Sunday, July 09, 2017

Wimbledon has still not ignited, for me. I’m glad to have a day off. Maybe some doorstep gardening instead? If I understand things aright, and if all four top seeds are still on their feet for the semi-finals, Murray will play Nadal and Federer will play Djokovic. I can’t see Murray getting past that. I hope Federer does.

I’ve never cared for Nadal, too many muscles, but he has endeared himself to me and to the nation this week by being photographed (accidentally, unposed) in Tesco Express struggling with the automatic check-out.

The Northmavine Hap struggles on – four of the twelve rows of the final half-repeat are now done. I’m not sure there’s enough of the fourth colour left – it’s the one that has always, in each repeat, had to knit the longest rows. I’ll substitute one of the others, if it gives out on me.

I got my books. The Leapman, "6000+ Pullover Possibilities",  is one of those assemblies of sweater parts that you can mix and match (to coin a phrase). I’ve got other such books. This is far and away the most comprehensive. Leapman is in favour of seams, like Sally Melville.

“Knitting Short Rows” disappointed at first. It is brilliant in its technical discussion and illustration of five different methods, with the pros and cons of each. It is less good on how to use short rows. There is an excellent, but very brief, paragraph on the subject on page 5.

I went back and re-watched the last two lessons in Carol Feller’s short-row Craftsy Class. (I have a considerable arsenal of Craftsy classes at my disposal: they’re wonderfully soporific.)

But then I decided that the answers I was looking for are there in the book after all, in the patterns. Each is photographed from a variety of angles, and accompanied with notes. You've got to work at it a bit.


I see we are to have a new Japanese book in November: “Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible”. Despite the title, it is not a compendium (already got those) but a collection of patterns by Hitomi Shida. Order ahead, to be surprised on a dark, wet day at the worst moment of the year? (Except for you, Cat.) 

6 comments:

  1. Yes, except for me! And I have ordered the book - I like Hitomi Shida's knitting and may use it for inspiration but probably just to look at. I prefer to design my own (too lazy to do otherwise I fear).

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  2. I'd certainly like to see those Japanese patterns. I wondered whether Lucy Hague was influenced by Japanese stitch techniques in designing Uncia.

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  3. Anonymous11:40 AM

    It's probably a fantasy (who would actually do that) but I'd like to attend a Japanese stitch-making class in a classroom where the instructor walks you through some of the stitches using a giant screen and a pointer, then goes around to each student and helps them with their own work. That's the way we all grew up learning (the giant screen being an acconnodation for the nature of the subject matter), and the way I still like to learn. But, alas, it will never be, so I will continue to admire but never execute -- too lazy at this stage to do otherwise. Luckily with knitting, that still gives me plenty to do. Chloe

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  4. I have a number of Japanese stitch dictionaries- I wonder if the new book will be useful/new information.

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  5. I believe the Japanese book is the English edition of this: http://www.loopknittingshop.com/p/4238/260-Knitting-Patterns-(Written-in-Japanese-Charts) which I love, but then I'm using the charts for designs and not trying to knit the items (patterns in the back for scarf, socks, etc.). From looking at the sample pages on Amazon, I am fairly sure it is the same content. It is a wonderful book in any language!

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  6. I have also ordered the Japanese Stitch Bible! Hoping it will arrive as promised and happy to have it!:) Hoping as well that it will provide more useful information.

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