Impressions: Take the Knitting Bible add the Crochet Bible, bind for cheaper than the two separately, et voila. I'm not really going to review this one as I have both and plan to review them separately. I didn't see any new patterns and the copyright information didn't mention any revision details only published and dates.
Buy/Borrow: If you want both books but didn't get them separately
Where found: Dublin City Public Library has copies in stock
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
some wardrobe advice
(I'm going to cross post this to my blog, but I think it will get a better variety of comment here!)
So I've been looking at some of the advice presented about knitting to fit and choosing patterns that suit and I thought that they missed on a few details. Using your own wardrobe to see what suits you.
To start you will need some paint chips, those strips of colour available free; and a notebook or camera.
Now you root around in your wardrobe.
First you need to take an overall look at your wardrobe. Split it into the basic four themes. Work; Leisure; formal and other. Look at what they're composed of, how do the garments flow? More flowing garments are better complemented by finer gauge yarns. You also need to look at the gaps in your wardrobe, where would there be space for knits and what would add usefulness to things? Make notes as you go.
You need to examine the garments and see what it is about the garment you like, put it on and see what you think about it and why you like it. Is it the colour? The shape? The fabric? Use the paint chips in your notes to colour match things that you like the colour of and that you get compliments about. You will probably see that there are themes running through your wardrobe. The colour chips also come in useful, particularly if you get a good variety, in seeing complimentary colours, colours that would suit what is there already.
Now look at the items you don't wear. Why not? Ill fitting? note what's bad about them, note what attracted you in the first place to them. Colour? A single detail? Sketch or photograph them and be honest with yourself, do you really need them? If they're all bad, note it, note what doesn't suit it's often as important as what does suit and get rid of them. I have one main rule about outfits, if you have to tug on it beyond the Picard Manoeuvre to rearrange your garment after sitting, then there is something wrong about it. Examine what makes your uncomfortable about it. You may be able to change the garment a little to fix it, all those pretty knitted and crocheted edgings might come into use.
I know folks have rules about how long since you wore something that suggests when you should get rid of something. However you should remember that there are some things you may want to hold on to, beyond the regular spacings. A good interview outfit that fits is important but ensure it still fits well and is complete.
Now what you need to do is get a measuring tape and either use someone else to help and measure yourself or conduct a cheats method; take some items you like the look of on you and measure them flat. Note good lengths on you, note what makes you comfortable again.
How deep is good for v-necks, how deep do you like round necks, do you like collars?
Where does waist shaping look good on you, do you need it?
Do you like crop tops? Where should they hit? They are often the same length as shrugs. How low looks good on you? Don’t dismiss them, just because you don’t wear cropped tops, Boleros are another short length.
Waist length tops are another length that can look good and bad on people. Decide if you want it and where is good. Some jackets work at this length.
Next length is the hip length on you, for most if not all people this is a point below the widest part of the waist, often just below crotch length
The last usual length is a long tunic length. Usually this is where the end of your fingers come when you put your hands straight down by your side.
Now there is also the consideration of lifestyle. A lot of top lengths for me are dictated by the fact that many of them have to fit under a biker jacket, so while the length mightn’t be ideal as a look on me it’s more important for me to be warm on the bike!
This is only the start of some thoughts about this topic, here's hoping someone will find use from it.
So I've been looking at some of the advice presented about knitting to fit and choosing patterns that suit and I thought that they missed on a few details. Using your own wardrobe to see what suits you.
To start you will need some paint chips, those strips of colour available free; and a notebook or camera.
Now you root around in your wardrobe.
First you need to take an overall look at your wardrobe. Split it into the basic four themes. Work; Leisure; formal and other. Look at what they're composed of, how do the garments flow? More flowing garments are better complemented by finer gauge yarns. You also need to look at the gaps in your wardrobe, where would there be space for knits and what would add usefulness to things? Make notes as you go.
You need to examine the garments and see what it is about the garment you like, put it on and see what you think about it and why you like it. Is it the colour? The shape? The fabric? Use the paint chips in your notes to colour match things that you like the colour of and that you get compliments about. You will probably see that there are themes running through your wardrobe. The colour chips also come in useful, particularly if you get a good variety, in seeing complimentary colours, colours that would suit what is there already.
Now look at the items you don't wear. Why not? Ill fitting? note what's bad about them, note what attracted you in the first place to them. Colour? A single detail? Sketch or photograph them and be honest with yourself, do you really need them? If they're all bad, note it, note what doesn't suit it's often as important as what does suit and get rid of them. I have one main rule about outfits, if you have to tug on it beyond the Picard Manoeuvre to rearrange your garment after sitting, then there is something wrong about it. Examine what makes your uncomfortable about it. You may be able to change the garment a little to fix it, all those pretty knitted and crocheted edgings might come into use.
I know folks have rules about how long since you wore something that suggests when you should get rid of something. However you should remember that there are some things you may want to hold on to, beyond the regular spacings. A good interview outfit that fits is important but ensure it still fits well and is complete.
Now what you need to do is get a measuring tape and either use someone else to help and measure yourself or conduct a cheats method; take some items you like the look of on you and measure them flat. Note good lengths on you, note what makes you comfortable again.
How deep is good for v-necks, how deep do you like round necks, do you like collars?
Where does waist shaping look good on you, do you need it?
Do you like crop tops? Where should they hit? They are often the same length as shrugs. How low looks good on you? Don’t dismiss them, just because you don’t wear cropped tops, Boleros are another short length.
Waist length tops are another length that can look good and bad on people. Decide if you want it and where is good. Some jackets work at this length.
Next length is the hip length on you, for most if not all people this is a point below the widest part of the waist, often just below crotch length
The last usual length is a long tunic length. Usually this is where the end of your fingers come when you put your hands straight down by your side.
Now there is also the consideration of lifestyle. A lot of top lengths for me are dictated by the fact that many of them have to fit under a biker jacket, so while the length mightn’t be ideal as a look on me it’s more important for me to be warm on the bike!
