Review Time--and Betzi got a podcast mention!

Of course my new wheel came and I'd love to post about it, but before I do I wanted to get the much-promised reviews done!

I took full advantage of the midsummer book sales going on (in particular the Knit Picks book sale) and bought myself a couple of wishlist books: More Big Girl Knits by Jill Moreno and and Amy Singer, Knitting New Mittens and Gloves: Warm and Adorn Your Hands in 28 Innovative Ways by Robin Melanson. I'll get in to More Big Girl Knits a little later this week, so as not to overwhelm you with my humble opinions.

Knitting New Mittens and Gloves

Lets talk mittens first. I actually saw this book about a year ago, in hardback format (the kind with a spiral inside). I fell in love with the photography and the knitting patterns seemed fantastic. But what sold me was the spiral binding. I love knitting books that can lay flat and stay open for as long as you need them to. I was sorely dissappointed when my book came and it turned out to be paperback, and a very snap-shut-the-minute-you-put-it-down type paperback at that. Of course its my fault, I shouldn't have "assumed" it would still be published in that format.

That said this book is filled with great patterns. A few are ho-hum, but the ones that stand out really stand out. I adore the thick-knit fuzzy mohair "Sheltie" mittens with a unique openwork overlay. The overlay is purely decorative of course, but it adds a nice touch to what would otherwise be very fru-fru (though my 2 1/2 year old daughter would classify them as "fancy"). Of course you have your typical array of cabled gloves, and some so-so fair isle patterns, but if you look beyond that you'll find unique shapes and interesting designs--I love Gothic, for example, and find Glaistig to die for. I think Ms Melason does a fantastic job of offering a wide variety of patterns. The mermaid fingerless mitts would be a nice addition to a fall wardrobe (and are beaded! yay!), knit in a very skinny Handmaiden Sea Silk. A nice contrast to this are the above mentioned Shelties and of course Thrummed mittens. "Filigree", which is featured on the cover, is edgy and also very adaptable--knit for warmth in wool or cotton for looks.

There is something for everyone in this book, provided you are female. There are no guy or child patterns, but of course you could easily adapt them with a little know-how, epsecially the mittens. But I doubt your husband will want to wear lace gloves adoned with a yarn-wrapped buckle anyway, right?

I would definitely reccommend this book, especially if you don't have a glove or mitten book in your knitting library. If you do, you will appreciate the gorgeous photos atypical for the genre of glove knitting books; however, you may want to take a look at it in person before actually buy it.

A Website--the Twist collective

If you haven't heard the buzz yet, may I introduce to you the Twist Collective. This website is AMAZING. Its part pattern shop, part online knitting mag, and pure eye candy. For a brand-new site it has lots to offer: you'll find designers like Cookie A, Ysolda Teague, Veronik Avery, Kate Gilbert, and Ann Hanson. Yep, those are some heavy hitters--and they arent' the only ones! The patterns are very contemporary (what you might expect from this caliber of designers) and accessable. And don't forget to check out the articles! Cat Bordhi herself has written two, and provides us with a free sock pattern called Houdini.

Me? I plan on downloading Gnarled Oakwoods and Cleite of course (the 2 shawl patterns--they were a no-brainer!). If I were a sweater knitter Wysteria would be first in line--I love the way the yoke and the hem play with each other, reaching out their tendrils as if to touch. I'm sure I will end up with a Cookie A pattern, but decisions decisions, which one? There are 2!

The only thing I would change about the site are the pictures. Not the photography--it is stellar. What I'm talking about is the resolution. You can't click on the photos to have a closer look. This really takes away from the selling point of some of the patterns--the socks come first to mind. I am not sure why they chose to go this route, or even if they are aware that this could be a problem, but I for one would like to have a closer look at the Ann Hanson Shawl before downloading it. Ok I don't need one really--I have loved all of her patterns and I'm confident it is just as superb as her others, but I would love to get a closer look at the stitch pattern.

Barring that I think this is a great site. Some have complained that a knitting magazine cannot be married with a pattern store, but I disagree. I think it is a great way for designers to showcase their talents in yet another stylish venue. I certainly don't mind plunking down $7 for a well-written and well-supported pattern.


Other Stuff!

Well what do you know? I got a mention on the Stitch It! Podcast! WOOT! Meghan announced that I will once again be hostessing another Knit- and Spin-in on Stickam (see previous blog post). Thanks so much Meghan! I hope that we have a ton of people. I had such a great time and I hope others did too. It is such a fun way to connect with people just like me: interested in socializing but for whatever reason unable to "in real life". Anyway, thanks to all who came: you made it a quiet success! I have now created a Ravelry group for us to blab about what happened, about Stickam itself, or just whatever. Its a nice little group of people, please come join us!

And thanks to Ravelry user Abitofswish for the ultra cool banner design for the group!