Tag Archives: Pattern Books

First, the facts:

Title: Metropolitan Knits: Chic Designs for Urban Style

Author: Melissa Wehrle

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 159

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Heart of the City
2. Urban Bohemia
3. City Gardens

The In-Depth Look:

I kind of love this book.

The author writes in the introduction that, “For this book, I tried to capture the heart and soul of New York City, designing knitwear that will take you through the many and varied experiences the city affords to residents and visitors alike. In these pages, you’ll find just the right sweater for the occasion … While the city often seems to be always in a constant state of change and upheaval, I hope that these designs will be timeless, well-worn additions to your wardrobe that will last through the never-ending, sometimes fickle, changes in trends and fashion.”

Well … good job, there, because these designs are wonderful. Sweaters, mostly, but also accessories like cowls, scarves, fingerless gloves, wraps. But mostly sweaters, at least five of which I would like to knit right now (and two of whom I started mentally running through my stash to see if I had yarn right now that would work).

The designs largely are timeless … how can you go wrong with a striped hoodie pullover, or a cabled cowl for a chilly day? But they bring nice touches with them, well-placed buttons, eyelets in the sleeves, texture for a pocket … and what remains is a collection of designs that are totally wearable, not too trendy, but not the least bit boring, either.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Stitching in the Stacks: Librarian-Inspired Knits

Edited by: Sarah Barbour

Published by: Cooperative Press, 2013

Pages: 174

Type: Literary-themed patterns

Chapters:

1. Archives
2. Fiction
3. Reference
4. Stacks
5. Staff Room

The In-Depth Look:

It seems to be one of those (you’ll excuse the phrase) unwritten truths that a lot of knitters are avid readers. Maybe it’s because we’re happy sitting quietly, keeping ourselves busy, and both knitting and reading are perfect activities.

The author begins by asking the question, “Is there really a special connection between librarians and knitting? Stereotypically, of course, librarians knit. They also wear glasses, keep cats, and put their hair up in buns. … Still the circumstantial evidence of a link is persuasive. … For knitters of all levels, libraries are a natural place to look for patterns, technical help and inspiration–and they’re more common than yarn stores. … But maybe the connection lies in a mutual appreciation for preserving knowledge and sharing it. The collection of patterns in this book is designed to celebrate that connection, whatever its cause. Each of the designs comes with its own fragment of library lore intended to educate, amuse, and enrich. Some of the patterns draw their inspiration from librarians themselves, from the famous to the fictional, to the obscure and anonymous.”

To that end, what follows is a nice variety of patterns–sweaters, gloves, shawls, vests, even hats, and a couple skirts. There are odds and ends like a coffee-press cozy, eyeglass case, e-reader case, and even an adorable little 3D bookworm. (The only kind of worm you’d really want to find in your books.) Most of the clothing patterns are for women, though there is one vest for librarians of the male persuasion.

Along the way, there are some interesting tidbits about librarians (real and fictional), as well as shout-outs to some in-the-know kind of metadata, like the dewey decimal number for knitting. There are a number of things in here I’d love to knit (which isn’t true of every knitting book, no matter how good). I suppose it’s possible that all the lovely pictures with books and knits are making my book-loving knitter’s heart go pitter-pat, but really it’s a nice variety of pattern–useful, fun, attractive, playful … lots of options. And you don’t even need to be a librarian to appreciate them.

You can find this book at the Cooperative Press website.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Cooperative Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: History on Two Needles: Exploring Art History Through Modern Handknits

Author: Annie Modesitt

Published by: Cooperative Press, 2012

Pages: 126

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Ancient
2. Medieval
3. Renaissance
4. Victorian
5. Specials

The In-Depth Look:

The author begins by saying, “For years I dreamed about a collection of designs based on iconic works from art history, blending several of my great loves (knitting, history, and art) into one set of finished patterns that anyone could knit and wear. I wanted to create garments inspired by historic images, without becoming historic costumes. My love of historic garment silhouette, detail, and the lessons these teach us about political changes in the world is something I like to bring to my hand-knit designs whenever possible.”

