The Children of Lovely Lane
Book
St Angelus runs like a family: the workers take care of their own - a lesson the mysterious new...
White Egrets
Book
In "White Egrets", Derek Walcott treats his characteristic subjects - the Caribbean's complex...
The Glass Castle (2017)
6.5
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Chronicling the adventure of an eccentric, resilient and tight-knit family, THE GLASS CASTLE is a...
Meghan Udell recommended Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting in Books (curated)
Meghan Udell recommended The Odyssey in Books (curated)
Something’s Knot Kosher
8.0
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Book
Funerals can be patchy affairs for Martha Rose and her close-knit circle of friends--especially in...
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Mostly Mittens: Ethnic Knitting Designs from Russia in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Mostly Mittens starts off with a very interesting (brief) summary of the history of the Komi people, why they knit in the fair isle style, how the patterns came around, and lots of very interesting history about this fantastic art.
The book is basically all knitting graphs. A knitting graph is like graph paper with squares filled in to represent which stitch is knit in which color. There are basic instructions at the beginning of the book, then each pattern gives the tools needed and the graph, but the basic instructions are the same for all of them.
The patterns are all unique and intricate, but very easy to follow once you understand what you’re doing. Fair isle is very relaxing and fun, not to mention warm since the extra threads add a second, third, and at times a fourth layer of warmth to the mittens.
Many knitting books try to teach people how to knit, or try to offer pictures and explanations of certain more advanced stitches in knitting. This one does not—and it’s something I appreciate. The book is aimed for the educated knitter who knows how to use double-pointed needles, read a pattern, and understand the difference between a inc 1 and a M1 etc. It’s nice to read a book that is aimed for the level I’m at, rather than one that tries to take a brand-new knitter and make them a pro overnight. There is a list of abbreviations in the back, because all knitters abbreviate slightly different. There’s also a list of resources in the back.
My only complaint is that the basic instructions aren’t written in a very clear manner, nor are the instructions for the knit-on cast-on. Luckily the photos and drawings are wonderful, and you can pretty much understand the concept. Plus, if you’re using this book, you are already pretty experienced.
In the back there are four hat patterns, and instructions to take the mitten graphs and turn them into hats! With 36 mitten graphs, 4 sets of hats, and a million color variations, imagine what you could do with this book!
Basically, this book makes my fingers twitch and my mouth water. I’ve got to get me some fingering weight wool and size two double-pointed needles…
Recommendation: Intermediate to Experienced knitters who don’t mind using small needles. No size 15 for these! Size 0-3 are the ones you’ll use.
Learn to Crochet, Love to Crochet
4.0
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Anna Wilkinson encouraged a new generation of crafters to take up knitting with her debut book,...
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated One-Skein Wonders® for Babies: 101 Knitting Projects for Infants Toddlers in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I love knitting and crocheting but I’m not the most patient long-term project minded person. I also really like pictures. Generally I decide what to make (knit, sew, cook) based on the picture. That’s one thing I really like about this book: all the patterns have at least one picture (usually more) plus diagrams! I also really like the page-layout and the color-blocks.
This is perfect for anyone who wants a quick project for a precious little one.
Hoop Dreams (1994)
9.5
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Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each...