: Today's style would probably suggest a different neckline, and it has no shaping, still it's a pretty classic style that would probably suit men, or with some adaptations to remove some of the bulk most women
Alpaca Waistcoat, - pretty plain waistcoat with no shaping and ties, could be easily modernised or again, with plain buttons could be quite successful for men.
Maroon Poloneck with Chevrons on Sleeves:L Interesting use of colourwork on the sleeves this also has a saddle shoulder.
Blue/grey Tweed Collared Jumper: Big ribbed mens' jumper with a collar, pretty classic stuff here
Baby Briefs and Matinee Jacket - babies stuff tends to be the most classic and this isn't an exception
Toddler's Chenille Top: this suffers badly from age, drawstring bottom, laced boxy sleeves, it's just not that appealing, though some of the ideas could be used.
Camisole Evening Top : Interesting use of colourwork which is well placed and not too busy, could do with wider straps but otherwise not a bad piece
Mohair Cardigan: Shetland Shell Stitch ornaments this v-necked cardigan with pockets, could probably be translated into another yarn without too much trouble for an interesting piece, would probably lend itself well to self-striped yarn
Camel-Coloured v-neck with striped borders - sleeves are knit along the yoke and the body grafted to the yoke, the stripes along the ribs would be an interesting place to use left-overs or busy yarns
Green Cotton twin-set: mosaic patterning along the body of this square necked top with only a small amount of detail on the sleeves of the cardigan, unfortunately the body of the cardigan is obscured by the styling/photography
Peach Mohair Jacket - fastened to the front with a bow it does look dated, though lose the bow and the mohair and it turns into a relatively decent garment with a little stitch detailing along the edges and yoke.
Bouchle Cardigan with eyelets is an interesting pattern, v-necked cardigan with a scattered eyelet pattern to keep interest going, has potential.
Girls cardigan in blue and white uses a few different colours of blue and is pretty classic, you might have to change the neckline for a more modern look
Boy's Jumper with diagonal stripes on front - a change of colour for this would modernise it.
Purple tunic with Jacquard Design: gathered at the waist and then flaring out the patterning is interesting, patterning along the sleeves to match
Man's grey waistcoat; Square bottomed with pockets and some stitch detail.
Pompom Skirt in hand-spun wool: this is one o the greatest crimes this book commits and almost unforgivable, it features on the cover as well and honestly I can't see a reason to make it, ever.
Little Girl's Red Coat: has an integrated scarf, stitch detail and is quite cute
Boys Bomber Jacket: Colourwork down the side and arms, this is a pretty classic style and shape
Girl's Square-necked striped top: modernise the colours, it would work now
The Heavy Winter Coat is not my style but I can imagine it updated and not looking all that dated, features the current large collar style
Thick Jumper in three shades of blue: Knit in Double-Double yarn this looks about aran weight, or maybe a little heavier, actually would look quite well in cotton I'd say, tweed sttich along the bottom and top, it's a nice use of three shades of blue in a garment
Sleeveless blue v-necked top: ribbing detail tank top.
Off-white summer suit in slk noil: skirt and short-sleeved loose cardigan make up this ensemble, skirt looks kneelenght, but it's hard to say from the photograph what shape it is.
Linen top: Colour stipes adorn the top and bottom of this garment, ooh look, horizontal stripes. along the body it has diagonal stitch detail. Photography is poor with this garment but I don't really hold up much hope for it being all that good a plan
Navy blue cardigan : pretty plain with some interesting rib detail, v-necked cardigan in a tweedy yarn, the pattern actually does show off the yarn.
V-necked jumper with Jacquard Bands - on a man this has the jaquard bands along the bottom of the body and the top of the sleeves, however it's not well photographed, so it's overall look is hidden.
Green Chenille Bomber Jacket - Pretty plain bomber jacket with pockets, again the photography obscures the garment
Tweed and chenille Bomber Jacket, buttoned and collared with contrasting details, this could probably be modernised and made into an intersting garment.
Baby's Travelling Bag - not for carrying items for a baby but a swaddling coverup with a hood. buttoned in the bottom this might work today but I have my suspicions.
