Puppy, knitting, spinning, weaving... can you spot the problem child???
Oops - sorry to leave you hanging after my last post. I seem to have lost track of a week or so. In fact, I lost track of the fact it was November and was planning to join up for daily blogging for the month to get back into the swing of things. Perhaps December shall be the month of daily blogging for me...
Anyway - what did I recieve in the mail to make life so sweet after a crummy day of commuting?? Only two of the worlds cutest books ever...
The Yarn Harlot's newest book - Free Range Knitter
...and...
Franklin's book of cartoons - It Itches!
First of all - I have to say that this...
Is the best book written by the Harlot since this...
These books are not the "knitter-beware" instruction manuals about how to get the most out of your knitting while still remembering the knitting goddess watches when you swatches (and gives you tangles and ill fitting garments when you don't) - which is what the Harlot has been force feeding us anually for the past couple of years...
(okay - I will probably get some hate mail here if I don't clarify this. The Harlot's recent books have been preaching to the choir - They are kinda like a really rich chocolate mudcake - one piece and you are perfectly content and statisfied. Eating the cake makes you feel ill and slightly queasy at the thought of mud cake for the next little while. Read all the Harlot books one after another, and you'll begin to get sick of them too...)
ahem...
These Harlot books - books of essays - are for all knitters (not just those Knitters with a capital "K".) If you know a social knitter in your life (as opposed to us die-hard Addict Knitters who live, eat, sleep and breathe yarn) they will enjoy this book of funny, sweet or just downright gorgeous annecdotes that relate to knitting without feeling like they need to start spending all of the play money on yarn (I hear some people have other entertainments to waste cash on... Like food...)
This is also the type of book you could give to a casual knitter who has no knowledge of the interwebs, thinks blogs are something unfortunate that comes out of your nose when you sneeze and a ravelry is a hootenanny good time spelt wrong. Those knitters out their that have never heard of Ms. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee or the Yarn Harlot would not miss out on single word of enjoyment typed in this book.
So far The Free Range Knitter has accompanied me each way on my daily commute. The book is about the same size as a paperback novel, but hardcover - so once you take the dustcover off it is perfect to keep in your bag. The annecdotes and essays are a good length too - my 15-25 minute commute meant that I could read 1 or 2 stories a trip - a great way to block out the rabble on public transport.
A great gift for yourself (or if you're really feeling generous, someone else) so go and find yourself a copy. And if you haven't read The secret life of a knitter - find that one too.
Now my lunchbreak is up, so I need to get back to work. Kniterature on Franklin's first solo publication will have to wait until the next post. I'll try not to leave it so long... okay.... ?
(PS - for those wondering, the Man, Pupster and I have moved to the inner North Eastern 'burbs of Melbourne... and I now have interwebs at home, but my computer can't hack these hot pre-summer days too well, hence the blogging during the lunch hour)
The VK Holiday preview is up - and my favourite would have to be this gorgeous blue dress below on the right. I'll definitely be hanging out for this subscription issue to hit my mailbox!
Winners will be announced on Friday (Aussie time - which may still be Thursday for some of you).
Small book sale :)
I have extra brand new copies (... one of each) of
'Knitting Beyond the Edge' by Nicky Epstein, and
'One Skein Wonders' by Judith Durant.
These are brand new (never been read virgin text!) and I'm willing to sell them for $30 (AUD) each plus postage. Payment would need to be made via Paypal or Direct bank deposit.
If you interested, email me at ginger_nut@bigpond.com - first in best dressed!
If they sell thru the blog I'll throw in a couple of goodies for the buyer, otherwise I'll probably end up putting them on Fishpond if I don't get any bites here anything by the end of the week.
Title: Knitting Nature
Author: Norah Gaughan
ISBN-10: 1584794844
ISBN-13: 9781584794844
Format: Hardcover
# of Pages: 160
Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang
Published: 2006
Book Source: Borders
Price: $49.95 - purchased with $20 borders voucher (therefore $20.95)
Skill level/Audience: Amateur to Master Knitters
Grr - blogger just ate this post, and now I can't upload pics! I'll have to redo this tomorrow. Check back soon for the update.
Review of the Yarn Harlot's new book to follow shortly! ***NOW UPDATED*** see below!
