Saturday, November 21, 2009

Natural Nursery Knits: 20 Handknit Projects for the New Baby by Erika Knight

Published 2009

In Natural Nursery Knits Erika Knight has combined the purest yarns with irresistible designs to create a beautiful collection of 20 handknits for the newborn baby including all the necessary basics needed in baby's first months. Ranging from practical first garments, washcloths, cozy blankets, and delightful toys to heirloom pieces, all the designs are made from organic or sustainable fibers. Chosen for their softness, animal fibers such as baby alpaca, cashmere, and extra-fine merino are complemented by organically grown cotton, bamboo, and milk fibers, that are breathable and comfortable for baby to wear. The result is a beautiful palette of natural ecru, muted pastels, chocolates, and charcoals. With Natural Nursery Knits you can make your own keepsake handknits to be treasured in baby's room for years to come

Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves by Jillian Moreno, Amy R. Singer

Published 2009

Big Girl Knits features twenty-five unique patterns for women size 14 and up. From flattering pullovers and sexy tees to sleek skirts and fun accessories, this book is overflowing with options for knitting up an entire wardrobe to compliment your shapely shape.

Part knitting instruction, part fashion guide, Big Girl Knits is packed with expert advice to help you make the most of the three Bs: Boobs, Belly, and Butt. All the garments and accessories featured in the book are proportioned to fit and flatter a big girl’s body. Learn two fabulous adaptations to add to your knitting toolbox that you can apply to any sweater pattern. The book also features an easy-to-use measurement guide and tips to help you choose the right yarn, colors, and styles for you.

400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete DIctionary of Essential Stitch Patterns by Crown

Published 2009

Whether you're a beginning knitter or advanced, whether your tastes range from simple knit-purl stitching to fancy Daisy or Moroccan screen, a dictionary of stitch patterns is indispensable!

Young knitters, old knitters, hip knitters, traditional knitters: they all enjoy different styles. But every knitter from age 5 to 95 needs a good dictionary of stitches. 400 Knitting Stitches is a comprehensive guide that invites knitters to experiment with a variety of new stitch combinations. The book is conveniently divided into eight categories: knit-purl, crossed and cables, slipped, lacy,double, twisted, cast-off, and fancy stitches. Making a romantic lacy wrap or a classic cable sweater? Whatever your style, there's a stitch in here for you.

Each of the 400-plus featured stitches is accompanied by easy-to-follow written and charted instructions,as well as a full-color photograph. A section on basic knitting information and techniques at the front of the book makes this volume even more invaluable.

From advanced knitters experimenting with their own designs to beginners looking for clear instruction and explanation, 400 Knitting Stitches is an essential reference for knitters of all kinds.

The Yarn Garden: 30 Knits Using Plant-Based Fibers by J. Marsha Michler

Published 2009

Pick a bouquet of beautiful projects from The Yarn Garden.

Discover the joys of working with plant-based yarns! From traditional favorites like cotton and linen to more exotic choices such as nettle and hemp, plant-based yarns are a joy to knit with and offer many unique benefits. If you want to knit sweaters (and wear sweaters!) year-round, plant-based yarns are perfect for warm-weather knitting. Plant-based yarns also boast a wide range of weights and textures, so it's easy to bring a new twist to your knits. If you want to make projects that are eco-friendly and animal-product free, you'll find what you're looking for here.

The Yarn Garden includes:

  • more than 30 beautiful patterns for garments and accessories for knitters and crocheters of all skill levels.
  • helpful information about plant-based yarns, including how they are manufactured and their characteristics.
  • everything you'll need to know to create and care for projects made with plant-based yarns and enjoy them throughout every season.
Pick up some needles and some plant-based yarns and find out how beautifully your yarn garden can grow.

