now, here’s a handy book

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events

out just in time for holiday gifting, vogue knitting mittens & gloves is a collection of more than 40 favorite accessories for hands and wrists, gathered from the pages of vogue knitting magazine.

representing virtually any style you can think of, this book explores the gamut from classic to glam to fantastic with the collection contained inside.

and the photography shows off each one so that making the choice of which to start with might be the knitter’s biggest difficulty.

i love the several pair of long gloves, worked in fine yarn which are included—they give off the most feminine air and are versatile enough to be worn indoors as an accessory.

in addition to a bevy of style choices, there is something from every knit stitch “family” to choose from

the adorable pine tree mittens above and the scandinavian style ski mittens below are just two of the colorwork pieces included.

and there is lace, too

cables do not go ignored either—complex 3D ones are among the pages

mixing with more delicate streamlined cable texture in other pieces

the instructions are laid out well with detailed construction directions and large, color-coded charts for each piece.

there are quite a few pieces that are not purposed for warmth, but instead, for sheer style or illusion. my favorite page in the book shows a pair of backless gloves, cleverly designed to imitate the leather ones worn for horseback riding (or driving).

on another page, a beautiful muff is pictured

maybe not practical for everyday use, but certainly, it could have a role in a glamorous winter costume event—i could see it making and unforgettable entrance at a wedding, winter prom, or glittering holiday party.

the book compiles so many appealing choices in one place that it’s sure to have something for everyone.

i’m in richmond, VA this weekend, teaching at the hanover knttiing guild, but i thought it would be fun to post this review and offer a treat for readers in place of hearing from the real me. sixth&spring has generously offered to send a copy of vogue knitting mittens & gloves to one lucky reader. if you’d like to get in the drawing, leave a comment at the end of this post some time before 9 pm EST on sunday, october 31st. i’ll announce the winner upon my return home, probably monday morning (but maybe tuesday, heh).

193 thoughts on “now, here’s a handy book”

  1. Another great recommendation! My library has many ‘Ann’ additions, and thank you for bringing them to our attention.

  2. I have been knitting for five years and have made all sorts of accessories for everyone but me! I would love to win this collection of mitten and glove patterns. Momma needs a pair of mittens. It is cold here in New Hampshire.

  3. This looks like a great book and I’d love to have it so I can make some beautiful gloves and mittens! Love the pictures you showed. Thanks for the opportunity!

  4. I’m just learning how to knit mittens and this would be a great inspiration for me.
    PS After looking at your YouTube videos, I am now totally convinced that neither you nor David sleep. How do you accomplish all that you do?
    Love your haircut!

  6. This book is on my wish list! Thank you for the sneak peek inside. I was hoping Jared Flood’s mittens would be in it, and they are!!! Yay!

  8. The furnace kicked on this morning – it’s officially cold! Time for a muff or at least mittens or gloves (I’ve never made one with fingers, just the fingerless ones). Enjoy Virginia!

  9. Great book! Although I subscribe to Vogue Knitting, it would be wonderful having all of these favorites in one place.

  10. Thank you for yet another opportunity! The book looks lovely and I am especially intrigued by the long gloves.

  12. Here in MN, I would make great use of the patterns in this book (at least the warm ones) . Please pick me!
    p.s. love your garden posts, as well; my garden, to bed already

  14. I’ve just been looking for mitts patterns to knit, since I heard teens like them for texting. Need some presents. . .

  15. Be safe in Richmond…another book to put on my wishlist and some additional holiday gift ideas (besides the knitspot patterns that I’m already using) for some of the friends that do not live in a hot winter climate.

  18. “Handy book”, hehe… Would love it. Enjoy Richmond. Dearest daughter flies North next weekend to celebrate her b’day with her best friend at the University of Richmond next weekend.

  20. OMG I want to make every pair!!! Perfect timing for the holidays for making gifts and for making some of these for winter wearing. Here in PA I definitely wear mittens and gloves every time I go out from late October well into May and sometimes even early June. The long gloves are delicious! Thanks so much for the review!

  21. Gorgeous book – I love mittens! Handknit socks are fine, but mittens and gloves aren’t hidden away in shoes after all that detailed work. A great book for my collection!

