kitty: dreams do come true

Ysolda's Book Signing at WonderKnits
	Ok... This may sound really corny, but here goes..."Dreams Really Do Come True." In the blog world there are bloggers that you always hope that you will have the honor to meet, Ysolda has always been one of those bloggers for me. Tonight I had the honor to meet her at WonderKnits on her Whimsical Little Knits US Book Tour. I have always been a huge fan of her designs and thoroughly enjoyed reading when ever she posted on her blog. Though I haven't made a lot of her patterns the ones I have made have always turned out well and have been really easy to understand and follow. A Special Thanks to Libby and all the people who were involved in the Book Signing. It was to amazingly cool! THANK YOU See the full set of photos
Signing the copies that I bought.
Other fans who came to the book signing.
Libby taking a break
Thank you again...

kitty: library

A few of you may remember back during the summer of 2007, Fleegle posted a post titled "Now that we have Mastered Knitting in Japanese.... Let's Learn Danish!"
	Here is the book that she had just found and tempted us with the creations within the covers. Feminin strik by Lene Holme Samsøe ISBN: 8711265965 ISBN-13: 9788711265963 Fleegle posted a links to where you could purchase it from: here I bought a copy of it last year for Mia for her birthday, but I just couldn't bring myself to order myself a copy. I didn't need to start collecting books in another language. I had to repeat this to myself many times. Wonders among wonders though, Interweave has brought it out and I have my copy in hand.
June's Featured Title	Feminine Knits: 22 Timeless Designs By: Samsoe, Lene Holme 2009/06 - Interweave Press Additional images ISBN: 1596681403 Ingram Annotation: Fall in love with knitting all over again with this intriguing pattern collection that blends captivating designs with flattering, feminine silhouettes. Knitters will be eager to start and delighted to finish each project that includes skirts, jackets, tank tops, pullovers, and accessories. An excellent showcase of texture, lace, and unusual pattern construction, each project is inspired by current and vintage fashion and the mathematical aspect of design. Featuring projects for every season, skill level, time commitment, and occasion, each collection is full of elegant finishing and the kind of impeccable detail that makes transforms each piece into a classic. This manual, packed to the brim with timeless yet fashionable patterns, also features beautiful photographs that highlight the detail and feminine silhouettes of each finished piece.
There are a couple of patterns that I think are super cute, I am not to sure I would actually make them, but my long desire of owning the book is now complete. You do not want to know how many times I went to Fleegle's site to look at the pictures. (Favorites - Plissé - Nederdel )

kitty: finding a bit of your history

Stitches in Time By Sue Bradley Paperback (May 1992) ISBN-10: 0713722770 Hardbound (1986) ISBN-10: 0805000429
	There will always be books that will shape your knitting hobbies. For me this probably was the book from my childhood that I remember the most. Though followed by an old Issue of Filatura di crosa (Issue 10) back when there designs were utterly amazing. I would spend days dreaming of making just about all the sweaters in the book. Though for some reason I never did make anything in the book sadly. The book contains over 70 historically inspired knitwear designs that span Egyptian sweaters, Medieval leggings, Cavalier cardigans, Victorian Sailor wear, to Flapper coats, and Grecian Tunics. The book defines the historical elements that they were driving the inspiration from at the beginning of each chapter, followed by the patterns, and then sketches/swatches of how to modernize the pattern. Then yesterday when I was at a lys on there discount table of books I saw a copy of the book again. I quickly snatched it up with pure delight. In my youth I would have had no problems leaving the house in any of the sweaters in the book, but I fear with age I am not sure I would have the balls to do it even if the patterns were in my size. I truly love the book. It has brought back so many thoughts and dreams that once muddled in a young girls mind. I really can not believe that I was able to find another copy.

kitty: A Stitch in Time... reprint just got here and it is perfection

A Stitch in Time Knitting & Crochet Patterns of the 20's, 30's & 40's (Out of Print) 100 Reprints of Historical Patterns	A Stitch in Time Vintage Knitting and Crochet Patterns 1920 - 1949 Vol.1 Available Knitonthenet Shop 60 Patterns Reprints and Modern adaptations
Over the years you have probably figured out that I am a book addict. It was funny when I was in college friends would actually come over to my apartment to research there term papers or projects because my textile library was better on most subjects than OSU's at the time. I was also open latter than 5 and on the weekends. Budget cuts were not pretty even back then. And well Textile History wasn't going to gain the university lots of grants, so thus not a popular major. I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of A Stitch in Time a long time ago. Many textile historians consider it one of the best books written recording the patterns of the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Over the years there has been a huge call to have the book reprinted by the publisher, but the original files and plates were destroyed in a fire. Then finally with the work of lots of volunteers the book has been recompiled and reprinted. The original printing in the 70's mainly consisted of just reprinting the original patterns. The new reprint has taken reprints of the original patterns followed by modernized patterns, and colour photos of the modern garments. To me this is truly the perfect combination for a historical book. The old and the modern adaptation combined in a beautiful colour and black and white book. MG and I have talked about this a lot but most historical inspired books really bother me, bottom line for the most part they just don't cut it. A woman in the Victorian age would have never knit a sweater in a bulky weight for example. When most people write historical inspired books they gloss over most of the details and the true craft. They look at the designs more from a mass production simplification. It is just one of those things that erk me. So to me this book is perfect. You can check out some of the patterns on ravelry that they have posted from the book. I just wish I was a much thinner woman to be able to wear the styles.

