Saturday, June 16, 2007

Favorite Books

I thought I'd share some of my favorite knitting books today. I received my Ravelry invite yesterday (YAY!!) so I've been thinking about what I want to post there and what projects I might like to tackle next. Come say hello on Ravelry - you can find me under Saratogaknitting!

Greetings From Knit Cafe is one of my favorite books. I've already made the yummy soft baby blanket for my Swedish ex-aupair. But I have to admit, this is not a book I would ever have purchased for myself. I would have picked it up in the store and put it back down. However, thanks to Guido at It's a Purl Man podcast, I have it in my library after winning it as a prize! The photography is wonderful and the patterns very approachable. I always feel relaxed after sitting down for 15 minutes perusing this book!


I'll soon be picking up some yarn for this adorable baby sweater. It's knit side to side!




Favorite Socks is my latest purchase. I love socks, I love Interweave Knits, what's not to like? This should keep me in sock patterns for quite some time. And the book is spiral bound so it lies flat!

I think I'll try this pattern first!


Mason Dixon Knitting is just plain fun! I love to pick this up and just read a page or two! I haven't caught the dish cloth bug, but the log cabin concept really appeals to me!

This would be my luxury dream blanket. Someday . . .


Exquisite Little Knits is exactly that. It has lots of small projects, hats, scarves, shawls, etc. that use luxury yarn. This is a great book to pull a pattern from if you have one or two expensive or unique fiber skeins in your stash.

This is a fabulous shawl that is on my list!

Last Minute Knitted Gifts is also a recent purchase. I've taken this out of the library a few times and thought it was time to own it. I can see myself choosing many patterns from this book for Christmas gifts.

Should I take this on?

These will definitely be in my mother-in-law's stocking this year!

One finished sock! The second is rows away from being done. This really gives me a sense of accomplishment after spinning and knitting this yarn! Using the worsted weight for the cuff has worked out very well - no one would ever know!

Oh yes - I also splurged on a little Tofutsies! I think I might tackle Jaywalkers again with this yarn. I don't want to admit defeat on this pattern. I'll do them toe up and really take care to check the size often. That's what happened last time - they turned out to be JUST TOO TIGHT and I had to abandon them. I'm deteremined this time though . . .


Mark is off to Camp Chingachgook today to teach sailing! Does anyone have a camper attending this summer? Let me know!

8 comments:

Linda said...

I like your look at the books, the Knit Cafe one looks nice. Thank you for your commnet on my blog.x

Anonymous said...

Great collection. I've just ordered the I.K and am thinking about starting a chevron scarf too - just can't decide on the colour combination!

Holly Jo said...

I love, love the 25 favorite socks! Don't you just want to knit every sock in there?

I have heard sizing is an issue with Jaywalkers. Because it is mostly in stockinette?

knittingknirvana said...

We have a lot in common! I am currently knitting the chevron scarf and a log cabin baby blanket. And my friend is making the baby sweater for my little one. Interesting!

Love your sock. What a sense of accomplishment!

I'll be waiting for your thoughts on tofutsie (sp?). It has me intrigued.

Laura said...

Hah! I was amazed to see that 4 out of the 5 books you listed are MY favorite knitting books! Great minds and all that. The only one I am not familiar with is the Exquisite Knits book -- which I will immediately go check out! I would also add Melanie Falick's Weekend Knitting AND Holiday Knits as weel as Charlene Schurch's Sensational Socks. My next book purchase is More Sensational Socks. (If not Exquisite Knits!) Those books are a great reference for do-it-yourself sock knitting and design.

Unknown said...

Laura, now I'm going to go check out YOUR books!

Jknits said...

I was curious about the Knit Cafe book. Thanks for sharing your reviews!

catsmum said...

I just borrow the KnitCafe one from the Library every so often. Still haven't gotten around to knitting that side to side baby sweater, but it's on the list.
Btw if you like KnitCafe I would like to suggest that you check out Knit 2 Together: Tracy Ullman and ??? [ sorry can't remember the name and I'm too lazy to go check ]
It's very much in the same chatty vein with good patterns including THE most gorgeous HugMeTight