Tag Archives: clothing

100 Knits

100 Knits post image

100KnitsEBOOK-1

First, the facts:

Title: 100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection

Published by: Interweave Knits

Pages: 512

Type: Pattern Collection

Chapters:

Hats & Socks
Scarves, Cowls, Shawls & Wraps
Cardigans
Pullovers
Tanks & Tees

KS: 100 Knits

The In-Depth Look:

Are you a fan of Interweave Knits magazine, or its sister publication, Knitscene? How about their books?

Because this book–full to the brim of 100 patterns–is a selection of their most popular recent patterns, along with their five most popular patterns of all time (as of publication, anyway).

This makes for a HUGE collection. Over 500 pages filled with all kinds of things to knit–hats and socks, wraps and sweaters of all descriptions. And all loved by countless knitters, because these were all selected by the number of people who have “liked” them or knitted them.

It’s an impressive list of patterns by an impressive list of designers. (The list of credits runs five pages.)

So, no, these aren’t new patterns, but there’s no question there are a lot of them, all good, all popular for a reason! It is well worth checking it out. You can order it here or get it at your favorite shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Huge collection!

100 Knits

100 Knits post image

100KnitsEBOOK-1

First, the facts:

Title: 100 Knits: Interweave’s Ultimate Pattern Collection

Published by: Interweave Knits

Pages: 512

Type: Pattern Collection

Chapters:

Hats & Socks
Scarves, Cowls, Shawls & Wraps
Cardigans
Pullovers
Tanks & Tees

KS: 100 Knits

The In-Depth Look:

Are you a fan of Interweave Knits magazine, or its sister publication, Knitscene? How about their books?

Because this book–full to the brim of 100 patterns–is a selection of their most popular recent patterns, along with their five most popular patterns of all time (as of publication, anyway).

This makes for a HUGE collection. Over 500 pages filled with all kinds of things to knit–hats and socks, wraps and sweaters of all descriptions. And all loved by countless knitters, because these were all selected by the number of people who have “liked” them or knitted them.

It’s an impressive list of patterns by an impressive list of designers. (The list of credits runs five pages.)

So, no, these aren’t new patterns, but there’s no question there are a lot of them, all good, all popular for a reason! It is well worth checking it out. You can order it here or get it at your favorite shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Huge collection!

Photo A Day Challenge: Souvenir…

Souvenir shop on Martha’s Vineyard.  Can you spot the one thing not Vineyard related 🙂

100_8611

 

https://citysonnet.wordpress.com/2018/08/01/august-photo-a-day-challenge/#comments

Photo A Day Challenge (or week)…

I’m doing ‘photo a day’ weekly instead of daily. Here’s the challenge for the week of July 15 – 21.

15 – Relax  16 – Midnight Blue (lace shawl my daughter knitted)   17– Succulent (30+ year old aloe plant)  18 -Ceramic 19 -Waves  20 – Start with “E” (Espresso Love, my favorite place on MV for blueberry scones & coffee)  21 – Red & White

 

 

https://citysonnet.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/july-photo-a-day-challenge/

Photo A Day Challenge (or week)…

I’m doing ‘photo a day’ weekly instead of daily. Here’s the challenge for the week of July 1 – 7.

1 – Welcome July  2 – Fun  3 – Start with (map of Newark, NJ from 1800’s)  4 – Hat  5 – Sunshine  6 – Sky  7 – Seven (windows in the John & Priscilla Alden house in MA).

 

 

https://citysonnet.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/july-photo-a-day-challenge/

Tasting and Tripping On The Vineyard…

Date: June, 1993 –

                                Place: Martha’s Vineyard –

                                                                Occasion: A Taste of the Vineyard

IMG_0832

 25 years ago my daughter Deb and I decided  to treat ourselves to A Taste of the Vineyard, we’d never gone before and it seemed like a fun and different thing to do. Off we went to the Vineyard for a glorious long weekend of eating, shopping and tasting. The weather turned brutally hot all along the Eastern seaboard, it verged on 100 degress which is unusual for mid June. A few hours before the Taste was to begin welcomed thunder storms rolled in and dropped the temps about 25 degrees. The evening was cool and clear and perfect.

We donned our new outfits and headed over to the grounds of the Preservation Trust which are located at the Dr Daniel Fisher house in Edgartown. The house is a beautiful Federal style home surrounded by lush gardens. It’s gorgeous.

We gingerly and hungrily entered the tents where all foods and drinks were on display. Lots of eager tasters were already there. We got our dishes and start wending through the crowds. We found seats and set about our tastings.

