WIP Weds: Birthday books & Progress

What do you give the constant knitter and reader? Other than the best niece in the world who loves books too for a visit ? A gift certificate for a bookstore with a knitting section :0)

“Stashbuster Knits” by Melissa Leapman

here is a review

and “Socks a la carte 2: Toes up!”

here is another great review

(the errata found here)

And my guilty pleasure

The Trouble with Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan

In the fifth in Lathan’s bestselling series, George Wickham returns to Hertfordshire bent on creating trouble, and Elizabeth and her newborn son are thrown into danger. Knowing that Wickham has nothing left to lose, Darcy and Fitzwilliam rush to the rescue in a race against time.

Untangled #6

 I plan to do 10 of these

XL coffee cup sweater

And I am well on my way, 6 of 12 XL Coffee Cup Sweater done.

Tuesday was movie night with Sarah, my niece. This week we saw Disney’s “Brave”. We really enjoyed it. A mother daughter movie for all ages.

Last week we saw “Madagascar 3” not as good as the first 2, and if you are Canadian be aware there are some jabs at Canada. Sarah liked it, I didn’t!

for links to my blogwalk  come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

cya Friday Take Care

WIP Weds: On The hunt for Erratas!

Yup, I am hunting the wild Errata, note there is a new category on my Blog.

Under “Categories“, “Book Reviews Knitting” are the “Erratas” (publishers corrections) I have found so far. Yes this is turning into an obsession. In future when I review a knitting book I will try to find any links to Erratas for you and make a link, there will also be a reference as to number of corrections, and what pages.  If I have reviewed a Knitting Book and you have the link to an errata  could you please add it to this page to assist others, thanks :0)

Note also I have added a page at the top of my blog for My Designs. I am doing a little blog cleaning and reorganization, to make it easier to navigate… comments appreciated.

Back to my WIP’s (for details see links to Ravelry.com)

Simple Ridges Shawl don’t like crocheted edges, as I don’t crochet! After much thought and graphing I came up with something satisfactory. Will post when completed!

Only a few more repeats to finish Cosy Winter Shawl My design

Roarin Cloche was ignored this week.

Immie Blanket remains in the footstool. Love the frost flower pattern.

Beryl Blanket too

Pine Forest Baby Blanket got a lot of attention this week.

 11 days and counting without stash enhancement

Starting to go through withdrawal.. 

For more “Works in Progress Wednesday” hike over to

Tami’s Blog and be amazed :0)

Knitting Book Review: Knit Socks! 17 Classic Patterns

Book: Knit Socks! 17 Classic Patterns by Betsy Lee McCarthy

Comments:

Lovely patterns interesting page lay out. Rather small diagrams, but clear. Good pictures and straight forward instructions. Designs have a classic feel. A smaller format book, 6×9″ good size for knitting bag!

Errata found here pg 68

Knitting Book Review: Sock Knitting Master Class

Book: Sock knitting Master Class by Ann Budd

Comments:

Very interesting book and informative includes a DVD with Ann Budd. (Caredul removing the DVD from the folder in the back of the, I got some of the glue on mine and it skips in the beginning of the show) :0(

The Book: Looks at both Top-down and Toe-up construction, assorted cast-ons and cast-offs. Examines heel construction methods and the effect that stitch choice and gauge will have on the finished product. Excellent pictures in the book, good close-ups, the diagrams are clear and easy to make out. Lovely project patterns by some well known designers, Cookie A, Kathryn Alexander, Veronik Avery, Cat Bordhi, Ann Budd, Nancy Bush, Evelyn A. Clarke, Chrissy Gardiner, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Ann Hanson, Eunny Jang, Melissa Morgan-Oakes, Meg Swansen, and Anna Zilboorg. Just full of talented designers!

The DVD: Very disappointed in the camera work, often action shown from front of the knitter, rather than over the shoulder, and Ann Budd is knitting cross hand which may be confusing as there are almost no close ups to see what is happening with the various techniques.

Over all I would recommend this book, little disappointed that it was released before corrections were made… Seems like publishing houses are more concerned about a pretty object rather than correct content! The corrections a minor however, unlike some books I have reviewed by other presses!

