in stitches over it

Posted on Posted 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 love to win this book, but actually plan on buying it since my winning it is remote. I’m a BIG lace knitter and so having this in my library will be a big plus! Thank you for the review. The others I’ve read of it have been similarly complimentary, so I will enjoy using it.

  2. I would love to be entered in the book drawing.

    Your entry made me smile. I have my non-knitting books sorted by category, so they will have like-minded books to associate with. Of course, all the knitting books and patterns have their own dedicated book shelf. (Shelves.)

  3. Do I see a lot of new lace patterns coming up? I hope so! Looks like a great resource.

  4. Oh the Places I’d Go,
    with a Vogue, high or low,
    To take it for Thai food,
    or for an ice cream mood,
    Oh the things I’d knit,
    Will you pick me?
    I’d flip!
    (Thanks for offering this book to one of us.)

  5. Oh gosh,

    I’d hate to ask, but then again, it does look rather wonderful. I dare say this books would take pride of place on the (short) shelf reserved for craft books. This shelf needs to grow…

    Oh, and I like your blog!

  6. I remember hearing that they were working on that book awhile back and I was so excited! I love books that are well designed with patterns and pictures and it just incites creativity and inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Hi! I love reading your blog – thank you for this opportunity to try and win a book of stitches!
    I just realized you live in Mason OH – I am in Columbus now – I lived in Cincy for 17 years…
    Thanks again!
    Sheri

  8. Hi — don’t include me in the drawing. Just signed on to browse your blog and get inspiration. Working on a lace edging this weekend, something simple to block because the shawl is going to a non-knitter, but I want to define the edge better and complement the pattern of the shawl. My first thought was to look at your shawls because your edges always make me think of new things, like listening to good music. IIRC, there isn’t one or yours that will work quite right, but I know I’ll look at yours and remember something from one of *my* library of stitch dictionaries, and then it will grow in my mind and on my needles. Oh, really love the way you worked the petite version of Pine and Ivy. Neat!

  9. I just had a look at “laugh all you want”, and love the story about the afghan. My mother is a crocheter, and her mother made amazing intricate fine lace as well. My great grandmother on my father’s side was an incredibly accomplished knitter, and crocheter, and I have one of her afghans still, and recently received an old wooden box of hers full of antique needles, including a set of around 40 microscopic crochet hooks. I have been meditatively (obsessively?) de-tangling, working my way through her crochet thread and embroidery floss.

    Thanks for the blog, with it’s lovely images, and patterns and thoughtful commentary.

  10. I would love this book! I enjoyed your post very much, because I too, love books.

  11. ohhh I have been drooling over these books (as well as your patterns) I am currently working on Fernfrost 🙂

  12. I’d love a copy of the new stitchionary to join my shelf. Please include me in the drawing!

  13. Hi Anne,

    This is a beautiful and inspiring book–I love the layout of this series, having the crochet volume in my library already. This is alos an opportunity to share my admiration of your wonderful pattrens.

    Thank you!

  14. How come when you take pictures of even books, it’s like looking at 3-D! I was just reading about that new book in one of my knitting magazines.

  15. Thanks for the review & the tour of your library. I have added that book on my wish list on Book Depository.

  16. me, me! pick me,please! I have a smaller library, just crying out to be enlarged.

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