by Jillian Moreno, Amy R Singer, Carla Kohoyda-Inglis, Kate Atherley

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. All prices USD unless noted.

Jump to... Quick Picks • New in Paperback • Spinning

Nature's Wrapture: Contemporary Knitted Shawls
by Cheryl Thies
Martingale Press
$24.99

20 shawl patterns inspired by the sights, sounds and colors of nature. I expected most of patterns in the book to be of the triangular shawl type, but I was excited to see a big assortment of shapes and styles of wraps. I am smitten with the triangular shaw,l Heavy Rain, with a stitch depiction of rain drops on a ground of reverse stockinette, and beads dripping off of the edge – original and lovely, and not difficult.

Big knitterly smiles for stitch patterns both charted and written out, and for providing any extra techniques needed in a pattern, like YO at the Beginning of a Row, as part of the pattern, complete with an illustration of the technique.

JM

Knitting 24/7: 30 Projects to Knit, Wear, and Enjoy, On the Go and Around the Clock
by Véronik Avery
Stewart, Tabori and Chang
$21.95
SR=32-52

Veronik Avery has incomparable and unique style. Her patterns are easy to spot -- usually a garment that at first glance may look simple, but something makes you take that second look. And then you see it, a twist, a refinement, a depth that you weren’t expecting that is utterly charming. 

In her new book Véronik turns her skill to projects that are smaller, easy to carry along, easy to fit into your knitterly wardrobe and lifestyle. Hats, wraps, a shawl to die for, socks, mitts, slippers and a few garments with as much style and substance as her most complex sweaters. Already in my queue are Travel Shawl,  Pinstripe Slouch Hat and Lacy Cabled Socks.

JM

How to Knit a Love Song: A Cypress Hollow Yarn
by Rachael Herron
Avon A
$13.99

I can't remember the last time I read a romance novel, but I can tell you that I picked this one up specifically because the author has been a blog friend for many years. I watched her write about writing the book in November 2006. Then she got an agent. And in November 2008, her book was signed by a major publisher. So yup, in the interest of full disclosure and all that, I wanted Rachel's book to be good.

Rachel's book is good. It's a juicy romance, full of rather hot, blush-inducing love scenes, and -- most importantly -- knitting. Now lots of people can throw knitting into a novel and end up with something that looks like a sweater where the knitter didn't bother with a gauge swatch: it doesn't fit. In this book, the knitting BELONGS. It brings life to the book, and makes it resonate with us fibery people in a way no previous knitter-novel has.

Of course we have both the hunky-but-tender cowboy [or is he a cad? His name is Cade...hrm] and the feisty-but-damaged heroine [Abigail] who's tougher than she imagined.

Sock Club: Join the Knitting Adventure
by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott
Martingale Press
$24.99

This book lets you peek behind the scenes at secret sock societies – 23 women’s sock patterns that were originally designed for sock clubs and KALs. There are a tremendous variety of patterns and yarns used. Because independent designers designed the patterns and many of the yarns used are from independent dyers, there is a remarkable variety of patterns. My favorites are Acorn Stash by Anne Hanson, Ariel by Debbie O’Neil and Reims by Alyson Johnson -- all wonderfully lacy, complex-ish socks, my personal sock obsession right now.

A huge, helpful section in this book talks about the different ways to adjust the sock patterns for size. Most sock patterns, in general, are written for one size. These clever authors give us 6 ways to adjust for our own feet from changing gauge by changing needle size to adding a small repeat between pattern repeats.

JM

Knitting Green: Conversations and Planet Friendly Projects
by Ann Budd
Interweave Press
$24.95
SR=33-53"

This book tackles the confusing and complex subject of ‘green’ in knitting. What does it mean to be earth conscious as a knitter; what do all of those green terms mean?

The majority of book is made up of 20 patterns for women’s garments and accessories,. The twist is that they are made from yarn that is earth-friendly in some way, and they are designed by designers who have a personal commitment to a greener world. A green approach still means beautiful patterns -- have a look at Nancy Bush’s Videvik Shawl, Ann Budd’s Honor the Buffalo Socks and Mitts, and Kristeen Griffin-Grimes’ Caterina Wrap.

