knitbot, by Hannah Fettig

This month I chose to feature Knit One, Embellish Too: Hats, Mittens And Scarves With A Twist by Cosette Cornelius-Bates.

Cosy’s book features hats, mittens and scarves that require a minimal amount of time and yarn.  She then shows you how to use these as a platform for creativity, providing easy to follow embellishment instructions.

The book starts by talking about alternative places to find wool.  Cosy searches for both yarn and  sweaters to recycle at thrift stores.

She has written an excellent guide to finding and recycling sweaters.

She speaks from experience.  You need to look from sweaters with the right seams and wool that is in the right condition.

She gives detailed instruction on properly deconstructing the sweater, taking you all the way from sweater to usable wool.

Next, there is 17 page technique section that gives you all the instruction you need to knit and embellish every project in the book.

Check back tomorrow for an interview with Cosy!

Itty-Bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson has got to be one of the sweetest collections of knits for baby.

Here are some of my favorite things about it.

First of all, it’s spiral bound, which is always a treat.  The book stays open on it’s own while you are trying to work through your project!

The first collection in the book features pieces made entirely out of garter stitch squares.  How exciting for beginner knitters to be able to create something special using their skill set.

The second section contains baby sets – super duper cute baby sets!

Chubby Bunny is part of the circles collection.  Look at him!

If you haven’t been convinced yet that this book is a must have, the last two sections will push you over the edge.  Nursery Goodies and On the Go Baby each feature truly unique knits – imagine bringing these pacifier clips to a baby shower?!  You will be queen!

Although I will probably never get around to making a Garden Mice Mobile of my own, I just love knowing it exists in the world.

These dotted chickens need to be in my kitchen amidst the tea cups.  Some day…

Finally, this book features a fabulous techniques section.

It’s 18 pages long!  Itty Bitty Nursery really gives you everything you need to be able to successfully create any of the knits within it’s pages.

Stay tuned for an interview with Susan…

Tomorrow I will post an interview with Jordana Paige herself.

In the meantime, I will share what I love about my Bella Bag.

First of all, I was looking for the perfect little black bag to carry on a day to day basis, not even considering that I would find that in a knitting bag.  At Stitches East I was walking by Jordana’s booth, saw this bag and loved it instantly.  AND…it’s totally a knitting bag!

It’s perfect – it has the appropriate slots for your everyday things, cell phone, wallet, keys.  But it is also designed to hold all your knitting supplies, tape measure, needles, scissors, markers, etc.  The best part: it has two circlets that you can run your yarn through so that when you are knitting on the go, your yarn doesn’t keep popping out of the bag.  This happens to me on airplanes, and it’s always a little embarrassing to have to reclaim runaway balls of yarn from a few rows back.  No longer!  I receive compliments on my Bella bag all the time from non-knitters.  After thanking them, I of course have to point out how it is secretly the best knitting bag ever.

Want your own?  Find out more here.

Stefanie Japel fans have been eagerly anticipating the release of her new book, Glam Knits: 25 Designs For Luxe Yarns.  The wait has certainly been worth it.

Glam Knits features 25 knits, each glamorous in their own way.

There are four sections:

Show It Off – Camisoles, Tunics and Sweaters

Dressed to Kill – Skirts and Dresses

Over the Top – Shrugs, Wraps and Jackets

Finishing Touches – Accessories, Handbags and Clutches

As all the designs feature luxury yarns, there is an overview of working with luxe yarn along with an explanation of some of the properties of fibers such as angora, cashmere and silk.

There is also a section on fitting your knits, which will help you determine which size to knit along with adjustments you can make.

A pattern I was most excited to find in  Glam Knits was for a Texturized Tweed Coat.

The same day I received the book I cast on using some stashed yarn I was saving for the perfect project. It’s Khroma by The Fibre Company, a baby alpaca & merino blend.

As with many of Japel’s patterns, it is knit from the top down in one piece.  Brilliant.  Love it.

Glam Knits is a fun addition to any knitters library.  You are bound to find several somethings you will want to make.

Tomorrow I will post an interview with Stefanie herself.  Be sure to check back in!