Author Archives: njthomas913

The Knittng Way – Part 2

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Essays - knit & crochet, Stitch Patterns
The Knitting Way

The Knitting Way

I’ve been spending time in Chapter 3 of The Knitting Way. This chapter is so packed with info – my head is spinning! My big discovery is the web site for the book – theknittingway.com. If you get a copy, check out the site. It is a good add-on to the book.

So where to start… Chapter 3 is called Sacred Space so I’ll begin there.

The Yin and Yang of Knitting begins to discuss the knit side and purl side of knitting and the differences be the stitches. Knit stitches are vertical and purl stitches are more horizontal. Makes a lot of sense even if you’ve never thought about it.

Next comes combos of knit and purl stitches in the same rows (otherwise known as ribbing).

knit and purl combos

knit and purl combos

I did the sampler called “Experience it for Yourself”. I didn’t do the requested 20 stitches, but instead made mine with 12 stitches. It begins with knit 1, purl 1, then knit 2, purl 2, moving on to knit 3, purl 3 and ending with knit 3, purl 2. It does clearly show how different numbers of knits and purls contract or don’t contract. I didn’t do the mistake stitch or knit the welt version that has horizontal rows of knits and purls.

I’m skipping a few sections about knitting loops and the connections, knitted mirror writing and dropping stitches to see how a piece changes measurements.

I loved the section on primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Good primer on color – even on black and white pages!

The last section of Chapter 3 is about knitting a version of a Log Cabin Quilt. Describing the way that these quilts are created with light, lighter, lightest and dark, darker, darkest colors makes so much sense. Oh and one extra color for a center square. The Mitered-Corner Log Cabin Square is definitely something I want to try. It speaks to the orderly “Virgo Me”. I wasn’t crazy about the second version called a quilted square.

Chapter 4 is called “The Stories of Our Projects”. It’s about 30 pages so this will be the subject of the next part of The Knitting Way adventure!

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Way-Guide-Spiritual-Self-Discovery-ebook/dp/B00CBY4OMS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422303642&sr=1-1&keywords=the+knitting+way

The Knitting Way – Part 1

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Essays - knit & crochet
The Knitting Way

The Knitting Way

The Knitting Way (A Guide to Spiritual Self-Discovery) by Linda Skolnik and Janice MacDaniels was published in 2005 and appears as currently in print. When I first picked it up,  I immediately thought that this would be a book that I could easily discard – then I started reading. At first glance, the lack of full color pages were a turn off. I was ready to chastise the publishers for being too cheap to spring for four-color printing. In the end, I found that it really wasn’t the important part of this insightful volume.

To be fair to my readers, I must admit that I knew Linda Skolnik in my previous career. I much admired her interest in the knitting world. Her interest came from a deep place that wasn’t just about making money. She was (and I assume still is) truly vested in knitting.  As I started to read her book, my instincts were confirmed.

The Knitting Way - back cover

The Knitting Way – back cover

I haven’t gotten very far in reading The Knitting Way. It’s not the kind of book that you can speed read. In the Preface I learned more about Linda and her co-author  Janice. Reading this explains a lot about why they wrote this book. Chapter 1 is called Knitting into Awareness – basically soul searching that ends of in knitting. Each chapter ends with a pattern that relates to the chapter. This chapter ends with a colorful cube that when felted turns into a ball. That’s pretty simple, but later chapters have projects that are a bit trickier.

Science and Knitting

Science and Knitting

Making a knit spiral

Making a knit spiral

One could spend forever reading and understanding Chapter 2 Science, Mystery and Knitting. It was slow going. I was a bit lost in reading about Einstein, Electromagnetic force, Theory of Everything (wasn’t that just a movie), the Golden Ratio (phi), quantum mechanics and other major scientific theories. Science was never my strong subject, but I must say that it becomes more interesting when it relates to knitting.

Moebius Wrap

Moebius Wrap

I’ve been intrigued by knitting a circular moebius since I purchased a kit from Candace Eisner Strick. I was truly stumped by the technique.  I actually did a small one last winter in trying to solve this mystery. I’m going to put this project on my very long “to-do” list and see if I really understand the technique.

I’ve moved on the Chapter 3, but more on this chapter in an upcoming blog!

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Way-Guide-Spiritual-Self-Discovery-ebook/dp/B00CBY4OMS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421175074&sr=1-1&keywords=the+knitting+way

Glamour Knits at Home – Erika Knight

Posted on by under Accessory projects, home decor
Glamour Knits at Home

Glamour Knits at Home

I’m going to end the year with an easy book – Glamour Knits at Home by Erika Knight. The sub-title is 15 Sensuous Designs to Knit and Keep Forever and it was published in the US by Potter Craft in 2007. It was first published in the UK, but doesn’t seem to translate well for an American taste level. Looks like it’s out-of-print, but available on Amazon.

