what’s in vogue . . .

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events

rizzoli publishes some of the most beautiful books in print today; when i lived in new york, i often found myself tempted into their shop on my way to or from work appointments. though i never had enough spare cash to indulge myself in a glossy new book on west 57th street, i often had very good luck further downtown in scoring some of their fine art books secondhand.

there’s no better way to pass the time than to leaf through a high quality book, with its scholarly writing, heavy paper, and beautifully turned out photos—who could ask for more?

actually, there might be just one thing—what about doing an absolutely gorgeous publication on our favorite wooly topic? well today i’m holding just that—a delicious new offering from rizzoli about vogue knitting.

the book tells the story of vogue knitting magazine, beginning with a brief history of the publication, told in words and pictures.

a good number of vintage covers are used to illustrate the magazine’s timeline, a reminder of its history as knitting’s premier fashion magazine.

VK has been graced with the work of fashion’s best photographers as well—even today, it continues to present knits in fashion stories that occur within a constructed photographic “setting”.

while we now have several beautiful knitting magazines, each with a slightly different approach to presenting knit fashion, vogue knitting has the longest history among those currently published.

and during the 80s and 90s, it was the only one we had and whatever it was showing was considered the height of current knitting trends. i know that personally, i always looked forward to seeing what was shown next.

and while these large, oversized sweaters were never a good fit for my frame, i still very much enjoyed the presentation of current fashion trends presented by VK.

my favorite inclusions though were always their new takes on classic sweater designs—i loved to see colorwork and texture used in ways that married very traditional techniques with new shapes or updated detailing.

the book includes a wonderful retrospective of some of VK’s best designs as well as some of its trendiest—there are many sweaters included that i still would knit today.

and fortunately, the book includes patterns for all of the sweaters featured in this review.

the magazine not only featured well-known photographers, but also clothing designers and continues to do so today. perry ellis, calvin klein, and isaac mizrahi are just a few that have contributed to the magazine.

this direct link and crossover with 7th avenue fashion houses distinguishes vogue knitting from other magazines of our craft.

having such a long running publication history enabled the editors to include a feature that i just loved and looked forward to in each issue—the “[XX] years ago in vogue” feature, where a beautiful sweater from another era was resuscitated and made new again by the magazines design staff, complete with before and after photos.

the rizzoli edition covers all of these much-loved facets of the magazine’s history, including instructions for the pieces shown throughout, taking us right up to the current decade

similar to the the rowan compendiums, but with lots more history included.

a short section of techniques and and explanation of abbreviations used throughout the patterns is included at the back.

the book is a wonderful tribute to a magazine with such a long and illustrious history; i like that so many of my own favorites are compiled into one volume.

and fortunately for us, rizzoli has generously set aside one copy of vogue knitting to be mailed to one lucky reader.

if you’d like to win a copy, leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EST on thursday, nov 17 and you’ll be in the running. we’ll announce as soon as possible after that; i’m teaching at a retreat over the weekend and i’m not sure when i’ll be posting (definitely by next tuesday, though).

have a good week; i’ll be back with some knitting news soon.

427 thoughts on “what’s in vogue . . .”

  2. I’m first?

    I’d love a chance at the book. And to have clean needles so I can knit Blumchen. I’m not sure which of those choices is more likely.

  5. The book is gorgeous, Anne.

    Have a lovely time at the retreat – lucky campers to have you teach!

    Dawn

  6. Great book- I think I still have some of those magazines from the early 90s- I could make my own book!

  7. I’ve been lusting after this book after I saw a copy in the store last week. I can remember my mother occasionally buying a copy of the magazine as a splurge and then marking her favorite pages. Thanks for having this contest!

