Saturday, May 29, 2010

Book Review - Vogue Knitting Stitchionary

I learnt to knit first and then I picked up crochet.. between the two I found it easier to experiment with crochet than with my knitting simply because of the ease of carrying my crochet projects wherever I went. It is also the ease of picking up the craft that makes crochet very easy to introduce to first timers. I have enjoyed doing that over the last 3 years and I am glad that I could reach out to over 70 people who wanted to learn and create their own little yarn things.

As I spoke with my yarn friends, I found many of them interested in knitting. However, most of them were apprehensive where to begin, how to go on and how to deal with s many stitches on the needles ! Yes, it can be quite different when you are working with one loop while crocheting.

I began my search for the books that I could recommend to my friends. Books that would begin with the basics of knitting and then help beginners graduate into more complex designs. With that search began my series of experiments with what I read in every book as I tried out the patterns. Here is my series of Book Reviews. Hope you enjoy them and check out the books !

The first book that I have picked out for review is an exhausting collection of patterns which use varying permutations of Knit, Purl and Yarn Overs. The Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume One: Knit & Purl by The Editors of Vogue Knitting Magazine is the first in the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Series. This is a wonderful book for someone starting out with knitting. The patterns are a collection from the original Vogue Knitting Magazine. They have been carefully handpicked to form a gradual progression from the simple designs of knit and purl to lace and then to some unusual designs.

The patterns are well spelt out and are easy to follow. I have used this book to make a couple scarves and a number of swatches. I am looking forward to making many more and I hope to join them all together for a colorful throw, full of texture. This book is a great tool that will see you through projects. Just feel free to try out the patterns, make swatches and mix and match them for your own unique garment.

For Copyright reasons I will not be producing any of the designs here. I urge you to check out the book... have fun and get creative !!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Wow ! Baby..

Hey Guys...

I've been waiting to put up my pictures and video and like crazy I have not been able to.. Anyways, I thought of writing to everyone here...

I have stayed away from the blog front coz I have been busy setting up my little store online. Its not done yet... once it is populated, I'll put up the link here. Not many yarn projects on for now... just one actually.

Anyways, I have decided that I will knit and crochet along with everyone here rather than finishing my project and then posting here. That ways you all will now see how many times I change my mind about a project and how many times my well thought out pattern changes as it reaches completion. So now on you will get to see a lot of unfinished project pictures, my trials and errors that I almost never post about. I feel those are the real fun things... my projects might seem neat and clean.. but they are never that ways while I am still working on them... :)

Currently working on a Baby Blanket which is a combination of knitting and crochet. Although simple, this is my first time mixing the two. And the project is my own design. This is a special blankie for my best friend Sangi. Yup, she's expecting her first baby in October. And we all just found out that its a baby GIRL !

So wait up for more updates on that and some funky pictures !