You might guess right away that it’s a thumbs down. I mean REALLY – 15 patterns in the whole book! There is only one pattern I even like (more on that later). They seem to be styled for a Victorian boudoir and a dowdy boudoir at that. Even though I’m a fan of antiques, these designs leave me flat. I’m happily removing this from my shelf.

Glamour Knits at Home - back cover

Glamour Knits at Home – back cover

As in the most recent post of another Erika Knight book, there is a color photography section in the front of the book (first 40 pages) and then gray photos and patterns in the back pages.

Lampshade

Lampshade

Here are a couple of the patterns and styling featured.

tea cozy

tea cozy

The one spr

sachets - scented squares

sachets – scented squares

Below is the one spread that I do like as well as the patterns. The use of buttons is quite unique and a good idea for someone who has as large a button collection as I have.

button and lace pillows

button and lace pillows

http://www.amazon.com/Glamour-Knits-Home-Sensuous-Collectibles/dp/0307394700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419976256&sr=8-1&keywords=glamour+knits+at+home

Nicky Epstein – The Knit Hat Book

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Appliques, Colorwork patterns

 

The Knit Hat Book cover

The Knit Hat Book cover

While I’m on a blogging roll, I thought I’d go for a small book (only 90 pages long) to end the week – almost end the year!

Nicky Epstein’s The Knit Hat Book was published in 1997. It was probably one of the early knitting books that I owned back in the day when I bought every knitting book published.

The Knit Hat Book - back cover

The Knit Hat Book – back cover

Should I give it a thumbs up or down? It’s a cute little gem that isn’t taking up tons of space on my book shelf, but is most likely not one that I’ll use in the future. The other tricky little thing is that Nicky autographed it to me and that makes it hard to let go of this book.

Knit_Hat_autograph

What to do, what to do? I’m being ruthless – so – thumbs down!

The book has 25 hats from basic shapes. Some of the styles are a bit dated, but feature Nicky’s clever appliqués and whimsical details.

Pillbox hats

Pillbox hats

Black Cat Pillbox Hats

Black Cat Pillbox Hats

She does berets, pillbox styles, simple cabled pull-on caps all in pretty basic yarns.

Roman Cable Hat

Roman Cable Hat

Bottom line: If you want to try different hats styles, this book is ideal. It’s out of print, but can be found on Amazon and probably eBay.

Classic Knits – Erika Knight

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Pullovers, Vests
Classic Knits cover

Classic Knits cover

I have truly fallen off the “blogging wagon”. Too much life going on, but I’m back and even though I’m away for the winter I have a huge bag of books to review.

Classic Knits by Erika Knight (published by Potter Crafts in 2006) was an easy book. Erika says the book is “a contemporary collection of knitted wardrobe basics”. In other words – a book of patterns. The two-page intro is written in something like 24-point type – not too much to say about the book.

Classic Knits - Back Cover

Classic Knits – Back Cover

As everyone knows how I feel about pattern books or books of patterns, it is pretty easy to give this one: thumbs down.

On a positive note, the book has great styling and nice photography.

Tank Top

Tank Top

There are only 15 projects. The first 40 pages have color pages showing the designs in color.

Slouch Socks

Slouch Socks

The rest of the book – the instructions are all in black and white with photos in a sort of washed gray.

Kelly Cardigan

Kelly Cardigan

The patterns have inches and centimeters for sizing and do have an extensive size range. There are no diagrams or schematic drawing.

Bottom line: If you want a book of really simple basic projects – this is a good book. Looks like it is out-of-print, but is available through Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Knits-Timeless-Designs-Collectibles/dp/0307347192/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418754252&sr=1-2&keywords=classic+knits

Kaffe’s Classics – soft and hard cover – Got both!

Posted on by under Colorwork patterns, Jackets, Kid's designs, Pullovers, Sweaters, throws, Vests

KF_cover_duo

I’ve done it again – duplicate books. This was more of an honest mistake. I think I might have gotten the soft cover as an editorial copy at some point and already had the hardcover book. I tried to give one to a friend, but she had already ordered it online. I’d definitely like to keep one. It’s kind of a toss up.  The hardback weighs more, but it’s ultimately more stable. Also, I do love the hardback cover with the pic of Kaffe (on the right above) and the famous tumbling blocks throw. The soft cover version is off the shelf!

It would be a thumbs up for Kaffe’s Classics – if only for sentimental reasons. I’ve known Kaffe for many years. Actually since before he was “a knitting rock star” and simply a friend of my BFF, Sally Harding. Sally said that I should take a workshop from her friend who turned out to be Kaffe.  I think that might have been in the mid ’80s. The rest is history!

