Brave New Knits: 26 Projects and Personalities from the Knitting Blogosphere by Julie Turjoman, Rodale Press, 2010, 242 pp.
This is one of those books that invites both browsing (for the large variety of lovely patterns highlighted by Jared (of BrooklynTweed) Flood’s wonderful photography) and ‘sit with a cup of tea or a cappucino and enjoy’ reading (the multipage profiles of each of the designers.) As both a knitter & a designer, I found the designer profiles very interesting and engaging. Because of the latter, it’s more than just a pattern book.
Milk Maiden Sweater
It’s also a reminder that, with today’s social media, designers are selling themselves as a brand, not just their work.
The book is structured such that each designer’s profile runs before the pattern, as opposed to grouping all the bios and all the patterns together.
The book is divided, however, into Part 1: Garments and Part 2: Accessories (including socks, mitts, hats, etc.
Of the patterns, there are:
- 4 pullovers (one of which is a children’s tunic)
- 6 cardis & jackets
- 2 vests & camisoles
- 1 shrug
- 3 hats
- 1 flower pin
- 2 mitts
- 4 scarves/shawls/neckwarmers
- 3 socks
- 1 blanket
Yes, that adds up to 27, not 26; a tam & a pair of mitts, by Wendy Bernard, were grouped together.
Sizing on the sweaters generally ranges from XXS, XS, or S to XL, 2X or 3x. The majority are XS/S-2X. Lace and cable patterns are charted. Detailed schematics are included for the garments.
Sockstravaganza socks by Kirsten Kapur
Yarns chosen for the patterns run the gamut from large companies (Rowan, Berroco) to indie dyers (Sundara, Woolen Rabbit, others). (An expansion of the designer bio component would’ve been to add indie dyer/yarnie bios.)
Pattern complexity ranges from easy (the blanket pattern) to more advanced (Kristen Kapur’s lovely cabled and stranded Sockstravaganza socks), with the vast majority being considered intermediate (simple lace, cables, knitting in the round).
My personal favorites include Kapur’s socks, mentioned above (they also happen to be the cover pattern) and the Milk Maiden pullover by Teresa Gregorio of Canary Knits.
Would you like to win your very own copy? Rodale has generously provided a copy for a lucky reader! Comment on this post by midnight PST Tuesday, Oct 19th, with your favorite blogger/designer. I’ll use the Random Number Generator to pick a winner. Please leave a way to for me to contact you, should you win!
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
That sounds like a great book, I have it wishlisted right now, your review confirms it’s presence on my list!
(I live in Ireland and do understand if you can’t ship to here)
This looks just perfect for some fall and winter knitting. I love the Milk Maiden Sweater!
Sounds so inspirational ~ favorite designer ~ you of course, love your designs, especially love the names you give them too!!!
Choosing a favorite is hard but I think I have to go with Melissa LaBarre of Knitting School Dropout!
-kala on ravelry
The more I’m seeing from this book the more I really hope to acquire it and have some time to knit the patterns in it someday!
I love many designers, but I think Kirsteen Griffen-Grimes and Marnie MacLean have to be two of my very favorites… especially when it comes to garment design.
So many great patterns! Would love to try them and just enjoy the photos and knitting ideas!
I Love Ysolda Teague’s designs… she has a great sense of humor and a great sense of style too
I’m with the Ysolda crowd too.
It looks like a lovely book. My favorite designer included is Jared Flood!
I would love to win this book! It’s really hard to name a favorite designer! Carol Sunday and Anne Hanson would both be on my list though!
Ooh, too many designers to name. I like Ysolda Teague, among many.
I’d love this book too! I am a fan of Wendy Bernard. Her patterns are very flattering and her sense of humor is right on. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
My favorite designer is Jared Flood
I’d love to have this book! I’m reachable at katerimc at gmail dot com
Cheers
I heard about this book on the knitmore girls podcast. I instantly looked at it on ravelry and I so am wanting to get it. I like Jarod Floods patterns in this.
I like Jarod Flood’s patterns.
My favorite blogger/designer is Beth Doherty of http://www.gourmetamigurumi.com/ Unfortunately she hasn’t posted in forever!
Thanks for the chance!
KJo on Ravelry
I love Ysolda’s designs too.
Jennifer
I love the milkmade sweater but probably wouldn’t suit my figure. The socks are equally lovely and would likely do me more justice.
Lovely book…
Hmmmm…favorite designer…
I just looked through your patterns and I like them a lot…but, I also love Kristen Kapur’s patterns…
Oh, this looks like such a beautiful book to add to my rather picky collection!
Favorite designer …. besides my self, ya mean? I’d have to say: Elizabeth Zimmermann or, for current, I’d have to say, Kristin Nicholas — I love her color sense …
I really enjoy jared flood’s patterns.
(and yours, of course!)
Oh my, so many patterns I’d like to knit in one book! Hard to pick just one designer, but I really like Connie Chang Chinchio’s style.
My favorite is the Milk Maiden pullover designed by Teresa Gregorio. This would be perfect for my youngest daughter!
Oh gosh, I am way too new to knitting to have figured out any favorite designers yet. Your mitts are lovely though!
Oh, it’s hard to pick a favorite! I think my current favorite is Georgie Hallam, her blog is
http://tikkifabricaddict.blogspot.com/
– Alystyn on Ravelry
This book has really caught my eye. I love the idea of a mix of excellent patterns with the interviews. I really can’t choose a favourite, I enjoythese designer’s designs and writing (blogs, ravelry and newsletters). As I have to choose – I really enjoy Anne Hanson’s blog and while I haven’t knitted one of her designs yet, I have a long list of her shawls and pullovers that I would like to make.
I don’t really have a favorite yet, but this book looks like it would introduce me to a slew of wonderful designers. Thanks for the contest!
jenniem on Ravelry
I have heard only good reviews of this book! What an exciting opportunity! I enjoy knitting Wendy Johnson socks and Evelyn Clark shawls.
Thanks- livin4fishin@yahoo.com or livin4fishin on ravelry.
I like the variety of designers and patterns. I hope I win! Currently, I like Jared Flood’s designs because they are simple and not overwrought. My boyfriend would actually wear his designs!
monkalicious on Ravelry
It’s so tough to choose a FAVORITE, but one that I really like is Anne Hanson of Knitspot.
globalite on Rav.
I can’t decide between Norah Gaughan and Ysolda Teague. They are both so amazing!
I like sarah-marie belcastro.
-bookwormdjibouti on Rav
So many favorites. I love Wendy Bernard, both her blog (so entertaining) and her knits. Norah Gaughan makes beautiful pieces, as does Jared Flood, and so many more!
(wendymc at ravelry)
Favorite designer, eh? Well, that would have to be you
Oh, you mean in the book, lol. It’s a great book, lots of excellent designers and patterns! I’ve thumbed through it at B&N, it’s fun reading and truly plenty “to-do” patterns, definitely worth adding to the library.
Oh, the Milk Maiden Sweater does look to be something I should investigate. I like the prospect of learning about designers in tandem with their work.
Thank-you for holding the contest and bringing this book to my attention.
Beautiful! Of those mentioned, my favorite designer would have to be Jared Flood. I’m extremely fond of Cookie A. as well.
Spindizzy on Ravelry
Oh, too many to choose! I’ve loved Anne Hanson’s designs for a long time. I also really like Kristen Kapur’s designs….which is not to say that I don’t love them all!
This looks like a wonderful book.
My fav designer/blogger is Wendy Johnson. She and her cat Lucy are very entertaining. Debbie in Alaska