Score!!

Oh yeah!  After a busy week with little knitting (Who am I kidding?  There was no knitting.), I finally scored some crafting stuff.  Seriously!

Cute crochet kit

First off, a cool crochet kit.   Isn't it neat?  There's enough yarn for one Beatle, but the book has patterns for all 4 Beatles in their early years AND patterns for the Sgt. Pepper versions (I know, right?).

Sgt. Pepper's version

Besides the kit, I got my hands on two knit books.  One is a book on children's top-down knits (check out some of the patterns over at Ravelry.com). By far, top-down is my fave way to construct a sweater.  There are some cute items (and I dare confess that I've photocopied a pattern or two in the past . . . ). The only drawback is that the photos in the book are all B&W--but that's a small drawback.

Book on top-down kids' knits

View of more patterns

The other book is a re-working of vintage knits (check out more over at Ravelry.com).  And while I might admire the patterns more so than make them, there a few accessories that caught my eye (scarves, a hat, bolero and 2 shrugs).  It'll be a neat addition to the crafting library.

Vintage Knitwear book

Circular knit vest/bolero

Cute bolero

At a dollar a pound, we made a steal!  In total my husband and I spent about $37.00 for over 25 books (including the crochet kit, 4 gardening books, half a dozen kid's books, quite a few paperbacks and over-sized hardcovers.  All the items had been donations from the local community).  Seriously, we scored big time!  And all the proceeds go to funding our local library (seeing as our provincial government has frozen current funding, local libraries need as much as they can get in the way of fund-raising.  See CBC news for more details).

Now I'm off to peruse my finds.  
Later,

Score!

Our local library held a book fair where books were a dollar a pound.  Many of the books had been donated from the local community. Hubby picked up quite a few cookbooks, and some novels from favorite authors.  

I found some items too.  Curious to try out some of the techniques in this how-to-watercolour book.

Instruction book on watercolour painting

I also found a couple of lovely gardening books, both of which were quite new.

Gardening books

The biggest score: knitting books!  Happy to have found a couple of knitting books.

Stitch dictionary and book on baby knits

There was a Harmony Guide stitch dictionary and one on vintage baby knits.  Hard to pass these up.  Excited to leaf through these this weekend.

At Long Last!

Finally!  I got my hands on that iconic and definitive tome on all things top down: Knitting From the Top by Barbara Walker.  I've been itching to own this book for ages!  It had been available in the US at Amazon.com for a number of years, but sadly "out of print" on the Canadian Amazon.ca (and I wasn't prepared to pay $200 plus for it).  So imagine my surprise when I saw it was available . . . and me with gift cards to spend!!  Oh joy!!

Walker's Knitting From the Top

I also ordered Ann Budd's collection of top down sweaters, but that hasn't arrived yet (part of my order shipped from Ontario and the rest came from British Columbia.).  The two will complement each other nicely: one focusing on theory and the other on patterns (for any size, any gauge and any yarn). 

Budd's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters

My other acquisition was the third collection of patterns from Wendy Bernard, Custom Knits: Accessories.  I've always liked Bernard's patterns and how she gives the knitters suggestions for modifying and customizing the pattern.  So it was a no-brainer for me. 

Bernard's Custom Knits Accessories

Happy inspirations!

Vacations and Homework and Books

Yup, its a mish-mash this week!  First off I'm on vacation.  You'd think I'd have loads of time knitting or crocheting.  Not so much.  Not even a little bit.  Instead I'm watching online lectures and reading my textbook in-between excursions to the beach and park with the kids (well at least I'm getting some fun time with the kids).  Instead of knitting and crocheting, I'm dragging along my textbook and binder.  At least my hard work is paying off: my first test mark was good--very good.  Not bad for an old broad working full-time, living on a farm and caring for her family.  I still has "smart-itude"!


At least I can spend my nights perusing some craft books I forgot to share.  Absolutely love Wendy Bernard's Custom Knits 2--well worth owning!  There are some cute patterns, but more important she addresses how to modify and change the pattern to suit size, age and even gender.

The other book I got was Shirley Paden's Knitwear Design Workshop.  Fair warning: there's a lot of math, but there's a lot of useful information about how to design your own sweater (based on your measurements and your swatches).  She starts with basic patterns and then teaches you how to modify and change the design.  My only complaint is that the book focuses on sweater pieces rather than knitting in the round.  Still, it is a useful primer.

I fear that for now my craft time is nil.  Maybe once I've finished my course at the end of August, I can squeeze in some knitting--at least until my next course starts in September!

Consolation

So to take my mind off the dreary weather, I started flipping through my knitting books and realized I never shared my newest acquisitions.  I bought three before the holidays from Crafters' Choice Book Club which--to my surprise--suddenly announced bankruptcy in early December (at least the Canadian division did.  To the best of my knowledge, the American division is still running although I haven't checked online).

My most favorite book is Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein (photos by Jared Flood whose work I've admired for a long time at his blog Brooklyn Tweed.  His patterns and photography are very beautiful and inspiring).

Knits Men Want

Hubby and I read through the book when it arrived and he tended to concur with most of the rules.  For him, most men don't really care about fashion; rather, their concern is comfort (at least in his circle of friends).  And those that do care about fashion have a different sense of style than most women.  Needless to say that most of the patterns in the book were deemed acceptable by dear hubby.