  23. ooo, I agree that muff is so unique! Looks like a great book–I just returned to New England from the south and the sudden temperature difference really has me wanting to knit up some mitts/mittens/things to keep me warm! To that end, I think I’ll go buy your latest mitts and cowl pattern. Enjoy your weekend, Anne!

  24. The muff is particularly impractical if you are wearing a lace top out in the snow! Love the gloves though – so many I’d like to make.

  27. I have been drawn to knitting mittens and fingerless gloves lately. Must be because its winter time but mainly because they are quick and there are so many different techniques and styles to choose from!

  28. I would love a book on gloves and mittens. I really enjoy making them. Thanks for the giveaway!

  31. I thought I’d seen all the magazines, but I must have missed some. There are four pair among your pictures that I need to make right now! The red gloves with the lace patterning on the back of the hand must be mine! So I would love to have this book! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway.
    PS Hope you’re having a wonderful time in Richmond.

  32. Looks like a great book. Mittens and gloves sound like fun to knit…my family pretty much has enough pairs of socks. Welcome to Virginia…wish I could have made it to Richmond to meet you.

  33. I love knitting mittens. Although I have the yarn & needles, I’ve never marshalled the courage to try gloves. This book could motivate me in a very big way.

  36. I would love to win…even if the designs aren’t as lovely as yours. The new Curling is truly stunning.

  38. I’ve been eyeing Jared’s mittens for a while now – maybe it’s time to finally make them.

  39. After I make curling, I’d love to start on the Vogue mittens. Have a great weekend. We are spending it raking leaves.

  40. This could replace my old old old copy of Scandinavian Snow Sets (Nomis). How lovely this new book is! Thank you for the chance at it.

  42. I’ve been looking for a nice mitten pattern and this book looks wonderful. Thank you for offering it!

  43. I have yet to try mittens, but they’re on my list to do soon – after I finish my Christmas knitting!

    Incidentally, after all my raves about how great Knitspot patterns are, a friend of my just purchased the Curling pattern. She’s been looking to make some mitts and decided that was the pattern she wanted!

  44. What a great book with great patterns-mittens like socks are fun to knit and are great gifts. Thanks for the giveaway.

  45. Hello there, I have never knit mittens before and wouldn’t it be great to add this book to my collection. I really enjoy reading your blog and kudos to you and your guy for such great pics.

  46. thanks for the chance to be the lucky winner. i love making mitts and mittens, so thanks for the preview.

  48. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, and thank you and Sixth&Spring for the giveaway! I would to receive a copy of this book — last winter surprised everyone (usually we get no snow at all, but were snowed in for over five weeks in -11C temps and lower) so preparing my friends and family for this winter, using this book, would be great. 😉 Thanks!

  53. Would love to win this book. Years ago I thought making a pair of gloves would be something very hard, but to my surprise it was pretty easy. I still wear them and feel quite proud. Love!!! your blog.

  54. Who doesn’t love mittens? Especially as another potential use for the “it’s not stash unless it outweighs your car and oh heck it’s really close to that” sock yarn collection. 🙂

  55. A very hand-some book indeed!!!
    Looking forward to getting my hands on it! (Either by winning it or buying it)
    Your blog is a delight and I love reading it — thanks for all the beautiful pictures and words.

  57. The blue lace elbow gloves you showed have been on my needles (well, needle cable/holder, anyway) since that issue came out last winter. I didn’t realize how many other great, long gloves Vogue has published, though. I’d love a copy of this book, and may have to put it on my Christmas wish list!

  58. Oh goodness! I need that muff! I was dreaming of having one when I was a kid, and you can believe me, I’d make and use the one in this book. 🙂

  59. Love the long gloves. Just the thing to keep me warm at home and work. Would love to get this book.

  60. Ohh, I wish I’d had that muff at my Dec 28th wedding. It was cold and that muff would have been the perfect accent to my Red, Black, and Silver wedding!!!

  61. I love the green mittens. I think they’re by Jared flood? Anyhow, woo hoo to the publisher for giving a “give away” copy to you!