This is only the start of some thoughts about this topic, here's hoping someone will find use from it.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Working on versus in progress
I've been looking at my blog and playing a little with it. I do know that it's not the most exciting look but I prefer the background to the others offered.
One of the things I got rid of was the Blog Roll. I don't use it honestly and found myself a little upset recently when someone else didn't list me on their blog roll, so realised that I didn't list folks I read because they link to their blog posts on their twitter feed or I get them through the Irish Knitting Blogs list. So it's gone.
I also took a look at What's on my Needles and realised that while yes, those projects are technically not finished, and I do want to finish them there's something in the way. I think it was all precipitated by a project that I've been working on, the Roundabout Leaf Tank. I finished the main body yesterday and pulled it on.
Oh dear. It's too tight on the bottom, too loose at the top and I don't think that working on it any more will make it any better. I will rip it, but I'm holding on to it for the moment, I'm not through the mourning period for it yet.
What I am working on is Ivory, Copper & Gold; a cotton t-shirt in the same yarn as failed me before, I have a lot of this and will probably be able to finish it before needing to rip the Roundabout Leaf Tank.
I'm working on a pair of Eagle's Flight Socks for my husband, I wasn't sure how he would take them when I had got a little bit in, but he likes them, which is good.
I'm also occasionally working on Sagrantino Shawl these three form the bulk of my knitting these days.
I really have to get the zip into my pseudo-Biker Jacket but I have zip fear. I also have to add a lot of buttons onto my Purple Versatility and the sleeves need to be ripped out wholesale from the cardigan I've been working on.
What would be a good first moment would be to get some measurements of ME and use them to fix some pieces. That or bribe someone to do the finishing for me!
One of the things I got rid of was the Blog Roll. I don't use it honestly and found myself a little upset recently when someone else didn't list me on their blog roll, so realised that I didn't list folks I read because they link to their blog posts on their twitter feed or I get them through the Irish Knitting Blogs list. So it's gone.
I also took a look at What's on my Needles and realised that while yes, those projects are technically not finished, and I do want to finish them there's something in the way. I think it was all precipitated by a project that I've been working on, the Roundabout Leaf Tank. I finished the main body yesterday and pulled it on.
Oh dear. It's too tight on the bottom, too loose at the top and I don't think that working on it any more will make it any better. I will rip it, but I'm holding on to it for the moment, I'm not through the mourning period for it yet.
What I am working on is Ivory, Copper & Gold; a cotton t-shirt in the same yarn as failed me before, I have a lot of this and will probably be able to finish it before needing to rip the Roundabout Leaf Tank.
I'm working on a pair of Eagle's Flight Socks for my husband, I wasn't sure how he would take them when I had got a little bit in, but he likes them, which is good.
I'm also occasionally working on Sagrantino Shawl these three form the bulk of my knitting these days.
I really have to get the zip into my pseudo-Biker Jacket but I have zip fear. I also have to add a lot of buttons onto my Purple Versatility and the sleeves need to be ripped out wholesale from the cardigan I've been working on.
What would be a good first moment would be to get some measurements of ME and use them to fix some pieces. That or bribe someone to do the finishing for me!
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Some finished socks
I've been a bad blogger and forgot to update my finished objects so I'm going to do a cluster of them spaced over a few days. Hopefully I won't leave so long between updates next time. The Last Item I finished was the Canal de Midi Socks.
I made some Bartholomew's Tantalising Socks
from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Socks Knitters
I also made some Fawkes
a free pattern from ravelry
I currently have a pair of socks for Mac on the needles. A pair of Eagle's Flight in Regia 4-ply Line Steps Colour
I also abandoned a pair of Widdershins I had them almost finished when I realised that they were too tight and weren't going to work, so another knitter took them off my hands and plans to finish them. They were going to be my pair of knee socks for this year but every inch I knit it seemed to get shorter.
I made some Bartholomew's Tantalising Socks
from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Socks Knitters I also made some Fawkes
a free pattern from ravelryI currently have a pair of socks for Mac on the needles. A pair of Eagle's Flight in Regia 4-ply Line Steps Colour
I also abandoned a pair of Widdershins I had them almost finished when I realised that they were too tight and weren't going to work, so another knitter took them off my hands and plans to finish them. They were going to be my pair of knee socks for this year but every inch I knit it seemed to get shorter.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Ethnic Knitting: Exploration Lithuania, Iceland & Ireland
BookDepository Link; Ravelry Link
Impressions: It's a slightly different book. Photographs are there to inspire, the garments are sketches, and it requires you to do some maths. It and it's companion Ethnic Knitting Discovery are more an exploration of how you would go about using yarn, patterns and styles to create a basic jumper. It's really not a book for absolute beginners but a book for intermediate to advanced knitters. Though, if in doubt try, what's the worst that can happen? You have to rip it? It's not the worst thing that could happen.
The initial garments are mostly jumpers but there are instructions for adapting for cardigans in a couple of different ways. There's also a capelet that's basically a practice piece without sleeves or a body for a yoked sweater.
She starts with an introduction to some techniques, some useful charts about yardage, guage and a few others and then explores the knitting traditions of Lithuania, Iceland and Ireland. The Lithuanian Chapter has some colourwork patterns, a fingerless mitten pattern; a Ragland Pullover with a Border pattern; a Raglan Pullover with Multiple Patterns and the chapter ends with suggested ways of working with Large Motifs.
Iceland is the next chapter. Another country where the "traditional" is modern, the icelandic yoke-style is a 20th Century innovation, she talks about how to knit with the unspun Loki Yarn and gives some traditional patterns. Then we have the Caplet, a pullover with horizontal bands on Yoke and a steeked Cardigan with horizontal bands
Ireland is the next chapter where she walks about Aran designs (though Baineen is probably more correctly White-ish, from the word Ba/n meaning white and een meaning little, or small; natural is close). She goes through knitting a swatch and how to make a swatch with cables more square! Her samples show, not only a photograph of what's going on but the photograph has an outline showing where the repeat is. The first pattern in this chapter is a poncho. As it's basically two rectangles sewn together you could probably change it to a wrap or throw. Then there's Aran Pullovers with Saddle Shoulders. There's a note about the Aran-style cardigan for an adult on the cover. She admits herself that she prefers working arans in the flat due to the pleasure she gets from the rest rows, but she does include instructions for knitting in the round.