Knitting Simple Jackets: 25 Beautiful Designs by Marilyn Saitz Cohen

Published 2009

All knitters want to create something attractive that shows off their skills—and these 25 jackets are simple to make, luxurious, and flattering! Every one can be completed in relatively short order, thanks to the easy-to-follow instructions and well-thought-out designs. Knit a sporty Aran tweed car coat; cuddle up in a fluffy white jacket with a big ribbed collar and matching belt; and celebrate spring with a lightweight sleeveless jacket in cheerful yellow. Color photos of the finished garments capture their chic, contemporary style.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Morehouse Farm Merino Knits: More than 40 Farm-Fresh Designs by Margrit Lohrer

Published 2009

Tucked away in a valley surrounded by a luscious landscape and rolling hills, Morehouse Farm is home to two former Manhattanites—Margrit Lohrer and Albrecht Pichler—who sought refuge from city life to raise Merino sheep and create the plushest wool of them all. Morehouse Farm Merino Knits opens the gates of this magical farmland with a true city-to-country fairy tale and a fresh crop of patterns for merino handknits.

Margrit Lohrer has developed more than forty patterns that range from lacy shawls and classic sweaters to adorable baby garments and colorful mittens, along with a selection of gorgeous accessories for the home—all inspired by the beauty of merino wool and the comfort of life on Morehouse Farm. These inventive patterns include something special for each member of the family, even the cat. Lively sidebars include anecdotes about farm life, helpful knitting tips, and methods for caring for merino wool.

Full-color photographs of each handknit set against the lush Morehouse landscape will transport you directly to the farm. As you escape into this charming backdrop, discover the enchanting tale of the farm and follow the wool from sheep to shawl as you read firsthand accounts of caring for the flock, shearing, dyeing, spinning, and knitting with merino wool.

Morehouse Farm Merino Knits offers more than forty designs geared for knitters who delight in the soothing qualities of working with a plush fiber.

Spoil yourself with merino, the world’s most luxurious wool yarn.

Lily Chin's Knitting Tips & Tricks: Shortcuts and Techniques Every Knitter Should Know by Lily Chin

Published 2009

Toss Lily into your project bag and bring her stitching savvy, troubleshooting techniques, and no-frills know-how wherever your knitting takes you!

Are you one of the thousands of Lily Chin converts who swear by her legendary Tips & Tricks classes? Or are you an avid knitter in search of a portable, accessible technique guide?

Knitters of every level will love Lily Chin's Knitting Tips & Tricks for its simple solutions to everyday knitting problems. Covering everything from knitting standards and conventions to working with various types of yarns to fixing stitch mistakes, Lily's book is a comprehensive distillation of her decades of experience, and by the end of it she will have answered knitting questions that you didn't even know you had.

The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits by Julie Carles, Jordana Jacobs

Published 2009

In their bustling New York City yarn shop Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs—a.k.a. the Yarn Girls—have helped thousands of new and lapsed knitters rediscover the pleasures of knitting. Forget frumpy worsted wools and tiny needles; here are the gorgeous, wearable styles you’ve been looking for, with patterns that knit up so fast even inexperienced knitters can start a project on Saturday and wear it to work Monday morning. Made on big needles (sizes 9 to 36) and with a wide range of the chunky, luxurious new yarns that are now available, they couldn’t be easier to create, or more fun to wear.

The Yarn Girls have selected thirty of their most popular basic-but-beautiful projects in a range of must-have styles, from trendy funnel-necks and classic cardigans to sexy tanks. Each project includes pointers to ensure that the finished project will fit properly and look like a million bucks. There are also patterns for creating accessories such as hats and scarves, as well as something for the guys and cozy throws for the home. Each pattern is designed to reinforce the fundamentals of knitting and help tentative knitters gain confidence. Clearly illustrated sections on techniques, plus a glossary and the Yarn Girls’ helpful tips throughout, practically guarantee a successful outcome the very first time.

