Recently in Books Category

This title has nothing to do with the post I am about to write. I'm simply so struck by the fact that the weather is acting normal for the first time in a week that I can't let it go by without remarking on it.

A few years ago at Knitsmiths we received a sample of a knitting loom. I think that Dava brought it in, and all of us stared at the loom quizzically.

"What does one do with a knitting loom?" we asked. Knit stuff, was the answer.

"What kinds of stuff?" we wondered. Apparently you could knit everything with the loom that one could knit with needles (although we saw no evidence of that in the materials we had in front of us).

"Really?" we replied. "How?" And then we looked at the instructions and our faces blanched. One by one we silently picked up our projects and returned to knitting the way that we knew: with needles.

Needless to say, I do not struggle with conventional needles. I like the way that they feel in my hands, the way that they gently poke my fingertips, and I like feeling the fabric grow as I loop, loop, loop my way through a cardigan, or socks, or a scarf. I find that needles fill my hands and give them something to do. Knitting, one might say, is my own personal therapy.

You can probably infer that I don't have any issues maneuvering needles and yarn. Heck, I do it standing up on the subway. Stockinette? I don't even need to look anymore.

So where am I going with this? Having exposed my personal bias, I find myself with a copy of No-Needle Knits: Loom Knitting Pattern Book by Isela Phelps. Here, at last, was the proof I sought to show me that one can, indeed, knit anything with a loom that can be knit with needles.

I don't own a loom, and I have no experience with the technique, so I can't tell if these patterns are easy to understand. From my own perspective as a needle-based knitter (or, NBK) they certainly look straightforward. In fact, I think that all of these designed could be easily converted to needle-based instructions without too much thought.

And, if I were to pick up a loom, this book has a series of instructions to get me started.

Once I figured that out, I started to peruse the patterns.

The one thing that struck me immediately about this book is how good the photos are. Jonny Thompson, you are one heck of a photog--especially with the kids. Maybe you can take my picture someday--I bet that would be a fun photoshoot. I like how they're captured using the garments: yanking off booties, pushing up sleeves, and just generally being little kids in handknits (or, loomknits?).

I apologize for the craptastic-ness of my photos of these photos.

So, as you can see, it's an enjoyable book to browse for ideas. For those of you who might want to try something new, a copy of No-Needle Knits and a brand-spanking new knitting loom, might just be your answer.

Hmm, another Monday, another Monday with Photoshop problems. What up with this?

Anyway, these days if I'm on the internet and I'm not blogging, then you can somewhat guess where I am. Thanks to the Rav, I discovered (or finally realized) that one of my very favorite knitwear designers is Véronik Avery!

Véronik uploaded a bunch of her designs to her Ravelry page. On a recent Ravelry expedition, I somehow I clicked through to there. As I scanned her photos I realized that she's the source of many of the designs that I've coveted since becoming a knitter. Coveted, but never knitted. That's another story. Over and over I thought "Oh yeah, remember that. Love that!'

Designs like this skirt:

(Interweave photo, saved to my server)

I had forgotten about this skirt, and just how much I liked it. Furthermore, it's stood the test of time. I liked it when the pattern was first published, and I still like it now.

Then I noticed that she has a new book out. Oh my. Must. Have. That. Book.

[Remembers the book/yarn embargo currently in effect chez Subway Knitter QNS. *Drat* Remembers that Christmas isn't too far away. *Smile*]

But if, you know, someone in the marketing department of Stewart, Tabori and Chang, happens to read this post, and, you know, happens to have a review copy of this book lying around, I would be happy to, you know, write about it here. Just sayin'.

But if, you know, someone in the marketing department of Stewart, Tabori and Chang is reading this blog, I should act a little cooler about this. (Or at least make it seem less certain that I totally WANT THAT BOOK!) Why would any marketing type send me that book for free when they pretty much know that I (or someone else who might be shopping for me) will buy it? Indeed, there's a Borders right up Broadway from the offices of Subway Knitter. Right up the street. Mere steps...

Oh dear. How many days 'til Christmas?

My knitting library is filling up quickly:

The first two volumes of Barbara G. Walker's four-volume stitch-pattern treasury.  Only the first two appealed to me, and I dropped hints mercilessly (the ladies at A Good Yarn can attest to this) in the days leading up to Christmas.  Lucky for me, those hints didn't fall on deaf ears, and lucky for Matt, the people at AGY can keep a secret.

I won't even try to fit these books into my knitting-book cabinet.  It's full!  That means that I have the perfect excuse to go to IKEA. 

Bye!

I'll let those of you who have more experience with this book gush about it for me.

I am so pleased to get this volume into my knitting library at last.  I hope that it makes me a better designer, more thoughtful about the patterns from which I knit, and altogether more understanding of the knitting process.

Indeed, it might come in handy as I continue to explore the ideas developed from yesterday's post.  Thank you everyone for indulging my curiosity by leaving helpful comments.  A few of you indulged me further by exchanging private emails to flesh out ideas and concepts.  Thank you, thank you!

I can't write  much more abou the project now (not because I'm sworn to secrecy or anything, but because there isn't anything more to write at the moment).  I will say that I'm off to one of my LYSs later this morning for some serious yarn scoping.  I'm thinking that some plant fibers are in my future.  Nona?  How's the linen Tivoli going?