The last chapter is about cardigans with three techniques, all for round-necked cardigans.
It's an interesting book, it requires some work from the reader but overall if you're looking for some designs from these countries it's a good place to start.
Types of patterns: Clothing
Number of Patterns: 9
Split of patterns: mostly jumpers with a pair of fingerless gloves and a capelet thrown in
Size Range: It's based on your numbers so technically any size
Colour/Black & White: Black & White
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: more for intermediate to advanced knitters than beginners.
How to knit guide: no, but a fair number of tips and tricks.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty Classical
Buy/Borrow: it's not a book for someone who wants quick and easy work, this one needs work. It's packed with good advice though and would be invaluable for someone on the path to learning to design.
Where found: Found in Cork County Library via Borrowbooks, I also bought my own copy.
Impressions: It's a slightly different book. Photographs are there to inspire, the garments are sketches, and it requires you to do some maths. It and it's companion Ethnic Knitting Discovery are more an exploration of how you would go about using yarn, patterns and styles to create a basic jumper. It's really not a book for absolute beginners but a book for intermediate to advanced knitters. Though, if in doubt try, what's the worst that can happen? You have to rip it? It's not the worst thing that could happen.
The initial garments are mostly jumpers but there are instructions for adapting for cardigans in a couple of different ways. There's also a capelet that's basically a practice piece without sleeves or a body for a yoked sweater.
She starts with an introduction to some techniques, some useful charts about yardage, guage and a few others and then explores the knitting traditions of Lithuania, Iceland and Ireland. The Lithuanian Chapter has some colourwork patterns, a fingerless mitten pattern; a Ragland Pullover with a Border pattern; a Raglan Pullover with Multiple Patterns and the chapter ends with suggested ways of working with Large Motifs.
Iceland is the next chapter. Another country where the "traditional" is modern, the icelandic yoke-style is a 20th Century innovation, she talks about how to knit with the unspun Loki Yarn and gives some traditional patterns. Then we have the Caplet, a pullover with horizontal bands on Yoke and a steeked Cardigan with horizontal bands
Ireland is the next chapter where she walks about Aran designs (though Baineen is probably more correctly White-ish, from the word Ba/n meaning white and een meaning little, or small; natural is close). She goes through knitting a swatch and how to make a swatch with cables more square! Her samples show, not only a photograph of what's going on but the photograph has an outline showing where the repeat is. The first pattern in this chapter is a poncho. As it's basically two rectangles sewn together you could probably change it to a wrap or throw. Then there's Aran Pullovers with Saddle Shoulders. There's a note about the Aran-style cardigan for an adult on the cover. She admits herself that she prefers working arans in the flat due to the pleasure she gets from the rest rows, but she does include instructions for knitting in the round.
The last chapter is about cardigans with three techniques, all for round-necked cardigans.
It's an interesting book, it requires some work from the reader but overall if you're looking for some designs from these countries it's a good place to start.
Types of patterns: Clothing
Number of Patterns: 9
Split of patterns: mostly jumpers with a pair of fingerless gloves and a capelet thrown in
Size Range: It's based on your numbers so technically any size
Colour/Black & White: Black & White
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: more for intermediate to advanced knitters than beginners.
How to knit guide: no, but a fair number of tips and tricks.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty Classical
Buy/Borrow: it's not a book for someone who wants quick and easy work, this one needs work. It's packed with good advice though and would be invaluable for someone on the path to learning to design.
Where found: Found in Cork County Library via Borrowbooks, I also bought my own copy.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Knitting Sweaters from the Top Down - review
The first cover is for the hardback and has the Hyacinth Jumper on the cover
BookDepository Link; Ravelry Link
Author: Cathy Carron
other info: 1600595545
Impressions: Ill-fitting and ugly. I'm sorry, I wanted to like this book, I actually did. I like the concept of knitting from the top down and in the round, where I can concentrate on getting the fiddly bit done first and then moving on to the fairly straightforward bits, where I can work something in the round so there's minimal seaming, but this isn't the book I'd recommend to get into this technique. This book draws my eye for all the wrong reasons, novelty yarn, very bulky yarn, awkward angles and poses and what looks like kill-me-now expressions on the models faces. Add to that design elements that appear to hit on the wrong place and overlarge arm holes and you get a pattern book that has me looking at one garment and saying "well with some changes I'd knit that" (Coast for the record). The necklines are quite limited and don't The book also uses variegated yarn and ther's a lot of interesting pooling and flashing going on, if you don't like that effect, you might try alternating two balls.
This book fails for me on a few levels, it's completely not my style, it's going to date badly and I see nothing that I can't get better online. Now the initial advice isn't bad, the patterns just made me squirm, though the touch of having the yarn weight along the edge of the first page of the pattern is a nice touch.
Types of patterns: women's garments, though the general instructions could be used for any age or gender
Number of Patterns:
Split of patterns: Jumper (1)
Size Range: 36-48" (91-122cm)
Colour/Black & White: colour
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: Intermediate knitters.
How to knit guide: Basic knitting knowledge is assumed, this expands it to add a fair bit of information about this technique.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: the stuff is going to date, but under some of the dated yarns there is a potential for classic styles.
Comments on patterns:
The book opens with Cocoon, a fun-fur bulky bracelet length sleeved jumper. Shudder. (Pictured in Karbella's Barbados)
Aspen is a Belted cardigan, where the belt hits below the waist and with trim on the collar. In a bulky yarn. (Pictured in Karabella's Puffy)
Sparks is knit in bulky weight yarn again, with novely yarn on the cuffs and collars. Original knitted in Classic Elite's Rave and Bernat's Boa... a very plain jumper
Verandah is a boxy cardigan/jacket with some contrast yarn on the cuffs, which is stitched in. Knit in Bulky weight yarn the original was in Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky.