  14. Please enter me in your drawing. I look forward to a pot of coffee and an afternoon going down memory lane with VK!

  17. what a beautiful book,…..I think I have purchased every Vogue knitting magazine published in the last 20 years……

  18. That is a gorgeous book! Vogue Knitting is a perfect “escape” when I need a break at work! Have a great retreat.

  21. Looks like a fantastic book – something to round out the bookshelf. I’d be happy to be the recipient!

  22. VK is my go to magazine when I need a knitting fix, especially when I travel. This book is a great addition to the collection!

  24. I would love to win this book! I am a long-time Vogue Knitting subscriber and the book looks like a fitting tribute to this style icon of knitters!

  27. Ooo – I’d love to have a copy of that one. Several of the sweaters looked very interesting.

  29. What a great gift to one of us lucky readers who follow this blog, Anne. I would count myself as one lucky woman if I were to win this. Haven’t done a sweater in two years now since some charity projects (prayer shawls) came in and took over my life, but I am so, so ready to make something pretty for me. Thanks for this giveaway, Stoney Monte

    spirit.in.stoney@gmail.com

  31. On the fence between Blumchen and Leaving. Maybe some quality time with Vogue Knitting will inspire me to take on both. Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

  37. What a beautiful history of Vogue’s influence on hand-knit fashions. Great review, Anne. Thanks so much for offering the chance to become its owner.
    Safe travels.

  40. I can almost feel the pages under my fingers after reading the review. Owning it, rather than borrowing it from the library, would be luxurious indeed.

  42. Wow–let’s hear it for coffee-table knitting books!

    On another topic, I just read a blog that reminded me of Anne: today’s post by David Lebovitz is a recipe for a chocolate beet cake, from Nigel Slater’s A Cook and His Vegetable Patch. Can’t wait to try it.

  46. What a beautiful book. Having been lucky enough to take one of your classes this week-end winning the book would make it especially nice!

  48. hey! I think that cabled sweater is the one I knit when I first learned to knit….and subsequently accidentally felted 🙁 oh well! live & learn.

  59. Please please – I have a twenty eight year old UFO that wants to be the red cabled pullover. I need the directions…..

  65. Although I don’t have the issues from the 80s any more, I remember leafing through them, knitting some patterns — they were so cool! This retrospective looks beautiful.

  66. I love VK and have many of their magazines and books. This would be a great addition to my collection.

  69. Thank you for your review 🙂 VK is sadly a bit too expensive for me to buy, but I like to just look through the pictures for inspiration. Winning a copy of this book would be awesome.

  71. Oh, Rizzoli. Yet another beautiful book. I know that shop well; if hours spent browsing in there counted as community service, I’d be a pillar of society.

  72. Ooh! Pick me! Pick me! I love that Isaac Mizrahi twinset. I’m sure I’d have to do a little math to be able to make it fit me, but I’m willing to give it a shot.

  78. I have some other Vogue knitting books and love them. I would really like to win a copy of this book, it looks wonderful.

  86. This is the second review of this gorgeous book I have seen this month. I was intrigued by the first, but your lovely shots make me want to run out and buy a copy right now! But I think I will wait and see if I can win one first… Thanks for the giveaway!

  92. What a gorgeous book Anne, I have so loved Vogue Knitting Magazine over the years. Would love to win this fabulous book.

  94. What a fabulous gift – I’d love to win it! I love both VK and Rizzoli Books – I’ll often while away an hour in their store:)

  95. Love it — somehow missed Rizzoli when I lived just outside Manhattan, and would love the chance to catch up with the Vogue book!! 😉

  97. I’d love to win a copy of this book. I’ve seen info about it elsewhere too, and it sounds awesome!

  99. It’s my birthday! I have been thinking all this past week what pattern(s) and yarn I would purchase with my birthday money. Ondule? or the Habu jacket kit? Deco? or…No matter what, I enjoy your blog, photos and patterns. Thanks for the chance.

  112. This looks like a great book! I’d like to enter to win it, but I’ll be buying it if I don’t. Thanks for the opportunity!

