There’s so much to love about Curls: Versatile, Wearable Wraps to Knit at Any Gauge

Overview

• Auto-pilot with flair – once you get going you’re repeating the same basic set of charts but the end result is stunning
• Small cast ons – cast on counts range from 7 to 16 but most are in the 8-10 stitch range.  This does mean the stretchy bind off will be your friend – you’ll have a lot of stitches to bind off.  Hunter recommends Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off
• Yarn flexibility – The designs are worked in yarns from laceweight to worsted.  Or use any weight yarn you like.  If you substitute a different weight you’ll need to determine the quantity.  See my recommendation below about a scale.
• Stitch variety – simple textured stitches, eyelets, twisted stitches, lace and cables.  Lots of options depending on your mood.
• Great shape – I envision new curl patterns popping up all over Ravelry.
• Awesome value – 14 curls for $19.95 (eBook) or currently $16.67 for the print book from Amazon
• Tells you the important tidbits – no guessing here about which slipped stitch edge to work and since the shape is new to a lot of us, she shows you how each shawl grows so you know what to expect.  Lots of other info too.  Hunter has you covered.
• Nice options for hand dyeds – even though she hasn’t worked up the samples in multi-shaded yarns, some of the patterns will look good in them as well
• Lovely overview of the new shape – Hunter goes over what makes a Curl a Curl – explaining the main components and giving us enough info in case we want to adjust the size for our yarn.

Recommendations

• Yarn (Food) Scale – you need to get yourself a scale that weighs in grams.  This one from Amazon is a nice choice at under 15 bucks and Amazon Prime – Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, Elegant Black. You’ll thank me later.
• Gauge – If you’re unsure about changing gauges, do up a curl in the recommended weight and needle size first.  People will start posting projects to Ravelry with different weights so you can learn from them.
• Helpful pages– read the pages on Hints, Gauge, Needles, Sizing, Charts and Blocking.  I know the last thing you want to do is read when you buy a knitting book but she’s included some great info.
• Styling – Hunter has included several pics with different styling options.  Even if you’re not interested in all the Curls, take a look at the ways she’s styled them.  They’re surprisingly versatile and she shows them draped, tied, knotted and with a shawl pin.
• Stitch Maps – Hunter has included Stitch Maps for many of the projects and she has a chart for every project – making it a great opportunity to learn stitch maps with the accompanying chart.  If charts aren’t for you, give Stitch Maps a try.  And even if you’re a chart-lover like me, click on to the site – there are over 1,500 patterns there for you to get familiar with Stitch Maps.

Final Thoughts

I’m so jazzed about this book – the shape and the stitch patterns look like fun to knit and to wear.  Definitely give it a browse!

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

I published an interview with Cirilia Rose the other day.  It was a fun way to get to know the author – what’s behind her designs and her approach to knitting.  It gave me a new way to look at the book.

Magpies, Homebodies, and Nomads: A Modern Knitter’s Guide to Discovering and Exploring Style

26 designs

• 5 cowl/hats/scarves
• 4 hats
• 3 tanks/camisoles/tees
• 2 pullovers
• 2 cardigans
• 2 coats/capes
• 2 home decor
• 1 vest
• 1 bag
• 1 pair of mitts
• 1 pair of slippers

True to the title, Cirilia has amassed an eclectic collection of designs – cozy coats and cowls, sexy tanks and camisoles, playful hats and embellishments.  There’s something here for everyone.

The Reyka pullover had me looking at sheepy, rustic wool again.  I love the “just enough” stranded knitting on the top and the lack of sleeves makes it more appropriate for wear indoors (and an excuse for another color!)

Then we have those slippers – THOSE SLIPPERS!  I’m not sure if I’m more in love with the slippers or the pic.  The slippers look comfy – easy to make, easy to wear.  The bow on the top and the leggings really make it though.  Now I don’t plan to walk around the house with those on but the memory of that pic would make for a little bounce in my step as I walk around in my PJs.

The L’arbre mitts and hat use a simple stitch pattern to great effect.  I love the matching look of the duo, and after reading her article on color I love how her lipstick coordinates with her top – it’s a great contrast for the teal and a great look for her.

The Tisane tank and Garance Cami both have Cirilia written all over them.  Simple stitch patterns, interesting shapes and great details – love the use of the ribbons in both of them.

She gives plenty of details such as construction, special instructions, close up pics and detailed schematics.  It’s clear that she and other knitters were a part of creating this book.

At a time where there are SO MANY knitting pattern books, the real gem for me is in the articles (I know, it surprised me too).  The tag line “A Modern Knitter’s Guide to Discovering and Exploring Style” is apropos.  Cirilia includes 26 beautiful designs, and it would be a good book if she just stopped there.  But she didn’t, and you should read the articles too.  Really.

Articles

• Color Me Brave – teaches us how to see beyond those colors that always draw our attention
• Think Like a Stylist – ways to get more oomph in our dressing
• Surround Yourself – be close to smarter, more creative, more energetic people to learn from them
• Substituting Yarns – she goes beyond the classic “find another yarn in a similar gauge” and talks about drape, gauge and needle sizes
• Finding Myself in Iceland – Cirilia has a thing for Iceland and her description of it made me curious about this country I hadn’t thought about much before this
• Looking For a Come-Up – thrift store shopping and finding that awesome piece – you can even use it for inspiration for your knitting

Do yourself a favor – take a look at the book, the designs AND the articles.  I’ve had the book for a few weeks now and have referred to it many times – adding color to my wardrobe, having more fun with my garments, and looking at my stash in new ways.

