Synopses & Reviews
Peru is a country rich in textile artistry—a culture that has long inspired colorful clothing for both the nomadic and romantic at heart. Now, with sumptuous organic yarns derived from the llama and alpaca herds grazed in the Peruvian highlands for generations, and Vogue Knitting designer Jane Ellison as your style guru, you can create the softest, warmest, most luxurious knitted garments imaginable.
This marvelous book dresses you from head to toe—you'll find cardigans and jackets; sweaters and vests; tunics and dresses; plus hats, scarves, mittens, and socks designed to fit an array of body types as well as suit both modern and traditional tastes. There is seasonal crossover, too: The sleeveless short dress is perfect for a summer lunch out, but is also charming over leggings for the fall. The three-quarter-length coat features a high collar, double-breasted buttons, and extra coverage in back for warmth in cooler weather, and the slouchy hat and flapped mittens are trendy and attractive options when temperatures plummet. Ellison has masterfully included patterns that look more complicated than they are, cleverly employing simple stitches that every knitter can use to create remarkably stylish necklines, sleeves, and edgings.
Her naturally hued palette of plums, blues, browns, ochres, and creams instills an earthy sensuality in the projects reminiscent of a sun-warmed mountain hillside—ideal for the hand-dyed merino wool, baby alpaca, and pima cotton (one of the finest cottons in the world) featured in the Mirasol Yarn Collection. Long and short, loose and form-fitting, chunky and minimalist, modern and classic—these 25 original hand-knit projects make perfect use of the unique qualities inherent in Peruvian yarn—silky softness, depth of color, beautiful drape, and earth-friendly sustainability. They only await your personal touches to make them perfect for you.
Review
"Ellison offers a collection of 25 tops and accessories meant to bring out the best in the eco-conscious fibers, each of which bears a Quechua name. Her aesthetic plays up long, lithe lines--stripes incorporate vertical ruching, lace columns dress up a hooded zip-up, ribbing alternates knit sections with openwork bands. It's good work for a good cause." Yarn Market News
Review
"Many of the twenty-five projects are large garments and ambitious feats for handspun; nonetheless, the patterns have just enough edge to keep the knitting interesting and give the items staying power in your wardrobe." Spin-Off (September 2011)
Synopsis
Knitters of all skill levels can create luxurious garments using sumptuous yarns derived from the llama and alpaca herds of the Peruvian highlands with this project book. Included amongst the 25 unique patterns are options from head to toe: cardigans and jackets; sweaters and vests; tunics and dresses; plus hats, scarves, mittens, and socks. All are designed to fit an array of body types and are easily adaptable to both modern and traditional tastes. The naturally hued, environmentally friendly merino wool, baby alpaca, and pima cotton called for in these patterns lend a palette of plums, blues, browns, ochers, and creams that instill an earthy sensuality to the attractive apparel. In addition, each pattern is accompanied by lush photography, clear instructions, and a chart indicating how the designer has modified the original pattern.
About the Author
Jane Ellison is a British knitwear designer who began her career working for Debbie Bliss in London. She has designed for a number of yarn producers and distributors and is involved with the Mirasol Project in the village of Munani in the Andes Mountains of Peru.