knitty bits

 

One of the great things about writing a knitting book is that it gives me carte blanche to browse and search and spend far too long looking up recondite knitting stuff on the internet. It also means that I have come across some wonderful knitty bits recently.

 

A little while ago I noticed that a certain Finnish knitting book was being featured on several Finnish blogs (oh, how I love Finnish blogs with their beautiful light, buildings, vowels and dots). I saw Jamalangasta! here and here (still one of my favourite blogs) and I was intrigued. Well, it says a lot for my sad determination that I actually managed to get hold of a copy despite coming up against all-Finnish sites, bad Google translations, out-of-stock situations, emails in Finnish telling me a shop wouldn't ship internationally etc etc. In the end, Bookplus.fi sent me a copy with nice email updates in English from a real person, and I am very pleased I made the effort because this is a really brilliant book that manages to be non-traditional in many ways and at the same time very traditional in others (especially in the way it promotes knitting and crochet as a fuss-free part of daily, creative life). It is fresh, innovative, relaxed, creative and beautifully photographed.

 

Looking around for Habu yarns in the UK, I came across Cocoon. If it could ever be said of impersonal internet transactions that they are done with a smile, then this site does just that. I bought a pattern (while I decide which colour to knit it in when I have finished the book) and it arrived quickly and beautifully presented in a little beribboned folder. 

It was good to see a knitting article in The Times that doesn't begin with the usual references to knitting no longer being for grannies only. Well done Ysolda Teague and hats off to someone who is managing to make a decent living out of knitting. 

I've been back many times to look at the amazing knitting that Daniela Edburg photographs (as well as her other projects). I'd love a huge green knitted rug with pink flowers like the one in the picture.

Or an oversize knitted rug (can't believe I missed this when it was first shown). I like the disparity in scale; either that's a tiny person on a normal piece of aran knitting, or it's a ridiculously big cable. What a shame Tim Burton didn't include something like this in Alice in Wonderland (clever but noisy). For more wild knitting from the same people look at Flocks.

And finally, I will be knitting one of these just as soon as I have time: Tea Leaves Cardigan designed by Melissa La Barre for Madeline Tosh. The best cardy I've seen in years.

   

Comments

[Kelli]

So glad you're enjoying the process! Can't wait to see the book when it's done.

[Jennifer]

Your new knitting book looks great, what a super cover. I do love the Tea Leaves Cardigan, I've seen several floating around blog land, and it's so gorgeous and simple.

[Rebecca]

Thank you for the Cocoon link Jane, I hadn't come across them before and thank you for the gorgeous burst of Jane style colour in the top photograph. Just the think to perk up my afternoon now the sun has gone in.

[karen]

Thank you for all these wonderful knitting links. I'd just been thinking that the knitting world is not catered to quite as well on the web as the sewing world seems to be. Clearly, I'm wrong!

[Heather L.]

Can't wait to see your knitting book when it is done!!! My sister and I just love Ysolda's work! We both get a lot inspiration from knitting on the web. And, my sister (Christina Wall) has just published her own set of spring knitting patterns. I'm so excited for her. I'm giving away a set of the patterns on my blog this week.

[Susannah]

Wow am already salivating in anticipation of your knitting book before I've received the patchwork one! Yet again you've sent me on a quest as I. Must. Own. Jamalangasta. You are an inspiration Ms. Brocket...

[kat]

oh! that book. I saw it a while ago on a finnish blog too and was obsessed too...must work on my determination!

[greedy Nan]

Kafe Fassett is speaking in Brighton soon - now he's a knitter not to be missed. See you there perhaps?

[sarah]

I'm eight inches into the Tea Leaves cardi right now!! I'm loving it - using a lovely spiced yam wool/alpaca yarn. What fun!

[jayne]

This made me chuckle because I have today ordered a knitting book written in German. I have a nodding acquaintance with the language .... good O Level standard ... but I'm not sure how to cope with the knitterly terms: it'll have charts, won't it??? Most of the patterns seem to be lacy, so it would be churlish not to!
I recently sat sewing with a friend who was working from a rather intricate pattern written in Japanese, but, fortunately, with lots of diagrams!
Looking forward to the new book, which, Amazon tells me, should arrive just in time for my birthday next week!

[Leah]

That Finnish book looks wonderful! Your determination to get it really paid off.

[Maureenreads]

Clearly you have not visited knitspot.com if that is the best cardi you have seen in years!

[rosecampion]

Oh, that knitting book looks gorgeous. Sadly, my shelves are crammed already with gorgeous knitting books that I hardly use, so I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more. I might have to make an exception for yours when it comes out though.

And I'm also a fan of the tea leaves cardi. It's definitely on the "to knit" list. If only I could get over the granny square obsession that's gripped me.

[Lacer]

How gorgeous is that skirt on that cover!

[cornel]

I saw the book a while ago on liivian talossa. Are the circles on the cover knitted or crocheted? Love your work! C

[Sharon]

Hi

Thanks for sharing about Cocoon, just logged on and found a great pattern for some lovely silk wool I have had for ages but just couldn't find the right pattern for it.

[Paula]

Thanks for the Cocoon link. Looks lovely. Liivian is one of my favourite blogs too. P x x x

[j.]

Jane, you probably know this already, but if you visit that link to the BIIIG knitted rug you provided and scroll down to the comments section, click on the link in the first comment and you'll see the lady who knits these to order - $800 - $1200 each, I think? Two additional photos are provided there, one with a much better angle of the rug and a person on it and then another of the knitter with her knitting poles. They surely can't be called needles on that scale.

[Red]

Very intrigued by the circles skirt. Are those knit or crochetted? Love the colors too!

[Daysgonebydeckc]

Thank you for giving me the inspiration to take up knitting again after all these years!
I am a colour lover and spend a lot of my time designing and selling colourful fabrics. I am now going to get my wool out!!

[Tuija]

Oh, so intriguing to see that this inspirational Jämälanka book has found its way to your hands! I have a copy too and it's my current favourite. If you are actually making something from it and need any help with the Finnish language, just ask. You probably know this by now but a free translation of the title is 'Knit, crochet, embroider with scrap yarn'.

[SockPixie]

A knitting book. How exciting!

[knittingoutloud]

Great post! I loved Jämälangasta! too. Nice to know one can get a copy.

[Shin Ae]

Oh, yes. Tea Leaves. The yarn for this project is on its way to my house, even now. I am excited to see yours when you are through.

[Linnea]

Hello from Finland! I have that Jämälangasta -book! It is funny...

[Kumiko]

Hi, Kumiko from Cocoon. Thank you for mentioning my shop in your post. Visitors to my shop suddenly jumped up and I've found your inspirational blog. I feel so honored! Look forward to reading your knitting book soon.

[caz laffan]

Thanks so much for the inspiration Jane. Autumn is upon us here in Melbourne and my fingers are itching to try some new projects.

[jane]

Just catching up with your blog as a bit behind over Easter and thrilled to find out that you're working on a knitting book Jane ;-)) Also inspired by the funky Finnish knitting book , although not sure if the text is in Finnish or English...? I always have a trail of blogs and links to follow up on after reading your blog, thanks for constant inspiration, as ever