Weekend Knitting – Melanie Falick

Magazines Out!

I spend time this past week in the 90 degree heat in my office revamping and decluttering. This group of 13 magazines are now sadly gone, but I feel lighter!

Weekend Knitting – Cover

I love Melanie Falick’s work and that must be why I added this book to my library. This beautifully photographed book was published in 2003 by the imprint where Melanie worked. Now that I’ve got ruthless, I can see that it’s got to go.

Weekend Knitting – Back Cover

Chair Cushions – Kristin Nicholas

As soon as turned to this page, I knew that these were Kristin creations! She has a colorful style that is not hard to spot. Love these, but I would never make them.

Egg Cozies

Cute idea, but my least favorite project. I’m not sure that anyone even eats eggs this way any more.

Fingerless Gloves

Ok – now for my favorite project! I love the idea of fingerless gloves with actual fingers. Most of the ones I’ve made just end at the knuckles with a bind off.

Brioche Scarf

Perfect Pie Shawl

I’m including the above 2 pics which are modeled by Caitlin Fitzgerald. If you’ve never heard of her, just Google her name. She’s now an acclaimed actress and dated Aidan Turner (of Poldark fame). My interest in Caitlin is personal. I did work with her Mom – knitting designer, Pam Allen. Also, Caitlin did a short internship with me at Lion Brand. She’s a great gal and I’m thrilled that she’s succeeded in her career.

Knitting in Literature

The book did add some unique touches such as a list of books that feature knitting plus a recipe for cookies and hot chocolate plus a side bar on making tea.

Melanie – thanks for your great books! The knitting world is a better place because of them.

 

 

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Spoiler alert! I’ve already listed this book on Amazon so you know that it’s not going back on my shelf.

Back cover – More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Joelle Hoverson has teamed with Melanie Falick to create this beautifully crafted book. It’s full of fairly simple patterns that are grouped by the time needed to make the gift starting with “less than 2 hour gifts”.

Pattern groupings

What else did I like about the book? I did like the number and alphabet templates. I did a project last year where I needed alphabet charts. Of course, with my many, many books – who knew?

alphabet charts

number charts

There were a few projects that I really liked, but not enough to keep this book.

fingerless gloves

ribbed hats

The photos of graphing were really helpful for anyone trying this technique.

grafting

My final thoughts. I loved the feel and look of this book, but my feeling for books of projects really doesn’t allow for shelf space for this one. Hopefully another knitter will find a good home for this lovely book!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Minute-Knitted-Gifts-Joelle-Hoverson/dp/1584798602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495654342&sr=8-1&keywords=more+last+minute+knitted+gifts

Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham

My next book is Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham. It’s also a book by Melanie Falick and published in 2005. In full disclosure, I know and worked with Teva and also know the photographer of this book – Adrian Buckmaster. They are both extremely talented – Teva in design and use of yarns and Adrian in photography. I’m a fan of both of them.

By the way, if you love the quirky styles and interesting designs in the book – it’s out of print, but you can get copies – including mine!

I’m giving this book – thumbs down.

Why you ask? It’s a beautifully created book – I would expect nothing less from Melanie. It has a well-thought out layout and interesting photos. My problem is that none of the projects appeal to me. They are a little over the top and slightly out of fashion. I’m being ruthless in my quest to reduce my overflowing library!

Back Cover

Below is a sweater that Teva original did for Interweave Knits that she is updated. She says it was very popular and I do agree that it looks like an easy one to knit and is one that would look good with jeans or something more dressed up. Teva does add clever details to all her projects and this is clearly one of her signature look.

Lace Leaf Pullover

The last photo is a clever scarf and I really like the braided effect. This doesn’t mean I’m making this book a “keeper”. I just wanted to end with a positive spin!

Braided Neckpiece

http://www.amazon.com/Loop-d-Loop-More-Novel-Designs-Knitters/dp/B005FOI92C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412894722&sr=1-1&keywords=loop+d+loop

Handknit Holidays – Another Melanie Falick book

 

 

 

Another Melanie Falick book – Handknit Holidays seemed like a good one to review. I thought for sure that this one would be an easy in and out book and I could pat myself on the back having removed another book from the sagging bookshelf. The first section featuring all sorts of holiday designs made me think that this was just another book of patterns that don’t interest me. Delving further into the book, I changed my mind. I might later change my mind but for the first pass this book is staying.

Looking on Amazon, looks like this book published in 2005 is available in a digital format.

Final answer: Thumbs Up!

 

What’s good? The photos are “Melanie worthy”, good clear layout of patterns plus a good section at the end on Special Techniques and Abbreviations (although no illustrations). Betty Christiansen who’s work I’ve admired worked on this book with Melanie.

 Back Cover

What follows are a number of patterns that made me think twice about “deep sixing” this volume.

 Community Afghan – the intro suggest this as a project for a group. Squares are all knit in garter stitch.

 Cardinal Joy Hoodie – Given in 3 chest sizes, it’s pretty hard to figure out the actual size child this would fit. Hoodies are perfect for kids of all ages and this one (I’d do without the pocket design).

Log Cabin Socks – This look like they’d be really fun to knit. I’m not sure if they’d be practical to wear with shoes, but would be great under boots.

 

Snowy Triangle Scarf – The modular construction of this scarf (and hat) looks like a really knitterly project. Nice way to try out the technique without making a really big project.

http://www.amazon.com/Handknit-Holidays-Knitting-Year-Round-Christmas-ebook/dp/B009SYI0BU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410039446&sr=1-1&keywords=handknit+holidays

Knitting For Baby

Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas (two women I so admire) is next on my list.

Even before I begin: Thumbs Up!

What did I like about the book? I’ll start with the colorful illustrations (all drawn by Kristin Nicholas) on all the techniques – from the simple knit stitch to knitting on double-pointed needles that are interspersed throughout the book. I love the way the book moves along in easy steps starting with the simplest stitches and projects and moving to designs that require more skill. Each chapter gives the reader all the tools and techniques needed to make the projects. I will surely turn to this book for baby projects. Here are a few of my favs.

I love, love the cover sweater. This Garter Stitch Cardigan is perfect for my knitting style. I’m always in favor of garter stitch and adore easy, easy projects. This cute little sweater comes in sizes from 3 months to 24 months. The yarn used is a bit heavier than I’d like. It calls for a yarn that’s 18 stitches to 4″. I’ll use a lighter weight yarn and will adjust the sizing.

The back cover with more adorable projects!

I already made this Baby Aran a couple of years ago for my niece’s new baby.

Felted Diaper Bag – I want to make this as a fun tote.

A great baby shower gift. I would use a pastel shade – unisex for those who don’t yet know.

An easy mitten pattern is always nice to have  – sized for toddlers in a medium weight (slightly bulky yarn), it could be made smaller (using a thinner yarn) for a smaller child.

http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Baby-How—Knit-Instructions-ebook/dp/B008ZR8CAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404332030&sr=8-1&keywords=Knitting+for+Baby