Haiku Knits: 25 Serenely Beautiful Patterns Inspired by Japanese Design by Tanya Alpert

Published 2009

Haiku, the graceful and evocative form of Japanese poetry, celebrates nature in all its subtle and unobtrusive beauty. In Haiku Knits, this appreciation for understated, direct beauty is expressed in the texture of a felted skirt, the rhythm of a chain of twisted cables, or the casual elegance of an asymmetric sweater. Author Tanya Alpert, a knitwear designer and fiber artist, presents 25 simple, modern garments and accessories inspired by Japanese design, featuring innovative elements and beautiful fibers. These technically simple yet stylish and sophisticated designs will appeal to fashion-forward knitters at all skill levels. Illustrated throughout with stunning photographs, this elegant book also includes an appendix of essential techniques.

Handmade Underground Knitwear: 25 Fun Accessories for All Seasons by Laura Long, Melissa Halvorson

Published 2009

25 knitted accessories for all seasons

With a host of inner- and outerwear options, Handmade Underground Knitwear offers projects to make 25 stylish and contemporary accessories that allow you to practice DIY garment design right out of your own home. With basic stitches that are easy to pick up and directions that echo the camaraderie of a craft group, the spirit of Handmade Underground is fun, loose, experimental, and creative. Friendly and helpful advice guides you through 25 patterns to make one-of-a-kind knitwear accessories, each one accompanied by


  • Step-by-step instructions and templates

  • Four-color photographs and illustrations

  • Color charts and projects variations with anecdotes

  • Helpful hints and cool ideas

From projects that help beat the cold like a retro angled scarf to versatile pieces like wristlets and gloves to more boudoir-worthy patterns like elegant bed jackets and lingerie bags, Handmade Underground Knitwear proves that accessorizing with handmade knitted pieces has never been so fun.

The New Stranded Colorwork: Techniques and Patterns for Vibrant Knitwear by Mary Scott Huff

Published 2009

Classic Norwegian knitting techniques are reinvigorated with a modern twist in this clear and concise handbook to stranded colorwork. Featuring 20 innovative and fun projects—such as the Lotus Blossom Vest, the Go for Baroque Tote, the Counting Crows Pullover, and the Wedding Belle Cardigan—this guide accompanies each with detailed instructional outlines in the tutorial section and is perfect for a variety of skill levels. Going beyond the usual snowflake and reindeer motifs of traditional Norwegian patterns, this modern resource addresses a niche few other knitting guides have explored and offers a technique section that is enjoyable thanks to its conversational tone. Advanced techniques are also highlighted, such as managing two balls of yarn, adding steeks, and finishing cut edges.

Felting for Kids : Fun Toys, Cool Accessories by Gry Hojgaard Jacobsen

Published 2009

Shawls & Wraps by Vogue Knitting Magazine

Published 2009

Hattitude: Knits for Every Mood by Cathy Carron

Published 2009

Snappy, stylish, fabulous, and fun; there’s just something about a hand-knit hat that screams “attitude!” Now, with these 40 innovative patterns from renowned designer Cathy Carron, knitters can quickly and easily make one to express any mood, put the finishing touch on any outfit, and even change an entire look.

All the designs have unique twists of color or detail that make them stand out from the store-bought pack. The fashionable headgear includes a pearled headband, saucy beret, romantic flowered chapeau, and playful pink and purple earmuff hat that’s sure to please.

Color photographs accompany the instructions for each pattern, which come in both medium and large sizes.

Color by Kristin: How to Design Your Own Beautiful Knits by Kristin Nicholas

Published 2009

Don’t fear color—embrace it! That’s the message woven all through this illustrated guide to knitting with multiple colors. Aimed at advanced beginners through intermediate knitters, the 20+ projects provided here include clothing, blankets, bags, and lots of home décor items, each bursting with rich hues and textures. Lavish photographs showcase each of the required techniques, while designer Kristin Nicholas’s text explains the theory behind using colors to maximum effect. From the magnificent Fair Isle Pullover to the coordinated Mother-Daughter Mittens to the fun and fabulous Snowflake Pillow, these projects will bring color to every aspect of a knitter’s life.