The Giveaway

Interested in getting a copy?  Leave a comment with your favorite design or article and I’ll randomly select one for the giveaway.

Give it a look and I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Here’s a sampling of my favorites.  If you’d like to be included in the drawing for the book, read the entry details at the bottom of the post.

Robin Hoodie

It will be no surprise to any long-time readers that I just love the Robin Hoodie.  Cables and a hood – how can you go wrong.

And, while it’s pictured on a guy, I can see it working for us women as well.

Black Beauty Rides On

Audry had me at “sock”.  No surprise there.  But what really got my attention was her post talking about the photo shoot for these socks.  Reading about how she coaxed the horse to take part in the photo shoot and the ensuing outtakes was both charming and great background for the design.  It makes me appreciate the above photo all the more.

The socks have what I would call “just enough” going to to make them interesting to knit and nice to wear.

Motoring On

I always love a good pair of mitts, but now that the weather has turned in the northeast, mitts are really grabbing my attention.

Not being a literature buff, I didn’t know anything about Mr. Toad and his driving hijinks.  After reading Audry’s story about him, these mitts are just perfect.  Erratic and reckless – exactly what Mr. Toad would do if he came upon these mitts on the road.

Enter the Drawing

Like what you see?  Entry is simple – just leave a comment with your favorite design.   And if you’re like me and enjoy a good back story, Audry has posted stories about all the designs as well.  They really brought the designs to life for me.

Entries for the drawing will go through Saturday September 21st.

The details:

Knit to Flatter by Amy Herzog.  $24.95 US (currently $15.92 on Amazon)

159 pages, 22 designs, countless lessons

Review copy provided by STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books

The book is divided into chapters

• Discovering Your Body Type
• Top-Heavy Shapes
• Bottom-Heavy Shapes
• Proportional Shapes
• Other Figure Features
• Modifications

Before I get into the details of the book, let’s talk for a minute about why this book is for you.

If you’re a knitter, you’ll learn how to choose the right patterns and make modifications so you look your best.

If you sew your own clothes the lessons will be a great help too – selecting patterns and modifying fit.

If you buy off-the-rack clothing, this book will help you make the better choices when buying clothing.

In other words – everyone needs this book.  I know that’s a pretty bold statement but just read on.

In Discovering Your Body Type, Amy teaches us how to determine which of the three main body types we have.

She teaches us that size doesn’t affect your body type.  You can be thin and still be bottom-heavy, or be a proportional plus size.

Amy vigilantly believes that all body types and shapes are beautiful and that clothing matters.  A lot.  It affects how we feel – we all have that outfit that just makes us want to sing.  And it affects how people see us – pulled together and polished, or poorly-fitted and passe.

In the next three sections, Amy outlines what styles work well for each body shape – necklines, sleeve lengths and shapes, body lengths and silhouettes.  She also points out styles that are less-ideal.  For example, long bell sleeves aren’t a great choice for bottom heavy shapes – it plays up the area you’re trying to minimize – and drop shoulders or raglans aren’t as flattering for top-heavy shapes – you need more fit there.

In addition to offering a set of designs for each body type, Amy points out how you could make it work for other types.  If you fall in love with a design in one of the other chapters, she gives you pointers on how to make it work for you.  Good for all of us since there are a lot of great designs in this book.

The book layers the lessons for us – making sure we both read what she’s saying and know how to extend it for use in real life.  She explains the principles first, then she presents a set of designs for each body type, and then she points out ways to modify a design to better suit one of the other body types.  She really gives us what we need.

Let’s look at the designs

Top-Heavy Designs

Bottom-Heavy Designs

Proportional Designs

I was happy to see that one of my favorite silhouettes appeared in my body type – the Holloway Pullover.  Now I know why I love that style and feel so great when wearing it.  And even though I’m proportionally-sized, I’d love to wear Eloria modified with a Deep V-neck or Andie’s cardi with a longer body.  It’s funny – I’ve always preferred longer lengths but never knew why.  I learned that proportional bodies look better when the bodice ends at the widest part of the hip.

The last design chapter – Other Figure Features – talk about larger busts, smaller busts, long and short torsos and very curvy waists.  I read the whole chapter because it helped solidify the lessons I learned in the other chapters.

Oh, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Dorica hoodie.

In the final chapter – Modifications – we learn about how to make simple and more complex mods

• waist shaping
• body length
• sleeve length
• neck depth/shape
• neck width
• bust shaping
• bicep circumference
• sleeve cap/armhole

There are illustrations to show each mod, and Amy walks us through accomplishing it on a simple garment.

In bust shaping, Amy presents both vertical and horizontal bust darts and explains when to use each type.  She even talks about how the same vertical darts can be used for tummy shaping too.

Lots of things to love about this book – the lessons, the designs, the mods.  This is a timeless book that I’ll keep handy on my bookshelf.

Perception and self-confidence – all of this from a knitting book.