(I am heading out for a birthday dinner, but will complete this when I get home. In the interim, please feel free to click on the skullcandy banner at the top of my sidebar to help me get my 100 clicks and free headphones :)
Just want my kniterature reviews and none of the other content?
Subscribe to the feed at kniterature.blogspot.com and just get updates of when I add kniterature reviews. Now that I am once more an unemployed git this will be happening on a weekly basis - look out for updates on the weekend.
KNITERATURE REVIEW
Title: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off
Author: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
ISBN-10: 1580176585
ISBN-13: 9781580176583
Format: Paperback
# of Pages: 224
Publisher: Storey Books
Published: 2007
Book Source: Amazon.com via my family
Price: Gift - but check out the prices on the amazon link above
Skill level/Audience: Beginners to Master Knitters
The self-proclaimed Yarn Harlot's latest offering reads as a Lonely Planet Guide to the land of knitting. Following the format of such guides, the chapters have titled 'Population', 'History', 'Politics', 'Religion' and'Social Customs' and provide a witty interpretation of how knitting can conform to such topics.
Similar to Pearl-McPhee's earlier books, it contains a few of the colourful anecdotes that made Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter
S.P-McP Casts Off is a book full of light entertainment. The sense of humour is cute, and will appeal to 'muggles' who have learnt to live with knitters, the illustrations are cartoon-like and suit the text, and I found the content very easy to follow - although sometimes I thought that perhaps the Harlots was preaching to the choir. This is, perhaps, a book that would suit someone just beginning their fibre-craft obsession, rather than those beyond help - however, I think those beyond help (like myself) would devour the book with a knowing little smile as they turn the pages.
The book is very conversational, and has none of the technical content of Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks, but isn't quite as engaging as Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter. My favourite parts of the book are the letters at the end of each chapter which chronicles fictional character Alice's fall down the rabbit-hole into the land of knitting. As Alice continues her downward spiral towards cashmere, stash and gauge one cannot help thinking that the author is including tidbits from her own autobiography in these segments (c'mon Steph, tell us how many times you have been held up by customs for import duty!)
I tend to do most of my reading at night, tucked up in my bed - and found this was the perfect type of book to snuggle under the doona (duvet) with. The book is quite lengthy, and it took me three or four nights to get from cover to cover. As I tend to read until the early hours of the morning, a person with normal sleeping patterns may find this entertaining for a week or more.
Basically, the Harlot ends this 'travel guide' with concept that one does not visit, but rather takes up residency in the land of knitting. And because of this - I know that every resident of this land that loves the Yarn Harlot will enjoy getting their mitts on this book, and as soon as possible.
I haven't seen this in any Australian bookstores yet, so I doubt you would find it in a library - I would suggest you buy yourself a copy, enjoy it and pop it on a shelf for a little while. If you happen to teach someone to knit, or find a friend new to the hobby - gift the book to them. Pearl-McPhee doesn't say this outright in the text, but we all know that the land of knitting is a lot like the Hotel California - you can checkout whenever you like, but you can never leave. A newby knitter may like to know a little more about the place, once the have entered the hell of struggling with dropped stitches and problem yarn-overs. Who knows - it may even help to keep them sane (or a least as sane as the rest of us are!)
(If you are new here, please read this post, and then Click on the skullcandy banner at the top of my sidebar so I can get free stuff!)
In my review of Men who knit and dogs who love them, I made the comment that I thought that Eastern knitting was the Same as continental knitting. Ginny pointed this out in the comments, but I also received this email from L, one of my fellow North Sydney Pubknitters which provides a detailed explanation which is so good I had to share:
I was reading your blog today and saw your comment about Continental
(Eastern) knitting in your review of the book "Men who knit and the dogs
who love them". Just thought I should point out that Continental and
Eastern knitting are not the same. Continental knitting is where the
yarn is held in the left hand, but the yarn is wrapped around the needle
in the same direction as when the yarn is held in the right hand.
Eastern knitting the yarn is wrapped around the needle in the opposite
direction to what is done in Western knitting. So in Eastern knitting
the yarn does sit on the needles "back-to-front".