Young Child's Dungarees _ stripes adorn this but the photography doesn't really show the garment well.
All of this being said this isn't a bad book, dated yes, and the garments certainly show age but overall it's not a bad book, in fact it's packed with information and occaisonally more than is usually given by a lot of designers. I could imagine an updated edition that would be more interactive, this would lend itself well to becoming an interactive text.
Buy/Borrow: if you're thinking about going into design this would be a good buy, if you can find it, I have my own copy that I look at occasionally. You need to ignore the surface of the book and dig a little to find the meat.
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries has a copy, I have one myself, I went hunting for the books by Montose Stanley in the system and this is the only one still in circulation.
Prizewinning
See the competition here that was me that won, that was.
Today the postie rang and it was my prize
it's a cute tin box, three skeins of Artesano Alpaca, two plastic needles, stitch markers and slide-on stitch counters. It's all pretty and cool and I'm so chuffed!
Today the postie rang and it was my prize
it's a cute tin box, three skeins of Artesano Alpaca, two plastic needles, stitch markers and slide-on stitch counters. It's all pretty and cool and I'm so chuffed!
Thursday, 23 September 2010
New waistcoat
So I finally sewed on the buttons, I finished that on the 1st of this month and have been looking at it for a while thinking about sewing them on, finally today I did it.
the pattern is Hawaii from Manos del Uruguay in the colourway Pisces in their Silk Blend this is the third pattern I've knit in it.
the pattern is Hawaii from Manos del Uruguay in the colourway Pisces in their Silk Blend this is the third pattern I've knit in it.
Color Style Book Review
BookDepository LinkOn Ravelry
Types of patterns: Garments and Accessories
Number of Patterns: 17 Pullover (6); Fingerless gloves (1); Socks (1); Cardigan (3); Scarf (1); Gloves (1); Cushion (1); Tank Top (1); Mittens (1); Bag (1)
Split of patterns: Women but see comments.
Size Range: 33-50, most patterns have a reasonable stretch of sizes
Colour/Black & White: colour photographs and colour charts
Schematics: yes for all patterns it really matters for
Target Audience: Intermeditate to advanced.
How to knit guide: some of the basics in the regular Interweave Knits Glossary
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Mostly classical stuff with some modern thrown in
Comments:
It's an interesting mix of patterns
Gee's Bend Pullover by Mary Jane Mucklestone. For people who like sewing, you make a back centre panel, a front centre panel and two side panels and sleeves and you sew them all up. There's no real shaping, it doesn't appeal to me from the pictures but it might be an interesting men's pattern. It's staggered stripes that breaks up the horizontal lines. Intereseting but not impressive.
Holi Mitts by Jaya Srikrishnan, a slip stitch pair of fingerless mittens. would be an interesting use of leftovers. One plain yarn and two variagated yarns make this interesting and fun.
Mohair Fair Isle by Mari Lynn Patrick, worked in the flat to the bodice and then half the sleeves and the front or back worked to the neck, has bell sleeves with a colour stripe along the end and a colourwork yoke. It isn't my style.
Faux-Embroidery yoke Sweater by Robin Melanson. the sweater is worked from the neck down with floats that make it look like emboridery and a mostly plain body, if I was to knit a roundnecked jumper this would be high on the list of jumpers to knit.
Honeycomb Turtleneck by Deborah Newton is interesting, you work cuffs horizontally and then pick up stitches to the armholes and then a colourwork yoke and a turtleneck to finish, you could possibly finish earlier and it would still be an impressive piece, not on my list of patterns to try due to it being not my kind of shape, the honeycomb breaks up the horizontal lines to make it more body friendly.
Bohus Style Knee Highs by Chrissy Gardiner Colourful cuff, and a little colour on the toes with shaping for the legs, worked in a k2p2 rib would make it comfortable and it would be a good introduction to colourwork on socks as it's not much colourwork over the whole design.
The Harvest Cardigan by Robin Melanson is a beautiful cardigan worked in a few contrasting colours with some embroidery to enhance it. I'd be tempted to make it more v-necked, and I'd love this cardigan, as it stands I really would love it for me. There are five colours involved.
