Knitting With Balls: A hands-on guide to knitting for the modern man. Michael del Vecchio. DK Publishing.
160 pages. $20 in paper.
Knitting -- and for that matter, all craftwork -- is almost universally perceived as a hobby for women.
But men, with their logical left-thinking brains, can be easily mesmerized by geometric patterns and the general building process of fiber work. This unusual book of men's patterns is an anomaly on more than one front: most patterns are for women and children, and few crafts books are written by men.
With designs geared to the metrosexual (the deep V-necked Bootcut Sweater) and retrosexual (the traditional Aran Pullover), the book begins, as most do, with basic instructions, but they're described a little differently -- using Boy Scout knot terminology, for instance.
Projects include a handful of non-wearable items, such as an interesting cabled laptop cover. A variety of yarns are used, including a wispy mohair in the Not-So-Rugged Scarf. A word of caution: Do test swatches, as the mohair in my finished scarf grew to almost two times its original size on its first wearing.
But men will enjoy wearing these contemporary pieces. And maybe the book's double-entendre title will help persuade guys that knitting isn't just women's work.
Knits for Pets.
Vogue Knitting. Sixth Spring. 96 pages.
$12.95.
Oh, if only my dog Buffy could knit.
The handful of days left until Christmas could be so much more productive. But the lack of opposable thumbs -- not to mention her pea-size brain -- make that wishful thinking.
This tiny book has complex patterns for sweaters, paw-sized hiking boots, cat- and dog-themed throw pillows and even a dog-eared hat for a child who loves animals.
It has an absolutely stunning Fair Isle Dog Bed Pattern, but Buffy, neurotic American Eskimo that she is, would chew it to bits, so unless you have a calmer dog, that project might involve a lot of work for nothing.
There are only a couple of items for cats here -- an i-cord collar and some catnip mice -- but the book contains a wonderfully thoughtful Dog First Aid Kit that could easily be modified for cats. Get started soon, and it would make a great gift for a pet lover on your holiday list.
Knit 2 Together. Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark. Stewart, Tabori and Chang.
168 pages. $27.50.
British actress Ullman returned to knitting a few years ago -- like many people, she was taught as a child but gave it up during those dreadful teenage years -- and she credits local yarn shop owner Clark with giving her the confidence and new skills to get back into the habit.
The book features lovely little stories with each pattern, written either by Ullman or the Aussie Clark, that remind you why you started knitting in the first place. Many will make you crack up with recognition of stupid yarn things that happen to every crafter.
Ullman recounts getting out of a car late at night only to discover her project was quickly unraveling because she'd left a yarn end inside when she shut the car door.
The patterns, designed by Clark, are about half-useful and half-whimsical, as you'd expect from anything with Ullman's name on it. It's important to note that many abbreviations are in Brit-speak and not what Americans typically use.
Consult the glossary, which is thorough enough to clear up any misunderstandings.
Twist and Loop: Dozens of Jewelry Designs to Knit and Crochet With Wire. Annie Modesitt.
Potter Craft. 126 pages. $21.
95 in paper.
Who knew you didn't need yarn to knit? With wire and beads that you can find in any Michael's or Jo-Ann store, you can create amazingly intricate costume jewelry with the patterns in this book.
While it appears difficult, each pattern comes with an estimate of how much time the project will take -- ranging from 15 minutes to just a few hours. There are such thorough instructions in the back of the book that anyone can figure out how to make earrings, chokers and longer necklaces, bracelets and practically any other piece of jewelry you can think up, with materials ranging from tiny shells to big velvet ribbons.
If you believe that giving something handmade is superior to handing over storebought gifts, pick up this book.
The hour and a half it will take you to make the Three-Strand Very Simple Crocheted Necklace -- which, when finished, looks far more complicated than it is -- is enough time for even a last-minute gift.
News RSS