New Ideas for Today’s Knitting
by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss
Published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
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Reviewed by Janelle Martin
Every now and then, a pattern is published that falls under the heading of “what happens when knits go bad.” When the majority of a knitting book fits into this category, knitters are left wondering what strange confluence of astral events or editorial confusion led to its publication. Unfortunately New Ideas for Today’s Knitting is such a book; a decent concept – “edgy designs [using] the same knit and purl stitches we’ve always used” – went sadly awry.
My initial impression was that this is a book published five to seven years too late, after the love affair with novelty yarns ended. Of the twenty-three designs, over half are made in part or completely with novelty yarns including a memorable three-quarter length coat in yellow faux fur and a barely-there, backless mini-dress constructed with a ribbon ladder yarn and an eyelash/chenille blend, finished with a 10” fringe around the bottom. But perhaps the most impressive “knits gone bad” example is the red, fun fur ensemble comprised of jacket, beret and boot toppers.
There are a few halter and tank designs that may appeal to the younger knitting crowd, made from cotton and bamboo yarns, so popular this spring. Empress Halter showcases Schaefer Yarn Company Laurel’s beautiful hand dyed colorways in cotton and Sophisticated Tank makes use of bamboo yarn’s drape. FYI for those unfamiliar with the term colorways, it means the color(s) chosen for design or yarn. So if the colors are all autumn colors, then the person who hand dyed the yarn may call that colorway (color palette) “Forest in Autumn.”
Tops in New Ideas for Today’s Knitting range in finished bust sizes of 28.5” to 64”, with the average range being 32” to 38”.
Armchair Interviews says: Heed this reviewer’s comments.