To quote Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts (what a mouthful), from Knitter's
#40, "When wrapped from front to back for both the knit and purl
stitch, the leading side will be on the front of the needle (Western
knitting). When wrapped from back to front for both the knit and purl
stitch, the leading side will be on the back of the needle (Eastern
knitting)."
Mary Thomas's "Knitting Book" (first published in 1938) also discusses
English knitting (yarn in right hand), Continental knitting (yarn in
left hand) and then Eastern knitting which "is formed by reversing both
the movements of the yarn and the needles as worked by the Western
methods, so that the Plain or Uncrossed Knit Stitches are made through
the back of the loop...".
From what I understand from this, Continental and English knitting create the same fabric, albeit in different ways. Eastern knitting is actually a completely different technique that creates a different fabric - rather like double knitting creates a different fabric from other colourwork techniques. L will be bringing Mary Thomas's Knitting Book along to pub knitting on Monday so I shall be sure to check it out.
And on the topic of pub-knitting, Monday night will be my last public stitch'n'bitch in Sydney. If anyone in the vicinity wants to drop by, please do! We meet from 7pm upstairs at the Station Hotel opposite North Sydney train station (funnily enough!)
I'm preparing for a very busy week - apart from pubknitting on Monday, all my possessions will be packed up and put on the back of a truck on Tuesday, on Wednesday the 'Randall' knitters are throwing me a bit of a party, and thursday I will be starting my Drive down to Canberra(I know it's not an s'n'b night but anyone want to meet for a coffee?) , stopping for the night before hopefully making it all the way back to Geelong on Friday.
Of course what good is a road trip without a little yarny goodness? I got in touch with ACS, and plan to stop at the Wangaratta Woollen Mills - they don't do tours (doh) but I hear they have a backroom just like Bendy!
As you can tell, I am a rather chatty person, so in my email to ACS I invited them to stop by the blog, and also asked for permission to use content of their websites when I do product reviews. I received the following feedback, that makes me feel warm and fuzzy :)
Hi Meg.
Thank you for your enquiry via our website/s. I have taken a look at your blog site, very nice and comprehensive. Please feel free to mine our websites for info etc. We have just released our 2007 ranges which are making their way into stores all over Australia and New Zealand. We have led the swing back to natural fibres over the last couple of seasons and we are all happy with the results, naturally soft and light yarns.
Kind regards and happy blogging,
PS re Shadow tweed you can look up stockists via the Patons site once you have moved, until then Spotlight should have stock of the yarn and book.
Regards,
Stephen Hooper
Marketing Assistant
How fantastic to get this sort of feedback from a yarn manufacturer!
However, I was actually inquiring about stockist for the new cleckheaton yarn I have my eye on- Vintage Hues. Has anyone seen this yet? It's another bulky weight yarn with long colour repeats, but this on is 100% wool. I'm guessing it would be very similar to Twilleys Of Stamford Freedom Wool. And look at that packaging - they definitely are not being shy about Noro-esque.
(Thanks to everyone who has clicked the skullcandy banner - if you haven't yet please do. The banner is at the top of the sidebar.)
Title: Men who knit and the dogs who love them
Author: Annie Modesitt,Drew Emborsky
ISBN-10: 1579908748
ISBN-13: 9781579908744
Format: Hardcover
# of Pages: 144
Publisher: Lark Books (NC)
Published: 2007
Book Source: Dymocks
Price: $39.95
Skill level/Audience: Beginners to Intermediate
I wanted to like this book. I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this book. But expectations set by the title were not met.
When I nabbed it in Dymocks, I thought - what's cuter than a man that knits? How bout a man that knits and has a dog?? I was looking forward to anecdotes a la Franklin, Brooklyn Tweed and Guido Two-skeins (oh - and of course, David)
In the bookshop, I saw these one sentence blurbs, and thought they were highlights from a larger interview or article which would tell you more about the "Men who knit". Sadly, when I got home I found these "purls" were the only wisdom from the Men who shared their knitting experience with the author, and they are sporadically and infrequently scattered throughout the book. And as for the "dogs who love them" - not one of the male knitters so much as mentions a Fido.
So then my next thought was that patterns were knitted by men, or that male knitters had a big input into the finished objects shown in the book - but a quick look at the list of test knitters shows that there were a surprisingly large amount of female names listed...
