some new additions to the fold. i wasn’t expecting these books so soon, but there they were, first thing this morning. these are mostly the result of a very spur-of-the-moment trip to my favorite online book source last friday. i had been reading rave reviews about a couple of them so i decide to check them out.
while i was there, i came across this book knitting fashions of the 1940s. being huge fan of vintage patterns and shapes, i decided to try it. and i LOVE it.
this book is so cool i can hardly stand it. the author, jane waller, has done a bang-up job of putting this compendium together. it has vintage drawings and examples of knitting, lots of photos, old and new, and some history to explain the trends of the time period.
i already own many of these patterns in their original publications; i have a large collection of vintage pamphlets and books. but i am thrilled to have so many great ones in one volume.
the author certainly went the extra mile in her interpretations of the styles, taking care to keep the slim lines of the originals, and the feel of vintage fabrications. even the new photographs have an authentically air. a few pieces are possibly less-than-successful recreations, but there are plenty of fab retro gems here to tip the scales in the book’s favor.
since it just arrived, i have not had time to study the pattern instructions in-depth, so i cannot vouch for them being user-friendly at this time. there are women’s and men’s sweaters, dresses, toys, and even lingerie, along with many outerwear pieces, such as hats and gloves. a very, very nice book, worthy of a good deep browsing on my next free afternoon or evening.
boy, have i been busy. i’ve been back to work at my job this week and i put in a really long, but productive day on a big pile of edits i received last friday. still a ways to go, but i’ll get there.
i’ve also been working very hard on the starlight evening wrap pattern and i’m happy to report that i’m over the hump and i have paper in hand. in fact, i am most of the way through the test knit.
the new software produced some, um, interesting results, so i’m glad i’m doing the test myself. it’s not that there were errors (except a few i made myself), but it’s just that it produced some really awkward pattern moments—none of them wrong, per se—just weird. i’m still on the fence about whether this was a good investment.
right now me and my mac could be a bit happier. but, i did get the job done. i’m going to research the issues a little more, but i may end up ranting about it later.
of course, in order to make so much headway on my test knit, i had to, ever so gently, lay a few things aside to make time.
just for a couple of days, i promise. anyhow, i have made considerable progress on the morning glories shawl, so i don’t feel too bad. using DK after the fine fingering yarn i just worked with makes it all feel way too easy.
i’m gonna have to start now if i want to build a pattern before it’s done.
42 thoughts on “book ho”
I’m sorry your new software is being such a poo-poo head! I hope things smooth out, and it becomes a good investment. I must say again, how beautiful I think the morning glories shawl is going. I really love that color so much. Such great texture this shawl has as well, I love that you are using dk weight this time. Really splendid knitting.
That starlight evening pattern looks beautiful! I look forward to seeing the final product and pattern.
Thanks too for the link to overstock … just did a little shopping myself.
So when was your 40’s book published? It sounds great! You’ll have to tell us what you think of Lace Style. I have a copy and I love just looking through it! I love seeing the pictures of your handspun socks. I just posted a picture of my very first handspun sock on my blog, I think I’m in love with it:) Hope your new software starts behaving itself.
The Yarn Harlot’s photo of you and her comments, in her “Cleveland Rocks” blog entry (April 2), were marvelous! I got a kick out of seeing the two different photos of you and the sock in the two blogs.
Morning glories is working up beautifully, but I can’t figure out the name. Is the stitch pattern supposed to look like morning glories?
Starlight Evening looks beautiful, and I’m now actively searching for that 40’s book. Just out of curiosity, does your issue with the software have anything to do with how it handles “no stitch” in the written part of the pattern?
Isn’t the 1940s book great? To answer EricaLynn, the book was published on 4/12/06 – sorry that’s the 4th December (UK style date!) and you can see it here among many other places. There is that cool ‘look inside’ feature, too! http://www.amazon.co.uk/1940s-Knitting-Pattern-Book/dp/1861268629/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/202-1552955-1119036?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175681564&sr=8-1
Beatiful stuff, as always! If you ever need a test knit done for Morning Glories, I’d be happy to oblidge – I have handspun that was meant for a pattern like that methinks.
Wow, you’ve been busy. Thanks for the details about the books. Do you have a favorite stitch dictionary? I’ve wanted to add another to my collection of Barbara Walker’s, Stitchionaries, and Mon Tricots. I’d also be interested in your Knit Visualizer problems. I thought it took a while to get accustomed to it, but it is the first program of this sort that I tried, and I always feel inept on new software. And I too am a lot happier with Macs than I ever was with Windows.
…eagerly awaiting the pattern for Morning Glories. I have a silk/cashmere DK weight that I’ve been hanging onto until the right pattern comes along. Morning Glories looks like it could be it. So far, it is just beautiful.
I kinda went back and forth on 2 charting programs – I ordered one (not, I think, the new one you have because the sample/tutorial confused the heck outta me), but I haven’t had a spare minute to try it out. Anything’s better than manually using Excel…… I think….
I love that last shawl… I keep thinking “trellis” when I see it. Is that what you see?
I’ve never used overstock for books… hmm..
🙂
Vintage patterns are pretty neat – the lines and styles are unique and nice to see after many of the cookie-cutter styles out today….good luck with the software. It seems like once you figure it out, you’ll be set, but it’s the figuring out that is taking a while!
I bought Knit Visualizer also. I think it’s missing a few important stitches, like Kf&b (!). Also, they need to make it so that you can edit the legend and use symbols as different sts.
JMHO. But I also question my sanity for having purchased this program. Don’t get me wrong: it works great for the most part! But otherwise, there are some glitches that need to be worked out.