Nest is a bulky weight v-notch jumper with wide sleeves. The author made me laugh with her advice to be careful about eliminating excess bulk and streamiline the shape, this thing is a bulky jumper that larger people should be careful about wearing, it will add a lot of bulk, the model is enlarged in it. Original knit in Rowan's Big Wool.
Birch knit in a bulky weight yarn with a turtleneck, relies on the yarn to make it different, the original is knit in Classic Elite's Tigress which is a thick and thin yarn.
New Leaf has a long rib that starts under the bust, again knit in chunky weight yarn, the original was knit in Classic Elite's Paintbox
Indian Summer has an extended cowl collar, knit in Chunky weight yarn, the original was in Muench's Vamos, apart from the extended cowl it's pretty plain
Evergreen just made me twitch, very wide collar that sits quite far back in a contrast yarn, matching the cuffs, the ties have pompoms, it's in chunky weight yarn. The original was knit in Lion Brand's Moonlight Mohair and Reynolds Lopi. The model is depicted with her arms folded in front, careful reading suggests taht the only fastening involves the pompom decorated neckties.
Hyacinth is the depicted jumper on the front of the hardback copy, yes the one with bobbles... knit in chunky weight yarn with stripes and bobbles in different colours it's knit in Reynold's Lopi
Flora this is a chunky weight yarn, polo collar, the sleeves in this just looked a bit too wide at the armhole. 3/4 length sleeves, original knit in Muench's Ocean.
Dewdrop is a v-necked cardigan with fun-fur edging and rounded ends. The original was knit in Artful Yarn's Legend and Reynold's Scandal, the sleeves are just below the elbow, the yarn is chunky.
Peony tied at the neck, knit in heavy worsted yarn, cardigan. Originally knit in Classic Elite's Minnie. The 3/4 length sleeves are also fastened by ties.
Cherry Blossom is the top featured on the cover of the book, it's knit in Heavy Worsted Weight Yarn, to me the armholes are too wide. Overall not too bad. Originally knit in Karabella's Empire Silk
Flame is originally knit in Classic Elite's Montera this is a hooded sloppy heavy worsted weight yarn with a textured stitch pattern
Ember round-necked with horizontal knitted tubing on the neck, waist and sleeve ends. This requires a particular body shape, one I don't have, oroginally knit in Artful Yarns/JCA's Cinema which is a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Snowberry has an off-to-one-side collar in a contrast yarn and uses the yarn to create interest, the yarn is Berocco's Softy, a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Wild Plum I think it's trying to be kinda kimono-ish but it just doesn't seem to work. A contrast belt with a ribbon tie which hits mid-waist might work bettwe if it was on the waist. The ruffled sleeve edge also just didn't really work for me. It's in Heavy Worsted Weight yarn. Original knit in Muench's Touch Me.
Coast is a polo-necked top, split in front, knit in DK weight yarn, some shaping could help here, and I'm not sure how it sits because the model is standing a bit strangely. Original knit in Reynold's Saucy. My favourite of all patterns.
Breeze is a widenecked top with beads, with reverse stitch horizontal stripes. In Dk weight. Classic Elite's Bamboo
Bloom is a boxy cardigan with a contrast collar and a flower on the shoulder, originally knit in Rowan Classic Yarns' Soft Lux and Lurex Shimmer. the cuffs are wide with contrast stitching.
Stardust is a sleeveless top using a sequin strung yarn knit in with the basic yarn. It's knit in Blue Sky Alpacas' Sport Weight and Berocco's Lazer FX a dk and polyester sequin thread. polo neck.
Verbena has a ruffle neck, with beads and textured stitches, a dk weight short-sleeved top. I would kinda like to see this without the ruffle, it might be okay. Original in Karabella's Zodiac
Violet horizontal wide stripes in DK weight yarns, original in Berroco's Glace, a wide-ish neck, ribbed along the sides to help with shaping.
The end of the book has a number of basic patterns in different guages, cardigans and pullovers Basic DK Pullover is one. Ignore the 10 st guage and 8 stitch guage in the titles and check out the yarn weights and actual guage in the text.
Buy/Borrow: I would be more inclined to get Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top
or Custom Knits
by Wendy Bernard, Wendy Bernard more for the patterns and Barbara Walker for the how-to.
Where found: South Dublin County Libraries, borrowed through Borrowbooks.ie
BookDepository Link; Ravelry Link
Author: Cathy Carron
other info: 1600595545
Impressions: Ill-fitting and ugly. I'm sorry, I wanted to like this book, I actually did. I like the concept of knitting from the top down and in the round, where I can concentrate on getting the fiddly bit done first and then moving on to the fairly straightforward bits, where I can work something in the round so there's minimal seaming, but this isn't the book I'd recommend to get into this technique. This book draws my eye for all the wrong reasons, novelty yarn, very bulky yarn, awkward angles and poses and what looks like kill-me-now expressions on the models faces. Add to that design elements that appear to hit on the wrong place and overlarge arm holes and you get a pattern book that has me looking at one garment and saying "well with some changes I'd knit that" (Coast for the record). The necklines are quite limited and don't The book also uses variegated yarn and ther's a lot of interesting pooling and flashing going on, if you don't like that effect, you might try alternating two balls.
This book fails for me on a few levels, it's completely not my style, it's going to date badly and I see nothing that I can't get better online. Now the initial advice isn't bad, the patterns just made me squirm, though the touch of having the yarn weight along the edge of the first page of the pattern is a nice touch.
Types of patterns: women's garments, though the general instructions could be used for any age or gender
Number of Patterns:
Split of patterns: Jumper (1)
Size Range: 36-48" (91-122cm)
Colour/Black & White: colour
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: Intermediate knitters.
