Again, blocking did its magic. The wrap is done and it turned out to be just the way I wanted it to be. Makes me happy – can you tell?
Even more important, I am ready to move on to the next level, that is to say: move on to a more complicated pattern (once I have finished all else …). Looks like the „lace bug“ finally bit me!
Very soon, I get to go to Illinois. Too late for the YarnCon 2014 but still: a good week southwest of Chicago and then 4 days in the Windy City!
Yes – I am excited and I have two questions for you:
(1) Would you know whether I am allowed to bring (circular) knitting needles on board when flying United Airlines?
(2) Where would I go in Chicago in terms of „yarn“ (cafés, stores, guild …)
What else is new? I have almost finished the lacy wrap for my host – maybe another inch or two – and will block it tonight. I wanted to give her something that’s nice to have in summer over a dress or a t-shirt and useful in winter (has any winter ever been that cold and long in IL before??), wrapped around neck and shoulders. This is it:
It looks like a bug’s parade to me on that picture, crawling north.
Oh yes, I am excited to go …
Sometimes, skimming through a book is like travelling the world, picking up new experiences every time you turn a page. Seriously, when getting my hands on a copy of (the German version of) Knitting Hats & Mittens from around the World (Voyageur Press) the photos made me long for the faraway.
The books 34 patterns cover an awesome variety of traditional knitting techniques from lace to braiding, from Scandinavia to Central Europe, Asia, South America, New Zealand … including knitting customs and history. You’ll find a French beret as well as a Peruvian Ch’ullo, the Greek fishermen’s hat next to a Finnish hat named after their sun goddess Päivätär, a Japanese Sashiko and an American Fenceline hat, just to mention a few. I particularly like the twisted rope cables, a pattern based on Maori tribal creation myths and pretty much all of the two-color designs. Most of the hats come with matching mittens or gloves.
Each pattern covers several pages with written instructions, charts, and extra notes that seem to be elaborate and according to custom.
However, when surfing the net I happened to read a rather critical review that should not be overread. So I gave the book a closer look. Unfortunately, most complaints are true for the translated (German) patterns as well: not all of them are correct, charts are missing, and mitten seizes are weird. However, there is an (English) errata list on the publisher’s homepage for the Min Ulla hat, the Greek Fisherman’s hat, and the Aran Islands hat. (Thank you!).
Nevertheless, some of the patterns look highly complicated to me, long-winded and awkward. To find out whether this is actually true I decided to knit the French lacy fingerless gloves („Französische fingerlose Handschuhe“ p.69). I had to start over once after rereading the pattern, but that is me: I tend to be confused if a pattern exceeds two pages. However, so far I am doing good with my 2nd attempt and I am perfectly happy with the outcome. The lacy part is an easy 6-row-repeat that looks spectacular und the medium size instructions work very well for me.
Summing up, I would still recommend the book, if only to experienced knitters or as a source of inspiration for any armchair tourist.
A little bit about my choice of yarn: „Wannsee by schoenstricken“ is a beautiful, luxuriously soft, 100% cashmere yarn, very nice to work with, while perfectly showing off the lacy pattern. Its color fuchsia isn’t even for sale (yet) – Jessica gave it to me for testing purposes. So far, I have used one ball (25gr., 115m) wth both fingerless gloves being done, except for the thumbs. Definitly a must buy :).
The book was not sent to me for review. I didn’t receive any financial compensation for what I wrote. Opinions stated are my own.
It is done. Finally! With too many WIPs on my needles this took waaaaay too long to finish. But it does look nice: all these colored bobbles, the simple green edging, very „spring“ – even the back side is pretty. I will mail it to Washington tomorrow. Supposedly, it is still winter over there …
The publisher (Edition Fischer) was nice enough to send me a (German) copy of Kat Goldin’s Crochet at Play. A book packed with ingenious and lovely – still practical – garments as well as cheerful accessories for babies and kindergartners. A book you’ll instantly want to flip through – if only to admire the beautiful color photos.
There are four sections of different patterns: (1) Head and Shoulders, (2) Fingers, Knees, and Toes, (3) the Whole Self, and (4) the Play Room. They feature a total of 30 cute cool projects. Even J was tempted to ask for the Dandy Veste (Dandy-Weste, p. 93) and that’s saying something!
My favorite in the 1st section is clearly the Acorn Hat (Eichelhut, p. 19); the Beastie Feet Slippers (Tatzen-Schuhe, p. 59) in the 2nd section are adorable dangerous, and the Rainbow Dress (Regenbogen-Oberteil, p. 97) in section 3 is as simple as it is ravishing.
Plus, there is a lot of valuable general information on how to get started, including techniques and basic stitches. At the same time, skill levels are given for each pattern, as well as measurements and – of course – written instructions. I assume that even crochet novices should have no problem crocheting any pattern flagged as „beginner.“
To me, there is no reviewing a crochet (or knitting) book without having a go at (at least) one of its patterns. Hence, I tried the cutest sleeping bag ever: the Mermaid Tail Sleep Sack. Actually, I am no huge fan of mermaids so I rather refer to it as a fish tail. Be it as it may: the pattern is easy to follow, clear and complete, it took me less than a weekend to make it, and the outcome is fabulous. 
The only thing I did not according to the pattern: I chose a different yarn. Bingo by Filace, a cashmere (50%) / wool blend (colorway Bahamas) that was pure joy to work with. It has a linen feel to it that I thought would work better for a summer baby’s sleep sack than the yarn recommended in the book.
To conclude there is a small video on youtube promoting the book:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgPi11tZKtI]
The book was not sent to me for review. I didn’t receive any financial compensation for what I wrote. Opinions stated are my own.