To My Surprise and Delight...
I appreciate that a vast number of spinners are currently caught up in the Tour de Fleece and I salute your efforts! At this time though I think I prefer to just be a spectator, an appreciative and enthusiastic spectator, but a confirmed spectator nonetheless! There's just waaaay too much going on in my life right now to add any new pressures or deadlines!
You know, every time I tell myself I couldn't possibly ever need another book about knitting - since I own practically every book on the subject worth having - I end up running across something that makes me stop, look... and spend! My most recent purchase showed up in the mail yesterday! It is quite a big book compared to her first two (Whimsical Little Knits 1 & 2) so it was a surprise to me when this bulky parcel arrived instead of the smaller volume I was expecting!
Of course I'm talking about Little Red in the City by Ysolda Teague (yes, the book everyone is talking about) and I can honestly say it really IS as good as everyone is saying! If I had to sum up this book in just one word (difficult as that may be) I think "lavish" would be pretty accurate. An abundance of color photos, instructions and explanations that are never truncated to restrain the number of pages in the book, and a "we've got all the time in the world to talk" feel to it that makes it seem like a luxury to spend time reading it.
I would go so far as to say I wish I had had this book 20 years ago when I branched into sweaters from afghans and throws. There's just so darn much simple common sense to everything she talks about and shows you. Take a deep breath, relax, and think...... everything is so clear as she uncomplicates what is usually presented as so complicated about modifying a pattern to fit and to fit well using darts and ease. She also gives helpful advice for considering which yarns to choose or substitute.
I especially love that there are no body-type restrictions in these pattern adjustments. It's SO refreshing to see patterns that don't assume everyone is the size and shape of a pencil, like too many yarn companies continue to do. There is an unabashed matter-of-factness about having a plus-size model wearing sweaters that actually fit and flatter her figure. No embarrassment or apology here to adjust for odd bumps and swells and it really made me feel good to see that! Embrace yourself and knit to fit for today, not a year or five down the road after the fairytale (illusory) dropping of 10 or 20 pounds.
I give it my hearty recommendation as absolutely worth the purchase price if you are considering buying it - and an even heartier recommendation if you're thinking about buying it as a gift to give to a new or nearly-new knitter! I guarantee you'll make a friend for life!
You know, every time I tell myself I couldn't possibly ever need another book about knitting - since I own practically every book on the subject worth having - I end up running across something that makes me stop, look... and spend! My most recent purchase showed up in the mail yesterday! It is quite a big book compared to her first two (Whimsical Little Knits 1 & 2) so it was a surprise to me when this bulky parcel arrived instead of the smaller volume I was expecting!
Of course I'm talking about Little Red in the City by Ysolda Teague (yes, the book everyone is talking about) and I can honestly say it really IS as good as everyone is saying! If I had to sum up this book in just one word (difficult as that may be) I think "lavish" would be pretty accurate. An abundance of color photos, instructions and explanations that are never truncated to restrain the number of pages in the book, and a "we've got all the time in the world to talk" feel to it that makes it seem like a luxury to spend time reading it.
I would go so far as to say I wish I had had this book 20 years ago when I branched into sweaters from afghans and throws. There's just so darn much simple common sense to everything she talks about and shows you. Take a deep breath, relax, and think...... everything is so clear as she uncomplicates what is usually presented as so complicated about modifying a pattern to fit and to fit well using darts and ease. She also gives helpful advice for considering which yarns to choose or substitute.
I especially love that there are no body-type restrictions in these pattern adjustments. It's SO refreshing to see patterns that don't assume everyone is the size and shape of a pencil, like too many yarn companies continue to do. There is an unabashed matter-of-factness about having a plus-size model wearing sweaters that actually fit and flatter her figure. No embarrassment or apology here to adjust for odd bumps and swells and it really made me feel good to see that! Embrace yourself and knit to fit for today, not a year or five down the road after the fairytale (illusory) dropping of 10 or 20 pounds.
I give it my hearty recommendation as absolutely worth the purchase price if you are considering buying it - and an even heartier recommendation if you're thinking about buying it as a gift to give to a new or nearly-new knitter! I guarantee you'll make a friend for life!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 7/14/2011 11:48 PM 
Categories: Books
Tags: little red in the city book review
Categories: Books
Tags: little red in the city book review
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