Well, this collection of patterns is a delight. Clever reconstructions pulled straight out of historical images ranging from Ancient Egypt and Greece straight through the Victorian age, with an emphasis on Northern Europe. As Ms. Modesitt says, “I’ve traveled more extensively in the UK and Ireland than in other countries – the only language in which I’m fluent is English. This has led to a strong British bias in my choice of original artwork to use as inspiration, which is especially noticable in the Renaissance section (a re!ection of my own personal love of the Tudor period of history).”

It’s true that some of these designs are more successful at looking “inspired by” history without looking like costumes, but there are some really lovely designs in here (like the Pembroke Jacket, which I fell in love with). The photos are a combination of modeled knitwear photoshopped against historically-accurate backdrops which gives the images a lush feel.

Except for some accessories that could go either way, all the designs are for women, and most are in the clothing category, rather than accessories, though there are some nice wraps and headwear (like the Black Prince Hood of knitted chainmail or the knitted-architectural brillians of the Sutton Hoo Helm).

Along the way, you get little bits of history to go with the designs and nice, atmospheric photos to set the mood. Each design comes with thorough schematics (I would expect nothing else from Annie Modesitt, honestly), and an impressive attention to detail.

And, darn it, it was fun.

This book can be bought from Cooperative Press.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Cooperative Press. Thank you!

Other posts for this author:

• Romantic Hand Knits

First, the facts:

Title: What Else Would Madame Defarge Knit? 28 More Patterns and Essays Inspired by Classic Literature

Author: Heather Ordover

Published by: Cooperative Press, 2013

Pages: 253

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Children Will Listen
2. Ladies Glow
3. Slip into the Dark Side

The In-Depth Look:

Just like its predecessor, this book was great fun–chock-full of knitting patterns inspired by literary greats.

Each of the 28 patterns comes with an essay of why, exactly, the designer was inspired by a certain book or character to make this design … and the designs cover a wide range, from hats to gloves to socks, sweaters, bags, scarves, lace handkerchiefs… even a dress.

It’s a delightful book to page through–the essays are enjoyable and there are interesting tidbits to read scattered throughout. There are plenty of pictures (both atmospheric as well as of the actual knits). Charts and schematics abound, there are blank, lined pages for you to jot down your own notes, and all-in-all, it’s, well, FUN.

The digital PDF version that I’m reviewing has some nice extra touches–links to websites with knitting instructions, or to the books the patterns are inspired by are live. There are also links to recipes and articles and other things that you might find interesting or inspiring. Most pages have a handy “TOC” button to bring you back to the Table of Contents, and the patterns include links to their Ravelry pages (which I found pretty cool).

My biggest complaint was that trying to read the essays that introduced each pattern was frustrating in a two-column PDF format–to have the text big enough to read, I couldn’t fit the pages vertically on my computer screen, so I had to keep scrolling up and down on each page to read from the left column to the right and after about ten patterns, I just gave up (no offense to the writers of the other eighteen patterns). For actually knitting any of the patterns, this would not be a problem at all, of course, and when I copied the PDF to my Kindle Fire, I was able to read the entire page, so … this is likely only a problem if your computer/laptop/e-reader screen is too small to make vertical pages easily legible.

Really, though, this book is fun–interesting patterns with nice, thoughtful introductions … not to mention introductions to some classic books and stories you might not otherwise know.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Cooperative Press. Thank you!

So first, thank you for stopping by and answering questions about your new book. It’s absolutely adorable. Is it everything you hoped it would be?

Thank you so much for having me, I am excited to see what kind of questions you have in store for me. The book is everything I had hoped it would be and more. The book has 38 patterns, which I like to call my Magnum Opus. I always think back to when I wrote the proposal and I can never fathom how I thought I could write and knit 38 patterns in just one year!

Was it as much fun as it seems, coming up with matching patterns for kids and for their dolls? Or did you find it more challenging than you thought?

I started out with a little outline of what I had in my head such as “cabled vest” “bottom up seamless with something fair isle on the yoke, military style jacket” and I sketched everything out from there. I made modifications to stitches and changed yarn as needed but for the most part I didn’t find that part to be a struggle. It was more just time that was the challenge for me. With two children 4 and under at the time, that was the true challenge. My kids are both fairly active and my little one doesn’t often allow me to sit still for very long. This makes knitting a challenge. It was lots of fun sketching, I enjoyed that part quite a bit.

