My current plan is to have a short talk on the library collection of knit/crochet books and specific books particularly applicable for our climate, and then a quick review of the yarns. I haven’t chosen and acquired all the yarns yet; Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton and Skinny Cotton, Cascade Eco Wool, Lana Knits Hemp for Knitting, and a seacell/silk blend are on the for-sure list, though.
Quick update:
“Come to the library for quick reviews of knitting and crocheting books in the library collection and a yarn-tasting! Sample bags will include mini-skeins of yarns good for tropical-weather garments as well as yarns good for use in felting and making warm garments and accessories for cold-climate friends, relatives, and charitable organizations. Feel free to bring a project to work on during the presentation, or to show off afterwards if you like. There will be a brief Q&A session if you have any questions about knitting/crocheting in Hawai’i. No how-to knit/crochet/spin lessons will be given at this event; reviews of instructional books, videos, and DVDs will be included in the presentation, though, and a handout of yarn shops and where you can take lessons will also be available.”
I grew up vegan and did a lot of cooking and baking when I was a kid. As a result, I was skeptical about VCTOTW recipes having results that matched the rave reviews, but after trying the Green Tea with Green Tea Glaze, the Gingerbread (with a nutmeg glaze – my own recipe), the Banana Split with Vegan Buttercream, and the Peanut Buttercream, I am sold. And baking a lot of cupcakes.
The Green Tea, so far, have been the lightest and fluffiest. Astounding, especially since one of the ingredients is soy yogurt, which I hate. I find the smell, taste, and texture of every brand I’ve tried to be vile. Fortunately, I don’t smell or taste it at all in the batter or the finished cupcake. These are not too sweet and the flavor is subtle. Lovely!
Gingerbread: just a bit of heat from the big dose of ginger. I might cut the molasses in half and use agave nectar for the other half; the recipe calls for light molasses but I haven’t seen a “light” version in the stores.
Banana Split: I left out the chocolate, because I thought it would be too much, and used minced pineapple cooked in brown sugar instead of pineapple preserves. Next time I think I’m going to do the Elvis variation; I can see how this works if you do the full banana split treatment (topped with lots of buttercream frosting, sliced banana, chocolate syrup, nuts, and a cherry), but without the full treatment I thought the banana got overwhelmed.
The Peanut Buttercream was so good I was wondering if I could fit my head into the bowl.
Did you want the in-depth review first, or some teaser photos? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Coin Purse
Needle and hook case – instructions for sewing the case included; the back is entirely lace, not just an edging.
Baby Shoes
Step-by-step photos!
I’d show you snapshots of some of the project instruction pages, but I think I’d really be pushing the fair use for review purposes – you’d be able to make the project from just one page. I’m already a fan of the way Japanese craft books are laid out and the way the instructions are shown; to have it in a language I can read is fantastic. I got my book as a holiday gift (the buyer used Amazon – I haven’t seen it in local bookstores yet).
After recovering from the kawaii!-induced blindness, I’ve taken a closer look at the book, and while I am still so happy with it that I still do a little wiggle-dance of joy when thinking about it, there are a couple of points that I would not have let escape my attention in other publications.
1. Yarn – or rather, lace thread, which is probably why the book is called Lacy Crochet but not all the projects are lace. All of the patterns call for lace thread, which, as it happens, can be found in different thicknesses, fibers, textures, and so on. I cannot find any recommendations in the book for a specific lace thread. Cotton crochet thread, pearl cotton, tatting thread, and fine-gauge yarns are all possible substitutes; I’m thinking that Hemp For Knitting allhemp3 would be a good choice for many of the patterns. If you are looking for the specific thread used in the book projects, you are on your own.
2. Gauge: the lack thereof. Hook sizes are given, but no gauge measurements. You can reverse-engineer gauge for the projects, thanks to the clear photos and schematics. Most of the projects won’t suffer from being a little larger or smaller, though.
3. Notions: where to find. The coin purse calls for a metal purse frame measuring 3″ wide, 1.6″ tall (7.5 x 4 cm), with 26 holes. Lacis.com has similar purse frames, but nothing with those specific dimensions. Baglady.com also has similar purse frames, and a selection of lace thread (specializes in crochet beadwork). UPDATE: Thanks to Cleo in the comments, who posted that the yarn is Olympus Emmy Grande HERBS, which is the equivalent of US size 20 thread. I poked around and the Saucy Louise shop (run by an English speaker living in Japan) carries Olympus Emmy Grande HERBS in several colors. 3Dpatternpaper, an Etsy seller based in Hong Kong, carries 7cm coin purse frames with 24 holes and 8cm frames with 28 holes. I think it might be possible to use either frame and work out a way to sew the purse body on that won’t be just like the instructions but close enough.