The big plus for me, however, is the multiple gauges offered for each pattern.  Wow!  I don't have to do math!  Yay!  

Since hubby doesn't "do" pullovers, I've got my eye on the simple cardigan pattern pictured below.  He did request a cardi made in a yarn that isn't itchy (I'm thinking an acrylic or acrylic-wool blend).

Men's Cardigan

Some day I'll make this.  Someday. ;)

Everyone Knows . . .

 . . . that I'm the "craft-girl".  It's normal to see me with needles or hook in hand during lunch.  I share with friends and family my FO and in-progress pics on Facebook.  And sometimes I get lucky enough to receive crafty gifts.

Case in point: Not too long ago, my boss cleaned out her office.  She came across a knitting book--and she doesn't knit (although she was an avid quilter at one point).  Naturally she thought of me and offered me the book.  I graciously accepted.

Most of the patterns are rather youthful and on the small side.  Other than hats, bags and scarves, there's not much that would fit me.  But I do have a niece.  Someday, she will be a tween and then a teenager.  Provided she'll still want to wear hand-crafted clothing, these patterns could prove useful.

Cute Tank Top

Besides, I really like the styling of the photographed items.  They're rather cute and I do so love the stylized cartoon girls sporting actual knitted garments (how'd they do that?). 

Funky Hat

And while we're on the topic of books, I'm eagerly awaiting a knitting book in the mail.  If I had more money, I'd purchase more books.  Honestly, can one ever have too many knitting books?  Me thinks not.  ;)

Belated Birthday Gifts

Remember my birthday?  Well, in celebration I had ordered a couple of books to add to my modest knitting library--and they arrived a couple of days ago!

One of my gifts to myself was The Sock Knitter's Workshop.  In one word: "Wow!". 

New How-To Sock Book

What a thorough guide to knitting socks--perhaps too much info for the newbie sock knitter (in my modest opinion, Ann Budd's book Getting Started Knitting Socks is by far the best sock book for the newbie).  Now that I have a few socks under my belt, I'm ready to experiment with different heel and toe constructions.  And there's plenty to explore with 5 different cast-ons (along with variants within), 3 main heel types (with at least 4-5 variations within each type) and 7 types of toes.  Although toe-up and circular knitting are discussed, the main focus is on top-down construction. 

For me, the big pluses are the ample illustrations and the various charts to help the knitter determine the stitch count for various foot sizes AND foot shapes (the latter of which I have not seen elsewhere). 

Lots of Colour Illustrations

My other book choice was The Essential Stitch Collection.  Published by Reader's Digest, it is a basic stitch dictionary with about 300 stitches divided into knit&purl, twists, cables, lace, bobbles&leaves, stranded&intarsia and the unusual (stitches that don't really fit into one category). 

New Stitch Collection

As I have no real stitch dictionary (other than what's in my handy dandy Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book), I think this collection could be useful for altering a pattern or maybe even creating my own design (hey, it could happen).

Lots of Colour Photos

I like a few things about the book, mainly the colour illustrations and the use of charts.  There are written instructions paired with the b&w charts.  Although small, the charts should be easy enough to enlarge on a photocopier; however, the more complicated stitches ONLY have charts.  For the time being, it will serve my needs.

And now, back to my knitting . . .  :)

Additions to Knitting Library

Finally received some knitting books in the mail (fulfulling my Craft Book Club obligations--hee, hee).  I'd been eyeing both books for a while mainly because I wear cardigans.  A lot of cardigans!  I'm not a big pullover person 'cuz they can be very hot (and not in a good way).  The cardi option lets me whip off that extra warm layer if I get overheated (the unfortunate consequence of working in an old, old building that probably dates back to early 1900s if not earlier).

The first book is Simple Style. 

All the garments focus on a single design element such as the overall shape, colour, finished edging or a stitch pattern.  I also appreciate the simplified finishing and there's a section on how to simplify one's knitting.  This book is published by Interweave, the same people who bring you Interweave Knits (although a beautiful and inspiring magazine, I often find the patterns a wee bit too challenging).  So everything is well organized with schematics and close-up photos and the sizes go up to 50" (but not on all garments).  Of the 19 patterns included, there are 2 skirts, 1 jumper, 1 wrap, 6 sweaters, 2 vests, 1 sleeveless t-shirt and 6 cardigans.  Almost all are pretty, but I especially love, love the cardigans.

And while I'd love to make many of the items in the book, I've got two faves that I love:

Kokopelli Jacket

Offset Raglan

As to when I would find the time to make these lovely items is a question I cannot answer.  Still, there was much inspiration and knitting love after browsing the book.

The same cannot be said for my second book, Knitted Jackets.

Interweave also printed this book.  Except for a handful of items, I found many of the jackets lacking in style: too boxy, shapeless and unattractive.  Out of the 20 patterns offered, I'd only make 4: the cover jacket pictured above along with the three pictured below.

Northest Celtic

The Wrapper

Box Top

Despite the numerous disappointing designs, the book was still worth purchasing just to own  the above patterns.  Let's face it: I'm no designer and the four designs above I absolutely love.  What would be the cost of purchasing only those 4 patterns?  More than the $10 I paid for the book.  So for me, it was money well spent (gotta love "buy one, get 2nd half-off" book club offer).

What's in your knitting library?