Along with the patterns are articles and essays from a wide variety of women in the knitting industry addressing the concept of green and what it means to them as a designer, a shop owner, dyer, sheep farmer or a knitter.

JM

Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks
by Melissa Morgan-Oakes
Storey Publishing
$16.95

Two socks at a time on one knitting needle wasn’t enough for Melissa Morgan-Oakes and it shouldn’t be enough for any curious sock knitter. Knitting two socks at one time eliminates single-sock syndrome and it feels like a magic trick.

Toe-up socks have the advantage, according to their many, many fans including the author, of being a better-fitting sock, a sock to knit when you are unsure of the yardage in your skein of yarn, a sock that you can try on as you work to ensure fit. This book combines these wonderful things and goes steps further for a better fit: a quick and painless formula for sock length customizes the sock to its intended wearer and a rethought, reworked short-row heel makes a better-fitting heel.

The patterns and photography are clear, especially in the section that teaches how to get started with two socks on one needle.

JM

Monroe
Namaste
shown in lime [top], eggplant [bottom]
also available in peacock, black, hollywood pink, red
$75.00

Namaste's Monroe bag is their most successful purse/knitting bag hybrid yet.  It's structured, sleek and stylish, allowing it to pass as a work or travel bag just as easily as it holds your knitting.

As with the other Namaste bags, it's got lots of well-thought out pockets to hold your purse essentials as well as your knitting equipment. 

I was able to get the following into it, without breaking a sweat: a big pencil case full of tools and notions, a sock project, the front of a sweater, a water bottle, a wallet, a notebook, two magazines, a trade paperback, my phone, an MP3 player, and a lipgloss or two. It easily fits a small laptop or netbook for those of us who lead double lives as knitters and cube-dwellers.

Being structured, it holds slightly less than some of their other bags, but unless you're working on a blanket or a large one-piece garment you'll have no trouble fitting everything in. The interior is divided into three large pockets to keep you organized

The handles are just the right length to sit on your shoulder, but also work as a handbag.  A clever addition is the "strap buddy" - a little snap-on buckle that keeps the straps together on your shoulder.  It's one of those small but helpful features that turns a good-looking bag into a very useable bag.

In animal and wallet-friendly faux leather, it's also weatherproof for those of us who live in harsher climates.

KA

Vogue Knitting Stitchionary 5: Lace Knitting
Vogue Knitting
Sixth & Spring Books
$29.95, hardcover

The fifth installment in Vogue Knitting’s stitch dictionary series is all about lace.

JM

Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn
by Norah Gaughan, Margery Winter and the Berroco Design Team
Stewart, Tabori and Chang
$19.95

A book full of afghans that reflect the modern style of Berroco’s design sensibility. 27 knitted and 24 crocheted  squares of comfort inspired by quilts, nature and art.
They are all made from Berocco Comfort yarn, a wonderful acrylic blend yarn that became my go-to washable gift yarn quickly after I made my first project with it.

The photographs are as homey and comforting as the afghans in them, randomly interspersing knitted and crocheted afghans instead of segmenting them, which makes for a great visual and textural rhythm. Take a look at Marrakesh, Lucy, Ukrainian Tiles, Calico Hill or Irish Floral and imagine them on your needles or hook and adorning your life.

JM

Knitting Yarns and Spinning Tales CD
Kari Cornell, editor
Knitting Out Loud
$29.95
4 audio CDs; 4 hours, 38 minutes, unabridged.

This book contains stories by a diverse collection of writers -- some you know and some you may not. People like Teva Durham, Lela Nargi, Lily Chin, Stitch Diva Jennifer Hanson and many others. Okay, one of them is me. Amusingly, my read-aloud bio was slightly rewritten so that my sweet fuzzy rabbit-daughter Newton should be demoted to mere rabbitness and a non-existent daughter invented. [I know -- some people don't get that our pets are our kids.] A nitpick.

Wild Fibers Magazine: Five Years of Favorites
written and read by Linda Cortright
Knitting Out Loud
$14.95
2 Audio CDs; 2 hrs, 36 min, unabridged

Linda Cortright, editor of Wild Fibers Magazine, takes us on her favorite travels around with world in search of fiber and the very real people who raise the animals who produce it.

She takes us to Texas, the Himalayas, St. Kilda and New Zealand, all along the way she meets fiber people and their fiber animals. It is a pleasure to listen to stories about the fiber world filled with the obsession and passion that many of us feel.

Learn with Lucy DVDs
$29.00 each

Lucy Neatby, world-renowned knitting teacher, makes the best instructional knitting DVDs, in my opinion. Everything is shot over her shoulder, so it's like watching your own hands work. The picture is clear and she chooses yarns and needles that make things even easier to see. She explains every step, and her warm voice and British accent make listening to her a pleasure. Most helpfully, each topic she covers is its own chapter on the disc, so you can go back and view any one specific technique a number of times until you've got it. This DVD is like having the most patient knitting teacher possible at your disposal 24 hours a day.

In trying to sum up what Lucy does for the craft of knitting, I found myself reading my review of her first set of DVDs, and realized I'd already done it. So if I may quote myself, "Lucy Neatby is a knitting physicist. She's looked deep into the heart of knitting, right down to the way a stitch is formed, and she's come up with something better. A whole bunch of somethings, actually! All we have to do to take advantage of what she's learned is to pop in one of her DVDs, sit back, and follow along. Lucy's techniques are magical in their simplicity. They don't make knitting harder; they make it easier and make the finished product look better, all at the same time. "

Since I wrote that review, Lucy has expanded the list to 17 DVDs. The newest ones are Brand New Knitter and the Knitting Venus series. Read on.

• Brand New Knitter [3 hrs, 13 min]
A perfect introduction to any non-knitter who wants to join our craft. Step-by-step, Lucy holds their hands and turns them from a muggle into a knitter. Super-clear instruction, not rushed. Thorough coverage of everything a new knitter will want to know.

• Knitting Venus 1 [3 hrs, 5 min]
• Knitting Venus 2 [2 hrs, 18 mins]
The Venus in the title refers to Lucy's new Venus Rising cardigan design. Why buy a disc or two just for one sweater design? Well, that's the cool thing: it's not just for one sweater. This one sweater uses a number of advanced techniques that will be useful to any confident knitter, so Lucy uses the sweater as a way to illustrate these useful techniques. Even if you never knit the Venus Rising sweater, you'll learn a lot from these discs.

The Navaho knitting alone made my head explode [in the best way] and I guarantee you will use it on the laceweight you have in your stash that's collecting dust. I am already thinking of yarns I had relegated to the swap pile in new ways.

If you do want to knit the Venus Rising cardigan, there's a knitalong in progress right now on Ravelry and Lucy encourages you to join in.

AS

Circular Case
Namaste
5 1/2" L x 3 1/2" W x 7" H
shown in eggplant [top], peacock [bottom]
also available in lime, black, hollywood pink, red
$20.00

Namaste's circular case is a clever little file folder designed specifically to hold circular needles. It has 15 decent-sized compartments to hold all sizes of circulars, with little tabs on the dividers to hold labels. The paper labels are prone to falling it out of the tabs -- a little clear tape on each end of the tab solves that.  Each compartment easily holds more than one circular. I was able to get 3 or 4 of all but the largest sizes into each slot.

Because I haven't had a satisfactory storage solution until now, I've kept my needles in their packaging; this case definitely does better with loose needles rather than packaged. The slots are vertical, and you do sometimes have to dig for a needle, but it's a minor inconvenience. The labels are a simple and brilliant improvement.

The sides are a simple elastic gusset so that the case can open wider for easier access from the top. And the outer material is the same as Namaste's faux-leather knitting bags -- the best-looking faux leather I've seen.

It's attractive, and the square shape fits easily in a cupboard or on a shelf, and the handle makes it easy to take with you.  A terrific case at a great price.

KA

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies
by Natalie Fearlinger
Ten Speed Press
$19.99

This beautifully designed, beautifully photographed book is a delight to browse. Vintage knitting patterns for babies and children are the inspiration. Using modern yarns and with a little easier fit [rather than the skin-tight knits of our recent ancestors], the patterns are appealing and classic. Everything from booties to toys is covered, with particularly adorable wrap cardigans and jumpers. Charming, charming, charming.

AS

Knitwear Design Workshop: The Comprehensive Guide to Handknits
by Shirley Paden
Interweave Press
$40, hardcover over spiral
SR=34-50"

A textbook for designing your own knitted garments.

Before I launch into what a fantastic resource this book is, I’ll start with three caveats: this is not a book for beginner knitters and it does not cover top-down construction.  

With that out of the way, I’ll say this is a comprehensive guide to getting an idea out of your head and into a knitting pattern. It’s also a fantastic resource to use to alter an existing pattern to your specifications.

Knits Men Want: The 10 Rules Every Woman Should Know Before Knitting for a Man
by Bruce Weinstein
Stewart, Tabori and Chang
$18.95
SR=40-60"

10 basic patterns for men, most in at least 6 sizes and in 6 gauges. A book that can be one-stop shopping for most of the knitting for men you’ll ever do.

There are pullovers, vests, cardigans and accessories along with advice from a man about knitting for the men in your life. The patterns may be on the plain side, just like men apparently like them, but Jared Flood’s photography gives the garments the depth and life that make you want to knit them.

JM

60 Quick Knits in Cascade 220: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens
Sixth and Spring Books
$17.95

For many knitters, Cascade 220 is their go-to all-purpose yarn,. It’s reasonably priced, soft and comes in a huge rainbow of colors.

This book is a smorgasbord for cold weather accessories: hats, mittens and scarves for women (and a few kid patterns), all knit from Cascade 220. Quick to knit and with enough of an assortment of looks and techniques color, texture and sometimes both to keep any knitter interested. It’s never too early to start holiday knitting.

JM

Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch
by Nancy Marchant
North Lights Books
$27.99
SR=34-54"

Dismissed by many knitters as difficult to learn, and only good for clunky looking outdoor accessories, or the fisherman’s sweaters of our youth, Nancy Marchant lets us in on the secret of just how cool brioche can be. Just look at the Geveldak Scarf or the traffic-stopping Haarlem Jacket,. Really, really gorgeous. Because brioche is such a lofty, thick stitch, every decrease, decrease or crossed stitch becomes an exaggerated design element and Nancy Marchant certainly uses those to her advantage in these patterns.

I have never knit brioche and with the directions in this book was able to pick it up -- even two color brioche -- in a few minutes. The illustrations are incredibly helpful, as is the bumped-up print size. I had never realized that that there were so many possible variations in the brioche stitch. I never was much interested in brioche knitting before I read this book, but now I have several patterns with yarn, ready to go.

JM

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line
by Kari Chapin
Storey Publishing
$14.95

The big difference between this book and others about having a crafty business is that this is a business book first. This book has an eye to making a living through your craft rather than making money on the side. It is a detailed and intensive bootcamp for getting a business up and running and keeping it successful through marketing – all wrapped up in an adorable package, charming illustrations and a ‘please hold me’ size.

The book is divided into three sections: information on setting up your business, marketing your business and actual selling. There is a fantastic resource guide at the end.

Toe-Up Socks for Every Body: Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork
by Wendy D. Johnson
Potter Craft
$22.99

Next up in Wendy Knits adventures in toe-up sock knitting, here is a collection of socks sized for the whole family.

A notch up on the difficulty scale from her first book, but the 21 patterns in cable and lace and colorwork are truly lovely and worth the stretch of your knitting skills. The patterns are clearly written and the photography is pretty and shows each sock from different angles, so you get a clear view of what you are knitting.

JM

The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing: Fabric, Yarn, and Fiber
by Eva Lambert, Tracy Kendall
Interweave Press
$24.95

When I first became interested in all things fiber (many years ago) I took a class that was split into the use of natural dye and learning to spin. I gained a ton of good information, but gave up on natural dyeing in the interests of making sure I could get repeatable colors and the time it would take me to find or grow the natural dyestuffs.

This book is so beautiful, it made me want to drop everything and go searching for the natural material I need to repeat some of what Lambert & Kendall showed me – in the middle of winter!

The Very Easy Guide to Cable Knitting: Step-by-Step Techniques, Easy-to-Follow Patterns, and Projects to Get You Started
by Lynne Watterson
St. Martin’s Griffin
$21.99

Cables can be intimidating to new knitters; this book is perfect if you are new to cables. Aptly titled The Very Easy Guide to Cable Knitting, it takes a beginning cabler through Mock Cables, Cable Panels and Cable Patterns in a very methodical, not scary way.

For each of the three cable sections a practice stitch pattern is given and discussed in detail, including a large photograph of a knitted swatch with each row of the stitch pattern numbered on the swatch – incredibly helpful to a new cable knitter who may be not quite sure what she’s seeing between the printed stitch pattern and the knitted stitch pattern. Next several stitch patterns are presented with large light-colored knitted swatches, the pattern both charted and written out, then 4-5 project patterns are offered. All patterns are for accessories and home décor. This is a fantastic book for a newbie cable knitter.

JM

Northern Knits: Designs Inspired by the Knitting Traditions of Scandinavia, Iceland, and the Shetland Isles
by Lucinda Guy
Interweave Press
$24.95
SR=32-52"

Known mostly for her children’s designs, Lucinda Guy breaks from her own design tradition and gives us 20 women’s garments and accessories inspired by Scandinavia, Iceland and Shetland. The designs are wonderfully feminine and light feeling, not the heavy, thick yarned sweaters sometimes associated with these regions.

The colorwork is interpreted by Guy from the traditional colors -- it has a fresh quality and is not overly fussy.  Clearly she has followed a passion in these designs and it shows in the attention to detail and sparkle in this excellent collection.

JM

Nicky Epstein Knitted Flowers
Nicky Epstein Crocheted Flowers
by Nicky Epstein
Nicky Epstein Books
$19.95 each

Mason-Dixon Knitting:
The Curious Knitter's Guide:
Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions,
Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures
by Kay Gardiner, Ann Shayne
Potter Craft
$22.99

I’m sure you need another copy by now, right?
Your first is surely broken and limp
from overuse, and damp from drooling
while you laugh out loud.

Make!
Over 40 Fantastic Projects
with 16 Exclusive Designs
by Cath Kidston
$24.99
St. Martin's Griffin

Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep: 4th Edition
by Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius
$19.95
Storey Publishing

Please don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. Also, it looks like Paula Simmons is wearing a Kathryn Alexander hat in her author photo.

Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags
by Faith + Justina Blakeney
$19.99
Potter Craft

Modern Shepherdess tote
by LocalGringos
$12.95

Around-the-Corner Crochet Borders: 150 Colorful, Creative Edging Designs with Charts and Instructions for Turning the Corner Perfectly Every Time
by Edie Eckman
$16.95
Storey Publishing

Built by Wendy Dresses: The Sew U Guide to Making a Girl's Best Frock
by Wendy Mullin with Eviana Hartman
$27.50 hardcover over spiral binding
Potter Craft

Cajeta | Goat's milk caramel
by Fat Toad Farm
$7.00 and up

Original, vanilla, cinnamon and coffee bean flavors. Available as single jars or in boxed sets of 2 or 4. Please send some to me now.

p.s. am told half the family that runs this farm are knitters. Go knitters!

Geeky fandom stitch marker sets
by knitoramaa
$5.25 and up

cake. and I do. that is all. [much more geekery of all flavors available]