Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Knit One Below - One Stitch Many Fabrics

Knit One Below: One Stitch, Many Fabrics by Elise Duvekot

I initially choose this book because I was intrigued by the sweater design on the cover. Unfortunately, the yarns used in the book are very expensive (the colorways for some sweaters, such as the one on the cover, would cost over $100 to complete. Others can cost up to $200) I know that knitting is an expensive hobby, but since I like to do more than one project a year, I won't be able to reproduce the same expensive look that are shown in many of the pictures. I will just hope that I can eventually get a lucrative job (ha!) that will pay for my knitting habit.

Despite my complaint about the pricing - I love this book. The technique is fantastic. Each project has a full color, full page picture which makes you itch to start knitting. K1B is a really interesting way to blend different patterned yarns. More than the patterns themselves (which are beautiful), I am inspired by the fabric and cannot wait to design my own knit one below projects! This technique creates vertical stripes without the necessity of using two strands at once. There are beautiful instructions on how to apply this technique under different scenarios (such as increasing, decreasing etc). This technique is also good for combining many colors of yarn in a rich, exciting way.

Projects include:
  • Vests (5), Jackets (4) and Sweater (6): I am particularly drawn to the Non-repeating sweater, The block sweater (shown on cover), and the Man's Another Facet sweater. I know that I complained about the expense of the yarns shown, but each of these sweaters look like the belong in a department store for $300+.
  • Wardrobe Building: Skirts (2), Camisole, sleeveless sweater, beaded necklace, T-shaped top, and Offset tabard (one shouldered). The pictures are beautiful, but I doubt I would ever make any of these for myself.
  • Creature Comforts: Shawls (2), Luxury Scarf/Shawl, Mitered Squares Pillow (adorable!)
  • Child and Baby: Blocks of color blanket, Booties, Bonnet and Cardigan set, Railroad tracks sweater. (These are some of the cutest patterns in the whole book!)
  • Head to toe: Felted shoulder bag, Hat Variety Section (with instructions for separate brims so you can make exactly what you want), A Family Affair (Matching Hat, Scarf and Mittens set for the whole family!), Matching Cap and Gauntlets, Matching hat and scarf, Tattersall scarf, Inside-outside scarf, Shoe toppers and wristers, K1B and socks (there is one complete pattern, but there are many other photos with general instructions). Some of the sock patterns in particular are delectable. An amazon reviewer complained that the sock patterns were really just a tease (as there are no stitch by stitch instructions), but I do not think it should be difficult to apply the K1B technique to a basic sock pattern.
  • StashBusters: As the title of this section implies, I think that this technique of mixing colors together is a fantastic way to use up remnant yarns in a beautiful project. Afghans, a Vest, and a Shawl.
I would love to use K1B on my remnant blanket that I plan to make (once my sampler afghan is complete), but unfortunately for this technique you need to use either DPN or round needles as you cannot just turn the work after every row, therefore my size 50 needles won't be conducive to this project.