Which left me with the idea that, perhaps, rather than models - real knitters were used for the pictures... but I'm not sure. First of all, the author thanks all the models (male and canine) for their assistance. And look at how this guy is holding his yarn... You be the judge..
So I get my major gripe with this book is the title is very misleading. Perhaps "Sweaters for Men and Dogs designed by a Woman and a Man-who-c******ts-but-doesn't-knit" wouldn't have sold many books but it would have been a helluva lot more accurate.
So - lets re-assess our expectations and consider this as just a pattern book.
First of all - it contains the "learn to knit" section. Most of what I have learnt is from books and illustrations - and I have no idea what is going on in these diagrams
I can knit both English (western in this book) and Continental (Eastern) and I have never had my stitches sit on the needles back to front. I understand that Annie Modesit has a rather quirky way of knitting, and says that there is no right or wrong way of knitting - but it feels here that she is trying to justify her special brand of knitting as a traditional style. I wouldn't recommend the lesson in this text to anyone wanting to learn how to knit.
However, what this text does do well is explain how to size both people and dogs. It has clear diagrams and tables that allow the knitter to ensure that they can knit a garment that fits.
Which really only leaves us with the patterns. From my extremely scientific survey of approximately 5 men, the best quote I got about these garments is that "only a man incredibly comfortable with his sexuality would wear these". This is mainly a comment on the colours used - for example, this item wouldn't be worn by any man I know. Or even any woman I know...
However, even if you could get past the gaudy colours (that would still look out of place at a psychedelic 60s drug party) - the construction still a very simple drop shouldered sweater. (although the model in this picture does have yarn woven through his fingers - is this one of the fabled "men who knit"?)
This colour combination of this sweater made a hungover Lara reach for painkillers - however, I would quite like this knitted in subtler colours.
This sweater was the all-round favourite. Again, the colours are a bit bright for most men I know, but they aren't completely out-there. Yes - there are a lot of matching Man & Dog sweaters - needless to say, the sweaters look a hellava lot cuter in the dog version. However, I think the men's toe-up socks are great, but didn't need the matching paw-covers for the dog.
If you are keen for some great knits for your pet fido, this is a great book. This dog bed was one of the winners-
- and quite possibly would make a nice interesting throw cushion for a couch as well. There is also a great pattern for dog toys, and several of the doggy sweaters are quite dignified (however, the doggie "saddle-bags" were a bit crazy)
Grab "men who knit and the dogs who love them" if you are keen for some cute patterns for your pup, otherwise I'd suggest you give it a miss.
If you are looking for some great men's knits, I would suggest you hunt down a copy of Patons new Jet book - in fact, if you're female (or a gay man) I'd suggest you grab just for the eye-candy of the models. I haven't seen it in store yet, but the preview on the Paton's site will have me keeping an eye out! (although I am not entirely sure chunky cardigans for men are ready for a comeback) Below is the news from Patons - notice not one mention of the sweater-curse...
Book 1266– Jet Mens
There is nothing more special than hand knitting a sweater for the man in your life! Patons Australia has received many requests for contemporary mens hand knits. In response, our design team has produced the Jet Mens Book 1266 containing 20 hand knitting styles – to suit all hand knitting skill levels from easy through to advanced knits. You’ll find sweaters, cardigans, vests and jackets – from the ever-popular classics through to styles reflecting the latest fashion trends. Sizes range from XS to XXL.
Patons Jet knitting yarn is a relatively quick to knit 12ply blend of 70% Wool and 30% Alpaca – for luxury and softness. Patons recommends Jet is knitted on 5.50mm knitting needles.
To add to your confidence with the Patons Brand, we offer a free help assistance telephone service – from 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday EST Australia. Our toll free number is – 1800 333 642. Any query can be answered by our professional design and knitting team. The Patons quality is assured – trust Patons – to help you knit for the man in you life.
And a photo from a lazy weekend
we invaded Fink Chocolate Cafe in Lane Cove with our needles and yarn. As we come into colder weather I'd suggest you stop by for the bestest hot chocolate north of the harbour.
Well - there will be some random cuteness in this post as well... 
Whilst in Canberra, Lucy-lou and I went into Lincraft and I came out with 10 ball of Cleckheaton Merino Bambino...