Tell me about these absolutely fantastic dolls. I want to just reach through the pages and hug all of them.

Oh, yes, that is the best part isn’t it! It was Bamboletta that started it all for me, and later I found Fig & Me. When I was pregnant with my little one I had fallen in love with the dolls at bamboletta.com so I had ordered a special custom one to look just like Sydney, my oldest daughter. They made her blonde haired and blue eyed with pale skin. She was perfect.
So I had become a Bamboletta stalker, watching for doll “uploads” on their website. I think I had collected 2 or 3 when I designed a little jacket for them (the Katie Garter Jacket now in the book!) and the book idea was born from there, fully inspired by the dolls from the start. All of the dolls featured in the book (including the group shot in the back) are a waldorf-ish inspired doll style. Each doll maker has a unique style and I love that, it’s similar to how you know clothing is from a certain designer or a painting is from a certain artist, I do think each individual style is that powerful and I can identify who made the dolls just by looking at it. I think of each doll as a little work of art. The amount of work that goes into some of these dolls from their outfits to the accessories is amazing.

Do you have a favorite pattern in the book?

The owl hat and sweater are very dear to me and I had a lot of fun designing the little owl on my iPad using a pixel art application (basically like an excel grid and you paint with colors in each block). The hat was actually the swatch and shows up in a personal photo in the intro section of the book. I just adore those little owls. In my head I’ve designed about 1,000 other things with that chart. I’m dying to knit my little one a version in fun bright colors.

I’ve followed your blog since, well, years ago when you were still podcasting about spinning and knitting. Did you ever think that would evolve into a book?

When I first started blogging I had some knitter friends who told me I needed to design (mostly because I complained about the lack of seamless kids knits). I can actually recall one of those conversations and I remember thinking, “Yeah sure that would be neat but I’ll never do that.” I did not see it coming, it was just one of those things that evolved naturally over time, once I started designing I began thinking a book would be fun but I did not have any unique ideas for the book. That is the trick with books, an idea that will set something apart from what has been done before, or at least it was for me. I knew I would have a special opportunity to be able to walk up to a publisher at TNNA and ask for their time, but I needed a good idea. I still miss podcasting!

I’ve also followed your posts on photography, and am still awed by your skills. The photos in the book are perfection—any tips for those of us without your experience? (Because yes, I loved the photos in the book. Some of them deserve to be framed, they’re so wonderful.)

You are too kind, thank you! My father is a photographer so I grew up surrounded by it so that is most certainly an advantage. I actually wind up giving lots of photography tips to people we publish in Petite Purls (www.petitepurls.com) because we allow designers to choose to photograph their own work if they want, but we are pretty picky about the quality of photography. We’ve had designers re-shoot 3 or 4 times to get it right. The advice I most often give is to go outside in very large shaded areas, make sure the background doesn’t have any bright sunlight. Get low and get close. Shoot on cloudy days so you get less harsh shadows or around sunset when everything glows. Inside is okay but you have to be near large windows and natural light, arrange the person you are photographing so they face the window, and then stand in front of or beside the window so your back is to the light and the subject is facing the light. Find the light. Take a photo of someone, then go stand behind them and take the photo from the opposite side (turn them around!), then look and see which photo is better. Take photos in more then 1 place. Find the light.

Speaking of spinning—because you used to post about it a lot—do you still find time to spin? Or has that craft fallen by the wayside with the kids, knitting, writing, photography and everything else you do?

My Ashford Joy is safe and sound up in the closet of my bedroom. I’m waiting for my little one to turn 4. There will be less chance of it getting broken if I am patient and wait a little longer. I love to spin, my favorite fiber is combed shetland top or BFL. Now when I go to fiber festivals (like Maryland Sheep & Wool) I focus on buying roving instead of yarn. I have a few spindles, but I prefer the wheel. I want a Schacht Ladybug one day, our a portable Majacraft.

What’s your next project? (Or are you still catching your breath from this one?)

