Tag Archives: tanis gray

Review: Modern Baby Knits

Review: Modern Baby Knits post image

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First, the facts:

Title: 3 Skeins of Less: Modern Baby Knits: 23 Knitted Baby Garments, Blankets, Toys, and More!

Author: Tanis Gray

Published by: Interweave Press, 2016

Pages: 128

Type: Baby knits

Chapters:

No chapters, just a list of patterns

KS: Modern Baby Knits

The In-Depth Look:

Tanis Gray doesn’t disappoint. She always puts together creative and fun collections that make you look at knitting in a different way, and this one is no exception.

Oh, it seems simple enough. Modern Baby Knits is a collection of things for babies (and toddlers). Twenty-three of them, things to wear, cuddle, or play with. All helpfully using three skeins or less of yarn, making them all fairly quick and easy to knit together.

What’s not to love?

The nice thing, though, is that the projects are all stylish–not always a word you think of when describing things for soft, cuddly, little people. They’re simple and functional as suits the age group, but they have unique colors or asymmetrical shapes. Things to keep it interesting for Mom, while practical for the kids who will be wearing them.

Tanis says in the introduction that she “is a firm believer that babies and children should live their lives in comfortable handknits. The label ‘handmade’ regarding knits for children is often confused with ‘fussy’ and ‘finicky’ and implies tiny gauge and a pastel palette, when that doesn’t have to be the case. This book is designed with both the knitter and the wearer in mind, chock-full of designs that are easy to knit and have fuss-free finishes, bright colors, easy-care fibers, and modern silhouettes that little ones want to wear.”

Which, you know, is pretty much what I just said. It’s so nice when the designer and I are on the same page … and in this case, it’s a cheerful, adorable page indeed.

You can check out this book at Amazon.com or look for it in your local shop!

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

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

My Gush: Stylish and cute.

Other posts for this author:

Review: Wanderlust

Review: Wanderlust post image

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First, the facts:

Title: Wanderlust: 46 Modern Knits for Bohemian Style

Author: Tanis Gray

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 183

Type: Patterns, men and women

Chapters:

1. Scarves & Wraps
2. Cowls & Shawls
3. Hats
4. Mittens & Wristers
5. Matching Sets
6. Sweaters

KS: Wanderlust

The In-Depth Look:

Let’s explore this one with bullet points, shall we?

  • First–the size of this collection is amazing. Forty-six patterns in one book? When you consider that most books seem to range between 12-20 patterns, the fact that this book has nearly 50 is astounding.
  • All the patterns were designed for one specific yarn: Cascade’s Longwood, a superwash, medium-weight yarn which makes everything in here machine washable. (Though, of course, you can always substitute another yarn if you like.)
  • The patterns are all for men or women (or both)–so everything, including the sweaters, are for adults.
  • Shawls, scarfs, hats, gloves, sweaters–all the things you’d expect. Great patterns. Lots of variety.
  • On a purely personal level, I’m finding it impossible to read or write about this book without humming the Paul McCartney song.

Seriously, Tanis Gray pretty much never disappoints, and she knocked it out of the park with this one.

This book can be found at Amazon.com or at one of your local shops.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

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

My Gush: Great book, amazing value.

Other posts for this author:

Review: Cozy Knits

Review: Cozy Knits post image

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First, the facts:

Title: Cozy Knits: 50 Fast & Easy Projects from Top Designers

Author: Tanis Gray

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 183

Type: Accessory patterns

Chapters:

1. Heartfelt Hats
2. Warm and Wonderful Mittens
3. Cuddly Cowls & Scarves
4. Snuggly Sweaters, Shawls and Shrugs
5. Quick and Clever Gifts

KS: Cozy Knits

The In-Depth Look:

I have no excuse for having let this charming book sit, unreviewed, on my desk for over a month.

As explained in the introduction, Tanis Gray’s “…first love is creating knits that are simple and fun to knit and just as much fun to wear. To put together the ultimate collection of quick and cozy projects to knit, I reached out to some of my favorite designers … Among these fifty projects, you’ll find dozens of mittens, hats, and other accessories; sumtuous sweaters, scarves, shawls, and cowls; colorful accents for the home; and lots of ideas for quick and clever gifts for everyone on your list, including little ones and the hard-to-knit-for.”

Really, it’s a great book. Fifty patterns, first of all, which is a lot. Most of them are quick patterns, easy to make quickly so you can wear them. The range of difficulty, too, covers the full range from new knitters to those with more experience. In fact, my best friend just finished the Weekend Away gaiter/cowl as her second-ever knitting project, complete with lace pattern and chart-reading, and all.

Honestly, my only regret is that it took me so long to point you in the direction of this lovely book.

You can get your own copy at your local yarn shop or at Amazon.com.
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

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

My Gush: Too good to have left sitting on my desk.

Other posts for this author:

Review: Knitting Architecture

Post image for Review: Knitting Architecture

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First, the facts:

Title: Knitting Architecture: 20 Patterns Exploring Form, Function and Detail

Author: Tanis Gray

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 159

Type: Patterns

Chapters:

1. Form Follows Function
2. The Details
3. Materials

KS: Knitting Architecture

The In-Depth Look:

It’s really such a comfort to know that I’m not the only person who gets distracted by stunning details in the buildings I walk past. I often take more photos of architecture than I do of the people I’m with, and there have been many times when I’ve been tempted to translate a beautiful sculptural detail into a knitting design.

Well, now I don’t have to, because that’s the point behind this book by Tanis Gray.

Because here we have twenty designs inspired by beautiful buildings or techniques. Sweaters and wraps, mostly, but socks mittens, hats, and bags make an appearance as well.

Each pattern comes with an introduction (and photo) of the inspiration, whether a building or a detail of carving or tile. (Actually, my only regret is that the photos of inspiration aren’t bigger, but that could just be because I really do appreciate eye-catching architectural detail.) The photos of the actual patterns, though, are good–they illustrate the knitwear nicely, being attractive without being too “artistic” (i.e., deliberately obscuring flaws by having models leaning sideways while holding large books in front of the sweater … because that happens, you know)

The best part of this collection, though, is that the knitwear is actually wearable. Nobody’s trying to make you look like a building, or being so true to the original inspiration that they forget they’re designing something to be worn by a human being, rather than being lived in by one.

All in all, a gorgeous book, which can be found at Amazon.com or your local shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

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

My Gush: Lovely and eye-catching.