November Knits

October 15, 2012

Osborn and Kelley's (cofounders, Kelbourne Woolens; Vintage Modern Knits) newest collection is inspired by late autumn--when the weather is starting to cool, but people aren't sick of winter quite yet. This time out, Osborn and Kelley invited a number of other popular and up-and-coming designers, such as Gudrun Johnston and Veera Valimaki, to contribute to the collection. True to both the season and the authors' aesthetic, the garments and accessories featured in the book are classic and cozy, yet flattering. The designs are best suited to knitters comfortable with cables, lace, colorwork, and shaping knits to fit, although basic information on each technique is provided. VERDICT Knitters who enjoyed Osborn and Kelley's previous collection will be interested in their latest book--as will fans of the other featured designers.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2012
Many knitting books have a few good patterns, but in this one, with almost every turn of a page, crafters will find something that makes them want to pick up the needles. The premise is a bit convoluted. The title evokes the essence of fall and early winter, but the projects offered in three chapters Farm Hands (rustic yet stylish), Ivy League (classic New England), Southern Comfort (feminine and decorative)don't always seem to support the theme. That said, each project gets a lovely introduction, and the sweaters, scarves, socks, hats, and mittens are on display in crisply colored photographs, and some are helpfully photographed from different angles. The instructions are clear, and the schematics usefully placed. There's bang for the buck here with more than 20 projects, all by up-and-coming designers, and all delightfully profiled. Knitters will return to this one again and again.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)