I took a pretty decent design/knitting break once I began the editorial process with the book and a bit after. Right now I am working on a sweet slouchy hat pattern, but I actually have to knit a few more samples from the book for various events so I think that will keep me busy. I have some other ideas I’ve worked on when things are calm, and eventually those will be something I can share!

How do your kids feel about being your models? Do they ever gripe about it? Ask for special, diva-ish, super-model-type treats or bribes? Or are they are sweet in person as they look in the photos?

Both of my girls have been modeling hand-knits from birth so they are used to it and don’t even think to ask for anything in return (though I sometimes give them candy or small goodies). In our house its a lot like cleaning your room, it’s something you have to do and sometimes it results in a treat and sometimes it doesn’t. The most ironic thing was the girls got so used to the dolls being “book” dolls and some clothing being “book outfits” that they didn’t try to play with them or ever ask to wear them. That totally weirded me out, but it makes sense. They knew I treated the items with care and had to be careful, and so they did too.

If everything else were equal and you had all the time in the world, what would you choose to knit next? Something for you? Your husband? Or would you still focus on the kids?

I would most likely knit something for them, I don’t think my husband would wear much beyond a hat. I would love to knit some socks for myself but I doubt I’ll ever get around to it. I have about 100 things I would like to knit for myself but I always wind up knitting for the girls.

You say in the book that you started knitting when a crochet class you’d signed up for turned out to be a knitting class. Have you ever considered going back and trying crochet?

I love crochet, I actually wanted to have crochet in the book. I’m awful at following complex written patterns but I have crochet edging in the book a few places, and I would choose to crochet a blanket before I knit one, without doubt! The knit chevron blanket in the book was in my original vision, a ripple crochet blanket. I suppose that could be another book :) Publishers are very careful about mixing crafts in books, I was very pleased to be able to have the sewing patterns included in the book.

What other crafts would you like to do (practical or impractical)?

Hah, I love that. For impractical, screen printing and crazy messy calligraphy. Typesetting old school style. I love layout and typography. I love wrapping presents, I would love a whole space/studio set up just for wrapping things in lovely ways. I love pastel paints, and charcoal. Charcoal is a favorite, but it’s so messy with kids around–heck it’s messy even without kids around. If I had a proper shed I would. I’m about to set up a darkroom in my garage this spring with the help of my father. :) I would consider that a craft, it’s very physical. I love to try new things and explore. I love to sew and wish I had a hand-sewing mentor so I could master it.

Are there any crafts that you tried that you didn’t like? (Like, say, me and painting?)

Scrapbooking (I would rather do it in a computer), making jewelry (too tedious) using a serger (I can’t thread it).

When you talk about the dolls in your book, you mention how special handmade dolls can be—have you tried making them yourself? Would you consider putting that into a book next? Dolls, their clothes, and matching items for the kids?

I have a head of a doll I started :) I would have liked to have worked on it more, I found a kit online and it came with everything. I can’t have sharp 5 inch needles any place in my house, my 3 year old will find them, and if I hide things too well I forget where I’ve hidden them. I will leave any doll making books to people like Bamboletta and Fig & Me, they are masters at it and know far more then I ever could!

When not knitting, taking pictures, doing housework or kid-wrangling, what do you like to do to relax? (I know, this probably comes out to about 5 minutes a month, but…)

My husband and I watch a lot of sci-fi, and I watch him play video games; I knit while he plays. I would like to go out with my husband, we don’t get to do that enough so that is something I would like to do more of, eventually! I occasionally sneak away into the bathtub and read, a wonderful thing.

Favorite books?

The Lost King by Margaret Weis, the Harry Potter series and Edgar Allen Poe are my all time favorites, biographies and non-fiction. I read a lot of random things, from healthy/diet, education and history to technology and cognitive sciences. Here is what is currently on my Kindle: Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, The Learners by Chip Kidd, The Boy Kings by Katherine Losse, Bowling Avenue by Ann Shayne

Do you listen to music while you knit? Watch television? Or are you too busy keeping one ear on your daughters to allow the distraction?

I like to watch movies while I knit, Netflix is my friend! I like to find a tv series and then knit through a season! I spent way to much money on amazon instant video while working on the book!

