(All photos taken from the author's webpage)
Last week I received a nice package from Trafalgar Press: Two copies of Anna-Karin Lundberg's Medieval-Inspired Knits, now available in English. I had been looking forward to this title, and I was not let down.
Härkeberga Golden Cloak Sweater
Twenty marvelous designs for women, men and children, and all but two of them stranded colorwork! Anna-Karin was inspired by the frescoes decorating medieval churches in Sweden. The book includes an extensive discussion about the architecture, the paints, and the painters of these churches, which I found especially interesting after my trip to Sweden last year.
Sånga Brocade Flower Jacket
Each design is accompanied by photographs of the paintings that inspired the motifs and the colors used--the author's process is quite enjoyable to see.
Sånga Carnation and French Lily Sweater
Colors are used in the Scandinavian style--no emphasis on value squencing or gradients, just blocks of color with additional interest being introduced at yokes, hems, and bands. The garment shapes are generally quite simple, showcasing the patterning, although some of the women's sweaters include waist shaping (for example, the feminine Sånga Brocade Flower jacket, above).
Bonus: Shetland Spindrift can easily be substituted for the Swedish yarn Anna-Karin specifies, Kampes 2-ply, which would be hard to find in the US.
Norrsunda Trefoil Sweater
Medieval-Inspired Knits is a beautiful book. The designs are charted in color and the garments are beautifully photographed, showing well the special details, such as the line of blue-gray at the shoulder and sleeve join in the Norrsunda Trefoil Sweater (above). All garments are knit in the round, using steeks. You can see photos of many more projects on Anna-Karin's Gallery Pages. Hardback, 128 pages.
Now, you might have passed right over the first sentence of this post: I received TWO copies of this book! I have one to give away to a lucky reader. You have until the end of lucky February 14th to leave a comment on this blog; one comment will be chosen at random to win the extra copy of Medieval-Inspired Knits.
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And now--I'm off to the Pacific Northwest! Visits with friends, a retreat on San Juan Island with the Visionary Authors, and teaching and taking classes at Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat in Tacoma. I'm teaching the Color Outside the Lines Fair Isle Tam class and also something new: a 1.5 hour miniclass on creating flattering shoulders in vests and sweaters while working in the round. So excited! There are a couple of spaces left in each class, by the way.... You know you want to be there!
I would love to win a copy of this book! It's been on my wishlist for quite a long time now.
Posted by: Ariana Wyle | February 03, 2013 at 11:37 PM
Ooh, how exciting!! That looks like a marvelous book!
Posted by: wendy | February 03, 2013 at 11:58 PM
Oh, dear. I've been resisting starting a stranded-knit sweater for years now (ever since the XL Dale of Norway went bye-bye with the ex-boyfriend), but you're tempting me! And not just with that book!
Posted by: Lynn | February 04, 2013 at 04:13 AM
Oh Janine...Pick me, pick me. Please, please, please. Love you, Love this book!
Posted by: Heidi | February 04, 2013 at 04:33 AM
What a gorgeous book!
Posted by: Diana | February 04, 2013 at 04:43 AM
Oh my! Stunning designs! Fingers crossed!
Posted by: Syd | February 04, 2013 at 04:46 AM
I have been looking at this book with extreme desire. I love the design process and stranded is my favorite knitting style.
Posted by: Chery | February 04, 2013 at 04:48 AM
Lovely book! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 04, 2013 at 05:00 AM
First I've heard of the book, but it looks great! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mary | February 04, 2013 at 05:23 AM
Those pictures make my knitting heart beat a little faster - they are gorgeous! I love the use of color in these sweaters. I've already picked out which of these sweaters I would knit!
Posted by: Mali | February 04, 2013 at 06:20 AM
That's a really beautiful book. Thanks for offering it.
Posted by: Katie K | February 04, 2013 at 07:05 AM
Wow! I have a new rule that I will not get a book or magazine unless there are three items I would knit inside. Well-duh! I want to make all of these. They are so lovely. I am intrigued with this idea of taking historical items and making a design from them. It is a way of preserving the designs of the ancestors, and making them likeable. Thanks for the chance.
Posted by: Juliann | February 04, 2013 at 07:06 AM
My heart sings and my mind gets all twitterpated with possibilities just with the preview...oh, my...with the book itself????
Happy NW trip!
Posted by: Nancy | February 04, 2013 at 07:22 AM
I've been waiting for that book to be published. It would be *awesome* to win it! Fingers crossed!
Looking forward to seeing you at Madrona..(.I'm in your tam class).
Posted by: Candace | February 04, 2013 at 07:27 AM
I would love it! So pretty!
Posted by: Charlotte | February 04, 2013 at 07:39 AM
The pattern look great. I have been waiting for the book to come out and would love to get a copy of the book. I am new to colorwork but love all of the designs.
Posted by: Pat Prahl | February 04, 2013 at 07:47 AM
Beautiful patterns all... I'm adding this title to my wishlist in case I'm not the lucky winner.
Posted by: India | February 04, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Oh, that Trefoil sweater.....!!
Posted by: molly | February 04, 2013 at 08:38 AM
So glad the book has been published, I'd love to win, it's been in my wishlist for ages. Thanks!
Posted by: claire | February 04, 2013 at 08:43 AM
What amazing projects to aspire to!
Posted by: Elly | February 04, 2013 at 08:55 AM