Showing posts with label Once Upon a Knit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Once Upon a Knit. Show all posts

Monday, 16 June 2014

Book Review Finishing School




Photo's from Amazon

The word finishing fills many knitters with dread. Some even abandon projects rather than complete the necessary steps to achieve beautiful, wearable garments. Now, notable knitter and designer Deborah Newton shares her expertise and love of finishing techniques in an on-the-page master class. Deborah patiently takes her student-readers step by step through the ins and outs of blocking, seaming, edging and embellishments, giving them the confidence and skills to create professional-looking knitwear. In addition to Deborah's expert instructions, the book includes patterns for 12 sweaters, jackets and scarves, many with variations.

Hardcover: 164 pages
Publisher: Sixth&Spring; 1 edition (20 Oct 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936096196
ISBN-13: 978-1936096190


About the Author
Deborah Newton has been a knitwear designer for more than 25 years and her designs have appeared in numerous publications including Vogue Knitting, Threads, Knitter's Magazine and McCalls. She also teaches around the country, most recently for Vogue Knitting's annual VK Live Event in New York City.
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Contents
Introduction

Chapter One
Finishing 101
Choosing Projects Well
Using a Schematic Drawing
Swatching for Success
The Finishing Tool Kit
Getting Ready to Finish

Chapter Two
Blocking Basics
To Block or Not to Block?
Surfaces and Tools
Blocking Methods
Workshop
Lace Case Study
Two Scarves, One Pattern
Yarn Smarts
Workshop
A Tale of Two Yarns and Two Tunics
Blocking Stitch Patterns

Chapter Three
Seaming Seminar
Three Simple Rules
Seaming Basics
Joining Shoulders
Vertical Seams
Sleeve Caps
Workshop
Sleeve Cap Seaming
Eyelets and Cables Pullovers
Workshop
Stitches Meet Rows
Cabled Patchwork Scarf
Workshop
Creative Joining Variations
Three Kids' Sweaters

Chapter Four
Edging Intensive
The Basic Approach
Picking Up Stitches
Types of Edging
Trimming the Trims
Binding Off Edgings
Parts of a Sweater
Workshop
Mitered Magic
Striped Tweed Cardigan Vest
Sewn On Edges
Workshop
Sewing a Cabled Band
Cowl Neck Pullover

Chapter Five
Extra Credit: Buttons, Zippers, Pockets and More
Getting Closure
Buttons
Zippers
Workshop
Zip It Up! Fitted Colour block Jacket
Embroidery
Pompoms, Tassels, Fringes and More
Collars, Cuffs and Cowls
Pockets
Workshop
All The Trimmings
Plaid Accents Cardigan

Chapter Six
Continuing Educations: Special Finishing
Alterations: When Good Sweaters Go Bad
Incorporating Other Fabrics
Workshop
Super Simple Linings
Swatch Purse
Felting
Workshop
Felting Fun Asian Inspired Vest
Workshop
Everything Old is New Again
Upcycled Bucket Bag
Workshop
Fearless Steeks Fair Isle Cardigan
Workshop
Custom Couture
Embellished Cardigan
Final Note on Finishing

Patterns
Resources 
Cast On How To
Index

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Finishing School is a must have book for any knitter to have in their knitting library.  This book
is full of tips, tricks advice and techniques on how to of finishing a garment.  Each chapter in the book have sections look at different techniques and give you a how to on correcting the issues.  There are lots of cheats as a quick referent to when doing a finishing technique.  
This book really is helpful when it comes to finishing a knitting project.  The book also shows you how to work with and adapt a schematic.

The book is well written and easy to understand as well as the illustrations and pictures.  I am sure that even the more experienced knitter will find this book invaluable.  this book is like having a knitting expert sitting with you telling you how to finish a garment professionally.  This book is perfect for anyone that want to knit a garment or learn to knit a garment! 



Finishing School is available from Amazon


Book Review Once Upon a Knit








Photo's from Amazon

Once again Genevieve Miller taps a wide range of contributors from knitwear designers to students to create a collection of 30 wearables, accessories and toys that can be knit for adults or kids. Inspired by the recent resurgence of fairy tale and fantasy characters, these projects draw from traditionally storybook tales as well as popular television shows. Projects range from a Big Bad Wolf Hat to Grimm Stockings and a stuffed Dragon Hatchling.


Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Potter Craft (7 April 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385344945
ISBN-13: 978-0385344944


About the Author
Genevieve Miller is a south California native who learned how to knit when she was 11. Genevieve is the author of Vampire Knits and a contributor to Knits for Nerds. She lives in Pasadena, California, where she can be found reading fairy tales, knitting or teaching kids how to knit.
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Contents
Introduction

Chapter One
Into The Woods
Ruby Red Riding Hood
Little Red's Basket
Huntsman's Glove and Scarf
Entwinded Forest Throw
Ballerina Fairy Tutu and Wand
Jack and the Bean Socks
Yellow Brick Road Bag
Woodland Friends Hat

Chapter Two
Princes and Princesses
Siren Shawl
Briar Rose's Blanket
Snow White Shrug
Charming Cardigan
Rose Red Wrap
Bookish Belle Mitts
Fairest of Them All Top
A Little Princess Skirt
Cinderella Play Set
Proper Princess Topper

Chapter Three
Something Wicked
Maleficence
Raven Shawlette
Dark Dream Socks
Candy Witch Fingerless Gloves
Modern Chain Mail Hoodie
Dragon Softie
Queen of Hearts Beret
Rumpelstiltskin Infinity Scarf
An apple a Day
Elsa Snow Vest

Knitting Abbreviations
Skill Levels
Standard Yarn Weight System
Special Skills
Contributing Designers
Index

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Once Upon a Knit is for anyone that loves to knit and that still believes in the magic of fairy tales.
I found all 28 pictures on Ravelry of the patterns in the book


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A Little Princess Skirt
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An Apple A Day
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Ballerina Fairy Tutu & Wand
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Bookish Belle Mitts
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Candy Witch Fingerless Gloves


Screen_shot_2014-02-04_at_12

Briar Rose's Blanket


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Charming Cardigan
                                                              
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_4
Dark Dream Socks
Screen_shot_2014-02-06_at_5
Dragon Softie
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_4
Cinderella Play Set
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_11
Entwined Forest Throw
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_4
Fairest of Them All Top
Screen_shot_2014-02-06_at_4
Huntsman's Gloves & Scarf
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Jack and the Bean-socks
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Little Red's Basket
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_4
Malificence
Screen_shot_2014-02-06_at_6
Modern Chain-Mail Hoodie
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_4
Proper Princess Topper
Screen_shot_2014-02-06_at_6
Queen of Hearts Beret
Screen_shot_2013-05-08_at_5
Raven Shawlette
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_11
Rose Red Wrap
Screen_shot_2014-02-04_at_11
Ruby Red Riding Hood
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_6
Rumplestiltskin Infinity Scarf
Screen_shot_2013-05-13_at_8
Siren Shawl
Screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_11
Snow White Shrug
Screen_shot_2014-02-04_at_11
Woodland Friends Hats
Screen_shot_2014-02-04_at_12
Yellow Brick Road Bag
Screen_shot_2014-02-06_at_6
Elsa Snow Vest
I love the designs in this book and I think they are inspiring.  The book is well written with lovely photo's
Anyone that loves to knit and also love the magic in fairy tales then this book is a must have.



Once Upon a Knit  is available from Amazon


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