Of all the things you’ve made over the years, what are you proudest of? (You know, other than your daughters)

The book is something I am very proud of, and my career outside the knitting world. I spoke at a web conference in Australia, and at many smaller events in Atlanta prior to having the kids. I am very proud of those accomplishments.

My dog Chappy would be disappointed if I didn’t ask you about any pets?

We have Toby, our 10 year old Shetland Sheep Dog. He’s a sweetie and puts up with the kids’ antics. Right before we had the kids, we got a second dog to be Toby’s friend, but Toby as it turned out did not want a friend. :) She lives with my mother-in-law now, she is a very sweet and energetic Golden Retriever named Willow. She appeared on the blog many times, back in the day!

What’s your favorite breakfast food?

Egg Cake! The recipe is on my blog.

If you had an extra two hours in the day, what would you do with them?

Sleep!!

Name one yarn you’ve never tried but would love to knit with.

I’ve been very lucky to get my hands on many different types of yarn over the years. I knit with Sea Silk by Handmaiden once and would love to try more of their yarns, or maybe the new Lorna’s Haymarket. Brooklyn Tweed Loft is probably just as nice as Shelter, or Green Mountain Spinnery.

What is the one thing you would want to say to a new knitter?

Don’t give up! Keep trying, find other knitters, online or in real life.

If you could have a superpower (knitting or otherwise), what would it be?

Oh boy, I would be able to make any child fall soundly and pleasantly asleep simply by singing Twinkle Little Star or by rubbing their arm. It would happen in 60 seconds or less. Not only could I benefit from this, but I would gladly help out any other moms who want to make bedtime a snap. I would be like super Mary Poppins.

Since this IS a site for book reviews–two questions: What do you look for in a book review?

Some interesting details about the book I would not get from reading the back cover, so I get more information before making a buying decision.

Any questions that you WISH someone would ask you? If so, what’s the question–and what’s the answer?

This is a hard one. I don’t really have anything in particular I would like to be asked, I am just pleased to be interviewed to begin with. Thank you for thinking of all the wonderful questions, I particularly enjoyed the non-knitting related ones!
Thank you!

Thanks so much,

Books (so far):

• Title

Other posts for this author:

• Review: Just Like Me Knits (coming soon).

First, the facts:

Title: Hat Couture

Author: Theressa Silver

Published by: Cooperative Press, 2013

Pages: 54

Type: Strictly patterns

The In-Depth Look:

Because sometimes you just want a hat, and other times you want a hat that makes a statement, that’s fun, that’s playful and eye-catching.

The author writes, “Up until just the last few decades, hats were staples in a woman’s wardrobe, and for good reason. The transformative power of a hat is truly amazing. When a woman chooses just the right hat and puts it on she becomes the person she envisioned herself to be. … A woman who knows how to wear a hat can flirt and be coy or be brash and powerful, knowing that all eyes are on her. A hat is whatever statement you want it to be. It can turn the ordinary into an occasion, and an occasion into the extraordinary.”

This book of 14 patterns are of the playful, attention-grabbing type. Each pattern is named for a star whose sense of style is being captured–Jackie Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly, and so on. They come with instructions not only for the knitting, but also for making the embellishments to go with the hats (a feature which a lot of knitting books skimp on).

Available from Cooperative Press (digital or print).

Want to see pictures? Click here.

First, the facts:

Title: Fresh Design Mittens and Gloves

Designs by: Anna Dalvi, Ellen Boucher, Laura Nelkin, Laura Patterson, Rebecca Blair, Ruth Garcia-Alcantud, Sara Peterson, Sarah Eyre, Sarah Wilson, Sharon Fuller.

Edited by: Shannon Okey

Published by: Cooperative Press, 2013

Pages: 55

Type: Strictly Patterns

The In-Depth Look:

Part of the “Fresh Design” series of books from Cooperative Press, this ebook brings 10 patterns of gloves and mittens from a group of ten talented designers. They cover a range of single-color, multi-color, mitten, gloves, fingerless gloves, simple to complicated.

This book can be found at Cooperative Press (digital only for now).

Want to see pictures? Click here.