in stitches over it

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events, designing

i love books. we have lots of them in our home.
a lifetime of studying knitting has led to owning lots of knitting books (and magazines and pattern leaflets . . . ah me).

my knitting library was largely acquired the old-fashioned way, by shopping in used bookstores and rifling through giveaway bins and trash boxes outside of used bookstores; there was a time when they couldn’t give old knitting books away. except to me, apparently—the geeky knitting person without a budget, who was always good for carting off unsellable books.

anyway . . . i was lucky to find lots of good (to me) things at cheap prices and able to feed my lifelong obsession with passion for stitch dictionaries this way

i guess if i had to say that just one thing was my muse, it would be stitch patterns.
stitch patterns are the reason i wanted to learn to knit and they continue to amuse, amaze, and inspire me. my stitch dictionaries are scattered all over the house, like most people would have magazines—coffee tables, desks, bookshelves, bedstands, the dinner table—wherever i might need one for reference (hey, you never know)

and in recent years, i’ve even managed to add brand new specimens to my collection. those i keep shelved, where they will stay in good shape. for me, they have aesthetic appeal displayed as a set.

this collection of beautiful stitch dictionaries from vogue knitting are an example; i like that they all match in size and shape. they are beautifully produced with good photos of well-knit swatches. i use them pretty frequently, but carefully—it’s sort of a “sunday best” set of dictionaries, which i “save for good” (go ahead, laugh; i would, if i were you).

i was recently pleased to see that a new volume was being added to this series, one that i have long thought they should add

so, when sixth&spring books asked if i’d be interested in receiving a copy of vogue knitting stitchionary 5, i was like, are you kidding?? knitspot readers will love this and my other three stitchionaries will have a new sibling, yay!!
(i didn’t say that last part to them; at least, i hope i didn’t . . .).

this new volume of lace stitches is equally well-produced with beautiful photos and layout. each stitch is represented with a chart AND written instructions, which i’m really grateful for. so, while most of the stitches appear (uncharted) in books i already own, having them charted is a big bonus for me and would tip the scales in favor of adding this book to my library if i had to buy it.

the layout and clarity of the material is also a big draw—each stitch has its own, clear space and the charts are generously sized. the book sits open on its own. i have one tiny criticism . . . some of the swatches were knit in a very dark blue colorway and unfortunately, those photographs do not show the patterns as well as the swatches in lighter yarn (it seems to be a matter of lighting, but i’m no pro). they are not terrible and were used pretty sparingly, though; most of the swatches throughout the book are very clearly descriptive.

even the ackowledgements page at the back has something to love

tana (our wizard tech editor) has participated in knitting for this production.

vogue knitting stitchionary 5 is a definite keeper for me; i know i’ll refer to it often.

now it’s time for it to join the rest of the stitchionary family—they have a lot to talk about.

now here’s the bonus for those of you who are staying home this weekend and will see this post: if you’d like to receive a copy of vogue knitting stitchionary 5 for your very own, sixth&spring books will send the book one lucky winner. leave a comment at the end of this post some time before 9 pm on sunday, may 30th. i’ll ask david to draw one name and announce the winner on monday morning as a little holiday gift.

572 thoughts on “in stitches over it”

  1. I would absolutely love to win that book! I’ve been looking to expand my lace knowledge, but being the poor grad student I am, I just drool over the books at the store so I can afford the yarn to supply my habit.

  2. Loving Knitspot patterns and loving lace like I do – this book is a must for my knitting library! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to win this book.

  3. Impresive library! I would love to give this book a good home. Happy Holiday Thank you

  4. what a wonderful library you’ve got!

    I’d love a copy of the lace stitch dictionary – hope they will send it to Canada in the slim chance that I win!

  5. I’d love to add it to my library. Thanks for the opportunity to get it as a prize. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.

  6. i’d love a copy of this; i’ve been thinking all year about getting more seriously into designing patterns, and this would be a wonderful resource! thanks for doing this. 🙂

  7. Can I just say………”pick me”…………”pick me”??? Love that you are so generous with this give away!!!

  9. Oh, I’ll throw my hat into that ring, for sure 😉 And I second or third or 247th the notion that you and David have a lovely weekend. I also love stitch dictionaries, and mine have plenty of siblings! But could always add one, oh yeah!

  10. Is there a stitch book 4? By your descriptions and photos looks like I would love the series.

  13. Thanks for the peek inside the book. Looks like a nice addition to the set.

  14. How thoughtful of Vogue…and you, Anne. I appreciate the chance to win this lovely book. Winning aside, I so appreciate that you love these books and continue to share this passion with us through your beautiful patterns. Looking forward to your visit to Kitchener/New Hamburg!

