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”
Would love to have a copy of this book!! I love knitting lace and I’m sure this would inspire me to maybe even one day design a shawl of my own.
I love reading your blog so much. I think I’ll have to buy this stitchionary if I don’t win. I’ve always had ambitions to design, but have always been leery and apprehensive. Your blog is always so inspiring and educational because you don’t just show the finished project, you often show the steps to how you achieve the finished objec. Thank you for your knowledge and willingness to share!
Can never, ever have too many books, especially books relating to knitting! (I loved seeing your bookshelves….and seeing how many books we have in common.) Please add my name to the drawing.
Looks like a great lace book. Charts plus words plus good photos = win!
Wow! So many comments…makes me seriously doubt that I have a chance to win, but here goes anyway. I would LOVE to get my hands on a copy of any of the knitting stitch dictionaries! Alas, I am woman of limited funds and cannot afford them. So winning this book would be awesome! Pick me, David! Pick me! LOL
Love those Stitchionaries! Count me in too please.
Sweet! This seems like a perfect stitch dictionary.
I have books 1 and 2 and I agree they are wonderful.
I will be getting volume 5 to add to my collection
Please add me to the list of want it, need it, gotta have it, would love to win it.
Thanks, Marla
Thanks Anne! A gift book is always a great idea!
Add me to the list of people eagerly wanting to get this book! It looks fantastic.
What a great bonus for your readers! Looks like a great addition to the stitchionary series.
What a wonderful idea! And how nice to share…I would love to add it to the every growing knitting book collection!
WAH WAH(crying) I never win anything. Feel sorry for me yet. LOL
Looks like a wonderful book!
Yes please!
love the fact that you have all those old stitch dictionarys wish I had half of them. The new one certiantly looks good and like you I love books that stack together, some of my knitting ones do that well but bookcases when is enough enough never I think.
I do identify with the “Sunday Best” theory, I am the same way. I too have a lot of knitting/crafting books all arranged neatly on my shelves. I did notice that you don’t have vol.4 – crochet?
Thanks again for all you give to the knitting community!
I have the first three in the series and I’ve really enjoyed them.
Love the book, and I love your site!!!
Wow! That is a tempting book! I also love grammar books (for the different languages I use) and have way more than I probably need, but like my knitting books, they all get lots of use.
The book looks like a winner!
I actually don’t own any stitch dictionaries, but there is always a first and I pretty love all knitting books and browse through mine freqently.
I would L.O.V.E. to win this book!!
The book looks fantastic — would love to own a copy!!
I would love to have a stich dictionary of more lace. Gotta love the lace.
I’m pretty new to lace knitting but would love to have this book.
I would love to have a copy of this new book. Pick me please, David!!
Oh please let me have a chance to win a copy of this wonderful book! I only have one of the dictionaries and I would love to have the lace one. Thank you!
I’d love to win the book, but really just had to leave a comment to say that Tana is my very favorite techie! Working on a few of my patterns is how she got her start, and it makes me so happy to see her working with VOGUE!!
Love Love Love your blog!!! Yes – would love to have this book to keep the other ones company on my shelf of knitting books and mags…
Thanks so much for all your beautiful photos!!
I’d love to start my own collection – this would be a great book to start with!
I could always use a knitting stitch pattern book. You can learn something new everyday. I’m always looking for a new stitch I can
put in my socks. It is very generous of you.
love the book. I love lace knitting from charts
I love my knitting books – but am completely in awe of your library… I could spend all year browsing your shelves quite happily!
I can admit to being a book-aholic as much as a yarn-aholic. Why oh why must I have two such expensive hobbies?!
I would LOVE a copy of this book. I have the other 4 volumes and have been hoping for a volume dedicated to lace. Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
That looks beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!!
David? Oh Daaaavid? Over here, pick me!
Thank you for the 1/300 odd chance of winning this book!
Yes, I’ll put my name in!!
I love these books. Have the other 4 Stitchionary books, and love them!! Will add this book to my collection, hope I win!!
My fingers and toes are crossed 🙂 I would love to win!
Sign me up please also!
Well, I’m a new reader to your blog but love your patterns, photography and blog. Couldn’t resist commenting – especially when there’s a prize involved 😉
And like you – I can never have enough books. I figure time is limited for knitting (can’t imagine knitting 5 shawls +more in a few months . . . not with school, kids, moving, etc!) — but some day I’ll be able to indulge myself and get to all those pages I have marked for projects!
Are you kidding?! A book of nothing but lace patterns? Where do I sign up?
Ooh, I’d love to own this book!
Would love this book. wow! This is one of my favorite blogs,
Your work is so amazing and inspiring. Thanks!
What a beautiful book! If I won, I’d have to buy the rest. 🙂
Love you site and heres to hopping I win the copy of vogue knitting stitchionary 5!
Comments are closed.