Sunday, October 18, 2009

Inca Knits: Designs Inspired by South American Traditions by Marianne Isager

Published 2009

Incorporating the vibrant style of ancient Incan knitting with a nod to contemporary trends, this new collection of knitwear designs features 25 garments that bring the vibrant and geometric motifs of the South American tradition to the 21st century. By innovatively combining knit-and-purl techniques in lightweight yarns, the stunning colors, stripes, and zigzags of South American patterns are complemented by subtle textures. All the featured projects are suitable for any intermediate knitter, with instructions and charts for each pattern as well as a glossary to clarify various knitting techniques. Beyond its instructional role, this guide also directs knitters to find inspiration for their own designs by examining the landscape, wildlife, and pottery of the high Andes.

Knitter's Book of Wool: The Yarn Lover's Guide to the World's Favorite Fiber by Clara Parkes

Published 2009

In this complete guide to wool - the most popular yarn around - passionate wool expert Clara Parkes translates the vast world of sheep and their wool into the language and context of kniting.

What is wool? Clara starts with the fundamentals: what wool is made of, how it gets off the sheep, and how it is transformed from a jumbled mass of dirty fluff into a gorgeous yarn that so tempts us at our local yarn stores.

Who makes it? Parkes conducts an inspiring tour of sheep breeds from around the world - introducing us to the animals who give us their wool - and explains how to best knit with yarns made from their fibers.

Which yarn do I use? If only there were a way to read a skein to know how it would behave and what it wanted to become. Now there is! Parkes demystifies the generic (non-breed-specific) wool yarn you'll find at your local yarn shop, showing you how to best determine what every yarn longs to be.

What do I knit? Parkes went to some of the most creative and inquisitive design minds of the kniting world to provide more than 20 patterns that highlight the qualities of specific types of wool.

The Knitter's Book of Wool teaches you everything you need to know about wool - and its journey from pasture to pullover. The next time you pick up a skein, you won't have to wonder what to create with it. You'll just know.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

More Big Girl Knits: 25 Designs Full of Color and Texture for Curvy Women by Jillian Moreno, Amy R. Singer

Published 2009

The geniuses behind Big Girl Knits present 25 all-new curve-flattering projects that explore the beauty of color & texture.

Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer brought the average American woman—a size 14—a collection of stylish, flattering patterns in Big Girl Knits. Now they’re back with 25 new curve-friendly projects that embrace color and texture, plus adaptations to make almost any pattern suitable for all shapes and sizes.

Part knitting instruction book and part sassy style guide, More Big Girl Knits goes beyond teaching the basics—fit, proportion, motif placement, and balance principles—to tackle all-new methods for creating knitwear with brilliant colors and sumptuous textures that voluptuous women can wear with pride. The second half of the book features attractive patterns, from jackets to sexy tank tops that are proportioned to fit and shaped to create a fetching silhouette. Packed with tips and tricks on what to avoid, what to embrace, and how to modify any design to flatter your body, this smart guide will show Big Girls how to look gorgeous in colorful, texture-rich knitwear.

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger

Published 2009

Vintage-inspired knitting patterns for modern babies, ages 0-3, from the founder of ShesCrafty. Features 25 heirloom-quality patterns simplified for modern knitters & includes caps, booties, blankets, mittens, sweaters, layette sets, toys & more.

Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch: Creating Gifts for the People You Love by Nicky Epstein

Published 2009

Knitting superstar Nicky Epstein knows: when you knit something for those you love, there’s a kiss and caring in every stitch.
The popular author of the blockbuster Edge books has now created more than 30 original projects for friends and family to give as gifts. There’s bunting for a baby, toys for a toddler, cute sheep slippers for boys and girls, a hobo bag for tweens, and hats, gloves, scarves, and other accessories for men and women. Plus, Nicky’s come up with unique ideas for the holidays, for knitting groups to work on together, and projects to make for those who might be sick, injured, or have special needs. All projects are one-of-a kind pieces, knit in Nicky’s signature style and destined to become heirlooms.

Pure Knits: Sophisticated Designs in Shades of White by Yahaira Ferreira

Published 2009

Whether creamy and warm or wintry cool, white evokes a sense of classic purity. Celebrate its astonishing variety with a collection of 25 stunning all-white projects for intermediate to advanced knitters, all made from the most luxurious yarns ever. From sensuous sweaters for women to adorable baby and children’s outfits to rugged masculine attire, these garments take white to new levels of excitement and opulence. Best of all, you’ll find that using white yarns only draws attention to the gorgeous textural details of each piece—the complex combinations of knits and purls, show-stopping lace, and sophisticated cables. The projects include: a delicate sleeveless tunic from luscious silk mohair and silk; a man’s cabled sweater; and an exquisite hat-and-bootie set that’s soft enough for baby’s tender skin and elegant enough to make a perfect shower gift.

Photographed in stunning natural settings and featuring a clean, stylish layout, this volume is a sumptuous addition to any knitter’s library.

Itty-Bitty Toys: How to Knit Animals, Dolls, and Other Playthings for Kids by Susan B. Anderson

Published 2009

Adorable hand-knit playthings, featuring clever twists on classics and enchanting reversibles and interactive toys.

Kids love toys, and toys you make yourself are extra-special. If you could buy these imaginative playthings in stores, they would fly off the shelves! This book features stuffed animals, including a luscious lamb and a gigantic giraffe, and finger-puppet fruits that will delight babies and toddlers. With step-by-step directions, clear diagrams and drawings, and gorgeous photographs, knitters of all levels will find it easy to make the Pull-Toy Mama Duck and Ducklings, the set of Russian nesting dolls, and the Princess and the Pea Set. Even older kids will enjoy these, as well as the Felted Bouncy Ball, a felted version of a Super Ball that's perfect for indoor play. A series of five reversible toys—a frog that turns into a turtle, a mouse that changes into a cat, an egg in a nest that transforms into a blue bird, and so on—showcases the creativity that makes Susan B. Anderson a rising star in the knitting world.