On the plus side, though, I have also noted that there is a section showing the symbols used with step-by-step instructions (text and illustrations) for each symbol and the techniques used in the book.
There’s also a good number of projects here, and some of them can be done relatively quickly even though the gauge is fine (the coin purse, for example, and the baby shoes).
Contents:
Part 1: Small Crafts for Interiors
Coasters
Pot Holders
Tissue Box Cover/Placemat
Jar Covers
Baby Shoes 1 Ties
Baby Shoes 2 Straps
Doily 1 Round
Doily 2 Square
Multipurpose Cover
Part 2: Private Time for Favorite Handicrafts
Pincushion
Lace Basket
Scissors Case
Hook Case
Braid 1 Ribbon
Braid 1 Edging
Braid 3 Ringlet
Part 3: Fashionable Items for Everyday Life
Mobile Phone Case
Corsage 1 Gerbera
Corsage 2 Rose
Potpourri Sachet 1 Flowers
Potpourri Sachet 2 Leaves
Coin Purse
Decorative Strings 1 Balls
Decorative Strings 2 Tassels
Mini Bag 1 Petals
Mini Bag 2 Buttons
Pattern Lesson 1
Crocheting Rings of Circles Round Doily
Pattern Lesson 2
Crocheting a Flat Pattern from a Chained Cast-on
Square Doily
Lacy Crochet Techniques
How to Thread Over and Hold a Hook
How to Make the First Stitch
Making Chain Stitches
Cast-on Foundation
Picking Up a Stitch
Stitch Techniques and Symbols/Abbreviations
Using the Symbols/Abbreviations Chart
How about a book geared towards the experienced and/or adventurous handknitter with knitting and knit design tips from knit luminaries including Lily Chin, Nicky Epstein, Deborah Newton, Nancy Bush, with photos, diagrams and tutorials on how to shape your knitting, making a garment from scrumbles, and adapting a sewing pattern for knitting, among other things? What if I told you it was published over 10 years ago? Great Knits is a collection of Threads magazine articles from the early 1990’s, aimed at the handknitting enthusiast. Currently out of print, it can still be found online and in public libararies. Some of the items shown look a bit dated (think big oversized entrelac sweater and teal angora and ribbon – on second thought, with a little revision I wouldn’t be surprised to see it as a retro look in Vogue Knitting International), but the techniques are ones knitters still look for today. This is a great addition to your knitting library if you are interested in designing your own patterns or at least customizing exisiting patterns to better fit your form and your taste.
Introduction, by Suzanne LaRosa, publisher
“You’ve got the knitting basics down and now you’re ready to expand your repertoire. Here, from the pages of Threads magazine, you’ll find the inspiration and techniques you need.
Take your favorite sweater pattern and create an entirely new look. Add subtle shading to a Fair Isle design. Create a graphic beauty one block at a time. Choose two colors you love and knit a warm, reversible sweater. Embellish a sweater with geometric designs.
Or create interest with texture. Experiment with new ways to build a fabric. Knit in a new direction. Drop stitches and weave into open spaces. You can even create a fabric from the center out.
With Great Knits, you’ll also learn basic techniques that will benefit every garment you knit. You’ll find advice on what yarns and needles work best, how to make gauge swatches, and how to shape and finish the garment. But best of all, you’ll create sweaters that you’ll wear and love for years.”
