INTRODUCTION

Cool Stuff

by Claudia B. Manley, Kate Atherley, Lori Hamilton, Amy Sadler

SR [Finished chest measurement for sweaters] = the smallest chest measurement to the largest chest measurement we could find in the book. There may be only one pattern with the smallest or largest size, but it's in there.

Books are softcover unless noted otherwise.

We are provided with samples to review for free. We do not publish reviews of products that do not perform well in our testing. We are not paid to review any product.

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Trails & Valleys: Knitwear for Family Adventures
by Lindsey Fowler
Laine Publishing
SR: 16-107"
€36,50 hardcover/€33,50 digital download

Buy now from Laine

Lindsey Fowler said she was inspired to create a collection “that felt like campfire smoke, hiking boots, worn in canvas jackets and cozy cottages.” Trails & Valleys is just that. If you’re thinking about summer camping trips or visits to a lakeside cottage, these projects will have you hitting the trail in no time.

There are 14 patterns in this collection, ranging from accessories to sweaters. The sizes are numbered rather than divided by adult or children, underscoring the sense that these are patterns for the whole family, regardless of age or gender. There’s something for everyone here.

Most of the patterns are single-color designs with textured pops of cables or raised stitches. The Treeline Hat is one of the few patterns featuring colorwork, and it calls to mind the Peruvian chullo. The Camp Larkspur kerchief adds another contender to the small scarf/kerchief field, adding beautiful texture to the mix. The Cabin Games Hap is a clever multi-functional knit. Feeling a little chilly? Wrap yourself in it! Feeling a little bored? Lay it down and play checkers on it!

The patterns in Trails & Valleys have a comfortable, time-worn feel to them, like the sweater you always reach for when there’s a chill in the air. Yet Fowler manages to keep things interesting and fresh. Time to pack your camping knitting!

CBM

Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide No. 29: Mosaic
by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne, Designs by Amy Christoffers
SR: 36.5 – 70.25"
$9.95-$15.95

Buy now from Modern Daily Knitting

Full disclosure: Claudia writes a column for MDK but was not involved with the production of this book

Amy Christoffers Pressed Flowers mosaic-patterned shawl was published in 2020 and has spawned multiple variations that have firmly established themselves in the knitting queues of many. So, who better than Christoffers to design the patterns in Modern Daily Knitting’s latest Field Guide on the subject of mosaic knitting? The five patterns contained within explore both single- and multicolor mosaic knitting, providing projects for both the knitter new to this technique as well as those who’ve already happily explored it.

The Windowpane Cowl is the mosaic entry point, with a single-color project. The Waffle Pullover caught my eye with its easy yet refined sweatshirt vibes. There’s an Ocean Waves Cowl as well as complimentary mitts and wrist warmers. The final pattern is for the Floating Squares wrap, an ethereal rectangular knit in mohair silk.

The interview at the end of the publication gives knitters insight into Christoffers' love of mosaic knitting as well as advice for those new to this kind of colorwork. MDK Field Guide 29 is a great sampler of the possibilities of mosaic knitting.

CBM

The Spinner’s Blending Board Bible: From Woolen to (Nearly!) Worsted and Everything in Between
by Debbie Held
Stackpole Books
Price $32.95

Buy now from Bookshop.org or your local yarn shop

I am grateful to my friend Amy for inviting me to review Debbie Held’s The Spinner’s Blending Board Bible. As someone passionate about fibre arts (having jumped down the rabbit hole of spinning only four years ago), I was eager to explore its insights. This book is a wonderful blend of deep technical knowledge with an engaging, enjoyable reading experience. I have used a blending board to make rolags in the past and had fun in the process, but as I read The Spinner’s Blending Board Bible, I found myself wondering how I had even been spinning without this detailed knowledge, instruction, and inspiration! And now – I’m happily a little farther down the rabbit hole thanks to this fabulous resource.

One of the book’s strongest features is its instructional photography. The images don’t just illustrate the techniques, they are accompanied by well-thought-out and detailed explanations. It is clear that Held is passionate about educating spinners. She has given us a book that is exhaustive in the best way – overflowing with insights on not just getting the most out of your blending board but also valuable information on colour, fibre selection, and best practises for incorporating different types of fibre together to achieve a variety of effects and textures.

Debbie Held’s The Spinner’s Blending Board Bible is more than just an instructional guide—it’s an eye-opening read that transforms how you approach fibre blending. Whether you’re a seasoned spinner or just starting out, the knowledge in this book is invaluable. Held’s approach makes learning feel like an adventure, inviting spinners to embrace the process with curiosity and joy in the making.

LH

Notions Clutch
by Thread & Maple

Shown in Whiskey/Cream (above), Wine/Cream (below) – also available in Chocolate/Whiskey, Midnight/Denim and Black/Green
Length: 25cm/9.75inches
Width: 16cm/6.25 inches closed | 32cm/12.5 inches open
Depth: 3cm/1.25 inches)
$198CAD

Buy now from Thread & Maple

Thread & Maple, a Canadian women-owned small business, has been known for their high-quality covetable leather goods for crafters for many years now. The Notions Clutch takes the organization of your knitting tools to the next level. This small handsome leather portfolio comes with dedicated storage for scissors, a tape measure, darning needles, and more. There’s a loop where you can stash a circular needle. There are little pockets for notes as well as slots for writing implements or cable needles, and an embedded magnet in the top right interior corner gives your metal stitch markers somewhere to wait until you need them.