The tables were set with crisp white tablecloths.. in the middle of the tables were mounds of sand with seashells and rocks scattered about and a large hurricane lamp with candle sitting in the middle of the sand. Simple and tasteful, much like the occasion. The bite sized portions of appetizers and entrees were just satisfyingly enough. Had to leave room for the abundance of dessert samples after all.

But… the thing that mostly interested me was trying for the first time the Frozen Cappuccino from Espresso Love one of my most favorite places on MV. I returned to our table with my cup, eager to taste what smelled and looked delicious. I set it on the table… or at least I thought I had…

FotoFlexer_Animation

…but no, I had sort of placed it precariously near the edge and it landed in my daughters lap, almost the entire cup of cappuccino!!!!! On her new skirt !

**(The part of the original skirt is now being portrayed by a stand-in)

9010225377_60a1f85633FotoFlexer_Photo (2)

Deb loved the skirt and had hoped to wear many, many times. I felt awful, I still do… it was an accident. I mean after all I myself had gotten a drop or two on my new shoes. We cleaned her up as best we could and I believe she went and got me a second cup of frozen cappuccino. I set it down on the table and… it hit the rocks and there before our eyes it oozed from the rocks and sand onto the table cloth. It looked like the tide had come in… it wasn’t pretty and it was embarrassing.

 

Could it be that maybe the third time would work! I had to find out so off I went for the third cup of frozen cappuccino. I walked carefully back to the table, avoiding being bumped or nudged. I approached the table… Deb grimaced… I held the cup tightly in both hands… I bent to set it down… and… I did it, I made solid contact with table. I then raised the cup to my lips and actually got to taste the frozen cappuccino and I have to tell you… it was good, it was very very good, it was joy to my taste buds. I loved it and I still do, I try to have one at least once during every trip to MV. And of course I feel compelled to apologize each time to my daughter for her long lost beautiful skirt.

IMG_0835

This blurry picture of the two of us was taken at the end of the evening. At least we’re laughing because no matter what, we always enjoy ourselves on the Vineyard.

(PS.. apology #107..I’m still sorry about the skirt)

Day Trip to Albany, NY…

The Albany Institute of History and Art has been having an exhibit of what the well dressed woman wore in Albany in the Victorian era (1837-1901).   I really didn’t know what to expect, I had an idea in my head what the exhibit would be like but it was nowhere near the reality of it.  It was really beautiful… the presentation was clever and interesting, the lighting was incredible and the clothes themselves were beyond my meager attempts to describe them.

pizap.com15262319865981

The blue gown is my fantasy gown. It was designed to make a grand impression when entering and exit at a ball.  All that’s needed is the glass slipper.

IMG_6095IMG_6096

 

Review: Wool Studio

Review: Wool Studio post image

2018-04-08 003

First, the facts:

Title: Wool Studio: The knit.wear Capsule Collection

Author: Meghan Babin

Published by: Interweave Press, 2018

Pages: 143

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

No chapters, just patterns

KS: Wool Studio

The In-Depth Look:

Wool Studio is (usually) a digital look-book collection by Interweave of (and I quote) “sophisticated, simple, and luxurious knitwear.” The idea is that you browse through each collection and buy the patterns you like.

According to this book’s introduction, though, “the premier of Volume 1 received an enthusaistic reception, but we also heard the feedback from all our ‘book people’ who wanted a print copy of their favorite new designs.”

This is their response–the first two volumes of Wool Studio in print.

(Yes, this means if you may already have some of these patterns, if you’ve bought them directly from Interweave.)

The design concept for the Wool Studio collections is centered around the “less is more” philosophy and it shows in these patterns. Clean lines with no fuss. The shapes are basic and, while there are stitch patterns and neckline details … because these patterns are not boring … they’re not frilly or fussy.

The designs are very modern, and very neutral. It would be easy to add any of them–the sweaters, scarves, wraps, any of it–to your wardrobe without skipping a beat. Because they’re fairly classic in style, they’ll fit with anything, no matter how funky or simple your wardrobe is. (And, of course, if you like color, you can knit these in any palate you like–nobody said “sophisticated” had to be “neutral.”

That said, this book includes 21 patterns by a stellar group of designers: Bristol Ivy, Emma Welford, Mary Anne Benedetto, Linda Marveng, Amy Gunderson, Sarah Solomon, Veronik Avery, Norah Gaughan, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Lana Jois, Amanda Bell, Andrea Babb, Susanna IC, Kephren Pritchett, Grace Akhrem, and Amanda Scheuzger.

