First, the facts:

Title: Little Women Knits

Author: Joanna Johnson

Illustrator: LaurelJohnson

Published by: Slate Falls Press, 2020

Pages: 48

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

No chapters, just the patterns

The In-Depth Look:

If you know Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, you probably have an image in your head of the four sisters, rambling about their Massachusetts home, doing what they can to stretch a penny while dealing with the challenges of growing up in each others’ pockets.

I sometimes think that the reason this is the best-known of Alcott’s stories is because we can all relate to the difficulty of growing up and figuring out who we are, while also feeling nostalgic about the past when things seemed, if not easier, at least more simple.

That is the vibe this pattern collection hits. When I say it’s not the most adventurous collection I’ve seen, that is in no way a complaint about the patterns. It’s more that they exude a sense of charm and a warm hominess.

The patterns here are a bundle of different types–shawls, socks, wraps, a sweater–meant to be cozy and comforting in a troubled time. Just like when the original Little Women took place during the Civil War (when things were anything but settled or secure), I think we all are longing for a sense of solidity and just want something warm to cuddle in while waiting for the world to make sense again.

Really, this collection couldn’t have come at a better time.

The designs are by Joanna Johnson, who always seems to find a creative way to capture the essence of her literary inspirations. (If you haven’t you should check out her Anne of Green Gables and Sherlock Holmes collections.) These patterns are not full of fancy stitches or complicated construction, but they are the kind of straight-forward comfort you get from a simple cup of cocoa on a cold day. Sometimes all you really want is the familiar instant kind with marshmallows you grew up with.

Sure the fancy homemade kind with heavy cream and melted chocolate can be luscious, but knitwear doesn’t have to be fancy and furbelowed to hit the spot any more than chocolate does. When you just want to snuggle into some wooly warmth on the couch, you want something soft that’s well-designed, like the shawl here that ties at the back–all warmth, no drama.

In addition to the reassuringly simple designs, we have lovely hand-drawn illustrations by Joanna’s talented daughter Laurel Johnson, as well as beautiful atmospheric photos by Christa Tippmann. The hand-dyed yarns which all look fabulous all come from Rachel Lundstrom.

All in all, this collection is like a warm hug–sweet, simple, and comforting.

I think Louisa May Alcott would be proud.

This review copy was kindly donated by Slate Falls Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Sweet and gentle; pure comfort.

Other posts for this author:

• Phoebe’s Sweater
• Freddie’s Blanket
• Phoebe’s Birthday
• Green Gables Knits
• Henry’s Hat
• Sherlock Knits

Title:Japanese Knitting Stitches from Tokyo’s Kazekobo Studio: A Dictionary of 200 Stitch Patterns by Yoko Hatta

Author:Yoko Hatta, (Translated by Cassandra Harada>

Published by: Tuttle Publishing, 2019

Pages: 128

Type: Stitch Dictionary

Title:Keiko Okamoto’s Japanese Knitting Stitches: A Stitch Dictionary with 150 Amazing Patterns

Author: Keiko Okamoto (Translated by Gayle Roehm)

Published by: Tuttle Publishing, 2019

Pages:144

Type: Stitch Dictionary

Both books do have basic Table of Contents, but they’re basically just laying out the techniques. It doesn’t seem strictly necessary to spell them out for you.

The In-Depth Look:

This is a two-fold review, if only because both books arrived at the same time from the same publisher and have so many similarities.

Both books are stitch dictionaries. Both are originally published in Japan (in 2012, I believe), and recently translated into English and published here. (Tuttle Publishing has a great “Books to Span the East and West” program.)

Yoko Hatta’s “Japanese Knitting Stitches” is primarily stitch patterns–200 of them, according to the cover. They’re beautifully photographed and well illustrated via really excellent graphs. The stitches make up about 3/4 of the book, with the back section explaining each symbol with a description of the what exactly you’re supposed to do with each symbol/stitch as you read the graph. There are a handful of project patterns at the back, but the only illustrations of them (so far as I can see) are tiny thumbnail-sized photos in the Table of Contents.