There’s a professional feel about this item; you are a knitter who takes their craft seriously. Rather than throwing your notions willy-nilly into your project bag, this gives you a place to stash them, with respect. This clutch honors your tools. At 9.75” x 6.5” closed, it is not a small item, but I don’t think it’s meant to be hidden. If you want it to fold flat, I recommend you choose a slim tape measure; the one available through Thread & Maple, while attractive and made for the slot, is almost an inch thick.

Available in five different colorways, in leather that is designed to age well, consider this clutch an outward demonstration of the thoughtfulness with which you approach your knitting.

CBM

Fibre magazine
$39.95CAD
SR: 74cm – 166cm

Buy now from Fibre magazine

It’s always exciting to encounter a print magazine dedicated to the fibre arts, and one with a focus on knitting and crochet is a bonus. Fibre describes itself as “a Canadian independent bookazine dedicated to fibre arts.” Although not explicitly stated, its focus is solidly on the Quebec fibre and maker scene.

Issue 5 centers around the theme of boldness and dedicates a considerable amount of space to the designer Francine Vandelac with both an interview and a feature detailing her extensive history and contribution to knitwear in fashion. Other articles include one on why wool can be itchy (which includes an experiment using the wool of Quebec-specific breeds), an article about ergonomic products designed to relieve back and neck strain, and a section highlighting products of interest such as knitting-specific jewelry featuring stitch markers and button-alternative fasteners for knitwear.

Each issue features three “unreleased” (available only in the magazine) patterns by French-Canadian designers. Issue 5 offers a crochet top, a short-sleeved vintage-inspired knit top, and a knit shawl. In addition to the patterns, each designer is profiled and interviewed, giving the reader a sense of their background and design inspiration.

Printed on high-quality sustainable and eco-friendly paper stock with a clear and modern design aesthetic, Fibre comes out three times a year in English and French versions (note: the first three issues are available in French only). If you’re looking for an engaging knitting lifestyle magazine that focuses on a lesser-known fibre scene, this magazine could be just what you’re looking for.

CBM

Fair Isle Fashion Knits: 17 Top-Down Designs in Allover Stranded Colorwork Patterns
by Andrea Brauneis
Stackpole Books
$26.95
SR: 33.5 – 56.75"

Buy now from Bookshop.org or your local yarn shop

While there has been no lack of pattern books featuring fair isle knitting (many of which we’ve reviewed in these pages), the possibilities available with this kind of colorwork have yet to be exhausted. Fair Isle Fashion Knits by Andrea Brauneis offers an array of fashion-forward patterns. No need to stick to a traditional vest or sweater, Brauneis provides multiple opportunities to create new and unexpected garments featuring allover colorwork.

The 17 patterns contained herein are designed for women and predominantly feature pullover sweaters. There are no hats, mitts, or cowls, but the collection does also include an oversized vest, a couple of jackets/cardigans, and a dress. Brauneis not only updates the designs with elements such as balloon and batwing sleeves, raglan shaping stripes, and streamlined silhouettes, she frequently adds silk mohair to the patterns for an additional appeal.

The book starts with a basics section that includes instructions for German short rows, Italian bind-off, and an applied I-cord bind off. One of the few drawbacks of this collection is that the size range is not very extensive, and a few of the patterns come in only one size. Despite this, Fair Isle Fashion Knits provides ample opportunity to expand what we imagine when we think of fair isle knitting.

CBM

Mini Interchangeable Square Needles kit
by Kollage

Full Interchangeable Kit includes: 
5.5" charcoal gray tips in US 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10/3.5, 3.75, 4.9, 4.5, 5.0 mm;
interchangeable firm cables in 24, 32, 40"/ 61, 81, 101cm lengths; 1 set of interchangeable cable stoppers; interchangeable quick release tool; one zippered soft-shell pouch.
MSRP $170CAD

Kollage Interchangeable Kits come in a variety of needle lengths, number of needle tips and other options.

Buy now from Kollage or your local yarn store

If you’re not familiar with the square metal needles made by Kollage, they are definitely worth a look. They are indeed square, and many knitters report finding them more comfortable to hold, and that reduce their hand strain. The distinct shape shifts slightly how you hold the needles as you are working – just enough to change how you are using your hand muscles. This can shift your gauge somewhat. I find myself knitting a smidge looser with them.

They’ve made straight needles, DPNs and fixed circular needles for a long time. This is their first foray into an interchangeable set. There are two combinations available: a full set with needle tips from US #2/2.75mm to US #11/8mm, and a mini set with needles tips from US #4/3.5mm to US #10/6mm. Both offer two choices of needle tip length – 3.5 inch/9 cm or 5 inch/12.5cm, and two types of cord – firm and soft; the firm is excellent for standard working in the round, and the soft cords ideal for magic loop purposes. For review purposes, Kollage sent a spare set of soft cables along with this set so we could test both.

