Thursday, August 18, 2016

Wendy Bernard's Knitting All Around Stitch Book Review + Giveaway

I must say, I have been slacking in the Book Review department this year. I think I have been pre-occupied with my own book project. And honestly, I am not finding as many new books that I think you all will be interested in. Perhaps it is book burn-out for me.... but if you know of any books you think I might enjoy and want to share, please send me a note. 

In April, I received Wendy Bernard's The Knitting All Around Stitch Book and I have been meaning to share it with all of you. It was published in April but for me, knitting season is over in April. I decided to hold it back because knitting season is coming up SOON. This is a good book! 



This is the second "Stitch Dictionary" in Wendy's book writing career. She is also the author of the blog Knit and Tonic and the author of 3 "Custom Knits" books all published by STC. It is a follow-up to Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary. I love this book! If I were at the beginning of my Knitwear Design career, I would have been overjoyed to have this book in my arsenal of stitch books. 



The premise of The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary is that each stitch photographed includes directions in both Chart Form and Written Out



Besides having instructions both written out and charted, each stitch pattern gives instructions for beginning at the top of a project and at the bottom of the project. This concept makes a knitwear designer's pattern swatching and writing chores so much easier. 

The stitches are photographed very appealingly, aren't they? Types of stitches include, mosaics, knits and purls, lace, cables, and "fancy". 



I also like the portability and usability factor of the spiral binding. It seems very sturdy so that you can easily tote it around in your bag and not ruin it.  I've had lots of experience with ruining books in my knitting bag so I appreciate this attention to such detail. (You should see my shredded "Mon Tricot" Stitch Dictionaries.)



I've photographed my favorite stitches from the book and shared them here but let me tell you, there is so much more in it. 

There are also basic patterns given, including this cute hat. These patterns give a beginning designer a basis to try out different stitches on. Nice. 



And this chapter called Designs from Scratch which helps beginning designers or those who want to customize patterns.  



So here is what I have for one lucky reader today....... their very own copy of The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary

To enter, answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post. 


What do you have plans to knit this coming autumn/winter? OR What are your favorite kinds of stitches to knit? 


U.S. addresses only. And make sure you leave an easy way to get a hold of you - email, Rav id, or Blogger id. Contest ends Sunday August 21st at 11:59 p.m. Good luck everyone! 


Contest is over. Lisa has won and been contacted. Thanks for everyone's interest!
Kristin

48 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Kristin,

I am really hoping to get back into knitting by learning to make a fair isle sweater... This book would come in handy and give me lots of inspiration!
Thanks,
Cheryl Korytoski
ckorytoski@gmail.com
413-695-3727

Nancy said...

I'm learning to cable and really enjoying it. I've picked out 3 different sweaters to make for Christmas gifts. I love learning new ways to turn yarn (which I love) into something really special.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Nancy Faris
nancyfaris96@gmail.com

Robin said...

Anything but plain stockinette! Love cables, lace, Fair Isle, and especially garter stitch.

rhuselton4783@gmail.com

Robin said...

Anything but plain stockinette! Love cables, lace, Fair Isle, and especially garter stitch.

rhuselton4783@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

~ The book looks well done ! My favorite stitches are seed, moss, bramble, simple yarn overs, and textural stitches. I'm getting more into fair isle again & several color patterning. I always like basic stockinette, which I often felt and then add embroidery to. Thanks Kristin !
(I can't wait till I can purchase your whole set of wools for embroidery!!)
Best,
Shell ~

Anonymous said...

~ oh, goodness, forgot.
My email is: yarnsoup@yahoo.com
Best,
Shell ~

Jane said...

I have plans to knit a poncho, I also want to try brioche. I usually knit scarves, socks and children's sweaters. I enjoy seeing your use of color - so inspiring!

Auntie Shan said...

You know me! - If I'm not adding to MOUNT *STASH* [on an almost daily basis it seems at times!] I've always got SOMETHING on the "STICKS" or the "HOOK"!! There's no such thing as "seasonal"-stitching around here! Whether it's -40C or +40C, I'm always playing with the YARN...
:-D

Anyhoo, looks like an interesting tome... I *like* GOOD pics of stitches and whatnot - seeing as I don't "read" patterns... [Love a good DIAGRAM of stitches as well]

BTW, speaking of stitchy books... I picked up another good Needlepoint one at the thrift store the other day. With lots of great charts of birds and flowers... To do, "SOMEDAY"!
;-}

Margo said...

I have a sweater on the needles now and I suspect there will be another one before the end of winter. My favorite stitches are cables and the seed stitch has become a favorite.

Ravelry ID: Margostitches

Anonymous said...

Judy M. Ct
Lightinabook@gmail.com
Looks like a neat book. This fall I intend to knit two sweaters. One is in progress, the other not. I typically knit shawls, socks, mitts etc.

Patty said...

I've promised myself that I would knit four of "something" for our four DGDs. In 2014 I promised it would be fair isle heart cardigans...and then I broke my wrist/arm:( Last year I didn't do it. But this year??? Maybe hats or mittens would be a more doable project? Love the look of this idea filled book!

from fingers crossed in VT,
the Vermonster (Patty M.)

hivetender said...

I am knitting my own destined fair isle sweater inspired by my trip to Shetland Islands last fall. It's a steeked cardigan. And I plan to knit a top down sweater called Winter Weeds with my friends Shetland wool that I spun. Thanks for a great book review.

hivetender said...

Forgot to leave contact info. Hivetender at ravelry.

Kathleen said...

This book looks one I wished I had when I designed my own sweater for the first time. I am now knitting sweaters for my twin 3 year old great granddaughters. Then it's on to sweaters for two 3 year old granddaughters.

Kathy O'Shea
koshea3@verizon.net

Pat said...

Stranded knitting is my current fav but I also like knitting patterns that make textured fabric. This looks like a great book. Very versatile.
Knittysticks on Rav

loonyhiker said...

I plan on knitting the Corrina Shawl, a baby sweater, Magrathea by Martina Behm, two pairs of socks, and hopefully a sweater.

Patty said...

I plan to make a lace weight beaded cowl for ME this Fall ! This looks like a great book :-)
PattyP on Rav

Anonymous said...

I used my husbands gift certificate from Brooklyn Tweed (to me for xmas) to buy the yarn and pattern for Stonecutter. It'll be the most expensive thing I've knitted ever. I'm getting all my other projects done and will start it soon.
This book goes on my wishlist for sure!

I love the pictures of your farm and garden and even tried some sunflowers this year b/c of seeing all of yours in years past. It was great and I'm hooked.

lisaj@ravelry

yardsailor said...

I do knit all summer, with the ac on,here in tropical Massachusetts, at least this year. I cannot wait to stat my Fall project though, purchased a patter by Stacey Trock called "Mixie" itching to get it cast on. Do love the look of this stitches book, Thanks for giving us a chance to win it.

Unknown said...

I'm knitting hats and sweaters this fall and -- hard to imagine-- but I like the look of garter stitch. I'm also really enjoying putting cables in to hats. Christmas knitting here I come! Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book. It's a must have book and love the spiral binder. Melanie1 on Rav

Janelle said...

I am planning to knit a vest for my teenage son, and I'd like it to be a little spiffier than plain stockinette. This book would be perfect! I also use my stitch dictionaries for socks, just using the stitch pattern on my tried-and-true vanilla sock base. I prefer to work top-down, so these kinds of stitch dictionaries are ideal for that. So glad she's creating these.

wooliedi said...

I'm looking for my next big project right now--sort of a Stash Dash letdown period. I'm thinking it's time for another cozy sweater.

PAK said...

This looks like a treasure trove of ideas. I'm knitting a poncho for my granddaughter. I also have a skein of sock yarn waiting in the wings for my next endeavor.
pakoss0414@gmail.com

Robin said...

Painting and drawing has seriously gotten in the way of my knitting. It's challenging during the week, but I try to squeeze in 30 minutes to an hour a day on something art-related. Because of that, I'm sticking to smaller projects. Currently, I have a pair of stranded mittens on my needles and want to finish those. Two of my oldest and dearest friends relocated from the East Coast to 45 miles from me. That warrants a hat for each of them and perhaps some mittens for them as well.

Patricia said...

I plan to knit my husband two sweaters. I want to use up a bunch of Brown Sheep Lambs pride to get rid of stash.

They have to be boring colors as anything that remotely has some color is quickly rejected.

Hope I win the book

Heather Ricco said...

My 3 year old has requested a new hat, with circles on it. My husband has requested a pair of black mitts. I am also working on a baby blanket for a friend. She teaches physics, so I'm going with a traditional rainbow ROY G. BIV color scheme.

Anonymous said...

This book is lovely, thank you for sharing it with us!

My recent favorite knitting has been slip-stitch patterns. I've been impressed with the patterns that look complex but are actually very straightforward. The slip stitch is so versatile and I have dreams of making sturdy but stylish tote bags this fall. My dream project for this fall is to overcome my fears and design my own (simple) sweater. One that will fit just right.

My definite fall knitting will include wool caps to donate to the Seamen's Church Institute at the Port of Oakland. I'm so impressed with the work they do and am grateful to the people who spend their lives working on the giant cargo ships so we can all have access to goods from all over the world.
Thank you! Lisa
lisaeager@aol.com

fracksmom said...