How to knit guide: Basic knitting knowledge is assumed, this expands it to add a fair bit of information about this technique.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: the stuff is going to date, but under some of the dated yarns there is a potential for classic styles.
Comments on patterns:
The book opens with Cocoon, a fun-fur bulky bracelet length sleeved jumper. Shudder. (Pictured in Karbella's Barbados)
Aspen is a Belted cardigan, where the belt hits below the waist and with trim on the collar. In a bulky yarn. (Pictured in Karabella's Puffy)
Sparks is knit in bulky weight yarn again, with novely yarn on the cuffs and collars. Original knitted in Classic Elite's Rave and Bernat's Boa... a very plain jumper
Verandah is a boxy cardigan/jacket with some contrast yarn on the cuffs, which is stitched in. Knit in Bulky weight yarn the original was in Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky.
Nest is a bulky weight v-notch jumper with wide sleeves. The author made me laugh with her advice to be careful about eliminating excess bulk and streamiline the shape, this thing is a bulky jumper that larger people should be careful about wearing, it will add a lot of bulk, the model is enlarged in it. Original knit in Rowan's Big Wool.
Birch knit in a bulky weight yarn with a turtleneck, relies on the yarn to make it different, the original is knit in Classic Elite's Tigress which is a thick and thin yarn.
New Leaf has a long rib that starts under the bust, again knit in chunky weight yarn, the original was knit in Classic Elite's Paintbox
Indian Summer has an extended cowl collar, knit in Chunky weight yarn, the original was in Muench's Vamos, apart from the extended cowl it's pretty plain
Evergreen just made me twitch, very wide collar that sits quite far back in a contrast yarn, matching the cuffs, the ties have pompoms, it's in chunky weight yarn. The original was knit in Lion Brand's Moonlight Mohair and Reynolds Lopi. The model is depicted with her arms folded in front, careful reading suggests taht the only fastening involves the pompom decorated neckties.
Hyacinth is the depicted jumper on the front of the hardback copy, yes the one with bobbles... knit in chunky weight yarn with stripes and bobbles in different colours it's knit in Reynold's Lopi
Flora this is a chunky weight yarn, polo collar, the sleeves in this just looked a bit too wide at the armhole. 3/4 length sleeves, original knit in Muench's Ocean.
Dewdrop is a v-necked cardigan with fun-fur edging and rounded ends. The original was knit in Artful Yarn's Legend and Reynold's Scandal, the sleeves are just below the elbow, the yarn is chunky.
Peony tied at the neck, knit in heavy worsted yarn, cardigan. Originally knit in Classic Elite's Minnie. The 3/4 length sleeves are also fastened by ties.
Cherry Blossom is the top featured on the cover of the book, it's knit in Heavy Worsted Weight Yarn, to me the armholes are too wide. Overall not too bad. Originally knit in Karabella's Empire Silk
Flame is originally knit in Classic Elite's Montera this is a hooded sloppy heavy worsted weight yarn with a textured stitch pattern
Ember round-necked with horizontal knitted tubing on the neck, waist and sleeve ends. This requires a particular body shape, one I don't have, oroginally knit in Artful Yarns/JCA's Cinema which is a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Snowberry has an off-to-one-side collar in a contrast yarn and uses the yarn to create interest, the yarn is Berocco's Softy, a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Wild Plum I think it's trying to be kinda kimono-ish but it just doesn't seem to work. A contrast belt with a ribbon tie which hits mid-waist might work bettwe if it was on the waist. The ruffled sleeve edge also just didn't really work for me. It's in Heavy Worsted Weight yarn. Original knit in Muench's Touch Me.
Coast is a polo-necked top, split in front, knit in DK weight yarn, some shaping could help here, and I'm not sure how it sits because the model is standing a bit strangely. Original knit in Reynold's Saucy. My favourite of all patterns.
Breeze is a widenecked top with beads, with reverse stitch horizontal stripes. In Dk weight. Classic Elite's Bamboo
Bloom is a boxy cardigan with a contrast collar and a flower on the shoulder, originally knit in Rowan Classic Yarns' Soft Lux and Lurex Shimmer. the cuffs are wide with contrast stitching.
Stardust is a sleeveless top using a sequin strung yarn knit in with the basic yarn. It's knit in Blue Sky Alpacas' Sport Weight and Berocco's Lazer FX a dk and polyester sequin thread. polo neck.
Verbena has a ruffle neck, with beads and textured stitches, a dk weight short-sleeved top. I would kinda like to see this without the ruffle, it might be okay. Original in Karabella's Zodiac
Violet horizontal wide stripes in DK weight yarns, original in Berroco's Glace, a wide-ish neck, ribbed along the sides to help with shaping.
The end of the book has a number of basic patterns in different guages, cardigans and pullovers Basic DK Pullover is one. Ignore the 10 st guage and 8 stitch guage in the titles and check out the yarn weights and actual guage in the text.
Buy/Borrow: I would be more inclined to get Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top
or Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard, Wendy Bernard more for the patterns and Barbara Walker for the how-to.Where found: South Dublin County Libraries, borrowed through Borrowbooks.ie
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
New Socks - Canal du Midi
My latest pair of socks
They're Canal du Midi socks from Knitting on the Road
(Amazon US) Amazon UK
Book Depository
They're Canal du Midi socks from Knitting on the Road
(Amazon US) Amazon UK Book DepositoryThey're knit in Zitron Trekking that I got in Woll-Boutique Elflein
when we were in Frankfurt last year. I knit the flap with a slip 1 knit 1 rather than the plain knitted flap the pattern called for, if I was knitting it again I'd change the U shaped heel cup to a more V-shaped one.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Celtic Animals Charted Designs review
Book Depository Link; Dover UK Links
Impressions: This is a companion book to Co Spindoven's Celtic Charted Designs, while Co has more geometric shapes and abstracts this is animals. Yes it's square designs would distort somewhat if knit (it's really designed for embroidery) it's still a good starting point for celtic animal designs should you want to use some. It's charted in black and white so I'd photocopy from my copy and colour in the different colours to keep me on the right path. I've used Co's book in a knit and purl pattern to some success. If you wanted to use some celtica in a pattern you're doing yourself, if you were using them for commercial purposes you would have to get permission from the copyright holders. This 48 page book is available quite cheaply and easily found in Easons.
