June 14
Subtitled as 'interlace patterns from around the world in modern knitwear' and hailed on the back cover as 'A New Classic', this book features cabled knitwear on a Viking theme. The patterns are classic as in traditional and a little bit stuck in the 1980s. I would like to think there is more to knitwear design than taking an idea from an ancient culture, transforming it into a simple cable pattern and transferring it onto a basic pattern shape. Elsebeth promotes her own yarns throughout the book, so make sure you can match tension. I enjoyed the historical snippets and the book is well illustrated with original inspiration in the form of rune stones, beads, Celtic imagery and more, both photographs and Elsebeth's own drawings. So you can use the same starting points and come up with more inspired patterns if you are a designer. I do love Rusila, a kimono-style jacket; Signilo, a boxy jacket and Heidrun, a close-fitting sweater. There are other designs including a man's sweater, cushion, hat and bag and a child's jacket. If you love cable, Celtic or Viking, you'll love this.
* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *
July 14
If you are into the current trend for all things Scandinavian you will love this new book. You will be able to watch your favorite crime dramas while wearing the appropriate knitwear, and in between subtitles even work on knitting another garment... Seriously you don't have to be a fan of the above to appreciate the beautiful art of the Vikings, and cabling captures perfectly all that swirling knotwork. There is a short introduction to this art history, plus pages showing how the knotwork has been translated into knitting. Patterns include written instructions and charts, plus full paged photographs which are made more impressive by the larger format of this hardcover book. This is not a book for those who haven't done much knitting as you won't find anything besides patterns. Interspersed with the garments and other projects are sections showing more inspiration behind the designs with photographs of Viking artefacts, pencil interpretations and charts for more cable patterns. You could incorporate these into your own designs if you are advanced enough, and indeed at the end of the book there is a section on making your own patterns and more about how the cabling is worked out. Even if you are not up to all that there are plenty of patterns to make up. Choose from cardigans, waistcoats, a cushion cover, tops, jumpers and garments for men, children and babies. This is an attractive book for intermediate knitters upwards that manages to update the Viking style and give it a timeless appeal.
* Myshelf.com *
September 2014
Cable knit expert Elsebeth has taken Viking-style patterns and introduced her own technique to create stunning interlace designs. Step-by-step instructions, swatches and charts mean even a novice will be filled with cable confidence!
* Knit Today *
Elsebeth Lavold's painstaking research into Viking-age decoration has resulted in a stunning book that will inspire lovers of cable knitting. She presents photographs and sketches of interlace designs which she reinterprets as cable stitch patterns - taken from Viking art, jewellery and architecture, but also from cultures as diverse as Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Mexico, Congo and Switzerland. There's a cornucopia of cabling patterns here, from loops and chains to knots and trefoils, which can be incorporated into your own knitting projects. You can also pick from more than 20 intricate garment patterns, which feature many of these cables and knots. Modern shapes with a tailored fit abound, such as a kimono cardigan, a funnel-neck sweater, a skirt, a shrug and a range of tunics. Accessory patterns include a hat, bag, cushion, socks and scarf, and there are also designs for men and children. This book will be a feast for your eyes as well as for your knitting needles.
* Knitter, The *