  15. Hi! You remind me of me – I have hardly ever met a knitting book I didn’t see the value of owning. On top of that, I feel the same way about a lot of cookbooks. On top of that, I have a husband and four children who are also somewhat enamored of books. You could definitely mistake our house for a library, except it is not nearly as neat or well organized. It would be fun to add Stitionary Volume 5 to the party – it sure wouldn’t be lonely!

    Thanks for the review – I didn’t realize that Volume 5 was lace – now I will have to buy one if I don’t happen to win the drawing.

  16. Oh, I am so glad these are charted also! I have the other volumes. And, like you, countless other knitting books – some from used bookstores also. And beading books. And cookbooks. And dog training books. Hmmm, I guess I should’ve been a librarian. LOL

  18. I really like that first lace pattern that you showed that’s in the book, I don’t think any of my stitchionary have the pattern in it. It’s look like a good stitchionary to own.

  21. I’d love to add this to my collection of stitch dictionaries – it looks wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway!

  23. I would really appreciate and love a copy of the book. Pick me please, David!

  24. Yay! A contest! I have been guilty of hunting used book shops for knitting purposes as well – acquired Elizabeth Zimmerman and others which I used to teach myself how to knit. Mom was only successful in making me want to knit and fixing beginner mistakes, she laughed at my early attempts too much for real progress, until I was old enough to find the books and teach myself.

  27. I’m home this weekend (because dh was kind enough to go to the soccer tournament), gardening and knitting a bit. I’d love to have the lace book—it is beautiful!

  28. Anne, What a beautiful collection of knitting stitches..there is nothing lke time out to pour thorough the beautiful old books. Your bookshelves are so nice…is that some of David’s nice work? He is a treasure..

  29. Oh boy, would I love to have that book! But most of all – thanks for the great review with pictures. I love all of my knitting books, too. Nothing like them for late night reading before turning out the light.

  32. Ooh, Ooh, Me, me! Seriously, it looks like a treasure for the collection. I’ll also have to check out their other books. Thanks for the generosity.

  33. I’d like to throw my name in the hat too! I also have a “thing” for stitch guides, when I don’t feel like knitting I just flip through the pages . Thanks for passing on a copy!

  34. I feel vaguely guilty throwing my name in on this one, since it hasn’t been too long since I won a book here but hey — I would get over it, if I won! 😉

  35. Would love, love, love to win this resource. Please add my name. Thank you, Anne.

  36. I totally love books that have stitch patterns in them. There is a really cool antique store that I check out frequently, and I enjoy looking at vintage knitting patterns and the occasional book that is wedged in between others. A real treasure when you find something that has to do with knitting. After reading your posts recently, I have begun to experiment with lace. Mostly I do socks because I don’t have to spend as much money on yarn, but still get the benefit of lots of knitting time. How cool it would be to win this book!

  37. As a former working librarian, books are one of my drugs of choice. (Yarn is the other.) I would love to add is book to my collection. I still love to look at used bookstores and library sales to see what I can find.

  38. Please, please, please, pick me, pick me, pick me (waves arms excitedly)!!! Would love to add this to my library! Love to read your blog and watch your knitting and garden grow!!!

  40. I’d love to win a copy of the new Vogue volume. I’m with you on the benefits of collecting books and stitch dictionaries!
    Lucky you and your garden. Some wild critter ate all my freshly planted parsley and munched the tops of my freshly planted lettuce plants. I’d like to blame a rabbit or moose or bear (the garden is at our recreational cabin in Alaska), but it is likely the darn squirrel. Oh well – wild critters gotta eat too, I guess.

  41. I really, really would like this book. I want to start knitting lace, especially a shawl and have been reluctant to try again. (First try quite a few years ago was a disaster) Thanks in advance for picking me!!

  42. I have also thought that they needed to do a lace stitchionary. I’m so glad I saw this (and even if I am not the lucky winner I will be adding this book to my collection).

  43. Happy weekend to you and David, and thank you for the preview (and the chance to win!). I always love seeing other people’s book collections 🙂

  45. So many comments and just one book…
    i would like it so much
    petra

  47. Good grief! 488 comments thus far…. What a gorgeous-looking book, and particularly so as I seem to have lace on the brain lately. I’d love to be entered, please, if they’re willing to ship it to Canada. If not, I understand. Thanks for the contest. Happy Memorial Day to you folks.

  48. Would be nice to have a book when I start knitting lace…..I just gotta start something. I already have yarn…..and one of your shawl patterns…what’s holding me up…..guess your many wonderful sweater patterns! Hope your having fun in Wooster!

  50. Thanks for the great review of the book — it looks lovely and I’m sure it would be a great addition to anyone’s library

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