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Book Reviews
One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit & Crochet is
a very fun book written by Portland’s own Leigh
Radford, who also brought us Alterknits. Those of us
who fantasize we will have all of our Christmas gifts
made between now and Dec. 24th need this book!
The majority of the patterns are (of course) meant to
be made with one skein of yarn, sometimes this is a
very large skein of yarn, but the last chapter is full of
patterns for using up your stash. Did I already say I
love this book? Who can resist the little petal bib
made out of Rowan Handknit DK or the Baby Bolero
(also appropriate for a teddy bear) from one skein of
Blue Sky Organic Cotton? Feel like felting? How
about the clutch bag from one skein of Lamb’s Pride
Bulky or the felted bowls? (I’m feeling giddy…I have
all of these yarns in my stash!) The Koigu Fingerless
Mitts are calling to me, but will they come before or
after the Blue Sky Cabled Scarf or the Kidsilk Haze
Silk Sleeves (think leg warmers on another
appendage)? I’m feeling faint…will I have time to
learn to crochet so that I can make the geometric
accessory bags? Oh my, do you think Jami will make
all employees wear the “be still my beating heart”
Pom-Pom Boa?
a very fun book written by Portland’s own Leigh
Radford, who also brought us Alterknits. Those of us
who fantasize we will have all of our Christmas gifts
made between now and Dec. 24th need this book!
The majority of the patterns are (of course) meant to
be made with one skein of yarn, sometimes this is a
very large skein of yarn, but the last chapter is full of
patterns for using up your stash. Did I already say I
love this book? Who can resist the little petal bib
made out of Rowan Handknit DK or the Baby Bolero
(also appropriate for a teddy bear) from one skein of
Blue Sky Organic Cotton? Feel like felting? How
about the clutch bag from one skein of Lamb’s Pride
Bulky or the felted bowls? (I’m feeling giddy…I have
all of these yarns in my stash!) The Koigu Fingerless
Mitts are calling to me, but will they come before or
after the Blue Sky Cabled Scarf or the Kidsilk Haze
Silk Sleeves (think leg warmers on another
appendage)? I’m feeling faint…will I have time to
learn to crochet so that I can make the geometric
accessory bags? Oh my, do you think Jami will make
all employees wear the “be still my beating heart”
Pom-Pom Boa?
I know I sounded like I was drooling about the last
book, so when I try to explain Mason-Dixon Knitting
I may end up speaking gibberish. Kay Gardiner and
Ann Shayne met online through a Rowan knitter’s
group. Kay is from Manhattan and Ann lives in
Nashville, Tennessee. Eventually these two began a
blog where they corresponded and shared knitting
ideas. One of Mason-Dixon’s subtitles is: Stories,
Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers,
Jokes and Pictures. That pretty much sums up what’s
included in this Must-Have book. I admit I stole Jami’s
advance copy and have only been able to share it
briefly on occasion with other Knitting Bee employees
so that they can get insight into my latest obsession. I
laughed my way through this book, while needing to
share snippets of it with my husband who tried to
show appropriate enthusiasm. Not only will you enjoy
the witty repartee between these women, you can also
appreciate the wide range of great pattern ideas. Many
of the patterns are accessories for your home (because
your home will never tell you something doesn’t fit
right!) but there are a few wearables included as well.
Who knew I could seriously consider knitting a
matching robe and nightie made from Euroflax Linen?
The one piece Baby Kimono should be a snap to whip
up! For all of you quilters or quilt lovers, there are
some gorgeous designs in here. I had to start the Log
Cabin Baby Blanket as my first project. This book is
written by two very real women, who’ve made plenty
of knitting mistakes, who live real lives with small
children and other familiar life forms. This is a book
you will want to read, share, laugh through, and then
read again, and in the end you will end up with lots of
ideas and feel like you’ve been given plenty of
encouragement to try these ideas and some of your
own. Did I say share? Strike that part.
Special thanks to Tanya Patterson for contributing this
issue’s book reviews.
book, so when I try to explain Mason-Dixon Knitting
I may end up speaking gibberish. Kay Gardiner and
Ann Shayne met online through a Rowan knitter’s
group. Kay is from Manhattan and Ann lives in
Nashville, Tennessee. Eventually these two began a
blog where they corresponded and shared knitting
ideas. One of Mason-Dixon’s subtitles is: Stories,
Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers,
Jokes and Pictures. That pretty much sums up what’s
included in this Must-Have book. I admit I stole Jami’s
advance copy and have only been able to share it
briefly on occasion with other Knitting Bee employees
so that they can get insight into my latest obsession. I
laughed my way through this book, while needing to
share snippets of it with my husband who tried to
show appropriate enthusiasm. Not only will you enjoy
the witty repartee between these women, you can also
appreciate the wide range of great pattern ideas. Many
of the patterns are accessories for your home (because
your home will never tell you something doesn’t fit
right!) but there are a few wearables included as well.
Who knew I could seriously consider knitting a
matching robe and nightie made from Euroflax Linen?
The one piece Baby Kimono should be a snap to whip
up! For all of you quilters or quilt lovers, there are
some gorgeous designs in here. I had to start the Log
Cabin Baby Blanket as my first project. This book is
written by two very real women, who’ve made plenty
of knitting mistakes, who live real lives with small
children and other familiar life forms. This is a book
you will want to read, share, laugh through, and then
read again, and in the end you will end up with lots of
ideas and feel like you’ve been given plenty of
encouragement to try these ideas and some of your
own. Did I say share? Strike that part.
Special thanks to Tanya Patterson for contributing this
issue’s book reviews.