I Love Books

I love books. I love books about knitting and gardening. I love books about dogs and cats too. I love a book that guides me along in learning something new.

There are some books that are truly my favorites, books I go to over and over again. I love learning new things from a book, and I love books that have answers for me. I got a new book for Christmas from John that is now in the list of books I will go to over and over again. It's Clara Parkes' new book The Knitter's Book of Yarn.

I've been reading Clara's newsletter weekly and have learned amazing things about yarns. She provides a clear and insightful review of each type; swatching, knitting, washing, blocking, and even putting the yarn to the test of wear and tear. She has compiled her reviews, together with facts about yarn, added how fiber starts out, how it becomes yarn, and what we can do with the yarn, all in a great book.


Another knitting book I use a lot for reference, patterns, and encouragement, is Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch.

When I started to get back into knitting something other than afghans, I looked for a book to tell me I could. Sally's book did just that. Not only does she make sense with her styles, techniques and little bits of wisdom, her patterns go up to plus sizes. The first sweater I knit for myself was Sally's Best Friend Sweater. The first year I went to the Madrona Fiber Arts I was on the elevator, when this woman walked on and stood next to me, turned to look at me and said "I LOVE your sweater." I turned to her to say thank you, and that is from Sally's Melville's book, when I realized I was talking with Sally herself. Later on we had an opportunity to talk and I told her how much I appreciated her book. She also appreciated the fact that my book looked used and loved. I have recommended this book for a lot of knitters who are getting back to the art of needles.

Another reference book is Maggie Righetti's Knitting in Plain English. This is a great reference book for things like "how to knit two stitches together (k2tog)" or how to "slip slip knit (ssk)". I especially love the chapter on looking at pictures of the knitted garments before purchasing the pattern.

The last book I'll comment on tonight is Arctic Lace (scroll down) by Donna Druchunas. I got the book because we lived in Anchorage, Alaska and I loved it there. I was fascinated by the concept of the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers' Co-operative and the wonderful Alaskan Native women who run it. And there is the mysterious yarn Qiviut, which comes from the Musk Ox. The lace patterns are beautiful. When I got the book I was still recovering from my concussion and was having problems with visualizing stitches and how they all work together. I sat down with the tutorials in Donna's book, and learned how to read lace charts and was on my way. It was a challenge to me, but in the end I finally was able to understand how different stitches went together, and how to do them. I have purchased some of the precious Qiviut, but have yet to actually knit it into something. It's in the safe deposit box at the bank.

Happy reading!

Sue