  125. Wow, that bubble sweater was a stroll down memory lane! When the pattern was first published, it was a shop model at the yarn store where I worked, and it sold like hotcakes.

  126. The book looks gorgeous! You’re absolutely right in that VK was the magazine to go to back then. I’m very happy that we have more choices today, but I still enjoy getting my VK magazine.

  128. I’m like you – I’ve always loved the “then and now” feature!

    While I’d love to read this volume, do I actually need to win it? I have all the issues from 1982 (the “rebirth” of VK) to the present, so certainly don’t need the patterns or articles, unless the book includes some from the “original era” (30’s through early 70’s), which I’d LOVE to see. Oh, well, I’ll throw my hat in the ring anyway!

  130. Vogue Knitting is like an old friend! I still have some of my favorite issues from the past, including their second “Premier” issue 🙂 Would love to own the new book!

  131. Wow, the book looks wonderful! I thought about putting it on my Christmas wish list but I don’t think I can wait that long to start pouring through the pages!

  134. paging thru the history of Vogue knitting will be looked forward to by this fashion lover

  137. What a great looking book. It looks chock full of classic but stylish patterns – my favorite type. That red cabled, collared v-neck pullover definitely has my name on it!

  138. Wow, that book looks gorgeous. I am not at all familiar with VK and it seems like a good introduction.

  147. Great book. I saw it in the book store just the other day and it is really beautifully done. Love the photos and the history. It would make a great addition to anyone’s libraryl Would love to get it.

  148. Vogue has always been a class act. Their books always exceed expectations. I’d love to own the new one. I love when they put history in with the textiles, kind of makes you feel like you’re a part of the history too.

  149. I followed the link from the Vogue Knitting Facebook page to your blog. Haven’t read you before, but now I’ll have to add you to the list. The book looks absolutely beautiful.

  153. Would love a copy of that book…their magazine is amazing..in fact, I have a magazine from 2002 with a sweater coat in it that I am bound and determined to make yet! 🙂

  158. Please oh please oh please?? I have some other Vogue Knitting collections and they are all wonderful. This one looks very special indeed.

  164. it is great to see these designs as a group, almost a scrap book since i was able to remember when i first saw some of the designs and remember how they struck me then and now! Would LOVE to get this

  166. I love this book!! I’d be proud to add it to my collection of books that Anne has recommended!

  174. I have the 1980s Knitting in Vogue series of books that republished patterns from VK from the 30s onwards, they are fab but really are just pattern books, this book looks so much better! Would love to win it!

  180. for a time i had a subscription, but living in europe half the time it didn’t arrive so i stopped subscribing. but i liked the magazien for its technique section. the clothes were often a bit too much , like in all fashion magazines. but the ideas were there, the special construction and ohter techniques explained in detail, the background articles…all made it really good even if i preferred other magazines ‘ sweaters to knit as presented. this book looks really good, and has instructions, unlike the other vogue book i have (that’s filled with good articles from VK)

  181. What a beautiful book would make a great b’day gift as today is my b/day.thanks for sharing

  182. I have been collecting Vogue Knitting books for several years, and have some of the their vintage collections…………. I would LOVE to win this book………….please pick me!

  183. This book in its magnificent wonder presents Vogue in its own right.
    I love the review of this book and hope that I would be a winner. I remember seeing Vogue magazines as a child and being mesmerized by the
    beauty. I wish everyone good luck.

  186. Oh my goodness what a treasure! Someone’s going to be very lucky…and I know we’re all appreciative of the chance to win, thank you!

  187. Oh, Rizzoli! I lived in NYC for a number of years in the late 60’s early 70s. Rizzoli, almost too expensive to put your hand on the door. And now this heritage volume honoring Vogue Knitting. Too good to be true.
    Good luck, everyone. The winner is Lucky By Far, and we who don’t win are lucky because Anne gave this wonderful, pictorial review.

  192. Wonderful book! Vogue Knitting was one of the first knitting mags I bought when I started knitting. Love the eye candy!