The other book, Keiko Okamoto’s “Japanese Knitting Stitches” is similar in that it is filled with stitch patterns–but they’re different. Rather than just being basic cable, lace or knit/purl patterns, these are a little more enthusiastic in their color and texture–stranded color and bobbles, and open-work. There are more elaborate projects included–only seven of them, but more intricately detailed and photographed. (That Nordic Coat is to die for!)

Both books are fantastic stitch dictionaries. Like all Japanese knitting books, they rely heavily on graphs–don’t expect elaborate written instructions–but how necessary is that, really?

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here

This review copy was kindly donated by Tuttle Publishing. Thank you!

My Gush: So many possibilities to play with!

 

First, the facts:

Title: Finger Knitting for Kids: Super Cute & Easy Things to Make

Author: Eriko Teranishi

Published by: Tuttle Publishing, 2019 (English Translation)

Pages: 63

Type: Knitting for kids

 

The In-Depth Look:

Such a fun book!

So, when I was about nine, I remember riding my bike around our neighborhood with a ball of yarn in the basket (because I’m old enough that my childhood bicycle had a basket). I would ride for a while, and then stop in the shade of a tree and pull out my ball of yarn and finger-chain for a while before getting bored and riding some more.

Because, just making an endless chain of yarn with my fingers was cool (making something with just my fingers!), but also kind of boring because, well, it was just a chain. What good was that?

I would have adored this book.

The whole point to this book is that it’s possible to actually MAKE things using your fingers and yarn and nothing else. How can you not love that?

The fact that the things being made are adorable just makes it that much better.

I think there’s a very specific age-group meant for this book, since when you get a little older, you want to actually use knitting needles and get a little more serious (if you’re me, at least), but as a way to start? Something to play with just using your native wit and the pretty yarn your Mom buys you?

Yeah. I still kind of adore this book.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Tuttle Publishing. Thank you!

My Gush: I would have absolutely adored this when I was a kid.

First, the facts:

Title: The Knitting Brigades of World War I: Volunteers for Victory in America and Abroad

Author: Holly Korda

Published by: Self-Published

Pages: 88

Type: History

Chapters:

The In-Depth Look:

1. The Great War: 1914-1918
2. Ramping Up for War
3. Calling All Volunteers
4. The Spirit of America
5. The Junior Red Cross
6. Central Park Knitting Bee
7. It Takes a Community
8. Tools for Home Front Knitters
9. Other Hone Front Efforts
10. An Ending–and a Beginning

You might not know this about me, but reading history is one of my favorite things. It gives me a way to connect to my past (using “my” in the broadest sense, there), and get a feel for how people used to live, what they did, how they survived, what events touched their lives.

When you combine that with knitting? Even better.

The Knitting Brigades of World War I explores how knitters mobilized 100 years ago to support their troops.

You’ve heard of this, right? The drive to “knit your bit” each day to help work toward a pair of socks or hat or sweater for shivering servicemen overseas?

Except, most of us think of WWII in the 1940s when we remember this. Really, though, this international obsession with knitting started earlier, in the 1910s when the Great War broke out.

Here are a couple statistics for you:

“More than 15 million pounds of wool were worked into garments and bandages by voluneers of ‘The Great Mother,’ as the Red Cross came to be known. When women knit, they knit necessities: 24 million articles for soldiers and sailors, 14 million items of hospital supplies, 6 million refugee garments, and some 300 million surgical dressings. Items included scarves, hats, socks, sweaters, and more. As the war progressed, there would be a shortage of yarn–and people would scorn anyone who might knit for themselves when needs abroad were so great.”

(Hard to think of that, isn’t it, when recreational knitting and yarn stashes are so popular?)