Contents:
Knit One, Weave Two
Linda M. McGurn
Dropped stitches create ideal spaces to weave color into your knitting
Sweaters Piece by Piece
Natalina Carbone
Working without a gauge, you can knit in all directions to create a unique fabric
Swatches for Sweaters
Deborah Newton
Your knitted samples can tell you a lot more about your design than just the gauge
Corrugated Knitting
Molly Gordon
Pull in those floats for a sweater that’s warm and toasty
Designing Knit Fabrics
Deborah Newton
A ready-to-wear sweater sparks ideas for combining strips diagonally
Design Knitwear from Sewing Patterns
June Hemmons Hiatt
The best part is there’s no need to calculate tricky curves or slopes
Reversible Knitting
M’Lou Linsert Baber
Double knitting creates two layers of stockinette with one pass of stitches
Knitting a Basketweave Look-Alike
Gwen Fox
Here’s how to work and shape entrelac on a circular needle
A Balancing Act
Alice Korach
Knitter’s guide to pattern and proportion (includes Aran cardigan with Fibonacci panels)
Knitting Sideways
Molly Geissman
Increase your garment design options and reduce the number of seams at the same time (includes article on Knitting Fair Isle sideways by Kate Barber)
A Patterning Primer for Custom Knitting
Nancy Bush
You can easily create geometric designs to embellish any simple sweater
Subtle Color Shading for Patterned Knits
Rebekah Younger
You can paint a knit fabric, then unravel and reknit for smooth color transitions
Knit In Blocks of Color – without Bobbins
Rick Mondragon
Adding color, one block at a time, takes out the headache of intarsia knitting
Light and Lustrous Boucle
Linda Welker
The textures and colors of this three-plied yarn make even the simplest sweater special
Designing with Spring and Summer Yarns
Deborah Newton
Challenging fibers reward knitters with fabulous color and texture (includes pattern for Sleeveless Ribbon Shell)
Design with Knitted Cord
Nicky Epstein
Complex-looking textures are a snap with separately knitted cord
Darts Add Shape to Knitted Garments
Lily Chin
Worked vertically or horizontally, darts can dramatically improve fit
Shirttails for Sweaters
Sally Melville
Here’s how to add a modest knit curve to a typical flat hem
Designing Knitted Hoods
Deborah Newton
Frame your face with snuggly warmth or sophisticated style (includes pattern for Chenille Topper)
When Many Yarns Make a Coat
Anne Clarke
Careful control of tension and floats is key to combining varied types of yarns
Chronicle Books, it seems, has taken note of the rising popularity of Japanese craft books – they have published three books of patterns translated into English, and have plans for more (Woolly Embroidery and Fuzzy Felted Friends are will be released later this month). I haven’t had a chance to look through these books, but I recognized the projects on the covers of Lacy Crochet and Amigurumi. The prices are reasonable and I’m putting them on my Amazon wishlist, so hopefully I’ll be able to review these in more depth.
Amazon is still carrying the English translation of Ondori Basic Knit as well.
Ethnic Knitting Discovery is not a hip, funky, not-your-grandma’s knitting book. It’s not much of a pattern book either. I couldn’t be more pleased!
In the tradition of books like Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and other ethnic/traditional knitting books, Donna gives an overview of specific techniques, motifs, and projects, and examples of how they are used. Unlike some other knitting books on ethnic traditions out there (including Knitting in the Old Way), Ethnic Knitting Discovery is geared more for the basic knitter, who may want a more streamlined, step-by-step approach to a project. There are no line-by-line written patterns in this book, but the instructions are presented and structured in three ways so that the individual knitter can create and knit an original piece without having to start completely from scratch. After the general description for each project comes the visual plan (a schematic with sections labeled to show what happens where, e.g. “work crown decreases, changing to double-pointed needles as needed,” a method for those who want to jump right in. That is followed by a planning worksheet; a table for filling in the numbers in advance, for those who want to have a more specific plan without needing each step detailed. Finally, there are step-by-step project sheets, which take the numbers calculated in the planning worksheet and arrange them into a more detailed set of instructions. These project sheets are not as detailed as line-by-line instructions, but will expand on the planning worksheet in a way that will help you move along faster, e.g. “Work in k1, p1 ribbing as follows: Row 1: K1, *p1, k1. Repeat from * to end of row. Row 2: P1, *k1, p1. Repeat from * to end of row.”
The schematics are very clear and basic, as are the illustrations accompanying the patterns. The only photos of completed projects are on the cover, an intentional choice meant to steer the individual knitter into designing an original (for those who would like to see more of the finished projects, there will be photos added to the website in the future). Motifs and texture patterns are shown as photos accompanied by charts (the texture patterns do have written line-by-line instructions as well).
Overall, this is a book you can keep on your knitting shelf for years to come. It’s a wonderful introduction to traditional knitting, and a good resource in itself. With an MSRP of $21.95, this paperback is an easy investment for the knitter ready to move beyond line-by-line knitting, the knitter with an interest in other traditions, and the knitter who wants to knit something personalized and unique without having to get too wild and crazy (although that’s always an option). Crafters like myself, who find books of folk/ethnic motifs and patterns for cross-stitch and embroidery as well as for knitting and crochet, will appreciate the tips on how to incorporate those motifs and stitch patterns into a self-designed piece. The holiday gift season is coming up, and this book would make a lovely gift, especially with a few skeins of yarn. This is the first in a series, with more traditions from around the world to be featured in at least two future books.
Some of you may recall that my plan was to select a project from the book to work on, and I have. I just haven’t cast on yet (it’s been an interesting week). I have the yarn, and you’ll be seeing the project take shape here as well as on Ravelry (my username there is mkcarroll).