Now I have 3/4 of a ball left.. and Huey has the following additions in his wardrobe...
Ribbed jacket and booties
This is the easiest bootie pattern ever - and the jacket is also an easy (but time consuming!) knit. Knit from sleeve to sleeve with casting on and off making nearly all off the shaping, it is a rather clever design as it is all knit in one piece. I complicated things a bit by using a provisional cast on for the right front and back so I could go back later, pick up stitches and use a 3 needle cast off to avoid seeming, and also used a 3needle cast off on the left front and back. The result - super-neat seams!
THE STATS
NAME: Baby two-tone sideways rib jacket and booties
PATTERN: Cleckheaton Book#951 Design 7
YARN: Cleckheaton Merino Bambino
YARN SOURCE: Lincraft Belconnen
NEEDLES: Knitpicks Options 3.5 mm
COMPLETED: 07 April 07
Slip-on bootees
When Dilby was born, he was a rather large baby. So large, that Lucy and Hubby Lou were under-prepared for just how small Huey is - and as such, they have only one pair of booties in his size. I was rather passively recruited to help with this problem, and found a rather cute and quick patterns in a book of Lucy-lou's. The above is the finished knit, before seaming.
THE STATS
NAME: Baby Clogs
PATTERN: Slip-on from 50 Baby Bootees to Knit By Zoe Meller
YARN: Cleckheaton Merino Bambino (held doubled)
YARN SOURCE: Lincraft Belconnen
NEEDLES: knitpicks options 4mm
COMPLETED: 08 April 07
Baby surplice jacket
I have always wanted to try a baby surprise jacket, and found this pattern in the latest Vogue irresistible.
The diagonal crossover suits the clean lines and creates an oriental feel to the jacket. Again - rather than weave the shoulder stitches together I used a 3 needle bind off to create a very neat and interesting seam.
THE STATS
NAME: Baby Kimono
PATTERN: EZ baby surplice jacket in VogueKnitting Summer/Spring 2007
YARN: Cleckheaton Merino Bambino (held doubled)
YARN SOURCE: Lincraft Belconnen
NEEDLES: knitpicks options 4mm
COMPLETED: 10 April 07
And here is the boy showing off his new jacket and fancy clogs! Lucy-lou found a great vintage button (from her craft stash) for the jacket that completely matches the contrast yarn on the sleeves.
The baby kimono hasn't been modelled yet as it is rather large for the tyke.
And more random cuteness to close!
No post yesterday - I was out and about having an extremely good day due to the fact that it was my birthday! Da-dum!
Because it was a wonderfully sunny, warm day, Pierre and I walked up the road and met Mandy for lunch, who insisted on shouting because it was my day (never mind that it is her birthday today!)
We followed lunch by doing a bit op-shopping at 'Vinnie's' and 'After-a-fashion' where it obviously was my day because I found the book on the right for a whopping 2 bucks! It was a perfect find because I have wanted the Kaffe Fassett pattern library for ages but don't want to fork over $90 on it, and I just happen to be trying a little colourwork in my next planned project. Intarsia here we come! (it won't be quite as adventurous as Kaffe Fassett but we all have to start somewhere) Also in the picture are some vintage plastic (i think) patons DPNs, wrapped together with original label that I couldn't resist. I doubt I will use them - but nice to add to my collection of useless stuff.
In the evening Ness invited me over for dinner, and cooked a great roast with a Dijon, tomato and cream sauce, and some of my favourite roast veggies (sweet potato, spuds, carrot and garlic!) before completely spoiling me with caramel and baileys gelati (she didn't tell me the gelato was there, so I filled up a bit too much on the savory without leaving room for desert) We got a bit of knitting and chatting time in as well - she is well into her second sock ever, and I cast on with my latest favourite yarn, Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre. So far, loving this yarn and can't wait to wear it and feel it against my skin!
I got lots of phone calls from friends and family in Geelong (to think - I may be seeing them on a daily basis in a months time!) - and was told that my family have all pitched in to get me a fantastic kniterature collection that my sister ordered online for me. I mentioned that I wouldn't mind the Yarn harlots new book, or to increase my Elizabeth Zimmerman collection (current books - 1) and discovered that they have ordered all the other Zimmermann books, and the yarn harlot book, and another book on sweater design. I think I read on Jussi's blog that her friends pitched in to buy her amazon wishlist for her, and I now know how she feels!