Colour/Black & White: Black & White
Target Audience: Advanced users would get the most use out of this
How to knit guide: no
Experimental/Classical/Modern: experimental really
Buy/Borrow: At €E6.60 from Easons and €E4.21 from the Book Depository this is one you should buy if you're interested in using it.
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries have copies and I have one of my own.
Impressions: This is a companion book to Co Spindoven's Celtic Charted Designs, while Co has more geometric shapes and abstracts this is animals. Yes it's square designs would distort somewhat if knit (it's really designed for embroidery) it's still a good starting point for celtic animal designs should you want to use some. It's charted in black and white so I'd photocopy from my copy and colour in the different colours to keep me on the right path. I've used Co's book in a knit and purl pattern to some success. If you wanted to use some celtica in a pattern you're doing yourself, if you were using them for commercial purposes you would have to get permission from the copyright holders. This 48 page book is available quite cheaply and easily found in Easons.
Colour/Black & White: Black & White
Target Audience: Advanced users would get the most use out of this
How to knit guide: no
Experimental/Classical/Modern: experimental really
Buy/Borrow: At €E6.60 from Easons and €E4.21 from the Book Depository this is one you should buy if you're interested in using it.
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries have copies and I have one of my own.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting Review
Book Depository Link; Ravelry Link
Impressions:
It's not a bad introduction to knitting with lots of photographs and guides, it fails to use contrast yarns to make things a bit clearer and apart from cable patterns doesn't use charts. It doesn't have a bibliography for further reading and honestly the garments don't make me anyway excited. It's not a bad beginner or improving beginner book but wouldn't add to my library. It's a US publication so many of the stitch pattern names may be different to the originals. It misses out on more photographs in the Brioche pattern section, the aforementioned charts; a bibliography (apart from in the historical section which references No Idle Hand (sic) by Anne L Macdonald; Wikipedia History of Knitting & A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker) and a bibliogrphy would have been useful for the last few sections where really they only had the space to bounce off them rather than go into detail. Edited by Margaret Hubert with contributions from Carrie Hammett; Sasha Kagan; Debbie New; Judy Pascale; Beth Brown-Reinsel and Myra Wood; the back of the book has biographies and partial bibliographies of these writers.
Starting with a short history of knitting, where the modern part concentrates on the US experience of knitting, the book then moves to the basics and then some stiches. Once it gets a few past a few knit stitch patterns it gives a pattern, for a simple one-piece garter stitch tunic jumper. Then it moves to light texture stitches; then suggests ornamenting the garter stitch jumper at the neck and sleeve ends, next we move to a sock pattern. Then medium to heavy texture stitch patterns; then a seed checks baby sweater which is worked in one piece to the armholes. Then the stitch patterns move to lace and a lacy sweater. Then it moves to Ribs pattern stitches, then ribbed leg warmers. Next up is the honeycomb and brioche stitches; which explains the how pretty well but doesn't have pictures this section finishes with a honeycomb washcloths. The next section is eyelets, followed by an Eyelet Cloche - which is an open-work hat with a flower and leaf knit motif. The next section is ripples and Chevrons followed by a Parasol Ripples Scarf. Next up are slip stitches, followed by a slip stitch card case.
Next up are Color Combos followed by a two-color toddler hat; then we have motifs which includes a flower, a heart in moss stitch, a mitered square, small fan, large fan, large fan with trinity border, small leaf, large leaf and finishes with leaf coasters which are lined. Cables are up next with clear photographs how to do cables and stitch legends, this is the first chapter that charts make an appearance. The pattern in this section is Double Cables Hat.
Then it moves on to Speciality Knitting Methods - one-piece knitting, starting with the top-down toddler cardigan that goes with the toddler hat; a top-down mock cable pullover. Then moves to simple entrelac, using a bag pattern to introduce the technique. Next up is Freeform knitting; using a freeform knitting bag, fastened to a handbag form, a freeform vest. Then there's Crazy Lace Knitting using a scarf as an example; Knitting with Beads again with a bag as example. Intarsia knitting with an oversized beret; twinned knitting with a pair of mittens and Ouroubous Knitting with a tree-rings jumper
Types of patterns: mostly accessories with a few jumpers and cardigans, quite basic stuff
Number of Patterns: 22
Size Range: 33"-45"
Colour/Black & White: Colour photographs, black and white charts
Schematics: for some garments, not put together but exploded.
Target Audience: Beginners and beginners looking to expand skills
How to knit guide: yes, this is most of what the book is about
Experimental/Classical/Modern: pretty classical.
Comments on patterns:
Garter Stitch Tunic Jumper - one-piece done side-to-side this is quite a simple but effective garment, done in a medium weight yarn on 6mm needles
Garter Stitch tunic sweater with detail - as the first garment but with some stitch detail on the cuffs and neckline.
Spiny Ridges Socks - basic socks with some lacy detail, slip one heel, knit in super fine yarn with 2.75mm needles.
Seed Checks Baby Sweater - knit in one piece to the armholes with stitch details on the bottom; dk yarn on 4mm needles
Lacy Sweater - it's a short-sleeved lacy cardigan, done in pieces and sewn, could probably be knit in one piece to the underarms. dk on 4mm needles.
Legwarmers - using a variety of stitches and stripes, in medium weight yarn using 4mm, 5mm & 5.5mm needles
Honeycomb Washcloth - a washcloth knit in dk weight cotton yarn with 4mm needles.
Eyelet Cloche is a hat that's quite open with a decorative large flower and leaf. Medium weight yarn on 5 & 6mm needles.
The Parasol Ripples Scarf is knit in silk-bamboo lightweight yarn knit (patons Silkn Bamboo is the recommended yarn) with 4mm & 5.5mm needles.
