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 am just begining to crave stitch dictionaries. I have one little booklet that I inherited 30ish years ago. There are so many out there I don’t know where to start……..hmmmm David you could solve that problem…. 🙂

  2. looks lovely – yes, stitch dictionaries are good reading – thank you for sharing! Cheers!

  3. I love the photos of your bookshelves and the sneak peek into Vol. 5. It looks great, and I would love to be added to the list. Everything looks so neat and organized. I would love to see photos of your knitting area, or yarn stash, tool organization, etc. Curious minds want to know 😉

  5. From reading all the stitchionary posts this week, it’s clear I need to ramp up my personal library and not always just fall back on Barbara Walker 1-4. Vol. 5 looks great!

  8. I wish my knitting library was as organized as yours – it is not – shameful for a retired librarian – but I’m too busy knitting right now – I would love to have the new stictionary – lace is my passion too.

  10. I have stayed away from some other stitch books as they only have written instructions. I am with you, show me a chart and I AM IN!!!
    Pick me and it will have a GREAT home:)

  11. Let me add my name to the gaggle of knitters! You probably wouldn’t have too hard of a time giving away those “old” Barbara Walker books, either!
    Thanks!

  12. I love stitch dictionaries and my ever growing collection has long since outgrown its shelf space. I also love technique book and I really wish there were more of them. I’ve been quite pleased to see more of them, though, in the last few years.

  14. I’m so inspired by your’s and David’s activities–from planting to cooking to, yes, knitting. I’ve been on a sock kick lately, but I have some Briar Rose to start on an Ondule next. Thank you for making knitspot such a lovely stop on my Internet trips!

  18. This is a Beatiful Book and a must have for anyone that does lace. I love the first lace picture you showed. Have to add it to the lace sampler I am making.

  19. That book looks like it would be lovely next to my one other Stitchionary!

  21. That is one book I’d love to have. Even though I’m not a great lace knitter, I love to knit lace. The beauty of well placed holes goes beyond words.

  23. So glad to see that Stitchonery 5 is out. Loved your extended description—the charts AND good-sized pictures of knitted lace have really sold me. I’m a visual learner (which knitter isn’t?!), so the charts-plus-big-photos is a huge draw. Can’t wait to get a copy! Thanks for the drawing, too. Happy holiday weekend to all — and here’s to finishing a lot of ADs (Almost Dones) in the next couple of days.

  24. wow, I’d love to be the lucky winner. I’m so glad they included charts, they make all the difference for me. Thanks for doing this.

  25. oh I’d love that book. I love knitting lace scarves but I’m very particular about stitch patterns! I’ll end up buying this book soon anyways!

  26. I would love to win this Stitchionary, and agree that these Vogue Knitting pattern books are beautifully done. I am impressed by the neatness of your knitting books as well. One of my tasks for the weekend is to organize my knitting/beading room.

  27. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book. I have a few of your lovely lace patterns waiting for my lace-knitting skills to improve!

  30. As a newbie lace knitter, this book sounds like a good addition to any knitters library. Thank you for the review. I would love a copy!

  32. I am intrigued with knitting lace and am almost finished with the knitting of my second piece. Would love a copy of this stitchionary!

  34. I’d love that book – put me in for the drawing – if I don’t win – I’ll just have to purchase it (sob)! 🙂

  35. Please pick me Please pick me!!! thank you so much for the chance. Love to read you – Love your patterns and inspiration

  36. I love that charts are included! My favorite kind of instructions for almost any kind of knitting, especially lace.

  37. The book looks as necessary as the others in the series.Today is the perfect day to stay in and knit given that it is currently SNOWING here in Calgary, Alberta. Yep, that’s me playing the pity vote 😉 But there are really pretty, fluffly flakes falling from the sky ! Well, they’d be pretty if it was DECEMBER.
    Thanks for the opportunity. Love your blog.

  39. i love knitting books too and have the first two vogue stitch dictionaries. would love to have the newest one!

  41. I’d love a stitchionary! I’ve been knitting for almost a year, and have a hankering to design: something like a stitchionary would definitely help with that!

  43. Anne, I will leave designing lace items up to you…what i love about lace knitting is the charting. Seeing so many charts in one book between two covers seems so exciting to me.

    mary

  44. I loved those photos of your pattern/stitch library. Jealous! My sweetheart already thinks I have too many books, but, well, I disagree. Thanks for your generosity and your great blog, Anne.

  47. I have only one of the blue book’s siblings (the green one, knit and purl) but I’d love to “add to the family”!

  48. Impossible to resist such wonderful swatch pictures. I would love to give it a closer look.

    All the best,
    Dawn

  49. Yay for stitch pattern books! I love that they’re charted–I hate having to make my own charts for things. It definitely looks like a keeper!

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