Arcadia Knitting

Welcome to the blog of Arcadia Knitting, Chicago's largest yarn store! Owned by sisters Kathy and Sharon Kelly, Arcadia has been serving the Chicago knitting and crocheting community for over six years. Keep up with shop news and read more about our ongoing adventures in yarn...

Monday, January 14, 2008

Good Books

A number of books have recently come out that you should consider for your
knitting library:

The Book of Yarn - All about fibers, construction and care.
A must have if you often substitute yarns.
Plus great patterns that make the most of the fibers.

Knitting in America - Wow. A great coffee table book full of history, pictures,
patterns and more. For all those scholars and librarians out there this is the
book you have been waiting for.
Knitting the New Scarves - Another wow. A really great
exploration of geometry and shaping.
Not just variations on garter stitch, truly a revolutionary twist on scarves.


Pattern Books for Men

Books of men's patterns are hard to find. People try so hard and
sometimes they just don't hit the right note. However, that seems to be
changing. There are now a number of books we have in stock that have a
great variety of patterns for men.

Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them

It's been out for a awhile but it has great refreshing patterns for men
& dogs. There is a size chart in the book that groups dogs by breed
and then gives sizing. Each dog pattern comes in eight sizes. So if
you can't measure the dog all you have to know is that is an average
size beagle and you are good to go. The patterns are easy to read and
the yarns choices are unusual.
The Knitting Manual

The book has a wide variety of patterns. Sweaters, hats, mittens,
vests, socks, balaclava, etc. The designs are a good mix of simple and
advanced. The styles are traditional with a twist making the styles timeless.
The patterns are clear and there are a lot of good "how to" pictures.
The sweater sizes range from 40" to 53". I am currently making
the house slippers for my husband and will probably make a pair
for myself and then some more as gifts.

Son of Stitch N Bitch

As usual, a fresh and sassy take on menswear from our heroine, Debbie Stoller.
Lot's of patterns: sweaters, vests, socks, hats, messenger bags, ties!
My only caution is that the yardage requirements for larger sizes are very low.
If you are making any of the larger size sweaters check yardage
requirements against "Knitter's Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements"
before you make a purchase.
Knitting for Him by Martin Storey

A lovely book using Rowan yarn from one of Rowan's top designers. Very
traditional designs with some updated details. The models are a hoot -
they look like fishermen and in one shot you see some very British
teeth. If your guy wants very traditional styles, this is it. If you
also want a book that is for the both of you, this would be it. These
are the sweaters I want to see my husband in but I know from
experience he wants something completely different.

Come in and check them out.

Kathy





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