  195. I am building a library of Vogue Knitting books and never enter contests, but for this book I would even try to stand on my head! Note, I said try!
    Thanks for the beautiful review and offer. Good luck to all!

  200. I restarted knitting after 15yrs break, in the middle of my first pregnancy. It helped to soothe all stresses of a single mom and keep tender. I kept knitting when my newborn was sleeping. He turned to be very calm and balanced. Today he, my 5y.o. son – usually very active and masculine – is sick. He sleeps after wrapping himself into one of my masterpieces, a Twinkle coat (Fall 2007), knit in pistachio Italian wool, with sleeves and body elongated. I knit only VK, I admit it helps me to be a loving and very fashionable mother. LOL, Alina (dreaming to peep into the VK history!)

  205. Love the modern knitting history that revolves around fashion. The photos have always been wonderful with a particular sophisticated cosmopolitan style that is really timeless. Except maybe the voluminous 1980’s sweaters (even though they looked good on some –now there was a moment 🙂

  206. Thanks for the chance to win this fantastic book. Definitely looks like a trip down memory lane!

  215. I LOVE Vogue. I am still working up to the experience necessary for some of their more complicated patterns, but I mostly just love looking at all the pretty pictures!

  226. I have subscribed to Vogue Knitting since it’s latest inception – I will never part with my Vogue Knitting magazines. This book is a treasure. Thanks for the chance to win it.

  227. I just moved and am decorating my new place, and I would love to have this book to put on my new coffee table!

  229. Interesting piece, thanks Anne. And of course, I’d love to win the book! Who wouldn’t?!

  237. Beautiful book!!! Thank you for continuing to contribute to the knitting fashion world!!!! Love it!

  240. The best of design must be inside this book. I’d love to peruse short term, and if I won, over the long term. You are so wonderful to share with someone very lucky.

    Thank you for your generosity.

  243. A beautiful book! I always look forward to the latest edition of Vogue Knitting magazine — I just can’t resist them.

  250. Vogue’s books are truly drool-worthy…I’d love to curl up with this one. Mary in Cincinnati

  254. That book looks lovely! There’s definitely some sweaters in there that I would not knit…but there’s also some that I definitely would knit. I like the Classic Cable Sweater.

  256. Ohhhh…how wonderful to have that book and sit comfortably in a big chair to enjoy it! I love knitting and Vogue has such fantastic ideas in their magazines and books.
    Please do consider me for that lovely new book.
    Thanks so much for th opportunity.

  257. I love reading about the history of knitting & collect knitting antiques. Such an iconic magazine is bound to have a great story – cant wait to read it. And, of course, the patterns are to die for !!! Would love to win a copy…

  261. This book looks like great fun and being a (soon-to-be-graduated) history major, I would thoroughly enjoy hearing the story. Thanks for the chance to win!

  263. I would love to win this beautiful book for my knitting library. Thanks very much for the opportunity.

  275. What a fantastic book! Thank you for peek and for the fun giveaway – I am crazy about that mizrahi twinset!

  276. Anne – I loved the nostalgic way you wrote about this book. It made me sit forward on the edge of my chair and lean in closer to my computer screen. thank you for writing about it in such a tempting way! =) Now I think I’m going to have to seek this book out if chance doesn’t fall my way! =) Thank you for the ‘heads up.’ All the best! Christina

  280. wow – how generous! And in getting out my winter sweaters, I found an “old” colorwork sweater from that era that I’ve saved (and wear) and boy is it still BIG LOL … I can’t believe I ever wore it, even pounds thinner than I am now. 🙂

  284. I look through the images you’ve included here and see that I remember those photos and I still have all my old Vogue Knitting magazines from the 80s and 90s. Gorgeous.

  286. As always Anne, you point us in the direction of fascinating publications on our favorite art. Can’t wait to see a copy of this new book!

  287. I’m fascinated by all thing historical in relation to knitting. This volume would be a wonderful addition to my collection.

  288. Oh! How I would love this book! I have always loved Vogue Knitting and Sewing! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! : )

  291. I had a copy in my hands tonight and would love a chance to win one. There was one sweater I know I wanted to make first time around.

  293. This book looks absolutely amazing. I would love to spend an afternoon looking though it (although, I wouldn’t actually have time to do that until Christmas).

  294. I would absolutely love to win a copy! I picked up an advance card at VK Live last month and it’s been one of my favorite bookmarks since – love the photography!

  295. Thank you, Anne, for a very inspiring talk at the Rochester Knitting Guild this evening. You really struck a chord with your slides and your story.

    And here, wow, a chance to win a Rizzoli book on Vogue Knitting!

  296. I’ll echo Helen’s comment and say thank you also. Your talk was so interesting. It brought back many memories of learning to knit as a child myself. Now, I must be off to Ravelry to add to my queue all the items I fell in love with at your trunk show tonight.

  297. OMG, that book looks fabulous — even without being able to touch its heavy paper. And like the previous commenter wrote, my Ravelry queue will also be getting longer….

  298. Wow, what a book! I never was one to make a garment from a Vogue sewing pattern. Too complicated, but knitting is a different story. This book will look nice on my coffee table.

  306. Lovely book, I would like very much to win it. Thank You for the review, at your best as always.

  310. Oh, now this is a competition I would really love to win! I agree with Jessica that your designs are more to be coveted – but the history and sheer interest in this book would be wonderful. (I already have a small but intense collection of older knitting books – Kaffe Fassett start heavily, along with some earlier Rowan items. This book would be a brilliant bridge between the old books and the new!).

  311. What a wonderful book! I have just recently finished Richard Rutt’s ‘A History of Handknitting’ and this would be a wonderful compliment to it, bringing me right up to date. Also, am about to cast on for my first Sprossling – thanks for such a well-written pattern. I’m very excited!

  313. Gorgeous book! I remember my mother getting her Vogue Knitting when I was little and I always love looking at the magazine. ;D

  323. Thanks for sharing this book, Anne. I would certainly enjoy owning it and would love to share it with my local knitting buddies!

  324. This book looks like a great addition to any knitter’s library, thanks for the chance to win. On another subject, I downloaded the pattern for “Blumchen” and have ordered the yarn I wanted to use — can’t wait to get started!

  326. I enjoyed hearing you speak at RKG last nite. You were very inspiring and piqued memories of why I love fiber and knitting. Thank you for this opportunity.

  329. This book certainly looks very inspiring! It always picks me up to get a knitting book out of the shelf and leaf through it – especially now in this autumny weather.

    I just finished knitting the “Leaving”-Cardigan and like to thank you for these very well written instructions.

  333. Wow! I’ve been getting Vogue magazine for longer than I realize. I remember a lot of these patterns. I’d love to own this book!

  334. What a brilliant idea! This book sounds like a treasure trove. Thanks for letting us know about it and for reviewing it in such detail.

  338. Thank you for the review of this beautiful book. I hope i win it! I have every issue of Vogue Knitting since 1988, but should have marked off my favorite designs over the years. This book includes many of them so that will be a lot easier than sifting thru 23 years of magazines! Thank you for offering it!

  340. I would absolutely love to have this book. I have a Vogue Knitting book (glossy, classic patterns) from the early 70s and have never ever thought about getting rid of it. The photographs are beautiful and the patterns, even the dated ones) are beautiful. This would be perfect in my collection.

  341. This reminds me of pestering my mother to make a ribbed vest in a laceweight from a 1980s Vogue Knitting! I was too busy studying to put in the hours needed to make it!

  343. Thanks for sharing, Anne! What a lovely collection that would look even better on my coffee table!

  345. I usually have not cared much for Vogue Knitting, just because it is so fashion forward it seemed impracticle, but I think you have really changed my mind! Some of the patterns from your preview seem like things I really could make for myself now, and I had no idea that it was the first knitting magazine. I would really love to have this book and learn the history of a publication that has been so influential. What a treat!

  353. Of course I would love a copy…and the time to knit myself down through vogue’s knitting history!

  355. How great! I used to subscribe, but would love to see what I might have missed before and after!

  358. I saw the book last weekend – used to knit sweaters from the old VK in the 1960’s when we were in college. I would love to have this book!

  360. Looks so beautiful- I’d love to have this out on my coffee table so the DH will be able to browse over his breakfast. Something like this would be great to introduce him to how many different yarns & patterns there are to play with, and can only help when the need to stash crops up. 😉

  362. Wow the book sounds fantastic! I wouldn’t say no to winning. Thanks for the opportunity. I look forward to reading each new blog post and the chances to win special treats are the icing on the cake.

  364. wow – what a wonderful and generous offer! I’ve loved vogue knitting for a long time – great eye candy…thanks for sharing!

  367. Should you be stuck in NYC with time to kill and the desire for expensive books, there’s always the Strand. Oh – and this Vogue Knitting Classics ? Yes, I ‘d love one.

  370. Well, I knit two of those bubble sweaters! :-))) I just loved them and wore them to death, they were so cosy!

  372. Some of the sweaters look amazing. I would love to have a copy of this and give them a try. Thank you for offering it to us.

  374. What a beautiful book (crosses fingers : ) Ha Ha ) Hope you have a lovely retreat and a safe trip.

    Nicole

  375. I looked through my magazines and found a match. A great thing about looking back is seeing how much I’ve improved as a knitter – and to think I was doing it as a job then….

  380. This is soooooo exciting. Can’t wait. Getting my needles warmed up. Could be a good and busy winter.

  384. Vogue have always made such an important contribution to making fashion accessible for women, to combine their knitting into a glorious book… sigh…
    I would adore this book if I am lucky enough to win it!!

  392. I have been collecting VK magazines since the early 80’s. It is so surprising that back then it was the only magazine and now we have so many magazines choices. It is nice that knitting has made a comeback in such a big way. This book would be such a welcome to my library, thank you for the giveaway.

  393. thank you so much for the opportunity, I have been reading vogue knitting for about 2 years now and would love to see some of the patterns from the past. love your blog. thanks again.

  394. I’m always up for drooling over beautiful books. Love your blog — the gardening and cooking as well as the gorgeous knits!

  396. I am not the only who would love a copy apparently! VK is one of the only magazines I buy regularly because I like the fashion angle and photography even when I don’t make anything from the issue.

  400. One gorgeous book after another (can you tell that I missed a day?) Agree that some of the styles are a little extreme, but still eye candy for knitters!

  402. Oh.. this book is just amazing!!
    I hope I win 🙂 Thanks for being such a GREAT “blogger” Anne – I always look forward to what you have to share!!!

  405. What a wonderful book! I would love to have a copy, now that you’ve reviewed it so enticingly!

  406. Love Vogue and its history, and your review was wonderful. Thanks for offering it up for a chance to win!

  407. Love VK and their patterns. Thanks for a great review and for offering up this history for a chance to win!

  408. Love VK and the lovely patterns, Thanks for the chance to win it! Great review!

    And yes, this time my email should be correct 🙂

  414. The new Vogue book looks like it has a wealth of information in it. Have been a fan of it for years — even before I learned how to knit!!

  418. This is a beautiful book along with the wonderful history and info. It would be wonderful to get it!

  424. I loved Vogue Knitting in the late 80s when I learned to knit. I knit for a few years, quit for about 15, and picked it up again about 5 years ago. Vogue Knitting is still there inspring me.

  427. just the couple of pages I’ve seen, I see two sweaters that I really like; and you know how speedy I am when I see a sweater I like!

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