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Knitting has been with us since the Middle Ages and is currently
enjoying a revival. This is not just another book of projects,
nor an encyclopedia but a book looking at the origins of knitting
and how traditional patterns can be used today to make many
attractive and useful items.
Starting with a brief potted history this book is divided
into sections on stitches. These are sensibly arranged mostly
in order of difficulty with textured stitches such as plain
and purl first, through twisted stitches (i.e. cable), lacework
and intarsia methods. Each chapter starts with the history
of the stitch type and has pages of traditional patterns to
practice and use in your own designs. Each pattern is short
and there are usually three to a page, with a photograph of
the finished work, color key, written instructions and charts.
At the end of each chapter are a couple of projects, ranging
from clothes and accessories for adults and children to items
such as a hot water bottle cover, cushion cover and baby blanket.
You can even knit your own “raspberry beret! Finally
at the end of the book there is a brief section with staged
photographs on how to knit, although this is to remind those
who already know but are rusty as this is very much a book
for the intermediate knitter, or at least the improver. Overall
it is a handsome book well illustrated with old photographs
and archive pictures as well as all the projects and would
make a great gift for anybody with an interest in the history
of knitting.
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