According to the introduction, “Wool Studio is a slow fashion retreat–a place for reflection, simplicity, and clarity. We selected each of these designs with minimalism in mind, so that the process of making the projects–from selecting the yarn, to knitting, to wearing the finished piece for the season–is an experience that brings joy and serenity. Wool Studio is for those who pause for slow fashion.”

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press . Thank you!

My Gush: Cool and modern

Review: Garter Stitch Revival

Review: Garter Stitch Revival post image

First, the facts:

Title: Garter Stitch Revival: 20 Creative Knitting Patterns Featuring the Simplest Stitch

Curated by: Kerry Bogert

Published by: Interweave Press, 2016

Pages: 143

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

Chapter One: Garter Stitch Details
Chapter Two: Garter Stitch in a Supporting Role
Chapter Three: Garter Stitch All Over

KS: Garter Stitch Revival

The In-Depth Look:

I hate to say, but I was a little disappointed by this book.

NOT, let me hasten to say, because the designs aren’t perfectly nice. They are. The assortment of sweaters and accessories is attractive and wearable, nothing really to be objected to.

The designers featured are well known and talented, and the garments featured aren’t something I can imagine anyone turning away from their wardrobe.

The problem? It’s right there in the chapter titles–for a book called “Garter Stitch Revival,” two-thirds of the designs have very little garter stitch.

The first section has six designs that use garter stitch as a design element– a little at the cuff, an accent, an aid for shaping. The second chapter has more garter stitch–a greater proportion of each design using the collection’s signature stitch–but it’s not until the third chapter that we get patterns that use garter stitch as the primary stitch. Seven designs.

While I do like most of the designs in this collection, this proportion bothers me. It feels like marketing a cookbook for salt-lovers because every recipe uses salt … even though in everything except the salted caramel and the pretzel recipe, it’s hidden in the stew or the cake as a background element.

Garter stitch is hard. It’s the first stitch most of us learn, and we are often so eager to get past it to the nice, smooth Stockinette stitch, and to the fancier cables and lace, it gets a bum rap. It’s not easy to sell a collection devoted to what too many knitters think of as a beginner’s stitch. I do understand that it’s easier to promote patterns that use it as an accent … it just seems like a collection promoting itself as “reviving” garter stitch should actually take its own goals more seriously.

It’s got good patterns, this book. It just doesn’t have the emphasis I was expecting. (Not like, say, Knit One, Knit All by the legendary Elizabeth Zimmermann.

Please do check it out, though. Even if I thought it was a little light on garter stitch, the patterns are still worth looking at.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Just okay

Review: Sherlock Knits

Review: Sherlock Knits post image

2017-01-27 012

First, the facts:

Title: Sherlock Knits: Patterns Inspired by the World’s Most Famous Consulting Detective

Author: Joanna Johnson

Illustrator: Laurel Johnson

Published by: Slate Falls Press, 2016

Pages: 45

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

Patterns:
A Sweater for John
Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Cozy
Elementary in Pashmina
Speckled Band Shawl
Socks for Mary
Scotland Yard Vest
Mycroft & Moriarty Casebook Cozy
The Woman
Sherlock Hat
Copper Beeches Cowl

Sherlock Knits

The In-Depth Look:

Everyone who knows me knows that I love Sherlock Holmes. I love the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle many time, have read any number of variations and pastiches, and seen so many filmed versions of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson … I’m something of a fan.

So it’s no surprise to learn that I was reasonably certain I’d like Joanna Johnson’s latest collection–ten patterns inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

Because of course I do.

This is a collection of ten patterns: a sweater, a vest and assorted accessories, including a cover for your Kindle or Tablet, for when you need to take a break from reading the stories. I love the classic coziness of the cardigan, and love the houndstooth in the knitted vest. There are several things to wear around your neck, a tea cozy, and, of course, a classic Deerstalker hat. (Because naturally Sherlock Holmes has to wear the hat!)

The photographs are definitely inspired by the Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman team from the BBC series Sherlock, though they are not limited to that 21st century duo. They are teamed up with quotes from the original stories and line drawings by Laurel Johnson.

This is such a nice collection. It’s not a huge book–it’s the same size as Joanna’s Anne of Green Gables collection.

Really, at this point I’m just wondering what other fandom I love she’ll be tackling next?

You can get your own copy from Amazon or directly from Slate Falls Press themselves–and don’t forget about Ravelry!.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chappysmom/albums/72157677969561351

This review copy was kindly donated by the author. Thank you!

My Gush: A wonderful tribute to my favorite detective.

Other posts for this author: