INTRODUCTION

Cool Stuff

by Claudia B. Manley, 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. All prices USD unless noted.
We are provided with samples to review for free, and we do not publish reviews of products that do not perform well in our testing.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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Brioche Knitting Workshop; A beginner's guide to brioche techniques with 15 modern patterns
by Lavanya Patricella
David & Charles
$24.99

Buy now from Bookshop.org | Amazon

This is an excellent book for beginning brioche knitters. Lavanya Patricella learned how to knit brioche when she came across a dress pattern by Stephen West in 2015 (my guess is Askews Me); fast-forward nine years, and she’s written a book to share her love of the stitch. It’s clear that her connection with West didn’t end with that one pattern as he wrote the foreword for this book.

The first half of the book is dedicated to brioche basics. Patricella gives you all the background and techniques needed to be successful with brioche knitting. She discusses choosing colors, explains the stitches, and then has you practice them – first in the round and then flat. Accompanying photographs show how stitches/techniques appear for both the Continental knitter and the English knitter.

Before getting to the patterns themselves, Patricella provides a few variations such as syncopation and one-color brioche and then shows you how to fix dropped stitches (essential knowledge for anyone who has tried brioche) as well as how to weave in ends and tink (aka unravel).

The 15 patterns are for accessories – scarves, cowls, hats, shawls, mittens, slippers, and a poncho. They’re arranged in such a way that one can develop their brioche proficiency by working their way through the designs. Each pattern contains clearly written instructions plus extra details when appropriate; for example, “remember it takes two passes to equal a row.”

The graphic nature of brioche lends itself to designs that are both classic and contemporary. Anyone who has been intrigued by brioche (or who has tried it) will find themselves returning to this book over and over again.

CBM

Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide No. 28: Renewal
by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne; Designs by Norah Gaughan
MDK
SR: 34.5 – 72"
$9.95-$15.95

Buy now from MDK

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

Renewal feels like a good theme for these days. In this Field Guide, Norah Gaughan, known for her spectacularly textured and cable-licious designs, pares it all down. Each of these patterns highlights simple construction, easy cables, and/or combinations of knit and purl stitches.

Renewal features three cardigans (one long, one medium-length, and one short), a hat, and a pair of mittens. All of the patterns are knit with MDK’s newest yarn, Jane, a DK yarn that comes in 11 colors. Kay and Ann named the yarn after Janes they admired and who “stood up at a time they were supposed to sit down.”

Despite the paring down of design embellishments, these patterns are far from boring. The cable flourishes as well as the creative patterns using knit and purl stitches ensure that visual interest still abounds. As with the other Field Guides, this is a well-curated collection of knits featuring infinitely wearable designs.

CBM

Knit Wild; 21 sweaters with nature-inspired motifs in insulating yarns to keep you warm wherever you may roam
by Anna-Sofia Vintersol
Stackpole Books
SR: 31.5-88.5"
$34.95 (hardcover)

Buy now from Bookshop.org | Amazon

This book has me wanting to do outside chores in beautifully patterned sweaters. Anna-Sofia Vintersol has put together a collection of sweaters suitable for outdoor life that feature motifs and patterns inspired by her background (German, Anishinaabe, and Cherokee) as well as her travels (she spent 6 years living in Norway).

She begins by talking about which yarns are good for outdoor use. Sympathetic to those whose skin might be more sensitive, she provides alternate (and non-animal based) yarns, speaking to the pros and cons of each.

Vintersol offers tips and techniques that will help beginners as well as serve as a refresher for more experienced knitters. One tip that I appreciated was about how to convert a pattern when your gauge doesn’t match. Since all of the patterns feature colorwork, Vintersol also talks about color dominance and contrast as well as tension.

The photography really situates the reader in the outdoors and provides stunning backgrounds against which the sweaters shine. Many of the patterns, which are suitable for all genders, include alternate colorways and specify the yarn and color used. All colorwork is charted, and there is no difficulty scale. Vintersol’s eye for color makes for some unexpected combinations that really work. The use of turquoise, for example, in the Forestfox sweater adds a surprising and welcome pop. With so many beautiful designs in this book, you may find it hard to choose where to begin.

CBM

Knitter’s Year 2025
Laine Publishing
€25,00

Buy now from Laine Publishing

Oh, to be tempted by a new planner/agenda! Laine’s 2025 Knitter’s Year allows you to not only organize your days but to also plan ahead to attend craft events around the world, whose dates are conveniently included in the week-by-week layouts.

The calendar begins with the last week of December 2024 and goes through January 4, 2026. In addition to standard agenda features and the festival dates, there is a glossary of common knitting abbreviations, needle size and yarn weight charts, and a place to note both finished projects and projects you wish to start.

There are also plenty of blank pages at the back to hold other notes and thoughts. In a whiskey-colored faux leather with elastic closure and a ribbon bookmark, this journal is an attractive and useful agenda for any organized crafter.

CBM

Cultivate: Knitting the Beauty of Nature
by Dee Hardwicke and Jonna Helin
Laine Publishing
SR: 40 – 76.5"
€36,99

Buy now from Laine Publishing

Cultivate feels like being privy to a series of conversations between two friends. This collection of patterns feature colorwork scarves and kerchiefs among a few choice single-color sweaters and dresses. The two work harmoniously together. There are 20 patterns in all, of which three are for sweaters and two are for dresses. Colorwork is done in a variety of techniques from Swiss darning (also known as double stitch), to intarsia, to stranded. All colorwork is charted.
Other than the step-by-step instructions for Swiss darning, there are no other sections on techniques or tips. This, however, does not mean the book is only for experienced knitters.

The accessories range in size, which can allow one to work on a smaller piece while exploring stranded colorwork, for example. The clear Swiss darning instructions have me thinking about casting on the Pressings scarf. Beginners, with patience, should be able to make many of the patterns contained within. The more experienced knitter will not be disappointed either.

There’s something quiet and calm about this collection of patterns. The dresses and sweaters are unfussy and timeless, and the colorwork often has a watercolor-like effect. The patterns in Cultivate feel like a walk through a gorgeous landscape designed to inspire.

CBM

The Bixi
by TOM BIHN
Shown in Deep Blue Ballistic/Zest 200 Halcyon (available in other color combinations)
Capacity: 32 Liters / 1950 cu. in.
Filled dimensions: 14.2" w x 17" h x 9.8" d) 360mm w x 430mm h x 250mm d
Designed and sewn in the USA
$350

Buy now from TOM BIHN

I always want to travel light, but I don't often achieve it. Recently, I needed to pack-and-go to help my sibling as she returned home after emergency major surgery. The Bixi had recently arrived and it needed a tryout, so I packed it up. As a backpack for daily needs, it excels. It has room for a laptop or large tablet, many, many pockets, an exterior water-bottle pocket (finally! Thank you, TB!) that holds water bottles up to 24oz. There's room for makeup or self-care items, books and notepads, your lunch and snacks, and almost anything you'd need to take on a normal daily journey.

For this trip, I was driving, so I needed to pack enough to last me for a week. I fit all of this in the bag:
3 shirts, a pair of sweatpants, a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, pajamas, enough underwear and socks for a week, my toilettries bag, big hairbrush, a full-up Large Travel Tray (I use one in my daily life on my nightstand for everything from my evening medications to hair ties, lip balm, and any jewelry I wore – and I always take one travelling to keep all my little bits collected so it's easy to pack when it's time to go home, usually adding the power cords for all my devices), a hat knitting project in progress, my big weekly meds box, and more. Anything else I bought on the trip fit in easily.

The bag is very well designed. The front pocket which they call the Admin Pocket, has the stuff you need to access while in transit, like my passport, protein bars, keys, e-reader. The main pocket is where the clothing went. And I slid my iPad Air in the back pocket, where the padded protection kept it safe in case I needed it for any Knitty work emergencies while travelling.

The Bixi is sleek but capacious, and it doesn't feel like you're wearing a suitcase on your back as you walk, even when fully loaded. I like that a lot. The backpack straps are comfy, like all TOM BIHN straps. I took the bag on the train this past weekend, walked Toronto streets in the snow, and as it melted, it nicely beaded on top of the fabric (shown above right). Everything inside stayed perfectly dry.

There is a luggage passthrough (shown above right) in case you're using this in conjunction with a rolly suitcase. The handles are comfy to hold, and even fully loaded, the bag isn't unwieldy. The zippers are super sturdy and open smoothly. The inner pockets all come with installed O-rings that you can clip TOM BIHN straps, organizer pouches, or almost anything to. The included strap always gets my keys so they're always within reach.

I've been reviewing TOM BIHN bags for almost two decades, and one thing about these bags never changes: they do not age. I have 15-year-old TOM BIHN bags that look brand new, and this one will be no different. Wipe off anything you drop on it with a wet cloth, easy. The fabric doesn't show wear, and the moving parts continue to move as new.

If you have been looking for a slick-looking backpack that holds more than just a laptop and the bare minimum for your daily commute, or a bag that can do double duty for everyday or travel, this might be the perfect choice. A TOM BIHN backpack is an investment in organization and convenience that will likely last longer than any of us!

AS

Adjustable Beanie Blocker - Leaf
Also available in snowflake and plain designs
by Kainor Design
$29.59

Buy now from Kainor Design

I love a freakin' genius design, and this Adjustable Beanie Blocker is just that! With measurements in centimeters and inches, it allows you to block a beanie to an exact size just by changing the position of the horizontal bars. The lasered markings are clearly visible. It's so easy to pick the size you want to block to. Just slip on the wet beanie and let it dry perfectly.

The blocker comes with the two side bars with measurements in inches and centimeters, two horizontal spacers that allow you to select the width you want, and two small feet that hold the blocker in a vertical position. The only thing that would make this better is a pouch to keep it all in, but you could knit one easily enough. The blocker is made of baltic birch plywood and is super lightweight, but very strong.

A great idea for yourself or to gift to a beanie-making friend!

AS

Solarpuff Solar Lantern (multicolor version)
also comes in bright white and warm white
by Solight Design
$32.00

Buy now from Solight Design

This is a funny little thing that is actually pretty handy! Made from non-pvc sailcloth, it's a solar-powered lantern that folds flat. You can slip it in your craft bag (or purse or glove compartment) and it takes up very little space – just a half inch thick. Take it camping or to a pub where the light is low. Pull on the handle and it folds out to form a cute 4.3" cube. It's water resistant when open, and if it gets wet, dry it in the sun. It charges in 8 hours when in the sun. It gives off light from 4-8 hours, depending on the color you select. Yup, it's multicolor and you can choose whatever color lights you want or have it cycle through all of them!

How much light does it give off? 45 lumens. It's not blinding; it's a useful gentle light to see your work. It has a handle on top that opens with velcro, so you can attach it to something inside your tent, or just leave it closed if not needed. And you can charge it 1000 times.

Next time the power goes out, don't grab candles. Just puff up your Solarpuff and you can keep reading, crafting, or anything that needs a gentle light to see by. I like this thing.

AS

Tsundoku

curated by CBM

Introducing our new section – Tsundoku. Tsundoku is a Japanese word that describes the acquisition of books that 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.