Houses Vest

Houses Vest

I hadn’t looked at any of Kaffe’s books in a long time. I got an email from a friend who was looking for the Houses design so I looked through my books and found both copies. It seemed like great fodder for my blog.

colorful_trio

 

The Windows Coat makes a beautiful spread. The coat is definitely a bit late ’80s/early ’90s styling, but what an amazing piece of work!

Kaffe's Classics back cover - soft back

Kaffe’s Classics back cover – soft back

Kaffe's Classics back cover - hardback

Kaffe’s Classics back cover – hardback

Color, color! Beautiful garments that spell Kaffe Fassett. Who could not love them!

Lattice pullover and Mosaic vest

Lattice pullover and Mosaic vest

A beautiful duo. Geometric and colorful. Pure Kaffe and truly classics.

 

Kaffe Fassett - chart

Kaffe Fassett – chart

Here’s the chart for the Lattice Pullover. A two-page spread. That’s where the “rubber meets the road”. I call this a knitting nightmare or a test of patience. Obviously there are knitters who love a challenge, but sadly this kind of knitting isn’t my favorite.

Tumbling Blocks Throw

Tumbling Blocks Throw

I wanted to save the best for last. I love the tumbling blocks design that has been knocked off many times in many ways. Another “Kaffe Challenge”.

Knitters who love color work knitting will have a field day with this book. I love the photos and the designs, but I might not get around to knitting anything in this lifetime!

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Kaffes-Classics-Glorious-Knitting-Desings/dp/1561584134/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416436516&sr=1-2&keywords=kaffe%27s+classics

Sculptured Knits – Jean Moss

Posted on by under afghans, Blankets, Jackets, Kid's designs, Pullovers, Sweaters, Texture & Cable Stitches, throws, Vests
Sculptured Knits - Jean Moss

Sculptured Knits – Jean Moss

Thought I would continue along with my quest to rid my library of books of patterns and review Sculptured Knits by Jean Moss (published in 1999 by XRX Books). This book is out-of-print, but used copies can be found on Amazon.

I’m giving this a big – Thumbs Down.

Before I’ve completely lost you my dear readers, let me tell you a bit about the book and the author. This is a book of 48 designs for women, men, kids and some home decor pieces. It is divided into decorative arts of the 20th century chapters, although I found it a bit confusing to go back and try to find a certain pattern as the chapters for me were not clearly defined. The sections are: Belle Epoque, Art Deco, Pop Art and Into the Millennium. One important factor that I never realized until I read Jean’s intro is that all the designs in the book are created in one color using textural stitches. Wow! How could I have missed that as that’s by far my favored knitting style.

Jean Moss

Jean Moss

Jean Moss lives in York and Mid Wales (or at least she did at the time of the book). She’s designed for Rowan and many international name designers. Jean is a very talented lady. She also teaches and did run some travel excursions.

My favorite patterns were the men’s sweaters and home decor pieces. XRX did a great job with the technical aspects of the book which is no surprise as they are noted for good techniques. I love the charted stitch patterns, schematic drawings and illustrations.  A couple of the kids/baby projects were done in the variegated Colinette Boucle, but for most were done in basic yarns that could be easily substituted.

Fitzgerald Sweater

Fitzgerald Sweater

Mariner Sweater

Mariner Sweater

Chrysler Throw

Chrysler Throw

Chrysler Throw - Green version

Chrysler Throw – Green version

Neptune Pillow

Neptune Pillow

Garbo Jacket and Skirt

Garbo Jacket and Skirt

This set has a nice jacket, but the mid-calf skirt made it a bit like a retro costume.

Sculptured Knits - back cover

Sculptured Knits – back cover

What did I not like about the book? Some of the sweaters were a bit dated – some longish and had an ’80s vibe. Generally though not a bad book. I think the main reason I’m not planning to keep the book is that I probably wouldn’t knit any of the designs and I’m trying to be ruthless about what gets kept and what goes.

http://www.amazon.com/Sculptured-Knits-Designs-Inspired-Decorative/dp/096463919X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414611727&sr=8-1&keywords=Sculptured+knits+Jean+Moss

Jean Frost – Jackets

Posted on by under Jackets, Stitch Patterns, Texture & Cable Stitches

Jean Frost Jackets from XRX is my next book selection. It was published in 2003 after I left XRX although a couple of the photos were done on my watch. I’ve been thinking about Jean since I saw her at Stitches East a couple of weeks ago. She is now 88 years old and still going strong, although she has turned her teaching stint to her daughter Dawn.

