Guided by Harmony....

Hello everyone, are you currently under a blanket of snow?? I've been watching the weather forecasts and it seems that most of the country is getting their share of a winter wonderland. It is suppose to snow here in our area tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed for a just a few inches. You see the more snow, the more knitting time becomes available and baby I can fill that time with the best! I know you can, too!

This week I want to touch on a book series that makes all the difference in my teaching, designing and dreaming. The Interweave Press - Harmony Guides. There are several books and booklets in this series and I have many. For this blog post, I'd like to review two of my personal favs - if you haven't seen them, head to a book store or library - the magic within their pages may change your knitting forever.


Both of these books are still being published - Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and B&N.com all carry them for purchase and your local library may have some in their knitting selection.

1) Knit & Purl - Edited by: Erika Knight: originally published in 2007
This is a book of 250 stitches to knit and purl. It is a stitch dictionary that roams from the most basic to the very elaborate. The knits and purls are designed and intertwined into patterns that will inspire you to new heights, help you concur the creative block and perhaps even help you shrink the stash. Each page holds a lovely color photograph of the stitch pattern, the name of the patterns and easy to follow instructions. Finally, you will come across a hint here and there to help you in your knitting education. This is a great book to have in your arsenal  - I never leave on a long car trip without having my copy in the knitting bag.

2) Cables & Arans - Edited by Erika Knight: originally published in 2007
This book is similar in size and idea to Knit & Purl, but of course it is cables and arans - you caught that right? Of course you did it was right there in the title. This dictionary of stitches that twist and turn was a most welcome holiday gift just this past season from my dearest husband, Dave. Again, Erika Knight offers up 250 different patterns. I have this deep desire to make each and every one of these patterns into squares and make a huge blanket. Let's not lay odds on when that project may be completed, but it is certainly a tempting challenge.There is something about cables that make make my brain sizzle and pop with anticipation - I'm like a child saying, "Look what I did." when I complete a cable. It's like I've solved an ancient mystery. Ah..... Anyway, along with a photograph and written instructions, many of the patterns have charts as well. I know that many knitters love charts and so if you do, I think you'll find the charts well done and easy to follow. Personally, I loath charts. I know - I'm sorry - I cannot figure it out as I'm a very visual person, but I rather knit from written directions. Well, to each their own - knit on and use whatever pattern format you like - it's all good. Making cables is a great skill to have in your knitting bag of tricks, so I hope that you find this book helpful in your process.

I will discuss some of the other Harmony Guides in the future, but I do not want to be accused of leading you down a path of uncontrollable knitting. Or do I........Hmmm...

Later this week - look for the weekly Blog Review

Knit on, Read on....
The Knitty Scribe.