You can buy other cord lengths indivdually: from 9 inch/23 cm to 50 inch/120 cm. Note that in this case, these are the cord lengths, not the length of the needle you can make with them. (Labelling on this can be a bit confusing.)

Other than the shape of the needles, of course, the key difference between this set and other brands is the join – both how it works and how you attach it. Rather than just screwing them together, the cords clip into the needles, using a tool to make sure they snap together and don’t loosen. It took me a minute or two to figure out with the help of the instructions – there’s also a video – and then I got it. It makes for a smooth and very secure join, and in my testing there’s been no worry about it coming loose or undone. The “interchangeable tool” (see below) includes a mini LED light and magnifying glass. I was initially a bit worried about this, as it seemed like this might be indication of something that was difficult to use, but quite the opposite – it’s very easy to use, and those additions are very sensible for aging eyes or those of us with not-great eyesight or who knit in front of the tv in lower-light conditions.

 
The sets are nicely packaged, with extra slots available for additional cords and needle tips, which can be purchased separately.
 
Also very important to note: the needles are made in Canada, by a Canadian company. Kollage is wholly owned by Career Services, which is both a business and service dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment, which began in the 1970s as a path to employment for disabled adults in Canada.

KA

As a neurodivergent knitter, I found the Kollage square interchangeable needles took some getting used to, but this isn't unexpected since I find everything sensory based to be a bit more intense than a neurotypical knitter would. I adapted quickly but did find myself stopping to readjust my hand position from time to time. I also found that I knit a bit more slowly. I see that Kate's gauge was looser, but I knitted pretty much to my usual gauge. My greatest surprise was that my stitches in the stockinette fabric were super-even looking in a way I don't get with round needles! It was a very pleasing result!

I liked the matte-finish aluminum the needles are made from and found the tips sufficiently pointy to work well with the non-wool fibers I use (usually plants, sometimes blended with silk). I would love to see the sizes engraved into the needle tips, rather than printed on, just for extra durabilty. My knitting slid along the needles easily.

In my testing, one tip came loose one time. The instructions say to open up the little pointed clippy ends (move them away from each other) after each use, and I hadn't done that. When you do open them up (and they do this easily), I found they stayed well fixed to the tips. Using the magnifier/tweezer to release the tips from the cords was no problem.

One thing I was really curious about was what "firm" and "soft" means when talking about the Kollage cables. The firm cable is pretty much what we've come to expect from modern interchangeable cables: firm without holding a crimp. The soft cable was like an unbreakable spaghetti noodle. Very very floppy. It would be great for a magic loop knitter, but for me, it didn't suit my knitting style. I preferred the firm.

If you're neurodivergent and haven't yet tried square needles, I'd recommend buying one set of Kollage fixed circs (or a single set of tips and a firm or soft cable) and see if you like working with them. If you do, then any configuration of Kollage Interchangeable Square Needle sets are a great addition to your toolkit! And if you want to add a smaller selection of these interchangeables, check out Kollage's website, where you'll find a variety of needle lengths and sizes in different kits, as well as DPNs, fixed circulars, and all possible accessories including cases. You can make your own custom set!

AS

Colour 3.5" interchangeable needle starter set
by Lykke

Contains 5 pairs of tips sizes US 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5mm; cords for 16, 20, 24"/40, 60, 80cm long circulars, 2 connectors, 2 tightening keys, 4 stoppers

MSRP $80
Also available with 5" long tips: MSRP $110

Buy now from a yarn store near you

A tidy little set of interchangeable needles from Lykke. If you like short-tip wooden needles, you will love these. Like all Lykke needles, they’re made of a beautifully finished wood, light and smooth but not too slippery. The set I tested is in multiple colors. Each needle size is a distinct color, which I find very handy, but they also offer the same set in a variety of color options like Blush, Indigo, Cypra, and others.

This mini set includes 3.5 inch/9 cm long needles in sizes US #3/3.25mm to US #7/5.4mm, plus cords to make needles 16 inches/40 cm, 20 inches/50 cm and 24 inches/60 cm long. The cords included are firm, so they're not suitable for magic looping. These lengths are perfect for narrower projects like hats, scarves, cowls, sleeves, and kids’ garments.  There are two connectors included which allow you to join two cords together to make a longer cable if you need one. The case for this set is compact, without room for additional tips or cords.
 
The join is a classic screw-in, good and smooth, You use the metal pins to help tighten the connection and, in my testing, it held firm.
 
The company offers a huge variety of interchangeable needle sets. You will absolutely be able to find one that offers the needle size, tip length, and cord lengths you need and in the colors and type of case you want, too. Like many brands, sock-sizes aren’t available in the interchangeable sets, though. And all sets come with a 5-year guarantee against manufacturing defects.

If you enjoy working with wooden needles, Lykke's wooden needles are just about the best you can find.

KA

Tsundoku

curated by CBM

Tsundoku is a Japanese word that describes the acquisition of books one may or may not read in the future. There are so many great crafting books coming out, and we hope by providing a snapshot of some of these titles, your curiosity will be piqued.