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Book Look: Instaknits, by Melissa Leapman

My dear friend Melissa Leapman has a new book out which is perfect for these cranky, uncertain times. Instaknits (Stackpole Books; MSRP $26.95, available for $24.25 at the time of this writing through the affiliate link) is a collection of fun patterns that knit up quickly. If you’re pulled every which way and don’t have that much time to knit…

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Favorite books I read: 2014 edition

It’s the time of year when people start creating “Best of” lists. I read a lot and used to talk more about non-knitting books on my blog, until I started using Goodreads to keep track of my reading and do quick reviews. But since I love getting recommendations for good books to read, I’ll join the many other writers and…

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No-Bull Book Review: Sock Architecture, by Lara Neel

Today’s book review is the intriguingly-titled Sock Architecture, written by Lara Neel and published by Cooperative Press. Sock Architecture is, as you might infer from the title, a sock knitting book that is very much concerned with sock structure. [Sometimes when I write a sentence like that, I have to step back and chuckle. A huge percentage of the sock-wearing…

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Book look: A Head For Trouble, by Julie Turjoman

I mentioned that Julie Turjoman was in our booth in Chicago signing books,and during the show, she was kind enough to give me a copy of her latest, called A Head For Trouble: What To Knit While Catching Crooks, Chasing Clues, and Solving Murders (20 Hats and Adornments Inspired by Lady Detectives of the Roaring Twenties).  Yep, that’s an awfully…

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Spinners: You need this book

Several years ago, at one yarn show or another, I met a gorgeous redhead named Beth Smith. I didn’t realize it at the time, because she was so funny and humble and warm, but Beth is a goddess of spinning. She’s had her hand on more sheep than James Herriott — taking tangled, grassy, greasy fresh-shorn fleeces and seemingly effortlessly…

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No-Bull Book Review: Noro 1-2-3

Today’s book review: the new Noro book from Sixth & Spring. It’s called Knit Noro 1 2 3 Skeins, and as the title suggests, all the patterns in the book can be made with either one, two or three skeins of Noro yarn. Noro yarns come in all gauges, and this book takes advantage of that, featuring yarns as fine…

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Book Review: Knits That Breathe, by Julie Turjoman

Call this one perfect timing: if you despair of finding interesting, fun-to-knit garments that are appropriate for warmer weather, or if you’re like me, and find pure wool sweaters are often too warm, you’re going to love Knits That Breathe: 12 Breezy Projects To Keep You Cool, by my pal Julie Turjoman. Julie’s goal was simple: to create a collection…

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