Hooded Scarf by Kristin Nicholas - has the Nicholas trademarked bright colours, this is a hooded scarf, worked in the round it's then cut and ravelled to form the fringe. I'm not the biggest fan of Nicholas' work, this isn't changing my mind
Funky Fair Isle Bag by Pam Allen - work circular base on dpns, keep increasing until it's too big for dpns and change to circulars work fair isle to to, end with striped garter rib, sounding funky yet? No? Neither to me. It's a Fair Isle deep bag with a couple of colours, would be good fair isle practice as bags are pretty forgiving of mistakes. Could possibly also do with lining.
Mosaic Yoke Jacket by Veronik Avery. This has vertical striping along the body and 3/4 length sleeves and mosaic yoke with shawl style collar, the designer fastens it with a leather belt but buttons (and buttonholes) could be added if wished. I liked this one, enough colour but not too much horizontal colour
Cunningsburgh Star Jacket by Shirley Paden is one of my favourite patterns. The top of the jacket has a quite simple colourwork pattern but the bottom has a more complicated look, the tie-string is not my style and I'd probably ditch it and I love the fact that the inside collar has the same pattern as the yoke. I'm not sure how it would look with a dark, rather than light background, but I suppose Ravelry would inform me on this.
Peace and Love Gloves by Veronik Avery would be a good place to start with applied embroidery on a piece, as gloves there wouldn't be much work and if it went wrong you could easily fix it. These have a houndstooth pattern on the body, the words Peace and Love on the wrissts and a flower embroidered on the Love glove. The fingers are worked plain. A pattern that would lend itself to adaptation
Retro Andean Pullover by Mary Jane Mucklestone is one of my least gavourite patterns. A cropped pattern with horizontal stripes this is just not something that I would think would look good on me. Plus added Steaking ARGHness.
The Argyle Vest by Ann Budd takes the Argyle pattern and plays with it a bit. Working it in a patch along the chest and in several colours (with an added note from the author to feel free to add in more, this is a clever use of leftovers. It's got a ribbed sides and back to give it movement and some fitted effect, however I'd look at the armholes, from the slight bunching in the photograph they might benefit from lengthening.
Floral Pillow by Marta McCall is a felted cushion with an abstract flower and leaves pattern, some needlefelting is involved to add some details and to make it look more stitched. Different.
Striped Raglan by Cecily Glowik. Horizontal stripes in a think and thin self-striping yarn make for an interesting garment, still self-striping doesn't inspire me and there's bunching under the arms on the model so maybe some extra length in the arms might be a good idea.
Fun Flower Mittens, decorated with beads and embroidery these mittens are knit in the flat and seamed, not my sort of thing but still interesting.
The book continues with some commentary and some advice on playing with colour and it's a good section on the various ways of incorporating colour into a pattern. Some of the added ideas could be used to modify the patterns in the book. Overall it's an interesting book about using colour. I mightn't use the same colours myself but many of the colours aren't bad at all. I have some biases towards some of the patterns but they all have certain things going for them in terms of ideas and inspiration
Buy/Borrow: I borrowed it from Cork County Libraries to take a better look at it and intend to buy it sometime soon. It's not just that there are two cardigans that I really want to knit in the book but there's also a lot of very interesting ideas and inspirations in the book.
Where found: Cork County Libraries via the Borrowbooks scheme
Types of patterns: Garments and Accessories
Number of Patterns: 17 Pullover (6); Fingerless gloves (1); Socks (1); Cardigan (3); Scarf (1); Gloves (1); Cushion (1); Tank Top (1); Mittens (1); Bag (1)
Split of patterns: Women but see comments.
Size Range: 33-50, most patterns have a reasonable stretch of sizes
Colour/Black & White: colour photographs and colour charts
Schematics: yes for all patterns it really matters for
Target Audience: Intermeditate to advanced.
