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”
Your review is so very good. You have a gift for clarity… matches your and David’s photography.
Thanks for being there!!
Elizabeth
My odds of winning seem slim, but I really like stitch dictionaries. Thanks.
I just painted one gone-to-college-and-not-coming-home-this-summer son’s room and collected all of my knitting and quilting reference materials in one bookcase. I think there’s just enough room for a stitchionary! Even though I miss my son (who turns 21 in July) I’m loving having all of my fiber stuff in one room 🙂
I love reading your blog and knitting your patterns!
Oh wow! Tell sixth&spring I would love to have one of those too. I have 1 and 2 and love the way they’re written and illustrated.
Thanks for the offer, now can you tell David to pick me? Enjoy your long weekend!
I received this great book from DD for Mother’s Day, but if I won it, I have a very good knitting friend who would receive it for her birthday!
I would love a copy of the Stictionary Lace book. It would be a terrific addition to my knitting library!
This looks like an excellent book! Thank you for offering such a wonderful giveaway. I don’t have any stitch dictionaries, so this is pretty exciting! 🙂
This book has been on my wish list for quite a while! Glad it’s finally out.
What a lovely book! I enjoy reading your blog, especially all the updates about your plants and knitting.
What a lovely book! I enjoy reading your blog, especially your updates about plants and knitting.
Sorry if this is a repeat comment, the internet is acting up.
Well, there are over 500 comments at this point (amazing), but I’ll throw my name into the ring as I’d love to have that book! I do enjoy lace and this book would be lovely to have in my collection.
I never win anything and there’s a bazillion comments but.. what the heck! 🙂 It looks like a beautiful and very useful book and I’d be thrilled. Thank you!
Definately a super addition to any lace-loving knitter’s library. Thanks for your review!
I love books too, as does my whole family. I would this one as I am suddenly lace obsessed! Thanks for the opportunity and happy weekend to you and David
Anne,
I love your blog. I love that you post often. I love that your patterns have a lot of lace in them. I love that you block everything so well. I love that you know the difference between its and it’s. I love that you don’t use swear words. I even love your garden, tho mine is nowhere near so wonderful.
Barb
:–)
Ohhhhh! I’d LOVE a copy of the Vogue Stitchionary volume 5. Please pick me!
I’m a fellow designer and I love your patterns and have knit more than one of them. I also love stitch books, and lace so this book would be perfect to add to my collection.
Ok, I have to have this one! Win it or not! I’d really love to win it though!
This looks like a great stitch book, thanks for having the giveaway. I love reading your blog and seeing all your designs.
Looks like a lovely book.
I so enjoy reading your posts!
I am a beginner lace knitter and this looks like it would be really helpful.
Thanks for the giveaway opp and your great blog – well written and beautifully photographed. Someday when I grow up, I’d like to be able to knit your beautiful patterns – got a few today @ Great Lakes Fiber Festival. T
I don’t have 1, 2, 3, or 4 – here goes nothing!! Thanks for the fun giveaway. I love all your designs!
Like you, I think this book will fill a gap in the series! How exciting to see it coming out! I’d love to be one of those who has a chance at winning it! Thanks for the giveaway and for the lovely blog and knitting designs.
Beautiful book, would love to add it to my collection. Thanks 🙂
My twisted henley is looking great – thanks for the beautiful, fun-to-knit, pattern (I’m a process knitter).
Would love to add this book to my shelf.
I would love to own a copy of this book! I too find knitting books wonderful although I don´t have as many books as you, Anne 🙂
Thanks to knitting some of Anne’s patterns, I am addicted to knitting lace. I would so love to own this book and expand my skills!
Oooh I’ve been waiting for this one to come to my local library. It’s good to hear that it’s charted and written. And I’m glad I decided to stay up and read your blog tonight (this morning heh)!
My other 4 Stitchionary volumes need to meet their new sibling! Thanks Anne.
I’d love to add this book to my not so large knitting library!!! (But, you have to start somewhere!)
Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest! Looks like a great reference volume.
Hey it’s 8:41 Eastern time. Just under the wire. I’d love a chance at Stitchonary 5. I also collect stitch dictionaries. Love them.
HEY DAVID, PICK ME!!!!!!!!!! It looks like a lovely book. Thanks for giving us all a chance to win it!
Iwould love to have a copy. I have the rest of the set also and would love to have a well rounded family. Thanks for the opportunity.
Haha, there are a lot of us!
I can this give this book a vert nice home.
And I thought I had lots of knitting books! I can’t wait to show your blog pics to my husband so he’ll realize I’m not alone as a bookaholic for knitting books!
What a great prize! This series is lovely – and this new volume is going on my wish list for sure.
I just cleaned out my books, so I would be glad to provide a lovely home for this lovely book!
I would love to add this to my library!
Anne, like you I love stitch dictionaries, also like you, I am budget minded. I have often checked out the Vogue books at my library and dreamed of the day I could own the whole set. This would be a great start, I could work my way backwards!
I would love to win that book. And I love your blog!
This looks like a great resource! Thanks for the chance to win it!
You have convinced me of the wisdom of swatches. This book would be an excellent motivator!
I made it home from vacation just in time to see this post. 🙂
Your books looks so tidy! Maybe I’ll spend my extra day off getting my knitting library in order. Thanks for the inspiration!
Been looking for a good lace pattern book. Might I be so lucky???? Thanks, Ann, for sharing your life & knitting. Your blog is one of my favorites.
Oh! I’m so glad it has charts!
OMG, jealous! I have……ONE…..stitch dictionary, and it’s slim and from the 1970s. I was just noticing last night, while I was working on a sketch for a lace design, that this one is, well, not enough. Sigh.
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