Tonight is a bit of a party with the Rubi&Lana gang + partners. Mandy is having the do at her place and we are all pitching in with the catering (I'm taking over my baby espresso machine and some coffee) and I expect it will be a great evening. I will miss my knitting buddies quite a bit when I move!
A BIT OF Q&A
I have received a few questions in my comments I feel I should address -
Did you sprinkle on the koolaid or did you premix it with water? Keli
I sprinkled the kool-aid on because I was trying to get a 'semi-solid' colour with some slight variation. If you dissolve it first you get a much more uniform colour.
In future I will try and answer questions as I get them!
AND FOR THE CANBERRA KNITTERS..
Who won the boobrock stitchmarkers??
Also, I'll be in town from about the 3rd to the 10th (I think, I don't have the diary in front of me) do you have any of your regular S'n'Bs during that period? I'd love to go hang at Starbucks with you :)
Sorry for the silence of late - but life took a sharp hair-pin turn, I had to make a couple of big decisions and got a lot of knitting done (will show you the FO tomorrow!)
That's all I'm gonna tell for now - but I'm back...and kicking off with...
WEEKEND KNITERATURE...
Title: Victorian Lace Today
Author: Jane Sowerby
ISBN-10: 1933064072
ISBN-13: 9781933064079
Format: Hardcover
# of Pages: 192
Publisher: XRX Books,US
Published: 2006
Book Source: The Book Depository
Price: £12.22 - approx $AUD 30, delivery free with any order at bookdepository.co.uk.
Skill level/Audience: Beginners to Master Knitters
Sally did quite a bit of research in order to find this book for the best possible price - several possible sources including internet suppliers and bulk orders from local retailers before ordering five copies of this from the book depository. The volumes were not only available at a decent price (RRP is $US30 - A few days ago I saw it in a craft store for $AUD69.96) but with free delivery - which was very efficient (the books arrived at Sally's doorstep in less than two weeks)
Needless to say - with a good price and speedy delivery like that I was already pleased with this kniterature purchase before I'd even collected it from Sally - however, a detailed review still follows..
First impressions -
When I first opened this book, I found it impossible to flick through the pages - the photography (by Alexis Xenakis) is marvellous - it is the type of text you can pop on your coffee table and watch as your guests ignore the knitting content in order to enjoy the brilliant scenic on-location shots that jump out at you from nearly every page.
The pictures help to set the scene, put you in the right frame of mind to enjoy the period in which most of these stunning garments were originally conceived. A brief introduction about knitting and lace in Victorian England further sets the scene before Sowerby delves into the women who popularized knitted lace with printed patterns.
The chapters -
Each section shares more about these ladies, with an extract or illustration from the publication(s) Sowerby took the inspirations and patterns from to modernise for the book. These start off quite simply - with lace consisting of knit, purl and yarn overs - before becoming more complex toward the end of the book. One abstract I particularly like is an early chart - which look rather like gibberish, very involved and confusing - which is similar to the sorts of patterns the author had to sift through and translate for the book.
The Patterns
Each individual pattern is beautifully photographed - usually more than once - in a way that allows you to clearly see the detail of the lace. Part of what I find so appealing about the book, is that the garments are completed in gorgeous, bright colours and the models are dressed in contemporary clothing, which makes your fingers itch to pick up the needles and get started.
And getting started is easy .Each project has
The charts for each project are well sized, with a clear key for each one.
Each garment also has clear diagrams of how to construct it, and in which order.The patterns include directions such as the best cast on to use, how to complete the borders and blocking instructions.
In some of the patterns, a special stitch is required - and clear step-by-step instructions with pictures are included for all of these. Although it is assumed you know how to knit and purl (and not a raw-beginner) similar instructions and pictures are included at the back of the book to
cover any other technique you might encounter using these patterns. This is not a learn-to-knit quick section, but a detailed lesson for techniques used in lace construction.
Also included at the back of the book, are tips to understand lace and charts better, hints to help with knitted on borders, and blocking advice - and a fantastic section to get you started designing your own lace.