Slip-stitch card case is made in a medium weight yarn on 5mm needles.
The Two-color toddler Hat in medium weight yarn and 4mm & 5mm needles. It has a plain top and a slip-stitch colour pattern on the bottom.
Leaf Coasters - leaf shapes with lining and interrfacing.
Double Cables Hat - it's a hat with cables and a bobble, knit in medium weight yarn with 4mm and 5.5mm needles
Top-down Toddler Cardigan is designed to go with the toddler hat, again in two colours and worked from the top down; knit in medium weight yarn in 4mm & 5mm needles
Top-down Mock Cable Pullover has a drswstring through the neckline and mock cable on the neckline; cuffs and waist. Knit in a dk weight yarn in 4 & 5mm needles
An Entrelac Handbag is used as an intro to Entrelac knitting - knit in two colours of yarn (Patons Decor) with 3.5 & 5mm needles, a simple bag that has bamboo handles
Freeform Knitted bag are shapes sewn to a plastic backing; using 4 & 5mm needles and a variety of yarns.
The Freeform Vest is worked in one piece to armhole in an open mesh with applied motifs on the shoulders, knit in wool ease with 5mm & 6mm needles
Crazy Lace Sampler scarf uses fingering or sock yarn and 4.5mm needles, a variety of yarns and variety of patterns used throughout
Beaded Slip Stich Bag uses the crochet hook method of adding beads (which allows you to add beads without stringing them on beforehand). Knit in Koigu with 2.75mm needles
Queen of Hearts Beret is the introduction to intarsia using in part a self-striping yarn to give it more dimensions. This is knit flat in DK yarn using 3.25 & 4mm needles
Twinned Mittens for Kids - using a light-coloured worsted weight yarn using 4mm needles
Ouroborus knitting - using a tree rings sweater this works in rings from the centre out, getting larger and larger and eventually creating a full garment, this notes that it can be added to to make it bigger. Using Classic Wool and 4.5mm needless
Buy/Borrow: If you're a beginner this one might be a good place for reference. There are some stitches
Where found: Kilkenny County Library via Borrowbooks.ie
Impressions:
It's not a bad introduction to knitting with lots of photographs and guides, it fails to use contrast yarns to make things a bit clearer and apart from cable patterns doesn't use charts. It doesn't have a bibliography for further reading and honestly the garments don't make me anyway excited. It's not a bad beginner or improving beginner book but wouldn't add to my library. It's a US publication so many of the stitch pattern names may be different to the originals. It misses out on more photographs in the Brioche pattern section, the aforementioned charts; a bibliography (apart from in the historical section which references No Idle Hand (sic) by Anne L Macdonald; Wikipedia History of Knitting & A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker) and a bibliogrphy would have been useful for the last few sections where really they only had the space to bounce off them rather than go into detail. Edited by Margaret Hubert with contributions from Carrie Hammett; Sasha Kagan; Debbie New; Judy Pascale; Beth Brown-Reinsel and Myra Wood; the back of the book has biographies and partial bibliographies of these writers.
Starting with a short history of knitting, where the modern part concentrates on the US experience of knitting, the book then moves to the basics and then some stiches. Once it gets a few past a few knit stitch patterns it gives a pattern, for a simple one-piece garter stitch tunic jumper. Then it moves to light texture stitches; then suggests ornamenting the garter stitch jumper at the neck and sleeve ends, next we move to a sock pattern. Then medium to heavy texture stitch patterns; then a seed checks baby sweater which is worked in one piece to the armholes. Then the stitch patterns move to lace and a lacy sweater. Then it moves to Ribs pattern stitches, then ribbed leg warmers. Next up is the honeycomb and brioche stitches; which explains the how pretty well but doesn't have pictures this section finishes with a honeycomb washcloths. The next section is eyelets, followed by an Eyelet Cloche - which is an open-work hat with a flower and leaf knit motif. The next section is ripples and Chevrons followed by a Parasol Ripples Scarf. Next up are slip stitches, followed by a slip stitch card case.
Next up are Color Combos followed by a two-color toddler hat; then we have motifs which includes a flower, a heart in moss stitch, a mitered square, small fan, large fan, large fan with trinity border, small leaf, large leaf and finishes with leaf coasters which are lined. Cables are up next with clear photographs how to do cables and stitch legends, this is the first chapter that charts make an appearance. The pattern in this section is Double Cables Hat.
Then it moves on to Speciality Knitting Methods - one-piece knitting, starting with the top-down toddler cardigan that goes with the toddler hat; a top-down mock cable pullover. Then moves to simple entrelac, using a bag pattern to introduce the technique. Next up is Freeform knitting; using a freeform knitting bag, fastened to a handbag form, a freeform vest. Then there's Crazy Lace Knitting using a scarf as an example; Knitting with Beads again with a bag as example. Intarsia knitting with an oversized beret; twinned knitting with a pair of mittens and Ouroubous Knitting with a tree-rings jumper
Types of patterns: mostly accessories with a few jumpers and cardigans, quite basic stuff
Number of Patterns: 22
Size Range: 33"-45"
Colour/Black & White: Colour photographs, black and white charts
Schematics: for some garments, not put together but exploded.
Target Audience: Beginners and beginners looking to expand skills
How to knit guide: yes, this is most of what the book is about
Experimental/Classical/Modern: pretty classical.
Comments on patterns:
Garter Stitch Tunic Jumper - one-piece done side-to-side this is quite a simple but effective garment, done in a medium weight yarn on 6mm needles
Garter Stitch tunic sweater with detail - as the first garment but with some stitch detail on the cuffs and neckline.
Spiny Ridges Socks - basic socks with some lacy detail, slip one heel, knit in super fine yarn with 2.75mm needles.
Seed Checks Baby Sweater - knit in one piece to the armholes with stitch details on the bottom; dk yarn on 4mm needles
Lacy Sweater - it's a short-sleeved lacy cardigan, done in pieces and sewn, could probably be knit in one piece to the underarms. dk on 4mm needles.
