Books
New and Noteworthy: Books of October 2018
Autumn is new book season, and October has brought with it a righteous haul of excellent books. I list them here with great excitement. As always, some of them I’ve seen, and some I’ve yet to see, but all are worthy of a knitter’s consideration.
This month, the textile-generating population is blessed with intriguing books in three categories: knitting books, knitting e-books, and not-knitting books.
Knitting
Amy Herzog’s Ultimate Sweater Book
I was waiting for this one. I can now convert all sweater patterns into my current favorite shape. Or if I’m too lazy for pattern conversion, Amy has provided beautiful ready-made patterns. This one is going on the permanent reference shelf.
Amy Herzog’s Ultimate Sweater Book: The Essential Guide for Adventurous Knitters
250 Japanese Knitting Stitches
Japanese stitch patterns never cease to amaze. From familiar building blocks come mesmerizing patterns.
250 Japanese Knitting Stitches: The Original Pattern Bible by Hitomi Shida
100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection
If you’ve accumulated stacks of Interweave Knits magazine over the years, this book is a godsend. One hundred patterns, culled from so many amazing designs. You can finally think about recycling all those back issues. Kudos to the designer who chose the arresting and unexpected cover image.
100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection
Easy Cable & Aran Knits
Martin Storey is a favorite Rowan designer, whose signature is stunning cables and classic silhouettes. I’m excited to see his latest.
Easy Cable and Aran Knits: 26 Projects with a Modern Twist by Martin Storey
E-Books by Independent Designers
We can barely skim the surface of all the new independently designed collections appearing on Ravelry, but here are a few of our favorites.
Vibrant Connections
Beloved MDK contributor Kirsten Kapur has designed a collection for mYak, a line of exquisite yak and cashmere yarns sourced in Tibet and spun in Italy.
The designs are fresh and colorful.
Simple and elegant.
The River Stroll pullover is sized for women and kids.
Stay tuned for more on this one.
Vibrant Connections by Kirsten Kapur (photographs by Gale Zucker)
I Knit Paris
If you liked I Knit New York, you’ll adore I Knit Paris, a new collection of Paris-themed patterns by France-based designers, using European yarns.
One of my favorites is the Tuileries Pullover by Julie Knits in Paris, with its clean lines, trim fit, and twisted-rib sleeves.
I Knit Paris by Kathleen Dames, Alice O’Reilly and Clara Ferrand
Here
Jill Draper has a new yarn, Kingston, a tweedy wool that comes in eight saturated colors. To celebrate the launch of Kingston, Jill has designed a collection of rustic, casual garments and accessories. The book is called Here, and the designs are modeled by Kingston, New York artisans and business owners, and photographed by Gale Zucker.
Dancing in Wildflowers Leg Warmers.
Here by Jill Draper (photographs by Gale Zucker)
Not About Knitting (But Not to Be Missed)
Mending Matters
If you have not seen this book in at least ten jubilant unboxing photos on Instagram, you are not following enough Slow Fashion October and handstitching people. This is the It book of the modern make do and mend movement.
Mending, for all its homespun simplicity, is mysterious to me. I’m sure I know how to do it already, just from knowing how to thread a needle and make a running stitch, but somehow I hold back. What’s the technique for putting a patch on the back of a hole? On the front? Do you need some kind of darning egg thingy? In this book, Katrina Rodabaugh tells all, with beautiful and detailed photographs to illustrate her teaching. (She even tells you how to repair holes in awkward places that are not going to make it onto Instagram.)
This is the mending book I was waiting for. I’ve already devoured it, and I’m ready to thread that needle.
Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim and More by Katrina Rodabaugh
The Spoonflower Quick-Sew Project Book
We knitters think we know the burden of too much stash. Fabric collectors have it harder, I think, because fabric, especially print fabric, is so specific. I’ve collected a bit of print fabric in my hot and cold flashes of quilting (ahem), and it’s fun to turn the pages of this book looking at ideas for quick ways to put it to use. Will I rev up my trusty Janome Jem Gold and make any of them? Only time will tell.
The Spoonflower Quick-Sew Project Book is the sequel to The Spoonflower Handbook, which is a wonderful book on many counts, but forever dear to my heart as the source of one of my all-time favorite kooky craft projects: pet tribute cushions in honor of your Kermit and Elliot (of blessed memory), and my Olive. Every time I see Pillow Olive sitting on the sofa, I laugh: at her, and at myself.