This isn’t a long book–just a tight 88 pages–but it’s filled with photos and details about the effort, mostly by women, but also by men and convalescing soldiers, to provide troops around the world with the basic necessities.

Nothing makes me happier than shining light on a historical event that is in danger of being forgotten. Thank you so much, Holly, for your detailed research!

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by the author. Thank you!

My Gush: Knitting, reading, and history–all in one place!

First, the facts:

Title: Coffeehouse Knits: Knitting Patterns and Essays with Robust Flavor

Editor: Kerry Bogert

Published by: Interweave Press, 2019

Pages: 143

Type: Knitting Patterns

Chapters:

No chapters, just patterns and four essays

The In-Depth Look:

This is an invigorating collection of knits clustered around a coffee theme–steamed milk, deep brews–and, more importantly, the idea of community that gathers in a coffee shop.

Knitting is one of those perfect crafts that works both on your own and with a group. (It’s best when that group is like-minded, though it’s not necessary. I’ve gotten through many boring family gatherings with my knitting to keep my hands busy.)

It’s just natural, then, that knitting and the world of coffee drinking go together, whether you’re grabbing that first cup before picking up the needles or gathering with your knitting friends to talk and swap patterns and tips.

How can you therefore not appreciate a collection with a coffee theme? The names are so evocative you can almost smell the sugar and caffeine in the air. Latte Swirl Sweater. Chai Latte Cowl. Breakfast Brioche Scarf. Extra Whip Socks.

I’m getting hungry just reading the table of contents.

The collection–with samples and photos that are usually largely coffee-colored–is as delicious as it sounds. Sweaters, cowls, shawls, socks … all the usual things you’d expect.

You can buy this at your local shop (if not an actual coffee shop), or here, at Amazon.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by . Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Top Down Shawls

Author: Jen Lucas

Published by: Martingale, 2018

Pages: 96

Type: Shawls

Chapters:

Wedge Shawls
Crescent Shawls
Half-Circle Shawls
Design Your Own Shawls

The In-Depth Look:

Adding to her series of books of beautiful shawls, Jen Lucas presents Top-Down Shawls.

The title is pretty self-explanatory–twelve lovely shawls, divided into three basic categories. There is a wedge shape (either a basic triangle or a combination of them), a crescent, or a half-circle.

All the patterns are nice and straight-forward. None of them seem pointed to a knitter looking for a challenging knit, but rather for one who wants something pretty to wear. That sounds a bit like a back-handed compliment, but I say this in the nicest way. They’re not patterns for showing off your knitting skills as much as there so that you have something actually to show. (What good is an elaborate, complicated shawl if it takes you two years to knit and never gets out of the house?)

There are four patterns for each of the basic shapes, and then my favorite part–the chapter on designing your own. (This, frankly, sounds like the author’s favorite chapter, too.) Here she breaks down the basic shapes and then provides a collection of basic lace stitches for you to insert as desired. Speaking as a person who loves options, I particularly appreciate this–there’s something very satisfying about being given a basic framework and set free to do what you want!

You can get this book at Amazon or at a local store.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Martingale. Thank you!

• Sock Yarn Shawls II
• Stunning Stitches

First, the facts:

Title: Gradient Style: Color-Shifting Techniques and Knitting Patterns

Editor: Kerry Bogert

Published by: Interweave Knits, 2018

Pages: 160

Type: Knitting patterns

Chapters:

Introduction
Getting Started
The Projects

The In-Depth Look:

I’ve always loved gradient yarns–the way the color flows from one shade to the next appeals to me. These days, there are so many talented dyers putting out such lovely color combinations, but it’s not always easy to find the right patterns to go with them.

This book addresses that.

To start, the book talks about how to choose and use gradients, whether that’s through putting together your own combination or using one commercially available. There’s a nice description of how to use the Color Wheel with all its hues and tones, compliments and analogous colors. There are suggestions for combining and using your own choices–should they be semi-solids? Speckled yarns? A mix of both?–as well as a discussion on how to blend the colors in your knitting. All useful information.