  62. One of my favorite things as a little girl was a gray muff – I don’t know whatever happened to it, but I always look for a replacement when I go to used clothing stores 🙂

  63. That muff is wonderful. I had one as a child and I loved it. I really love the longer gloves. Have a good weekend in VA, Anne

  64. You’re right. This would be great for some gift giving ideas for the coming holidays. Thanks for the chance to win.

  66. Some interesting options in this book. And of course, I never met a contest I didn’t like…

    Have fun in Virginia. Hope all the action in DC this weekend doesn’t get in your way.

  68. Wow, what a cool book – thanks for sharing – love your blog and always look forward to more knitting pics…cheers!

  72. I’d love to win a copy… if not, it’s going on my Christmas list (if I have the willpower to wait that long!)

  73. I’m not too much into mittens, but some of the glove patterns are really impressive. It looks like a great book for someone’s knitting library.

  74. Another interesting book. There’s so many fabulous vogue books and at least I know mittens and gloves will fit!

  75. Heh, sometimes that muff would be just the thing for me… I have a tendency to always have cold hands… on the other hand, it would probably cut into knitting time!

  84. I live in North Dakota, and knit at least 2 new pair of mittens for every family member each year…. I need this book!!!

  86. I’d love to win a copy of this book. The cabled mittens look great, and I’d like to have a go at some colourwork too. This might just give me the shove that I need!

  89. That looks like a lovely book! Love your shawl in Brave New Knits. Thanks for the chance to win

  90. This reminds me that I have been meaning to make some mittens! It looks like a great resource.

  91. Looks like a fun book. I could probably find the perfect pattern for the camel yarn that I have been saving.

  93. I need to knit myself a new pair of mittens. I’m sure I could find something I like in this book!

  94. I’m determined to knit something with fingers this winter 🙂

    Looks like a wonderful collection of designs.

  98. The photos are lovely and the choice of which to knit first would be really difficult.

    Have a good trip,
    Dawn

  100. Wow, it has so many amazing mittens. This book would certainly keep you busy knitting. Keeping my fingers crossed as I’d love the book!

  101. Gorgeous book! The muff brings back warm memories of one I had as a child. The two days of workshops with you this weekend were amazing. So much information–so much inspiration–from such a lovely person. Thank you.

  103. Mittens, gloves are always welcome gifts and this book would be an ideal stash buster and present builder.

  108. I regretted not buying the magazine when Jared’s Druid mittens were featured on the cover, I’ll have to look for this book. Thanks for another helpful review.

  109. me,me,please pick me? p.s. i love that you model all your finished projects.It shows that they are really as beautiful to wear as make:0)

  112. how totally fabulous! i have yet to make a pair of mittens considering that i live in FL… but every person i would knit for lives where it snows… so, i need to get on that.

  113. The book looks very lovely. Some of the gloves look so glamorous, just what I need for taking my son to hockey practice:-)

  117. I wish I was in VA. It’s cold and windy in New York. I don’t think I’ll ever warm up. I could use a set of those mittens! I love the muff as well!

  125. Ah, it’s late October and the knitter’s thoughts turn to warmth. This is what VK does best – marry high design with function.

    Thanks to you and VK for sponsoring this giveaway!

  127. That muff is not practical? Hmmm…I could totally see myself walking into a stadium for a soccer game sporting that one! It would go with my big green pom pom hat!

    Thanks for previewing the book and for the giveaway!

  129. Those long gloves have such a glamorous look. I don’t know if I would have the patience to knit them, but wouldn’t they feel so la-dee-da!

    Leslie

  132. So great to see you in person this weekend, Anne. I miss you already. And I learned a TON of wonderful info. You’re the BEST.

  134. I love the long dramatic gloves as well as the colorwork and the cables. It looks like a great collection!

  136. Thanks for sharing pics from such a wonderful book! It would be a great addition to one’s knitting book collection. Lovely patterns …

  137. As someone who takes a bus to work, I can’t have too many pairs of mittens. However, it is true that some of the images that you show are fun to look at, but one wouldn’t find the pattern useful. I like your creative ideas for use of the muff.

  140. Great review. Thanks for a peek. The book is packed full of beautiful projects and great inspiration. Phyllis

  145. Oddly enough, I want to make the muff and use it for daily commuting. It would come in super handy on the cold walk to the train station.

