Additions to the Bookshelf

The knitting and fiber books are just cascading off the presses these days! It's a glorious time to work with yarn. Two recent books have really impressed me as being useful to the feral knitters out there: 

Little Red in the City by Ysolda Teague. 264-page paperback.

I'm in the middle of knitting a yoke sweater I call the Monet Sweater. I inserted the waist shaping under the bust, hoping to create a nice fit that way. But I'll confess that I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where to place the bust darts. Too bad Ysolda's book hadn't come out then: She is brilliant at walking through fit issues and placement of shaping elements! She writes: "There are three elements to successful fitting: the desired dimensions should be achieved, the shaping must occur in the right place on the body, and the shaping should be visually flattering."

What happens next is a detailed explanation (with math!) about how to go about placing bust darts, placing waist shaping, and adding fabric to the upper arm (I've never seen another design resource discuss this overlooked area). Teague's emphasis is on fitting the larger body, but the discussions can be used for any fitting issues. Most patterns are written as if our fronts and backs were the same size—Teague walks through the calculations needed to adjust for "the girls."

Seven charming and well-constructed sweater patterns are included in the book. Each has extensive fitting notes and instructions for sizes 28" or 30" to 58" or 60". Teague uses an elegant pattern-writing method to make the patterns nearly mistake proof.

In addition, there is an excellent section on short row techniques, buttonhole, and tubular cast-on. The book itself is well-illustrated and -photographed (and well laid out as well, something that I really appreciate).

I think that this book deserves a place in every library. When you order through Ravelry you get a digital copy along with your hard copy.

10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters by Vicki Stieffel and Lisa Souza. 166-page paperback.

I was prepared to like this one because I love Lisa's approach to spinning, knitting, and life in general. The book did not disappoint in any way! I'm not going to reveal the 10 secrets, but I will reveal that they don't have anything to do with, say, "the perfect way to hold the needles." The book's subtitle is "A Guide to Holistic Knitting, Yarn, and Life," and the authors cut to the core of what knitting and crochet and spinning mean to us, or what they can mean. 

Twenty eight patterns, from beginner to advanced, fill the book (I love the Solvang Weekend Vest!), along with profiles and essays and interesting sidebar tidbits—and great photographs! "10 Secrets of Laidback Knitters gives knitters permission to relax and have fun with their knitting; to see that knitting as as much about process as product; and to know that the stitches they knit can express the inner joy they feel," the authors write in the introduction. This book is filled with the joy of knitting, not solutions to complex arcane problems. There's a need for both in our libraries.

You know what? This would make the perfect present for the person who has recently caught the fiber bug. There—I've just solved half your Christmas list for you!

 °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Well, tomorrow morning bright and early I'm catching the plane to Wisconsin. Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp!!! It's been a rough summer so far and I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, meeting new ones, and having this time away. My camera is packed and I'll keep in touch!

P.S. The 3-day Design Your Own Fair Isle workshop in Wisconsin is full, but there are still 2 places available in the Berkeley workshop August 26-28. Drop me a line!

Comments

[Vicki Stiefel]

Thank you so much for the marvelous review of the 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters. I love the Solvang Weekend Vest, too. Of course, I love them all, but that's a special fave. Loved your review of Little Red, too. —Vicki, the LaidBack Knitter.

[Janina the MomBeast]

Thank you for this review. I'm an extreme pear shape, with regular shoulders but heavy upper arms. It's the shoulder and neck small enough, but upper arm big enough that is the hardest adaptation for me. My solutions so far are working but rather clunky.

I've purchased the book-with-digital copy, and am hoping there will be better guidance for my fitting challenges therein.

[Terry Morris]

Thanks very much for the book recommendations. Have a great time at camp and hopefully I'll get back up there to Wisc and the great times next year.