Books | The Knitter's Book of Knowledge

copyright: Debbie Bliss

Thanks to Marie Segares (Underground Crafter) and Jessie at Home, co-hosts of the Knitting Love Link Party, I'm the happy owner of The Knitter's Book of Knowledge by Debbie Bliss. (In a lucky turn of events, my name popped up in a random drawing.)

The book covers everything from the basics of choosing yarn and needles to understanding pattern instructions, working with charts, shaping techniques, troubleshooting problems, adding embellishments, designing your own knits, and much, much more.

As an added plus, key techniques and step-by-step processes are demonstrated with clear, nicely drawn illustrations, which makes it easy to visualize what you need to do.

It would be pure bliss (pun intended) to sit down and read this book front to back, but at the moment time is at a premium so that's not going to happen.

Instead, I've been taking a few moments each day to browse through it as time permits. In these casual forays, I've already discovered several handy tips and learned some alternate ways to execute familiar techniques, both of which will help with upcoming projects.

While I've just begun to scratch the surface of all this book offers, it's clearly an invaluable resource you'll turn to time and again, whether you're a newbie striving to become a better knitter or a highly experienced knitter seeking to hone your skills. Eventually, it will find it's way into my knitting library, but for now it's sitting on the table next to my knitting chair, so it's readily at hand whenever I need it.

(Thanks again, Marie and Jessie!)


Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Books | Finishing Techniques

There are so many wonderful knitting books, it's difficult to pick a favorite.

Right now, however, I find myself turning to this little gem to solve problems and answer questions, particularly when I'm in the middle of a project.

If you're looking for a gift for a knitter (and yes, that includes you: you're a knitter, right?), then consider The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman.

To learn more about why this book is so handy, check out this post. 

The bottom line? It's one of those books that never makes it back onto the shelf, because I'm always referring to it. Finishing still isn't my strongest suit, but with Wiseman's help, my skills are improving.

Strange Obsessions

I should be working on Nimbus. I should be finishing my current afghan. Sooner or later, winter will end (won’t it?), but they'd still be useful during our always erratic spring weather.

I should be writing the patterns readers and Ravelers have requested. I should be working on one of several stealth projects that have real deadlines (more or less).

Instead, for reasons I can’t quite explain, I’m swatching, experimenting, knitting, frogging and re-knitting small things. Last week, I knocked out a red super-simple, seed and stockinette dishcloth.

                                                                                  

This week, I’m focused on the Swedish Weave stitch, from Barbara Walker’s Second Treasury (p. 90). Walker’s books are incredible stitch compendiums and invaluable references, but let’s face it, sometimes the descriptions generate more questions than they answer.

The Swedish Weave is attractive on both sides (in my world, that counts as reversible). But … is the fabric heavy or light? Does it lie flat or curl? Is it stretchy or firm? To answer these questions, I started swatching.

The front looks like this.

The back looks like this.

The fabric curls. A lot.

To offset this tendency, I tried framing it with a basic knit-as-you-go seed stitch border.

The border, due to a misguided sense of empathy, decided to curl, too. And see that wonky row? Something’s clearly awry, but I’m not sure what I did to make that happen.

                                              

This little project has been fun, frustrating, edifying and distracting. Now that I've shared photographic proof of my mistakes, I can frog this hapless swatch and try again.

Why? Because my strange obsession with small things knit in reversible stitches continues.

Which brings me to this question: What are you obsessed with this week (month, year)?


PS: Don't forget to check out WIP Wednesday at Tami's Amis.

FO | Valery Hat

There are a number of finished objects from last year that I neglected to spotlight. The Valery hat is one of them.

Highlights

Pattern:  Valery (Hip Knit Hats, by Cathy Carron)
Yarn: Merino Style (Knit Picks)
Weight: DK/8 ply
Used: Most of 2 skeins (246 yards)
Needles: US 8 (5mm)
Ravelry Notes: Here

Modifications

Used DK instead of bulky weight yarn, which makes the hat light but warm.

Yarn

I have issues with Merino Style. It’s softer than regular wool, but not as soft as most merino. It pills terribly and begins to look used and a bit raggedy with very little provocation. Perhaps that’s why it’s been discontinued.

I had a ton of it in my stash. I ordered it shortly after I’d taught my god-daughters how to knit and they were eager to start bigger projects. They quickly lost interest and moved onto other things. I used some for small projects (mitts, Christmas trees, etc.), but in the end, I donated all the untouched skeins.

Life is too short to knit with yarn that behaves poorly.

Next Time

The pattern tends to produce a peaked rather than rounded crown. I blocked it over a bowl and used a weight to flatten the crown, which worked more or less.

The bottom edge tends to curl under, so if I knit this pattern again, I’d add at least one or two extra rows of stockinette or a couple rows of garter for a better fit and more attractive appearance.

Review | Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters

I own a signed copy of Ann Budd’s new book, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters.

I was lucky enough to win it in a giveaway Ann sponsored to celebrate her birthday. I told her the truth: this book was at the top of my wish list. Here are the reasons why.

Overview

I’ve already confessed that finishing knitwear is not my greatest strength, so top-down sweaters with minimal finishing appeal to me.

In this book, Ann repeats the successful model she used in The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns. She offers clear explanations of different top-down designs, a range of patterns you can knit as written, and the charts and schematics to adapt these or any other top-down pattern to another size or gauge.

The book is comprehensive and well-organized, and it covers the four most common top-down styles. It includes 12 patterns, some designed by Ann and some by well-known guest designers, like Pam Allen, Anne Hanson, Jared Flood and Veronik Avery.

Pros

• Is well-organized and easy to use
• Features clear, readable writing
• Covers the four most common top-down designs
• Follows a consistent structure for each chapter
• Provides invaluable charts and basic directions for each style in multiple sizes and gauges
• Features lovely and informative photos
• Includes references, resources and a useful index
• Lays open and flat due to the spiral binding

                                                                                                        

 Cons

• Does not include one chapter that was cut due to page restrictions (that chapter is available in the digital version)

Bottom Line

I’ve read the book cover to cover, but have not yet knit any of the patterns or used the charts. This isn’t a reflection on the book, it reflects my current knitting mindset. I’m focused on finishing the Moore sweater, and lately, I’ve been seeking patterns with the goal of knitting them as written. (Hahaha!)

I have far too many knitting books. Some I love, some I like, some I never use. If someone told me I had to get rid of all but a handful, this book would make the "keep" list. Top-Down Sweaters is a great reference book, particularly if you love to find a basic design to modify and make your own.

Review | The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques

Finishing knitwear is not my strongest suit. By the time all the bits and pieces for a sweater are completed, I’m either eager to wear it or desperate to get it off my list and my mind.

The things I’m happiest with, of course, are those that I’ve taken time to finish with care and discipline.

I have several books devoted to finishing and many more that include sections on finishing, but The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman is the one I keep readily at hand. Here's why.