What's your favourite pattern book?

[stultiloquentia]

I'm not a knitter. I'm looking for a present for my mom. She knits every day, but hasn't bought herself a new book of patterns in a long time.

She likes acrylic/wool blends, like Plymouth Encore. Lots of sweaters, though she's done brilliant mittens and hats and scarves. I'd love a shawl, when I'm up next in her gift queue (it's an endless cycle). But sweaters are really her thing. She's done lots in the Cabled Woollies genus. It'd be nice to find her something with some tighter, trimmer patterns.

For instance, I think this is pretty, although I have no idea what silk means in terms of cost or fussiness.

Any favourites?

Comments

[melusina]

I can vouch for the book that pattern came from (No Sheep For You) - a friend of mine owns it and there are lots of great patterns in it.

I have to admit, I don't buy a lot of pattern books, because with Ravelry, there's so much on-line, so I don't have another recommendation.

[stultiloquentia]

I think I'd better point Mum at Ravelry, for a start. Heh, that'll be interesting. Thank you!

[beachlass]

Most of my pattern books are really specific: Estonian Shawls, Favorite Socks - so if sweaters are her things, you might find a sweater book that would work. Interweave Knits (the magazine) usually has great sweater patterns - I don't remember what was in the winter issue, looks like spring is going to have a lace focus. (YAY!!) Check out the books tab on the Interweave site - you might see something that looks like it fits the bill.

[synecdochic]

No Sheep for You is, as the name suggests, 100% nonwool-bearing patterns! If she knits mostly with acrylic/wool blends, it probably might not work for her.

If you're looking for something with sleek, trim patterns, I suggest "Fitted Knits" -- my copy has grown legs, but it's full of really awesome stuff.

[stultiloquentia]

If she knits mostly with acrylic/wool blends, it probably might not work for her.

Why not? I'm guessing silk drapes pretty differently, for a start, but do you think they'd be totally untranslatable?

Fitted Knits looks nifty, though; thanks!

[synecdochic]

*catching up on comments*

They wouldn't be totally untranslateable -- I've certainly seen people use wool and acrylics for patterns from it -- but it can be a pain to try to yarn-substitute in terms of finding one that will give you similar gauge, drape, etc, and a lot of people like knitting patterns in the yarn called for.

On the other hand, NSFY does have a really awesome section on fiber qualities, etc, and information on how each plant-based fiber reacts and behaves, so it might be interesting for her to stretch her wings a bit!

[stultiloquentia]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on this book and have a flip-through.

[synecdochic]

It is often found in the Barnes & Noble knitting section, etc, since it was a recent publication!

teal deer

[gloss]

Something that she might like a lot is Vintage Knits by Rowan -- their designs have a definitely classic feel that she'll like as a cable enthusiast and sweater knitter, but they're also trimmer and sleeker, which sounds like what you're looking for. I don't know if you or she is on Ravelry, but this is the books's pattern page; the Google image results are also helpful.

I really love Knitting Classic Style by Véronik Avery; I don't own many pattern books, but this one is gorgeous and full of inspiration.

Also! Knitpicks has a book sale through Monday. Just fyi.

Re: teal deer

[stultiloquentia]

Oh, those all look good! Thank you!

Does your mum knit in pieces, or in the round?

[jazzypom]

Wendy Bernard's Custom Knits is a good book (nice patterns, but mostly knitting in the round and is dedicated to seamless knitting). There are a lot of jumpers (sweaters), and clothing patterns. With the odd hat and skirt.

If she knits in pieces Kim Hargreaves is nice. She's more with stitch and simple lines, but there's nothing too exciting in the knits. But they are classic and the books are coffee table pretty.

Re: Does your mum knit in pieces, or in the round?

[stultiloquentia]

Nice. I'll check those out. Thank you!

[loup_noir]

Have you considered getting her a subscription to a nice knitting magazine? The ones I subscribe to have a variety of projects each month or quarter, and that way she could be inspired by lots of different ideas.

If you know her tastes well, head into a knitting shop and talk to the people there.

Rowan produces pattern books that are beautifully photographed, Nashua has some very nice sweaters, etc..., but I've found that each of those expensive books tend to have one "must do" pattern and ten others I'm not in the least interested in.

[stultiloquentia]

Hey, that's an interesting idea. And you're right about all those books with one or two standouts and another 30 pages of meh.