Note: Errata found here contains corrections on pgs 61, 121, 154, 158.

Knitting Book Review: 60 Quick Baby Knits

Book: 60 Quick Baby Knits From Cascade Yarns

Comments:

I hate to start with a negative, however when I buy a knitting book for $21.95 Cdn, I don’t expect to have to go hunting for an errata.

It can be found here.

I only became aware there was one via someone elses post. Didn’t Cascade Yarns and the editors proof read this book before publication? (6 pgs errata – 8 patterns with errors) Ok, rant over, just irritated now! Not sure if I would have purchased it realizing the deficiencies in the pattern instructions.

I purchased this book because of the delightful colourful and rather original patterns.  Will attempt to knit a few things and let you know.

Note: It appears that there are also erratas on

” 60 Quick Knits in Cascade 220” pattern corrections on 16 of these patterns.

“ 60 More Quick Knits in Cascade 220 Sport” corrections on only 3 patterns.

List of Knitting Books Reviewed

Here is the list of Knitting Books I have reviewed so far…

2o11

1. A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt
2. Reader’s Digest The Essential Stitch Collection by Lesley Stanfield & Melody Griffiths
3. 2-at-a-time socks  Melissa Morgan-Oaks (see link for errata)
4. Toe-Up 2-at-a-time socks  Melissa Morgan-Oaks (see link for errata)
5. Wrapped in Lace: Knitted Heirloom Designs from Around the World By Margaret Stove (see link for errata)
6. Mastering Color Knitting by Melissa Leapman (n0 erratas reported)
7. Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd (see link for errata)
8. Knit Socks! 17 Classic Patterns for Cozy Feet by Betsy lee McCarthy (see link for errata)
9. 400 Knitting Stitches Potter Craft (no erratas reported)

2012

1. 60 Quick Baby Knits from Cascade Yarns (see link for errata)
2. 50 Fabulous Knitted Borders by Rita Weiss
3. Knitting in Plain English” by Maggie Righetti
4. 50 Fabulous Knitted Lace Stitches by Rita Weiss
5. Charted Knitting designs: Third Treasury by Barbara Walker
6. Cast On, Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor

2013

1. The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd

WIP Weds: Progress

First I want to thank you for your support last friday. Things have settled down with husbands health. He is currently sporting a Heart monitor for the next 48 hrs. However Doctors have lifted his license and he depends on the car for a living. Life is becoming a little to interesting! My appointment went well. Just a medication adjustment and hopefully my seizures and tremors will be under better control. Meanwhile things are quiet… Thank Goodness!

Purchased a rather good looking sock knitting book today. Call it retail therapy :0) I like Melissa Morgan-Oaks approach to knitting. “2-at-a-time socks” is well photographed with helpful hints and a practice childs pair to knit as a walk through. Spiral bound hardcover, with charted in assorted sizes and gauge options, all in all a rather appealing book for sock knitters.

Note: I have been collecting up erratas on my knitting books for easy reference. This book published by Storey Publishing has corrections for pg 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 35, 49 (chart) 58, 60, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 79, 83, 84, 85, 89, 103, 106, 110, 3 corrections on 112, 2 corrections on 113, 118, 129. (Totally disgusted, how can such a lovely looking book have this many corrections? (33+)

Look here for errata

One “Inside, Outside, Upside Down Mitten” done! Other well on the way!

Outside or Inside mitten

Inside Or Outside Mitten

And I continue the spinning on yarn for Hat. For more inspiring WIP Weds visit Tami’s Blog

Book: Toe-up 2-at-a-time socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes

Delightful book! Excellent pictures, ring bound (I like being able to open the book and lay it flat, saves the spine makes the book last longer), great step-by-step instructions, 15 patterns included for all family members from baby to men’s. Instruction are given for a traditional gusset heel, short rows, and heel cup and flap.

I found the toe to gusset formula a little confusing at first, required some work with a calculator.

Erratas found here pgs 105, 144

Recommendation: Excellent Book, I would buy it just for the patterns. I might not knit all my socks 2-at-a-time, but I like her approach!