How to knit guide: some of the basics in the regular Interweave Knits Glossary
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Mostly classical stuff with some modern thrown in
Comments:
It's an interesting mix of patterns
Gee's Bend Pullover by Mary Jane Mucklestone. For people who like sewing, you make a back centre panel, a front centre panel and two side panels and sleeves and you sew them all up. There's no real shaping, it doesn't appeal to me from the pictures but it might be an interesting men's pattern. It's staggered stripes that breaks up the horizontal lines. Intereseting but not impressive.
Holi Mitts by Jaya Srikrishnan, a slip stitch pair of fingerless mittens. would be an interesting use of leftovers. One plain yarn and two variagated yarns make this interesting and fun.
Mohair Fair Isle by Mari Lynn Patrick, worked in the flat to the bodice and then half the sleeves and the front or back worked to the neck, has bell sleeves with a colour stripe along the end and a colourwork yoke. It isn't my style.
Faux-Embroidery yoke Sweater by Robin Melanson. the sweater is worked from the neck down with floats that make it look like emboridery and a mostly plain body, if I was to knit a roundnecked jumper this would be high on the list of jumpers to knit.
Honeycomb Turtleneck by Deborah Newton is interesting, you work cuffs horizontally and then pick up stitches to the armholes and then a colourwork yoke and a turtleneck to finish, you could possibly finish earlier and it would still be an impressive piece, not on my list of patterns to try due to it being not my kind of shape, the honeycomb breaks up the horizontal lines to make it more body friendly.
Bohus Style Knee Highs by Chrissy Gardiner Colourful cuff, and a little colour on the toes with shaping for the legs, worked in a k2p2 rib would make it comfortable and it would be a good introduction to colourwork on socks as it's not much colourwork over the whole design.
The Harvest Cardigan by Robin Melanson is a beautiful cardigan worked in a few contrasting colours with some embroidery to enhance it. I'd be tempted to make it more v-necked, and I'd love this cardigan, as it stands I really would love it for me. There are five colours involved.
Hooded Scarf by Kristin Nicholas - has the Nicholas trademarked bright colours, this is a hooded scarf, worked in the round it's then cut and ravelled to form the fringe. I'm not the biggest fan of Nicholas' work, this isn't changing my mind
Funky Fair Isle Bag by Pam Allen - work circular base on dpns, keep increasing until it's too big for dpns and change to circulars work fair isle to to, end with striped garter rib, sounding funky yet? No? Neither to me. It's a Fair Isle deep bag with a couple of colours, would be good fair isle practice as bags are pretty forgiving of mistakes. Could possibly also do with lining.
Mosaic Yoke Jacket by Veronik Avery. This has vertical striping along the body and 3/4 length sleeves and mosaic yoke with shawl style collar, the designer fastens it with a leather belt but buttons (and buttonholes) could be added if wished. I liked this one, enough colour but not too much horizontal colour
Cunningsburgh Star Jacket by Shirley Paden is one of my favourite patterns. The top of the jacket has a quite simple colourwork pattern but the bottom has a more complicated look, the tie-string is not my style and I'd probably ditch it and I love the fact that the inside collar has the same pattern as the yoke. I'm not sure how it would look with a dark, rather than light background, but I suppose Ravelry would inform me on this.
Peace and Love Gloves by Veronik Avery would be a good place to start with applied embroidery on a piece, as gloves there wouldn't be much work and if it went wrong you could easily fix it. These have a houndstooth pattern on the body, the words Peace and Love on the wrissts and a flower embroidered on the Love glove. The fingers are worked plain. A pattern that would lend itself to adaptation
Retro Andean Pullover by Mary Jane Mucklestone is one of my least gavourite patterns. A cropped pattern with horizontal stripes this is just not something that I would think would look good on me. Plus added Steaking ARGHness.
The Argyle Vest by Ann Budd takes the Argyle pattern and plays with it a bit. Working it in a patch along the chest and in several colours (with an added note from the author to feel free to add in more, this is a clever use of leftovers. It's got a ribbed sides and back to give it movement and some fitted effect, however I'd look at the armholes, from the slight bunching in the photograph they might benefit from lengthening.
Floral Pillow by Marta McCall is a felted cushion with an abstract flower and leaves pattern, some needlefelting is involved to add some details and to make it look more stitched. Different.
