So, yesterday was the official kick-off of the Keep Portland Weird festival here in Paris, which meant that I had a reading/screening in the...
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I have problems knitting with wool (a combination of various allergies and skin sensitivities) but I've have been frustrated getting other yarn to work. Most knitting books wax poetic about the greatness of wool and scorn other fibers. Which isn't helpful when you can't even touch most wool.
Singer starts out by describing the properties of various types of non-animal fibers (her one exception is silk). This section is amazing since she explains what various fibers can and can not do. Singer is positive and focuses on what they can do, rather than complaining about what they can't. She has tables which let you know the relative weight, elasticity, strength, etc. of various yarns. Singer also has a long section on using swatches (or "geeky things") to help figure out if your non-wool fiber will work in a particular pattern.
The patterns are really great. They're all solidly designed and by pattern makers you may already know from Knitty and designers with an online presence. I've already started a hat and am completely fixated on a sleeveless linen sweater and a silk sweater with mosaic color work. The sizing covers a wide range of sizes (through at least a 52" bust for the sweaters). She also has patterns for thrummed mittens (thrumming with silk instead of wool) and how to steek with non wool yarns. My only complaint is that none of the patterns showcase bamboo (though she does give plenty of guidelines for substituting yarns). This is a great addition to any knitting library.
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No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights by Amy R Singer
Julia, March 1, 2007
I have problems knitting with wool (a combination of various allergies and skin sensitivities) but I've have been frustrated getting other yarn to work. Most knitting books wax poetic about the greatness of wool and scorn other fibers. Which isn't helpful when you can't even touch most wool.Singer starts out by describing the properties of various types of non-animal fibers (her one exception is silk). This section is amazing since she explains what various fibers can and can not do. Singer is positive and focuses on what they can do, rather than complaining about what they can't. She has tables which let you know the relative weight, elasticity, strength, etc. of various yarns. Singer also has a long section on using swatches (or "geeky things") to help figure out if your non-wool fiber will work in a particular pattern.
The patterns are really great. They're all solidly designed and by pattern makers you may already know from Knitty and designers with an online presence. I've already started a hat and am completely fixated on a sleeveless linen sweater and a silk sweater with mosaic color work. The sizing covers a wide range of sizes (through at least a 52" bust for the sweaters). She also has patterns for thrummed mittens (thrumming with silk instead of wool) and how to steek with non wool yarns. My only complaint is that none of the patterns showcase bamboo (though she does give plenty of guidelines for substituting yarns). This is a great addition to any knitting library.
(15 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)