Good morning

I am in stash busting mode. A book like this world turn into a block afghan.... I love to knit socks and would to be able to create my own.

Fracksmom

Bonnie said...

I love cables and twisted stitches the most. Right now I'm knitting some striped socks as well as a Color Affection shawl.

Holly M said...

I love cables and trying new stitches. Although I have Kristen Nicholas gloves and a skirt to complete from my stash, I would also like to try some free form knitting this winter and tap into my creative side. My email is hollymilano1@gmail.com

Maggie B. said...

This fall, I'm hoping to finish up a Koto sweater that's been a WIP for too long, make an Opus the Octopus for a friend who's moved far away, and do a second attempt of a sweater for my dad.

Love what I've read about this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

msbohlander at gmail dot com

Melaine said...

Hi Kristin,
Being a beginner knitter, I would love this book. I love knitting. This fall I will be finishing my blanket throw and my Tess of the Duberville's ?? shawl and then on to Socks!! Can't wait!
Best Regards,

Melaine Leboeuf
melaineleboeuf@bellsouth.net

520 Hinman rd.
Pulaski, Ny 13142

315-532-9481

cclarke said...

Cables are my very favorites, I also like textured stitches with knits and purls. Occasionally I will do a simple lace pattern but I am not fond of large lace projects.
Carol
cclarke@xmisssioncom

MC said...

Hi Kristin,
I'm going to start knitting baby set, one for each of my children, they are 5!
So when the first grandchild arrive, I'm going to be ready!

I love seed stich and cable.

Thanks.

Ladymy71@gmail.com

Yowela@hotmail.com said...

My plan is to knit myself an oversized cardigan to wrap up in during the cold winter. I want to learn to cable also.

Lee said...

Kristin, thanks for a wonderful giveaway! This looks like a great resource for a knitter's library. I'm hoping to finish up SO many socks that I've started to keep my feet cozy this winter!
Mamagiff on ravelry

Anonymous said...

Sure I will be knitting a sweater out of my handspun yarn. Recently I ripped out one I had made and used years for years. The sweater had stretched and was too big and I didn't want to throw away that handspun yarn. Was very kinky after careful unravelling. Now all washed in skeins waiting for a good pattern to appear.
peggyspins on RAV

Anne said...

I hope to knit a nice sized throw to wrap up in when it gets cold!

Rosemary said...

Hi Kristen: I am looking for patterns to knit my soon to be granddaughter 9 years old a poncho upon her request. Wendy Barnard lives in our area and I have enjoyed her classes and blog for years.
rosevta on Ravelry and rosevta@gmail.com

Betty said...

Thank you for the giveaway, Kristin. This fall and winter I hope to delve deeper into small fair isle projects, hats and mittens. Betty Clay, taser52@yahoo.com

Cinderellen said...

It will be hats, socks, and mitts for me. Fall is holiday gift knitting season for me.

Unknown said...

Hi Kristin, I'm a new sock knitter so I have another pair on the needles. I will finish "Pour Moi" from Versace Knits when I can stand to be around it and my daughter gave me a hank of Anzula "Cloud" for my birthday so that will be a shawl very soon. Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book!

Chris said...

I am always knitting socks and shawls. I wear my shawls like scarves (a little extra warmth around my neck) all winter in my frigid office! My favorite type of knitting is lace - I love to watch the movement of the patterns across the knitted piece.

Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

nparis said...

Hi Kristin,
I am planning on knitting a fair isle vest this fall. I'm excited because this is my second one and I think this one will be a lot more relaxing to knit now that I know a thing or two.
Nancy Paris nparis62050@gmail.com

aggie325 said...

I've always dreamed of making a sampler of different stitches in a neutral color, to cover up with on those cold nights. I'll be busy from now until Christmas making socks for gift giving.
diann325@gmail.com

Paula F said...

My second try to post. I don't think it worked the first time.

I need to knit the second flip-top mitten; the first one came out well. I don't want to lose a mitten on the subway again while taking out the subway card. If I finish "the endless black sweater", I plan to knit a cabled sweater with some yarn that I've had for ages. I also hope to try Fair Isle with your dotted mittens pattern

Paula F (purlplessk on Ravelry...I don't check the gmail account)

Therese the knitter said...

I always have socks (several pairs) in progress on size 0 needles. Also I have some Elizabeth Zimmermann projects in progress: a Ribwarmer and a couple of Pelerines.

Sally said...

In addition to constant sock and grandchild knitting, I'm planning to knit a bunch of simple slouchy hats to round out Christmas giving. I enjoy an occasional challenge, stitchwise, but my passion is garter stitch.

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