  147. i remember that i bought that issue of VK because of the blonde girl with the fingerless mitts, lol. just because of her, stunning eyes.

  148. What a wonderful book! I’d love to make some things from it. Maybe this will be my lucky day! 🙂

  151. I would LOVE to have this book. I recongnized Jared Flood’s Druid Mittens from 2008 right away. It is one of those “round to it” patterns I just have not gotten to yet. I have a good selection of “sock” books, but would love to start a “hands” collection to complement it.

  153. Gyönyörű könyv. Rengeteg inspirációval…Tényleg mindenki tallhat benne kedvére valót. Gratulálok a leendő nyertesnek:-)

  155. Sorry Anne but none of those hand warmers is as pretty as the stuff you do! Just look at your previous post. Elegant, wonderful choice of yarn, beautiful pattern. Nope – I’m partial to your designs. ‘Nuff said.

  156. Oh heavens, you really stirred up a storm with that gift offer! Will you look at the number of comments you’ve had!

    I must say I’m tempted by several of those gorgeous patterns. Wristwarmers or gloves, wristwarmers or gloves, which are more useful? Gloves tend to get pulled off, whilst the wristies can stay in place all day and night if you so wish.

    Enjoy Richmond and Hallow E’en!

  157. My Christmas knitting includes a pair of long gloves for my only granddaughter. Since I have not yet decided on the pattern to use, this book would be very helpful! Thanks for the chance to win!

  162. the photos are really gorgeous and I am ready to begin knitting mittens for the season, so getting the book will be perfect

  163. How generous for you to praise the works of others in such a convincing manner. Your words of endorsement carry much weight. In light of this, I would love to receive a copy of this beautiful book.
    Safe travel always.

  164. This book looks great. I like some of the long gloves and the pine tree mittens. Thanks for the chance to win this book. Have fun in your travels.

    Kristi

  166. I’m always eager to read your reviews! Every yarn you’ve ever endorsed has been a total WINNER, so this vogue collection must be worth having too! Ever hopeful – throw me into the circle of chattering needy knitters! HA!
    Safe trip and happy hauntings.

  168. Looks like a cool book. Not much need to hats and mittens in Texas, but I have lots of northern friends/relatives as I grew up in Minnesota!! Book looks good.

    See you in Dallas at the DFW Fiber Fest.

  169. wow, I’ve seen a lot of those before, but not all. Nice to have them all together!!

    I’ve been on vacation for a while-am looking forward to reading your blog to see what you’ve been up to!

  171. what a beautiful book! i think some of your things should be included in it as well. i really love your latest offering from the post before this one. i would love to have this book. safe travels!

  173. What a lovely book. I have a real soft spot for mittens, so this book would be such a treat. Thank you for holding this draw. 🙂

  177. Now that’s a lovely opportunity, Anne…great book, great timing, great generosity. I think I will have to try that muff – I don’t know why, but I really like it. Imagine some metallic threads through the muff part, with a hint of sparkle, coming into an evening wedding.

  179. What a lovely book. Thank you for the opportunity to win! I bought the Vogue issue just for the cable mittens and saw several other projects that would be lot of fun.

  180. What a great opportunity to win a wonderful book. Thank you and best wishes for a fun and fulfilling weekend away teaching.

  183. Gorgeous mittens and gloves, the variety is really nice to see, Lovely and stylish from Vogue. If my name isn’t drawn, I think I’m going to have to put it on my own winter wish list!

  186. Oh man, I want this book!! Definitely it will go on my to-buy list if I’m not lucky enough to win a copy!

  187. I have been knitting lots of gloves lately for Christmas presents. I would love a copy of this!

  188. Hope your class went well. The book looks like a lot of fun patterns. Take care and enjoy your trips.

  190. I have the Vogue sock book and I love it! Patterns are clear to read and photos are unbelievable. Count me in just under the wire here in Seville OH.
    By the way, thanks so much for posting so many pictures of each of your designs. It seems there is always just one more pose that would give the full picture.. and yours always does. Thanks.

  192. Sign me up! I have some souvenir tweed from an Ireland trip that’s just waiting to be made into mittens or gloves. 🙂

  193. I may just get in here under the time LOL … would love the book! So many different types of patterns – something to keep coming back to.

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