In addition to writing knitting books and patterns, Donna is also interested in charity and activist knitting, and created the Knitting for Change blog, providing free patterns and information about knitting charities. Oh, and that’s a rug she’s knitting in the photo above.
Next week, I’ll be posting my review of Donna Druchunas‘ latest book, Ethnic Knitting: Discovery: The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and The Andes. I’m choosing a small project from the book to knit this week, and I’m excited about getting started! The layout and presentation of the projects is really attractive to me, and I think you’ll be appreciative of it too.
You can learn more about Donna’s books and writing at her website, Sheeptoshawl.com.
I’ll review the book when I can get my hands on it; meanwhile, you can check out Ana Paula Rimoli’s Etsy shop (anapaulaoli.etsy.com) to buy individual patterns, and check out photos and free patterns on her blog, Ana Paula’s Amigurumi Patterns & Random Cuteness. I’ve purchased some of her patterns and have crocheted the Owl Purse. The patterns are easy to follow, quick to crochet, and the results are adorable.
Crocheting Q&A or Crocheting Question and Answer (Kagibariami Q&A) ISBN 4-8347-2496-4 Printed in Japan $12.90 at Hakubundo (prices subject to change)
If you want to learn how to crochet, or are just learning, and do not read Japanese, this isn’t the book for you. If you know how to crochet and understand the basics of crochet symbolcraft and would like a handy reference book for use with Japanese crochet books and patterns, get your hands on this book. Symbols are explained with step-by-step illustrations so that there’s no confusion over whether that "x" symbol means slip-stitch or single crochet to you (ah, the joys of multiple English versions of crochet terms!), and this book also illustrates seaming pieces together, joining motifs, basic edgings, sewing on a button, sewing in a zipper, making a pom-pon, adding fringe, crocheting three kinds of cord, and basic embroidery stitches. If you know how to read Japanese, all the better, but again, illiteracy in this language does not mean that you will not be able to get a lot out of this book.
Motifs of Crocheting www.boutique-sha.co.jp
ISBN 4-8347-2331-3
Barcode 1: 9784834723311
Barcode 2: 1929476009432
Printed in Japan
I went to Hakubundo on a lunch break and came back with this book. One of my co-workers asked if I could read Japanese, and when I said I couldn’t, she asked me why I’d purchased a Japanese book and then spent the next few minutes probably wishing she hadn’t said anything as I extolled the layout, the use of symbolcraft, and the Japanese symbolcraft standards. My illiteracy does limit my use of the book in a couple of respects (I had to get someone else to translate the title for me, for starters), but the hurdles are easily overcome.
The sections are organized by motif shape (circle, square, hexagon, triangle, and floral), with an illustrated tutorial at the beginning of each section which presumably gives tips and explanations (the illustrations are easy to follow; the text accompanying it is, due to my Latinate-centric education, impossible for me to follow). Each motif is shown in four variations using different yarn textures and colors, from fuzzy mohair to shiny ribbon to smooth cottons and wools, although the yarns used vary from motif to motif (not every motif will be shown in different yarns; some are shown only in different colors). Every pattern is given in symbolcraft, with the sort of added detail that delights me: each row or round of the pattern is in a different color and clearly numbered. Swoon! The sections begin with photos showing projects made using motifs, including handbags, scarves, and shawls, with instructions for the projects given at the end of the book (between the photos and the illustrations, even the Japanese illiterate can manage them). The projects are generally simple and rather conservative, although yarn and color choices could make a big difference – for example, there’s a fringed mesh shawl on page 23 which could be appropriate for my former art school girl of doom self, or for my practical mother who would want something warm that goes with most of her wardrobe (more on this here). There are no people in the photos, just the items, sometimes shown on a wooden mannequin. I like this – it’s easier for me to not delude myself into thinking that a hat strongly resembling a crumpled brown paper sack will look just as cute on me as it does on the kawaiiiiiiii model (please note that no such hat is in this particular book).
Additionally, the book includes a section with step-by-step illustrations explaining each symbol used, removing any confusion that would arise with text-based patterns (such as the US single crochet vs. the UK single crochet), and illustrated instructions for joining motifs.
The book is about the size of a standard magazine, so it fits neatly into my messenger bag. I’ll probably take this to a print shop to have the spine replaced with a spiral binding. $17.35 at Hakubundo.
For more on Japanese craft books and links with information on the symbols used, etc., please check out my earlier post on Japanese Craft Books.
by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and other ethnic/traditional knitting books, Donna gives an overview of specific techniques, motifs, and projects, and examples of how they are used. Unlike some other knitting books on ethnic traditions out there (including Knitting in the Old Way), 
