out just in time for holiday gifting, vogue knitting mittens & gloves is a collection of more than 40 favorite accessories for hands and wrists, gathered from the pages of vogue knitting magazine.

representing virtually any style you can think of, this book explores the gamut from classic to glam to fantastic with the collection contained inside.

and the photography shows off each one so that making the choice of which to start with might be the knitter’s biggest difficulty.

i love the several pair of long gloves, worked in fine yarn which are included—they give off the most feminine air and are versatile enough to be worn indoors as an accessory.

in addition to a bevy of style choices, there is something from every knit stitch “family” to choose from

the adorable pine tree mittens above and the scandinavian style ski mittens below are just two of the colorwork pieces included.

and there is lace, too

cables do not go ignored either—complex 3D ones are among the pages

mixing with more delicate streamlined cable texture in other pieces

the instructions are laid out well with detailed construction directions and large, color-coded charts for each piece.

there are quite a few pieces that are not purposed for warmth, but instead, for sheer style or illusion. my favorite page in the book shows a pair of backless gloves, cleverly designed to imitate the leather ones worn for horseback riding (or driving).

on another page, a beautiful muff is pictured

maybe not practical for everyday use, but certainly, it could have a role in a glamorous winter costume event—i could see it making and unforgettable entrance at a wedding, winter prom, or glittering holiday party.

the book compiles so many appealing choices in one place that it’s sure to have something for everyone.

i’m in richmond, VA this weekend, teaching at the hanover knttiing guild, but i thought it would be fun to post this review and offer a treat for readers in place of hearing from the real me. sixth&spring has generously offered to send a copy of vogue knitting mittens & gloves to one lucky reader. if you’d like to get in the drawing, leave a comment at the end of this post some time before 9 pm EST on sunday, october 31st. i’ll announce the winner upon my return home, probably monday morning (but maybe tuesday, heh).

my friend cookie has written another book AND she published it herself.
AND it’s absolutely stunning—a real work of art.
how much more of a role model do i need? i’m as proud of cookie’s book as if i wrote it myself (i WISH).

i received my advance copy the other day and since then, i’ve picked it up about twelve times to lose myself amongst the pages—that’s how lovely it is.

once again, cookie has centered the book around socks (what else?), chronicling her development as a sock knitter and designer by reworking previously-published patterns and juxtaposing them with new designs.

the styling (sarah beaver) and photography (laura kicey) are brilliant, combining edgy environments with vintage clothing and tying those two seemingly disparate flavors together with a strong use of primary color.

the mood swings from urban-shabby to über-sexy without hesitation, creating an exciting visual voyage reflective of the author’s own inner narrative, design process, and taste.

knitters will be enticed by the mood into one design after another

the photography does not just serve an artistic purpose however

also included with each pattern are clear and detailed (and beautiful!) sock photos, taken from every angle and at varying distances

so that the knitter is never left to wonder what their project should look like at any given point. everyone involved did a great job presenting useful, utilitarian visuals that also happen to be quite dreamy.

in knit. sock. love., favorites such as the ever-popular monkey are now presented in fresh yarns with multiple sizing.

cookie divides the collection into three sections by type of pattern—but not into the usual categories you would expect, such as knit/purl, cables, lace, etc. rather, she separates them into geographical classes of columns, tessellations, and diagonals, distinguished by the type of terrain created as the patterns map out across the fabric.

each pattern includes clearly-written directions, large, readable charts, and diagrams to guide the knitter through complex surface designs and constructions.

at the back of the book, a reference and resource section is included to guide the knitter in finding helpful information about techniques included in the patterns.

the book is available for preorder now, with several purchasing options, including the PDF download format (very handy for printing just what you need). for a limited time, you can order both versions at a considerable savings.

yes, i love this book, and not just because cookie is one of my dearest friends. i like it because it’s smart, beautiful, and hardworking all at once, just like her.