Right at the very back of the book is a lovely article that tells the story of Sowerby's journey back to the Victorian era and her obsession with lace knitting from that period. Also included is a list of the locations used for the shoot.
Overall, I think this book has absolutely everything I would wish for in a knitting text - there is historical content, technique, patterns, clear diagrams, beautiful photography and the story of how Victorian Lace Today was made. This is the type of book that would enrich any knitters library, from beginner to advance, and the technical advice for non-lace knitters to get started, and the history to please those craftster who can whip out heirloom wedding-ring shawls - and for AUD30 bucks delivered right to your door, what are you waiting for!
Of course, what I haven't shared, is the project I am keen to try. (I do have that seasilk marinating in the stash after all!)
It's the Lady's circular cape in shell pattern. 
Sure - it looks a tad bit virginal and girly here, but think of how amazing it would look in pumpkin orange and straw yellow!
Oh - and I almost forgot... Victorian Lace Today is my first Tome of Kniterature that is 100% Pierre Endorsed!
I have a whole bunch of knitting texts I want to share my thoughts on, so I am going to be trying to do a kniterature review each weekend - and I am trying to take it to the next level and try to be a little more professional than I have been in the past.
Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment - also, today is the last day to enter into the Tropfest DVD giveway! Winners will be announced tomorrow night.
Anyhoo, without further ado...
KNITERATURE!
Title: Domiknitrix
Author: Jennifer Stafford
ISBN-10: 1581808534
ISBN-13: 9781581808537
Format: Turtleback
# of Pages: 256
Publisher: North Light Books
Published: 2007
Book Source: Borders
Price: $43.95 - purchased with $20 borders voucher (therefore $23.95)
Skill level/Audience: Beginners to Master Knitters
This is a great book which is all about taking control of your knitting. It begins with the Domiknitrix philosophy of knitting and design, followed by the guiding principles, or the 8 rules to knit by. These include the basics such as getting gauge, finding flattering projects and getting it right (even if you have to do it twice or more!)
The next section contains some very useful content - going through different yarns and their properties; how to care for knitted garments; deceiphering ball band codes; and, explaining different needles, tools, toys and equipment.
A lot of this information is the stuff experienced knitters only ever figure out after years of knitting and scanning magazines, so it is useful to have it written down in one place. There is a lot of content here, but it makes for good browsing and reading in small doses - and a great reference.
The next section is the usually the one I loathe in all knitting texts - the dreaded Learn-To-Knit section - however, I find this section is more about technique than the basic LTK.
Rather than leaving knitters in the dark, it shows 4 ways to cast-on; "picking" and "throwing" techniques; working in the round; several different ways to increase and decrease; short rows; basic lace knitting; picking up stitches; colourwork; and, textures - all with full colour photographs showing all steps of the technique.
It also has some great finishing techniques included - grafting stockinette, garter and ribbing; different pocket installation; button bands; how to fix your mistakes; and...
Installing zippers!
All the other technique instructions in the book are just like this - there are clear pictures, diagrams and explanatory text.
This is immediately followed patterns, which have a skill level (although it is suggested you "bite off more than you can chew" which tells you which of the above techniques you will be utilising for each patterns - 
I love the phrasing - it's not "to complete this pattern you must know how" but rather, in this pattern you will "learn". It is a fantastic way to stretch your knitting skills, because what you are not told what you need to know before you start. The lessons are in the previous pages, and you can flick back to them whenever you want a reminder.
Although some of the patterns have a 'goth' or 'dominatrix' inspiration, the feel of most of them are easily altered by something as simple as a colour change - or in some cases, just wearing different clothing with the finished item. There are a number of items that include a box of intarsia or colour-work - and the really cool thing is that all the charts are the same size, so you can pick from several different designs what you want on which sweater.
And the really fun stuff -
- turning your knitting on it's head! There are only a few patterns in this section, but they give you a great launching pad for where you can take your knitting.
In the back of the book there are the useful pages such as a glossary, reference texts, extra colourwork charts, yarn pushers, and an index (so you can easily find that technique you need).
Overall, I would suggest all knitters get a hold of this text - it is an invaluable source of knowledge and technique. You may be put off by the PVC, leather and corsets, but I really recommend to not judge the book by these images and take a closer look at the content.
