Books
Marlisle: A New Direction in Knitting
I hadn’t corresponded with my London friend Anna Maltz, aka @sweaterspotter, in a while, but I was keeping up with her on Instagram. Or so I thought.
In January, Anna posted an Instagram from a printer, where her new book was on the press. I was bursting with surprise and curiosity. Anna is one of the most inventive designers I know. What was she up to? I made haste to find out.
It’s a joy to share Marlisle: A New Direction in Knitting, an independently published book that we are proud to carry in the Shop.
The Technique
What is marlisle? It’s a combination of marling (holding together strands of different colors) and Fair Isle (stranded colorwork). As explained in the introduction to Marlisle, “You simply work some stitches with a single yarn and others with two held together to create the patterns.”
The technique may be simple, but the results, as shown in Anna’s designs, are extraordinary. These are the kind of knits that make knitters peck at what you’re wearing and ask, “how did you do that?”
Marlisle is a technique-based book with 11 patterns that introduce and explore this way of making a multi-colored, textured fabric. The book’s photographs (by Elle Benton) and its illustrations and design (by Kristin Blom) are infused with the playfulness that fills Anna’s work.
The Projects
The patterns are varied and fun. Here’s a sampling.
Kraai
Fingerless mitts with bold chevrons.
Hozkwoz
A cozy hat with an X marking the crown. To me, this pattern looks like a most accessible point of entry to the marlisle technique.
Shantay
A tour de force zig zag cardigan. This is elegant, lifetime achievement knitting, the Chanel-inspired jacket we’ve never stopped looking for.
Delftig
Mittens with a delicate diamond brocade fabric.
Midstream
A chic funnel-neck pullover for the slopes or the streets. Mostly marl, with a judicious dash of isle.
Ess
A fringed, triangular wrap. This reversible, woven-look fabric looks like so much fun to knit. And to kick the fun factor even higher, it’s knitted in the round with a knotted steek. Cut it and voila: instant fringe.
Chevre
A cowl with tessellating diamonds arranged into chevrons.
Trembling
A stunning yoked pullover with dimensional tumbling blocks.
Marlisle: A New Direction in Knitting is available in the Shop. We’d love to send you a copy of this extraordinary book.
I’ve just become comfortable with basic fair isle. These beautiful patterns look like a great way to stretch myself!
Ooooo! Is that ever COOL!!!
Took a Marlisle class with Anna last year at EYF – it was intriguing and inspiring. Plus, Anna was a delight!
Wow! This is so intriguing. The possibilities!
Darn! I just ordered this last night from Anna. I should have known you would have it. I’m going to see if I can cancel to save on the shipping. Although I do love having “Royal Mail” in my mailbox!
And THIS is what is so amazing about knitting – you start to think you haven’t seen something new done with knit/purl for a bit, and then boom… so ‘simple’ and yet so gorgeous. These are fabulous, how-stopping knits.
*show-stopping*, of course…
I’m more inclined to agree with “how”. It’s not a run of the mill knitted garment.
Wow! It’s one of those “ yes! Of course!” Ideas yet I’ve never seen it before. Love the looks!
So cool. This seems weaving-inspired, like jacquard; maybe jacquarlisle?!? dumb jokes aside, I love new ideas & I’ll be picking up the book for sure. Thanks!
Wow. Such a beautiful look. Just heard Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver will have this book soon. Can’t wait to see it.
So glad you are offering this. I had seen it on Instagram. I love Sweaterspotter’s posts. I may go to London in May. Perhaps I can go to that store.
Uh-oh. Out of stock already! What should I do? Can we order anyway?
Yes, we’ve got more copies on the way, so we’re taking orders, which will ship out next week.
I got my book yesterday .That was fast! It’s beaytiful.
Really intriguing!!!!! The possibilities are endless!!!
How do you pronounce it? Since the word seems to be a mash-up of “marl” or “marble” and “isle” is it ” Mar-eye-L” as in “isle”??? Or something more exotic?
I pronounce it to rhyme with Carlisle. Mar-lyle. (Marling + fair isle = marlisle.)
It’s certainly an interesting technique and a couple of the patterns are very attractive.
I love it! Very intriguing and mind “massaging.” Can’t wait to try along with clapotis and Bastia (new pattern– Clapotis-Ktus).
This is really stunning! Thank you for explaining the technique so succinctly.
How beautiful!
much coolness…will have to learn!
The first picture, and I thought, “Well, that’s cool, and about what I expected from reading about the technique. Nice, but a whole book on it?”
Then I looked at the next picture, and the next, and the next, and WOW THIS IS SO FREAKIN’ AWESOME! How can one technique produce so many wonderfully different looks?
I’ll have to buy the book and find out, and I can’t wait. 🙂