My mission for the next bit is to do some reading and learning. I also plan to get some ‘official’ knitting credentials on my resume starting with the CYCA certified knitting instructors program. With that in mind the following books have been procured and added to my library..
I had planned to buy The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn by Clara Parkes (of Knitter’s Review fame) at Rhinebeck, and get her to sign my copy. That carefully thought out plan was thwarted by the publisher when they offered me a review copy. Now who am I to turn down a free knitting book? So rather than a signed copy, Clara, also agreeing that no one should turn down a free book, kindly signed the back of my Blogger Bingo card, so I might paste the sentiments into the book when it arrived. I planned, sight unseen to keep this book forever.. and now that I have it… not even the temptation of 10 pounds of qiviut could pry it from my hands.. er.. well.. I don’t think so. A full review later. Lets just say I am devouring this book quite in the same manner my children are devouring their Halloween candy!
Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop, if my brain looked skinny before reading this book, it has gained about 10 pounds after getting through about 1/2 of it. I have learned so much from this book and I think that even dedicated loom knitters would benefit from this one! So if you are at the library and they have it check it out!
This one hasn’t hit my mailbox yet so it is not in the pile but I thought No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights by Amy Singer, was a must have! I made a trade for this one on Ravelry, and look forward to learning a bit more about these non-wool fibers, though this book might be a bit redundant after reading the Yarn book.
Barbara Walker’s Knitting from the Top has been tauted as a must read. I will be looking at this one carefully, and seeing how knitting from the top can best be applied to looms!
A beautiful volume fit for the coffee table is the book Unexpected Knitting Debbie New nudges the creative side of knitting in this book, which includes a knitted lace BOAT!! yes.. you heard me right, a knitted boat! (and yes it floats!)
Modular knitting is demystified in Dazzling Knits: Building Blocks to Creative Knitting by Patricia Werner, I am hoping that I can wipe de-mist from my brain and learn some of these techniques!
Another review copy came along with the Clara’s book,Kaffe Knits Again: 24 Original Designs Updated for Today’s Knittersthis book is gorgeous! Another coffee table book for knitters! I had to immediately look up the location where the photos were taken.. and sigh… it is in England.. Anyway a full review on this one later too!
I also recently added Marla Richard’s Knitting Board Book to my library as well. This is a great little volume for loom and board knitters. Great instructions on many of those ‘fancy’ stitch patterns like cables, and ripples and lace and all for knitters who balk at needles!!
An old classic Mary Thomas’s Book of Knitting Patterns is another great one to wade through slowly.. trying EVERYTHING out as you go. The organization of this book is so well thought out, each technique is explained, then built on I have barely had time to touch the surface of this one and plan to have a whole lot of swatches by the time I am done with it!
And what knitter doesn’t need a little know how with a hook? Crocheting School: A Complete Course should help with that, but I think I might just pick up a crochet class at the local Joann’s as well.
Last but certainly not least, the DVD A Knitting GlossaryI picked this up at Rhinebeck as you know, and it is very much worth every penny and more! Not really an item for new knitters, but if you are in the advanced beginner, or intermediate level, then you will want to add this to your Christmas list! I am surely glad I picked this one up!
I will have to share some of my other goals tomorrow.. let the learning commence!