I love knitting books too. Lots. I am going to have to check out Overstock.
Morning Glories looks great so far. You have made some really good progress. Yay for DK weight yarn!
Thanks for the Overstock link. I’ve never checked out books there. I’m developing serious envy over your knitting library!
I flipped through that 40s book the other day, too. It looks like it would be a very satisfying read, even if I never actually knit anything from it.
I’ve heard wonderful things about The Natural Knitter, though I haven’t seen the book on the shelf yet. What did you think?
The books! The books! They are stacked all over my house, too 😉
I got that Vintage 40’s book–I really loved the kid’s patterns in it–and the wonderful fitted sweaters. I thought some of the modern versions looked a lot bulkier than the originals, but haven’t really examined the patterns–did they use finer yarns and needles than we are accustomed to? Probably. Perhaps it was the way the new versions were styled as well–some of them looked like they could use a good steaming.
The book is a wonderful piece of social history as well–I look forward to giving it a closer read.
Kathleen
Ooh, the morning glories stole is looking very nice! I got the Natural KNitter book last week, I just love the linen pullover in there!
Hi! As the author of Knit Visualizer, I’m interested in what your thoughts are on Knit Visualizer. I noticed a few others had some thoughts too – please feel free to email me nancy AT knitfoundry DOT com. I’m working on version 2, and very happy to hear feedback (both good and bad – but hopefully constructive with some ideas to make it better) and address what I can in the new release.
I love knitting books almost as much as yarn and needles! I’ll have to check out the 1940s book. I am interested in how you like the Natural Knitter. I just started No Sheep For You by Amy Singer. I’m not allergic to wool, but since I live in a warm climate, it might be of use.
The morning glories shawl will be amazing!
Anne, those patterns for the starlight and morning glories are awesome…WOW! You do such nice stuff. Sorry your software is being a brat!
The 40s book sounds cool. It’s really strange how far knitting has come…expecially patterns. I have some older books from when I first started knitting some 40 years ago…
Love your site and your work is outstanding! WoW!!!
I saw you at the Cleveland Yarn Harlot book signing, and almost approached you to compliment you on your beautiful shawl – but I guess I was a bit shy that day.
It is quite a wonderful-looking shawl.
Saw your photo on the YH site, and had to write.
Wow, i was dran to your blog via Yarn Harlot, and I am so glad. You sight is a pleasure to the eyes. I will get to see and meet Stephanie tomorrow night here in Denver. I am pretty excited. I think I need to make a hat today for her collection. Again, your sight is rockin’!
Why oh why do I do this to myself?? I come to visit your blog and read up on the happs with you and I come away agog at your abilities. I also always want to go order yarn or books like crazy and cast on another ten projects. Anne, your blog has left me in a state of wonderment, yet again. And I don’t feel my effusive praise is misguided (see above blog comments). Thanks again for sharing your knitting, work, and life with us. I have to go humbly knit away on my shortie jacket now…..:)
OOOOoooooh, I have book envy now. 🙂
I’m loving the look of that starlight evening wrap!
And the morning glories shawl looks great, too.
The book sounds really neat, and the Morning Glories Shawl is looking fabulous. But is that the tree scum sock under the Morning Glories Shawl in the “group” picture? Careful, you don’t want it’s bad mood rubbing off on anyone else.
I think I might have to head over to Overstock and check out the books. I usually buy from Amazon since it’s cheaper than buying from local bookstores and bn.com.
Do you think you might post thoughts on the other books (Lace Style and Natural Knitter esp.) once you’ve had a chance to look through them?
And Morning Glories looks beautiful!
Oh, I love those books! I have that stitch dictionary and I just love it.
Oooooohhhh….Knitting fashion of the 1940s… you make me wanna get it too!
o ! what a gorgeous malve swatch…
Knitting fashion of the 1940s… i want it… i search immediatly….
40’s knitting sounds interesting. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. Your projects are always so interesting.
You really must stop with the enabling. Although, I’ve been trying to checkout on Overstock.com and it keeps giving me a blank page…I want my books!! 🙁
Your new wraps are lovely!
I just added to my book stash a la overstock.com last week and have been contemplating another raid… it’s my favorite book buying place lately!
I would feel a little bad for my LYS, but then, I don’t have one- I live in the boondocks, and ‘local’ is 45 minutes to an hour away… I will still travel for yarn though!
Happy knitting,
ali
Is that my beloved Tree Scum hiding mid pile? I really love Morning Glory. It is so much fun to watch things grow day by day chez Anne.
Thanks for this last picture of the shawl, it gives me a good idea of what the whole thing will look like, and it is lovely.
OK, so I came back after a detour to Overstock.com to pick up a couple of (*cough* four) books. Thanks.
I must say Morning Glories is, indeed, glorious!
Sorry about the software. I spent weeks investigating and decided that there is no perfect translation of handcraft to machine. Best of luck!
Anne – I am REALLY loving this morning glories shawl. It is really gorgeous. When do you think it will be done, and the pattern up??? Huh? Huh??? (Do I sound like your editor in any way???)
Overstock is really dangerous. I find so many books that I’ve wanted to get and new ones too. I like Lace Style, although it was different than what I initially thought it might be. The book you got on 40s styling sounds pretty interesting. I await your review.
‘This book is so cool I can hardly stand it’. Wow, I don’t think any comment on any of my books has given me so much pleasure. Careful, though, some sites have the title wrong. It’s ‘Knitting Fashions of the 1940s: Styles, Patterns and History’.
Happy knitting to you all.
Jane Waller
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