Even at it’s most industrial stage, yarn is beautiful.
Time to finish up my explanations of my 10 useful books list - Useful book #7: Knitting from the Netherlands, Traditional Dutch Fishermen’s Sweaters by Henriette Van Der Klift-Tellegen is a beautiful little gem filled with real Dutch fisherman in their utilitarian and gorgeous pullovers. I learned a lot about both simplicity and detailing from this lovely little volume.
#8, The Vogue Knitting Book is jam packed with all sorts of useful information about casting on and casting off in ways you never imagined – about sewing together and detailing, and designing, and so on and so on. It’s simply a must.
#9 & #10 are more stitch dictionaries. The New Knitting Stitch Library by Leslie Stanfield has a pictorial index of the stitches in the front for quick reference – I love that! It’s also got a lot of nice patterns that I suspect Leslie made up herself, as they can’t be found elsewhere. The Pingouin Stitch Dictionary is an old standby that has undergone many reversions over the years. I have a soft spot for the edition from the mid-seventies, since it was my one of my first knitting books (after Knitting Without Tears, of course).
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February 6, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Miss Scarlett
That is a really cool photo.
February 7, 2008 at 12:30 am
bluepeninsula
Great photo!
I like the Stanfield book, too. Not only for the stitch patterns that other books don’t have, but also because they’re knit up in cream-colored yarns so you can clearly see the patterns, and–best of all–they’re charted!
February 7, 2008 at 10:25 pm
jeni
Lovely shot – great sense of rhythm.
February 13, 2008 at 3:40 am
Babs
Hi Nora,
I know you’re a busy girl, but I was wondering if you could help me with where I can find one of your patterns … saw it on Vogue Knitting’s site under Sweater Map, it was a long cobalt jacket with a godet and I LOVED it, (not as much as the beet, though, I just can’t wear that…or maybe I can??!)
Anyway, can I get my hands on the pattern, and the picture?The website is still up (http://www.vogueknitting.com/vkm/?q=node/138) but the picture is no longer linked and I can’t find it anywhere..I need to show it to my mom/knitting mentor before she’ll agree to help me…
Thanks for all that you do, your designs inspire!
February 13, 2008 at 5:28 pm
norahgaughan
Babs – the sweater you are wanting was in the 25th anniversary issue of VK – the fall issue – here’s a link to a photo on our site http://www.berroco.com/knitbits/knitbits_196_hop.html
February 14, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Arlene
Why are most of berrocco patterns not sized for those of is who need larger than 48″ bust.. Grid for example, 48″ finished bust is too small. I wear a 48 bra, so I need larger. Please tell us how to size up. Also, iknit American style, but wish to learn continental. What book is recommened as best.
Thanks
February 15, 2008 at 4:30 pm
traceysolomon
Great shot… but=- when I first clicked… I saw eyeballs…..:0
February 15, 2008 at 7:08 pm
norahgaughan
Arlene – Most of the Berroco pattern are sized to bust 52- 54″. Grid is an exception and I don’t know why it isn’t sized larger. Perhaps it’s because we started smaller. We do get complaints about patterns not going small enough too. When we size up it’s not a simple matter, some width is put in the armhole, some in the shoulder, some in the neck and of course the sleeve must be changed accordingly.
We have thought of putting together a collection pieces from our free patterns, sized in the next 2-4 sizes only. Perhaps you have suggestions for pieces we should include. (I’ll put Grid on the list).
I don’t know of a book written to teach continental knitting but I am sure a search on line would produce many good books and web instructions as well.
February 18, 2008 at 10:47 pm
nephele
Is it just me? Viewed head on like that they kind of look like eyeballs.