Jackets_cover

 

Amazon’s review says that: These jackets are real-life knitting for women with real lives. My take on that comment is that the book is for real-life knitting for “working” women with real lives. For a “retired” woman, the book doesn’t fit in my current life. So for that reason I’m giving it: thumbs down, but not for the usual reasons.  I’m not totally ditching this book. It’s going to a good new home – that of my BFF’s daughter, Kirsten.

By the way, this book is still a widely available trade paperback book and not out-of-print.

Jean Frost

Jean Frost

Jean looks lovely in one of the jackets featured in the book.

Jean Frost Jacket back cover

Jean Frost Jacket back cover

With 21 classic jackets, this book is a bargain. I love that she talks about the knitted pieces as the fabric as you would for traditional jackets.

stitch_patterns

In addition to the jackets, there a several spreads of texture and color stitch patterns if you are inclined to create your own jacket. The end of the book features info on fit, size, taking measurements and yarn. All you need to know to make a jacket that you can wear for years.

Devonshire Jacket

Devonshire Jacket

I love the Devonshire Jacket with a classic collar and a 3-color stitch pattern that looks woven.

Copley Jacket

Copley Jacket

The Copley Jacket is a simpler one-color piece. I include it because it is styled with one of my hats!

http://www.amazon.com/Jean-Frost-Jackets-Fabric-Finish/dp/1893762157/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414005390&sr=1-1&keywords=jean+frost+jackets

Louisa Harding Duo – more patterns are going!

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Kid's designs, Pullovers, Stitch Patterns, Sweaters

LH_covers_new

Two books (soft back) are on the table today. Both are from talented designer Louisa Harding. Both are out-of-print, but available on Amazon and elsewhere as used books.

Although the designs in these lovely collections are really nice and beautifully designed and styled (especially the Magical World for young ladies), I’m making classifying these books in the Thumbs Down category. My ruthless streak continues!

Modern Classics (published in 2006) has over 20 designs and even after 8 years they are still wearable and easy to knit.

Modern Classics by Louisa Harding

Modern Classics by Louisa Harding

I did love a few of the designs. They would be ideal for anyone making classic sweaters that will be in style for many years to come.

Basic Pullover

Basic Pullover

Fitted Cardie

Fitted Cardie

Fitted Pullover

Fitted Pullover

Modern Classics Back Cover

Modern Classics Back Cover

 

The 2nd book, The Magical World According to Miss Millie (published in 2006) is a really fun and flirty  collection of patterns. While the majority of the patterns are for little girls, there are 4 featured classic styles for little guys (look at the back cover). The sizing is for ages 3-10.

The Magical World According to Miss Millie

The Magical World According to Miss Millie

I love the thumbnail index that shows all 20 designs at a glance. Perfect for times when you are searching for a certain style.

Magical World Index

Magical World Index

Love, love the pretty shades, bohemian styling and incredible photography.

Ollie & Lily styles

Ollie & Lily styles

Hat Girls

Hat Girls

The Magical World According to Miss Millie - back cover

The Magical World According to Miss Millie – back cover

 

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Classics-Twenty-Timeless-Designs/dp/1564776441/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413491399&sr=1-2&keywords=modern+classics

http://www.amazon.com/Louisa-Harding-Magical-According-Millie/dp/B000YFFYQG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413491450&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Magical+World+According+to+Miss+Millie

Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Colorwork patterns, Stitch Patterns, Sweaters, Vests

loopDloop_cov

My next book is Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham. It’s also a book by Melanie Falick and published in 2005. In full disclosure, I know and worked with Teva and also know the photographer of this book – Adrian Buckmaster. They are both extremely talented – Teva in design and use of yarns and Adrian in photography. I’m a fan of both of them.

By the way, if you love the quirky styles and interesting designs in the book – it’s out of print, but you can get copies – including mine!

I’m giving this book – thumbs down.

Why you ask? It’s a beautifully created book – I would expect nothing less from Melanie. It has a well-thought out layout and interesting photos. My problem is that none of the projects appeal to me. They are a little over the top and slightly out of fashion. I’m being ruthless in my quest to reduce my overflowing library!

Back Cover

Back Cover

Below is a sweater that Teva original did for Interweave Knits that she is updated. She says it was very popular and I do agree that it looks like an easy one to knit and is one that would look good with jeans or something more dressed up. Teva does add clever details to all her projects and this is clearly one of her signature look.

Lace Leaf Pullover

Lace Leaf Pullover

The last photo is a clever scarf and I really like the braided effect. This doesn’t mean I’m making this book a “keeper”. I just wanted to end with a positive spin!

Braided Neckpiece

Braided Neckpiece