The Spoonflower Quick-Sew Project Book: 34 DIYs to Make the Most of Your Fabric Stash by Anda Corrie.
And that’s a wrap for October 2018 books. Let me know if there are any good ones that I missed, and stay tuned for November. Spoiler alert: MORE BOOKS.
Great, MORE ways to burn through my checkbook AND less time to knit.
The mending book will be whispering in my ear all day at work today….any bets how long I will hold out before going online and ordering it?
I already picked up the new Amy Herzog book and I love it. I appreciate the classic looks and that the patterns are written for several yarn weights and so many sizes. I’ve already earmarked two of the yarns I got at Rhinebeck for patterns in this book.
I’m also a huge fan of the I Knit books and can’t wait to dig into I Knit Paris!
How do I chose which to spend my money on… books or yarn? Oh the dilemma!
I share your dilemma!
Every single one looks awesome!!
Yet another reason to love the library. All of these look amazing, but they’re probably not all keepers for this particular maker. I’ve learned that if I’m renewing a craft book the 7th or so time, it should go on the “need it, buy it” list. For now, every single one is going on my holds list.
One of the nicest things you can do for an author is to request your library to order her book/borrow it/get on the wait list for it.
I do that – a lot. Even easier now that the MA regional interlibrary loan program online will allow me to do it with a click, AND let me now if they acquire the item. I’m surprised how often they purchase something I’ve suggested.
Like you, I prefer to borrow from my local library system before deciding to buy a book for myself. In fact, I’ve suggested many titles, craft-related or other, for purchase, and so far they’ve agreed to my suggestion every time.
I select craft books for the public library that I work for. I’ll be ordering all the ones here that I haven’t already ordered. I also ouck up patron suggestions for ones that are news to me.
I want them all!
Let’s put together a package deal with all of these!
Loved meeting you Kay at Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool. Jacquie
Thanks for braving the book barn, Jacquie!
I love your book recommendations – so many creative paths to explore! I also love Spoonflower, which is a siren song to me…would like to use some of my botanical watercolors in fabric and wallpaper designs, but just haven’t found the way to push myself forward on it. Oh well. It’s on The List!
I can’t imagine moving beyond the full-size animal pictures! You should do it!
I collect old interweaves when I can find them at yard sales and LYS destash and such. I love the writingt of the articles!
Thank you for the list. I have Amy’s new book and love it but want to add several of these, too.
However, your mention of Spoonflower and your Olive pillow have been in my thoughts all day! Can you share a picture of it??
thanks!
Hi Debbie, here is a post featuring the Kermit and Elliott cushions: https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/postcard-from-san-diego/
I’m not sure I have ever posted a picture of the Olive cushion, but I will try to remember to take a picture of it the next chance I get. It looks just like her and is approximately actual size, so it does make me laugh when I glimpse it and think for a nanosecond that it’s actually her, sitting very still on the sofa. Plotting something? Or just being a cushion?
For anyone who is curious, Elliott was the most ideal cushion model, as he was posed in a perfectly circular position, which made for easy cutting and sewing and a good professional result (if professionalism is possible with a pet tribute cushion). You want to start with a photo with no dangly legs or tail. I ended up cutting off Olive’s front legs for her cushion portrait.
The Kermit and Elliott pillows enticed me into making Mookie pillows! One for each of the kids, and one for our house. Mookie saw the pillows when I make them, and lives on through them.
Love that Spoonflower!
Kay, those are fabulous! I’ve ordered the book can’t wait to pillow some furry friends. You made my day.
Bette, our fur baby, looks a lot like Olive. She’ll make a happy, silly pillow.
My knitting library has become larger than my storage capacity! It’s a wonderful time to be a knitter.
My very first book was Knitting Without Tears. That was purchased on my 30th birthday along with a swift and a ball winder. I’m now 65 and knitting is the best thing that has ever happened to me, getting me through 35 years of change and challenges. Thanks for bringing the less known books to my attention. And thank you so very much for being the one thing that I read every single day.
I’m facing surgery probably next week and I know that they don’t allow computers or anything with a camera in the hospital because of HIPAA regulations. Bummer! But I will have something to look forward to after I’m discharged and I get through just one more thing.
Thanks for all that you do ❤️