This is not a flash-in-the-pan taking advantage of the "knitting is the new yoga" mentality - it is a serious text of technique, and as such, belongs on the shelf with authors such as Zimmermann and Walker!
If you want to know more about domiknitrix, check out her website.
The new spring knitty is up - and although I have only checked out four of the patterns, I had to come here and tell everyone else to go look at Ribena! (or "Beena" if you're a nearly two year old Dilby!)
The designer of this top comes from my hometown, and the pictures feature the fantastic Bollards from Geelong. I got a touch of homesickness looking at it...
And just for Lara - here are the Bollard Bunnies...
I promised this post a couple of weeks ago, but every time I tried blogger kept eating the post and / or pictures. Even tonight, this is the third time I have uploaded these images.....
But a couple of weekends ago, after a loverly invitation from Kate, five girlies crammed into Candy's car to make a visit to the Blue Mountains knitting guild. We made a slight detour on the way in order to pilgrimage to the Wool Inn in Penrith (in the words of Candy's hubby - are you sure you want to go there - it's at least 20mins out of your way!)
We weren't disappointed when we arrived - and in fact, we behaved very much like kids in a candy stop... or to be more precise, knitters in a yarn store...
This is the magic door you are looking for - the bargain odd-balls are the bait to lure you in...
to this amazing wonderland....
... and I think those shelves and shelves of yarn go back for a good couple of metres past that wall of yarn...
I have to say that this is one of the best stocked LYS I have been into for some time. They had the full range of the Australian commercial yarns for Australian Country Spinners, including the new season colours released at the Sydney stitches and craft show the weekend before. There was also a range of Artyarns, Zara and Ashford yarns, and on display was the recent addition of Noro Yarns - amongst many others.
The tools they had on offer were also impressive. There were Lantern Moon Needles, Tulip bamboo, Brittany Birch DPNs and Rosewood circulars. Apparently they will also be stocking Knitpicks Options once the distributor finally gets them to Oz. There was an impressive range of buttons, and beads - and Lara even found a gorgeous shawl pin hidden amongst the notions.
The Wool Inn also had an impressive amount of Kniterature on offer - in fact, I think they had a library on offer to rival the knitting section of Borders. On top of this there were many pattern books using the yarns they stock, supplied by the manufacturers.
Us five girls - of various knitting preferences - all found something to our satisfaction. Mandy bought some gorgeous bright rainbow mohair to make a scarf, Candy - some undyed lace-weight she plans to colour herself, and a couple of books, Sally bought some Ashford yarn and one of the new red Jet colourways to make a sweater, Lara indulged in some Zara and a ball of Wendy DK Cotton from the bargain bin...
And me? After getting permission from Tuffers to indulge in a little yarn love, I walked away with this beautiful Shadow Tweed - new from Patons. (Some of us - who bought enough yarn for a sweater - got given these eco-bags with our purchases - Lara even bought a bright purple/blue/green eco-bag that suits her personality fine!)
There is a Shadow Tweed booklet with many patterns, but they were mainly turtle-necks and cardigans and they didn't quite appeal to me. If your interested, Patons has pictures of the patterns with this yarn on their site.
I have been playing with this yarn, and am planning a review. For now, I am happy to share that it is 100% Pierre Endorsed!
VOGUE SUBSCRIPTION...
Today I received my first edition of my Vogue subscription in the mail, and after waiting 3 months for this to start, was disappointed to receive the Holiday 06 Issue, which is the magazine I bought just before I subscribed. However, no need to worry - I sent an email off to Vogue and got a reply less than 2 hours later (how's that for customer service!) They are sending me the Winter 06/07 edition (where the subscription should have started) as well as adding an extra issue to my subscription to make up for the mistake.
Once again I am impressed with Vogue's ability to respond to customer's problems timely and professionally!
GIVEAWAY UPDATE...
A bit more info for any overseas readers - the DVD has the 16 short-listed/finalist films from the festival on it. The Sydney Morning Herald did a quick video news item with the finalists you can watch here.
If you have been lurking for a while, leave a comment and let me know what you think - I know from my stats that I have many lurkers!
