Colouring In

Colour Knitting The Easy Way

Melissa Leapman

In A Nutshell: Fascinating colourwheel theory and  colour combination advice but lack lustre patterns.

I borrowed this book from the library, hoping to find some advice on intarsia knitting. Instead I discovered “The Easy Way” means using only one colour in each knitted row. My disappointment at not learning more about changing colours turned out to be short-lived. Instead I found fascinating explanations of creating colour combinations using colour wheel theory. There are great tips for creating patterns using two, three or four different colours. I tend to prefer easy-on-the-eye monochromatic colour schemes of the same hue, but I may now be encouraged to create more dramatic combinations.

Melissa also gives very good advice on creating harmonious stripes. Maths phobics may be alarmed when they find this means using the “Fibonacci Sequence” and the “Golden Mean”. Rest assured, in practice this is very simple and produces aesthetically pleasing stripes.

I will also be using her suggestion to gather together pictures of colour combinations I like, and transfer some of the ideas to knitting projects.

This book excels in its explanation of colour theory and knitting techniques. I feel it is let down by the ten knitting patterns. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase some stunning colour combinations but they are distinctly underwhelming. Not one of the patterns inspired me to pick up my needles.

Only Wise For New Knitters



Purls Of Wisdom

Jenny Lord

In a Nutshell: An ideal book for someone new to knitting but not enough information for those wanting to develop their skills

I have seen excellent reviews for this book, so I was disappointed when I initially picked it up. My favourite craft books have lovely paper and gorgeous photos, and this has neither. It is also written in a light hearted style which I am sure many people will love, but I’m afraid I found rather irritating.

I am sure my negative response stems from the fact that I can already knit, and this book is strongly targeted at a beginner. All the basics are explained very well indeed, and should enable a novice to start knitting. Besides how to knit, the book gives a brief history of knitting, provides some patterns and provides a selection of knitting resources. I found some of these very useful. Her list of favourite yarns, blogs, and shopping sites enabled me to make some delightful new discoveries.

The patterns are all designed to be gifts. I found them a little dull, but they are perfect for a beginner.

This book is not for me – I much prefer Debbie Stoller’s knitting work: Stitch 'n Bitch Handbook: Instructions, Patterns, and Advice for a New Generation of Knitters

Revamping and Recycling

DIY Fashion

Selena Francis-Bryden

In a nutshell: A good source of ideas for revamping and recycling your clothes, particularly suitable for the younger audience

This is certainly a book for the zeitgeist, showing you how to revamp clothes that would otherwise find their way into the recycling bin. I found the introductory section covering wardrobe sorting, shopping philosophy, and finding inspiration particularly useful. The author believes “Borrowing ideas is not copying”, and recommends finding something in a magazine and copying it. She suggests several places to shop for ideas such as catalogues, museums, libraries and fashion magazines. Then you can make a “Cut out and keep” board where you pin on a board everything that inspires you, and have it there to refer to when you have a creativity block. I had a go at this, and definitely found it useful.

Next the author provides examples of several projects, suggesting these should be treated as guidelines. A sensible approach.  I do not want to duplicate any of the designs exactly, but they triggered inspiration for stuff I do want to make. I love the painted cardigan and would adapt the design featured in the book.  Many of the projects are aimed at a younger reader, and I’m not sure could be worn by my forty something self. Though certainly, if I was twenty years younger, I would have made the denim dress, and I think the dress from a lace tablecloth is very imaginative.

Each of the projects is clearly explained but would have benefited from a list of materials required at the start of the instructions. You have to read through all the text to find everything you need.

Have I made anything? Not yet, but painting a cardigan has been added to my growing list of future craft projects.