Striped Raglan by Cecily Glowik. Horizontal stripes in a think and thin self-striping yarn make for an interesting garment, still self-striping doesn't inspire me and there's bunching under the arms on the model so maybe some extra length in the arms might be a good idea.
Fun Flower Mittens, decorated with beads and embroidery these mittens are knit in the flat and seamed, not my sort of thing but still interesting.
The book continues with some commentary and some advice on playing with colour and it's a good section on the various ways of incorporating colour into a pattern. Some of the added ideas could be used to modify the patterns in the book. Overall it's an interesting book about using colour. I mightn't use the same colours myself but many of the colours aren't bad at all. I have some biases towards some of the patterns but they all have certain things going for them in terms of ideas and inspiration
Buy/Borrow: I borrowed it from Cork County Libraries to take a better look at it and intend to buy it sometime soon. It's not just that there are two cardigans that I really want to knit in the book but there's also a lot of very interesting ideas and inspirations in the book.
Where found: Cork County Libraries via the Borrowbooks scheme
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Oddball Knitting
Book Depository Link there are no links on Ravelry for the designer
Types of patterns: Garments
Number of Patterns: technically 21, though many are just size; pattern and gender changes; Jumper Men (3); Jumper Women (5); Jumper Child (3); Cardigan Men (3); Cardigan women (3); Cardigan Child (3)
Split of patterns: Men/women/children
Size Range: Women 95-115cm; Child 67-89cm; Men 110-130cm; 2 jumpers sized for 16/18 or 20/22
Colour/Black & White: Black and white graphs; colour photographs with added illustrations
Schematics: No
Target Audience: Intermediate, has a lot of colourwork
How to knit guide: Some basics but not a comprehensive guide, more for general work
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Most of the patterns are classic but there are two that are just plain horrible.
Comments: This is an interesting book, by using non-straight-line patterns to use up yarn, this would be a useful book to use for people with too much yarn and not enough patterns, though you might want to knit sections of the patterns for each piece in order to continue the patterns. The pattern repeats could be used in other garments to repeat the same concept on another garment. Possibly in combination with Budd's Handy book of Garments or Sweaters. Just ignore the last two patterns and the styling of the garments. By the fact that the lines are broken and not straight it's a better look than horizontal lines on most people. I'd also like to see the diamond pattern done in a variegated yarn in the centres. This one made me want to swatch up something and get rummaging in my yarn pile.
Buy/Borrow: It's one that I would buy if I could get one, but it's out of print and expensive on Amazon, thankfully Dublin City Public Libraries has a copy (or two)
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries
Types of patterns: Garments
Number of Patterns: technically 21, though many are just size; pattern and gender changes; Jumper Men (3); Jumper Women (5); Jumper Child (3); Cardigan Men (3); Cardigan women (3); Cardigan Child (3)
Split of patterns: Men/women/children
Size Range: Women 95-115cm; Child 67-89cm; Men 110-130cm; 2 jumpers sized for 16/18 or 20/22
Colour/Black & White: Black and white graphs; colour photographs with added illustrations
Schematics: No
Target Audience: Intermediate, has a lot of colourwork
How to knit guide: Some basics but not a comprehensive guide, more for general work
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Most of the patterns are classic but there are two that are just plain horrible.
Comments: This is an interesting book, by using non-straight-line patterns to use up yarn, this would be a useful book to use for people with too much yarn and not enough patterns, though you might want to knit sections of the patterns for each piece in order to continue the patterns. The pattern repeats could be used in other garments to repeat the same concept on another garment. Possibly in combination with Budd's Handy book of Garments or Sweaters. Just ignore the last two patterns and the styling of the garments. By the fact that the lines are broken and not straight it's a better look than horizontal lines on most people. I'd also like to see the diamond pattern done in a variegated yarn in the centres. This one made me want to swatch up something and get rummaging in my yarn pile.
Buy/Borrow: It's one that I would buy if I could get one, but it's out of print and expensive on Amazon, thankfully Dublin City Public Libraries has a copy (or two)
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries
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