Legwarmers - using a variety of stitches and stripes, in medium weight yarn using 4mm, 5mm & 5.5mm needles
Honeycomb Washcloth - a washcloth knit in dk weight cotton yarn with 4mm needles.
Eyelet Cloche is a hat that's quite open with a decorative large flower and leaf. Medium weight yarn on 5 & 6mm needles.
The Parasol Ripples Scarf is knit in silk-bamboo lightweight yarn knit (patons Silkn Bamboo is the recommended yarn) with 4mm & 5.5mm needles.
Slip-stitch card case is made in a medium weight yarn on 5mm needles.
The Two-color toddler Hat in medium weight yarn and 4mm & 5mm needles. It has a plain top and a slip-stitch colour pattern on the bottom.
Leaf Coasters - leaf shapes with lining and interrfacing.
Double Cables Hat - it's a hat with cables and a bobble, knit in medium weight yarn with 4mm and 5.5mm needles
Top-down Toddler Cardigan is designed to go with the toddler hat, again in two colours and worked from the top down; knit in medium weight yarn in 4mm & 5mm needles
Top-down Mock Cable Pullover has a drswstring through the neckline and mock cable on the neckline; cuffs and waist. Knit in a dk weight yarn in 4 & 5mm needles
An Entrelac Handbag is used as an intro to Entrelac knitting - knit in two colours of yarn (Patons Decor) with 3.5 & 5mm needles, a simple bag that has bamboo handles
Freeform Knitted bag are shapes sewn to a plastic backing; using 4 & 5mm needles and a variety of yarns.
The Freeform Vest is worked in one piece to armhole in an open mesh with applied motifs on the shoulders, knit in wool ease with 5mm & 6mm needles
Crazy Lace Sampler scarf uses fingering or sock yarn and 4.5mm needles, a variety of yarns and variety of patterns used throughout
Beaded Slip Stich Bag uses the crochet hook method of adding beads (which allows you to add beads without stringing them on beforehand). Knit in Koigu with 2.75mm needles
Queen of Hearts Beret is the introduction to intarsia using in part a self-striping yarn to give it more dimensions. This is knit flat in DK yarn using 3.25 & 4mm needles
Twinned Mittens for Kids - using a light-coloured worsted weight yarn using 4mm needles
Ouroborus knitting - using a tree rings sweater this works in rings from the centre out, getting larger and larger and eventually creating a full garment, this notes that it can be added to to make it bigger. Using Classic Wool and 4.5mm needless
Buy/Borrow: If you're a beginner this one might be a good place for reference. There are some stitches
Where found: Kilkenny County Library via Borrowbooks.ie
Friday, 29 April 2011
Crocheting for Dummies (2nd Edition)
Ravelry Link (actually for the first edition but the patterns look the same); Book Depository Link
Impressions: While it uses US terms it does note the difference between US and UK terms. This book concentrates on the basics, there aren't very many garments here but there are a lot of other patterns, the basics and this is where this book is quite good. The diagrams are clear and I would think that this would be a valuable basic knowledge book for Crochet. There's a guide to crochet stitch diagrams as well, that takes you through simple to more complicated.
Types of patterns: hats, bags, scarves, dishcloths, jumpers, amigurumi, cushions, blankets, towel and accessories to name a few. It has several basic patterns that would lend themselves to experimentation. Sadly while it does list a few variations on crochet it lacks a bibliography that would allow you to move on. The back lists ravelry, Crochetme and Crochetville and lists Crochet! magazine and Interweave Crochet and the Crochet Guild of America but lists very few non-US sources.
Colour/Black & White: mostly black and white with a colour insert with most of the patterns.
Schematics: yes for the garments
Target Audience: beginners and I could also see it being a useful as a reference work. I have several others that would do the same job but I was starting out again this would be high on my to buy list.
How to Crochet guide: yes
Experimental/Classical/Modern: mostly classical stuff.
Comments on patterns: The book teaches you some basics and then offers up some projects, like dishcloths, that would be pretty easy as starters and then works it's way up to garments, which are worked in one piece
Buy/Borrow: It would be a useful reference work for most folks, particularly if you plan to design for the US market. It's pretty basic though, so if you already have a work that fills this gap, I'd borrow first before buying. It's biased towards the US so don't rely on it for Yarn sources, magazines or associations.
Where found: Dublin City Public libraries has a few copies.
Impressions: While it uses US terms it does note the difference between US and UK terms. This book concentrates on the basics, there aren't very many garments here but there are a lot of other patterns, the basics and this is where this book is quite good. The diagrams are clear and I would think that this would be a valuable basic knowledge book for Crochet. There's a guide to crochet stitch diagrams as well, that takes you through simple to more complicated.
Types of patterns: hats, bags, scarves, dishcloths, jumpers, amigurumi, cushions, blankets, towel and accessories to name a few. It has several basic patterns that would lend themselves to experimentation. Sadly while it does list a few variations on crochet it lacks a bibliography that would allow you to move on. The back lists ravelry, Crochetme and Crochetville and lists Crochet! magazine and Interweave Crochet and the Crochet Guild of America but lists very few non-US sources.
Colour/Black & White: mostly black and white with a colour insert with most of the patterns.
Schematics: yes for the garments
Target Audience: beginners and I could also see it being a useful as a reference work. I have several others that would do the same job but I was starting out again this would be high on my to buy list.
How to Crochet guide: yes
Experimental/Classical/Modern: mostly classical stuff.
Comments on patterns: The book teaches you some basics and then offers up some projects, like dishcloths, that would be pretty easy as starters and then works it's way up to garments, which are worked in one piece
Buy/Borrow: It would be a useful reference work for most folks, particularly if you plan to design for the US market. It's pretty basic though, so if you already have a work that fills this gap, I'd borrow first before buying. It's biased towards the US so don't rely on it for Yarn sources, magazines or associations.
Where found: Dublin City Public libraries has a few copies.
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