60 Quick Knits

60 Quick Knits, newly published this spring by Sixth & Spring Books, is a 160-page knitting book dedicated to the very popular Cascade 220 yarn. The book contains patterns for twenty hats, twenty mitts, and twenty scarfs, with each pattern being suitable for every level of knitter. As I write this review, there are already, on Ravelry, a website dedicated to knitters and crocheters, close to 50,000 completed projects that have used Cascade 220 Wool. The yarn has a rating of 4.5/5 stars and is, at present, the most popular yarn on the site. The yarn is affordable, the yardage is good and the colours are many. The heathers alone are wonderful. And now there is a book written just for this yarn.

Laura and I always seem to have a small project on the go. Something quick to knit, one we can complete between our larger projects. When we were asked to review 60 Quick Knits, featuring Cacade 220, we were thrilled.

Flipping through the pages of the book we are pleased to see that there are many small projects that can be easily finished in a couple of days: fun kid animal mitts and hats with tiny pockets; masculine scarves and hats; and plenty of feminine mitts, scarves and hats.

The pattern that caught my eye is the smart Slip Stitched Hat, by Alexandra Tinsley. It's a pattern for a simple hat with a gartered brim and a body of fabric containing a collection of stitches which are worked in 8 rounds of knitting creating a vertical zig-zag pattern. Laura's favourite is the charming Starfish Hat, by Anne Farnham. Laura loves her bobbles and any left leaning/right leaning shaping she appreciates. But we both agree that there is one striped and ruffled wrap which is not a strong pattern. The fact that the model in the photo is wearing a floppy hat does not highlight the scarf well. Perhaps if the scarf were solid, if the ruffle were knit in stockinette and on much larger needles, the ruffle would flop and be airy instead of appear stiff and awkward, at which point the scarf might be salvageable.

The patterns feature different techniques for a beginning knitter and are interesting enough for experienced knitters. Cables, bobbles, reading a charts, and slipstitch colour work are classics and 60 Quick Knits covers the gamut. Learning different techniques on a smaller scale allows a beginning knitter to try something new on a projects that is attainable. The book features a project-rating meter that lets you know the skill level needed for each project. We have the Basket Weave Scarf for our readers to download. Simply e-mail us and we will post you a bette quality file.

We are surprised to see there are not any felting projects. Cascade 220 has proven an excellent and standard felting yarn. So, here are two free patterns (Ravelry links are here and here) for our readers to experience.

In sixty patterns we agree there are more than 3/4 worth knitting. Twiss & Weber recommend 60 Quick Knits.

-Tonia Weber

TwissAndWeber@gmail.com

New England Knits: Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist

A review by Lesley Buxton

New England-based knit designers Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre’s new book, New England Knits, is a classic collection of patterns inspired by the seasons of their home state. Knitters will enjoy slowly leafing through their work. Sadie Dayton has done a remarkable job on the photography. Her photos capture the fundamental nature of both the area and the colourful knitwear. In my opinion, it’s the attention spent on the luxuriant visual details that make all of Interweave Press’s books so special.

The twenty-five patterns that range from accessories such as hats and bags to cardigans and pullovers are divided into three themes: Around the Town, Fall on the Farm and Along the Coast. The designers consider their clothes transitional wear created for layering and the changing weather of their region. There are also creations featured by fellow New England designers Kate Gagnon Osborn, Kristen TenDyke, Cirilia Rose and Carrie Hoge.

In the past, I have been seduced by many beautiful knitting books that I have rarely used, but this definitely won’t be the case with this book. Indeed, I will probably have to make a list of all my projects. My favourite pattern by far was the Chelsea Skirt. I’ve been looking for a good skirt pattern for some time and haven’t found anything I’ve felt tempted by. Most were either too fussy or too bulky for my taste. However, Cecily Glowik MacDonald’s design has a slender line that I admire as well as a cheeky lace edge.

Another pattern that I’d like to make is Melissa LaBarre’s Montague Bulky Lace Vest. I thought it would be fantastic worn with a pair of jeans or a simple skirt. The lacework on the back is stunning. I love that it’s knitted on big needles. I enjoy the challenge of lacework but frequently get tired of working with small needles. This pattern will make a nice change.

I also like the Greenfield Cardigan. This is one of the simplest patterns of the collection, a top-down raglan cardigan. The leaf detail at the bottom of the piece is charming and I like the three-quarter length sleeves.

My only criticism of this book is that it offers very little for beginners. It’s definitely designed for the experienced knitter who knows his or her way around a pattern and enjoys the challenge of working with cables, lace or colour. I wouldn’t discourage a beginner from attempting a pattern like the Brattleboro Hat, but I would urge him or her to have the support of a more experienced knitter.

I’m certain this book would make an excellent addition to any knitter's library. This well-crafted collection has both practicality and style. I can’t wait to start knitting.

New England Knits: Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist

By Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre

published by Interweave Press
paperback, $24.95

Field Guide to Knitting

Though this little stitch dictionary by Jackie Pawlowski expects the reader to be familiar with the paraphernalia of knitting, it greatly encourages all knitters to experiment. Any knitter experienced in knit and purl stitches does not need another book with illustrated or photographed instructions of “how to knit and purl,” but the experienced and curious knitter does need Field Guide to Knitting, a concise, format-friendly book with clear instructions for complex designs.

With over 200 stitches—from the basics to lacework, cabling, and edging with photographed swatches— Field Guide to Knitting fits snuggly into any knitting bag. Though the sample photos are not beside each stitch, you will find the coloured plates smack in the middle of the book. Each grouping of stitches and patterns are not only separated by style of knitting, but also by coloured plates, which helps one imagine how a fabric can look.

Each stitch pattern is instructed with an “Other Name” of the stitch (international knitting patterns each have their own description); a “General Description” (what to expect from this pattern and how the fabric behaves); “Properties” of the stitch pattern (if the pattern is knittable in the round and/or horizontal and the pattern is gauged by “television watching friendly” or “you’ll need to concentrate”); “Yarn Consumption” (self-explanatory, considerate, and priceless information); “Suggested Uses” (needle size and end uses); the “Pattern” (not charted, but written); and, of course, the plate number to find the colour photo of the swatch.

For anyone interested in designing, I recommend this book as a reference tool. Much thought and time goes into each of your projects and Jackie Pawlowski saves you some of that time with this compilation of stitches. For only $15.95 pick this up for yourself or for your favorite knitter at your local independent bookstore.

Published by Quirk Books

-Laura Twiss

Twiss & Weber’s collaboration began when they met at Wabi Sabi, an Ottawa knit shop, in 2009 and discovered not only did they share a common background in fashion but they shared a goal, a desire to make smart, well-crafted patterns that are straightforward to understand and easy to knit.