This is followed by nineteen patterns of various things you can knit with your gradients. There is the usual blend here–some sweaters, some scarves, some cowls, socks, even a pair of mittens. All of them (obviously) use gradients, sometimes set against a solid color, sometimes in blocks, sometimes as a fair isle style stranded color pattern.

Really, I’m never going to complain about patterns using color gradients.

You can get a copy of this book at your local shop or buy it here at Amazon.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Who doesn’t love gradients?

Are you still looking for some gifts for the knitters in your life? Here are some of the new books you might need to check out! (In no particular order.)

(And, please, if you’re thinking of buying any of these books, please consider using the links here at Knitting Scholar–I’ll get a couple dollars from Amazon.com to go toward the cost of this site. Hosting is expensive! My grateful thanks go with every order!)

First, the facts:

Title: 100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection

Published by: Interweave Knits

Pages: 512

Type: Pattern Collection

Chapters:

Hats & Socks
Scarves, Cowls, Shawls & Wraps
Cardigans
Pullovers
Tanks & Tees

The In-Depth Look:

Are you a fan of Interweave Knits magazine, or its sister publication, Knitscene? How about their books?

Because this book–full to the brim of 100 patterns–is a selection of their most popular recent patterns, along with their five most popular patterns of all time (as of publication, anyway).

This makes for a HUGE collection. Over 500 pages filled with all kinds of things to knit–hats and socks, wraps and sweaters of all descriptions. And all loved by countless knitters, because these were all selected by the number of people who have “liked” them or knitted them.

It’s an impressive list of patterns by an impressive list of designers. (The list of credits runs five pages.)

So, no, these aren’t new patterns, but there’s no question there are a lot of them, all good, all popular for a reason! It is well worth checking it out. You can order it here or get it at your favorite shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Wool Studio: The knit.wear Capsule Collection

Author: Meghan Babin

Published by: Interweave Press, 2018

Pages: 143

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

No chapters, just patterns

The In-Depth Look:

Wool Studio is (usually) a digital look-book collection by Interweave of (and I quote) “sophisticated, simple, and luxurious knitwear.” The idea is that you browse through each collection and buy the patterns you like.

According to this book’s introduction, though, “the premier of Volume 1 received an enthusaistic reception, but we also heard the feedback from all our ‘book people’ who wanted a print copy of their favorite new designs.”

This is their response–the first two volumes of Wool Studio in print.

(Yes, this means if you may already have some of these patterns, if you’ve bought them directly from Interweave.)

The design concept for the Wool Studio collections is centered around the “less is more” philosophy and it shows in these patterns. Clean lines with no fuss. The shapes are basic and, while there are stitch patterns and neckline details … because these patterns are not boring … they’re not frilly or fussy.

The designs are very modern, and very neutral. It would be easy to add any of them–the sweaters, scarves, wraps, any of it–to your wardrobe without skipping a beat. Because they’re fairly classic in style, they’ll fit with anything, no matter how funky or simple your wardrobe is. (And, of course, if you like color, you can knit these in any palate you like–nobody said “sophisticated” had to be “neutral.”

That said, this book includes 21 patterns by a stellar group of designers: Bristol Ivy, Emma Welford, Mary Anne Benedetto, Linda Marveng, Amy Gunderson, Sarah Solomon, Veronik Avery, Norah Gaughan, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Lana Jois, Amanda Bell, Andrea Babb, Susanna IC, Kephren Pritchett, Grace Akhrem, and Amanda Scheuzger.

According to the introduction, “Wool Studio is a slow fashion retreat–a place for reflection, simplicity, and clarity. We selected each of these designs with minimalism in mind, so that the process of making the projects–from selecting the yarn, to knitting, to wearing the finished piece for the season–is an experience that brings joy and serenity. Wool Studio is for those who pause for slow fashion.”

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press . Thank you!