kitty: Japanese craft book -B000WOS7QIz

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon JP - B000WOS7QI

"NHK books Osyare workshop" 108 pages - 2007/10 ISBN-13:B000WOS7QI

I just walked by the magazine stand on Saturday and saw this new magazine was in. The leaves on the cover made me pick up the magazine instantly and I was just amazed by the projects inside the pages. You know, I really think Americans should take a note on the quality and project scopes of Japanese magazines. Patterns: Craftsman Section, Korean Embroidery, 3D Leaves/acorns/roses, Amazing section on construction of a saddle shoulder cable sweater, Festival Mask and Kimonos, Miniature small box and scrolls, An anti aging facial massage, Beauty Hair and Makeup section, Manicure section, cute crewel owl (think the penguin that is so cut on the anthropology sweater)

An your anti-aging massage step by step.

kitty: Japanese craft book -9784834726114

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon JP - 9784834726114

Oh How Lovely, Embroidery begins with a Thread and Material 88 pages - 2007/08 ISBN-13:9784834726114

This book is truly dear and inspirational. There are so many cute little projects to make you want to sequel and get out the fabric, needle, in thread. The different patterns remind me a lot of characters that you would find in a wee wonderful world. Patterns: purses, change purses, tea cozy, pot holder, place mat, coaster, book cover, skirt, tote bags, shoes, scarf, tote bag, change purses, pony tail holder , sewing kit, shoes, blanket, corsages, Techniques: Standard Hand Embroidery, some crewel techniques

kitty: Japanese craft book -9784387070504

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon JP - 9784387070504

Embroidered Sanrio Characters on Linen 81 pages - 2007/05 ISBN-13: 9784387070504

Did someone say Sanrio Characters and thus Hello Kitty charts???? I like millions of other people around the world still find myself obsessed with Hello Kitty and her friends. The sight of the little kitty on any craft book is always an instant buy. This book is actually geared at the old Hello Kitty crowd. Objects that could be used in an adult life and not just for a little kid. Of course I do feel that Hello Kitty merchandise is ageless of course. Patterns: Tote bags, purses, umbrellas, cloth bags, brief cases, pillows, sewing kits, magazine holder boxes, book marks, cloth covered books, wallets, aprons, tea cozy, bread box, Stuffed Hello Kitty and clothes, Characters: Hello Kitty, Shinkansen, My Melody, Charmmy Kitty, Usahana Techniques: Cross Stitch, Standard Hand Embroidery, some crewel techniques

kitty: Japanese craft book -4529044858

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon JP - 4529044858

Knitting around the World 136 pages - 2007/09 ISBN-10: 4529044858

It has been so hard to think about knitting for this Fall this season, with temperatures in the 80-90's in October in Ohio. The thought of warm fuzzy sweaters just seems so distant. The local Japanese Gift store gets a few knitting books in each season. Most are geared to an older clientele, but this book has a few sweaters that I thought were pretty cute so I picked it up. The patterns though do spread a wider generational gap then normal. Which I thought was a really nice touch, but does make the book lack some focus. Sections: A great Runway Section, Colour Palette for Fall, Early Autumn Knit, Chic Knit, Knit Jacket. Glamour's Knits, Sweet Knits, Techniques, Patterns Patterns: Girly Sweaters, Baby Doll Sweaters, Coats, Vest (knit and crochet), Shrugs, Shawls, Granny Squares, Lace Sweaters and Vest,

kitty: Japanese craft book -4861002281

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon USA - 4861002281

Japanese Traditional Stencil: 100 Royalty Free Jpeg Files (Royalty Free Patterns) 108 pages - 2005/02 ISBN-10: 4861002281

Squeal... It finally is available in the United States. This title showed up on Amazon over a year ago and has been setting in my preorder bin. To be honest I really never thought this title would be available. It contains a CD of 100 Royalty Free Images that look like Shashkio Stitch patterns. Ok... Confession time, I have always been weak when it comes to Stencil books or pattern books of any kind. Particularly if they deal with any type of Asian Patterns.

kitty: Japanese Craft magazine -452904405X

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon JP - 452904405X

Knit Marche vol.3 (2007 spring/summer) 103 pages - 2007/02 ISBN-10: 452904405X

I don't think this last Spring/Summer issue of Marche is as strong as the past two issues. There really are not any projects that make me want to get out the needles and yarn. There are a lot of cute projects, but there is just so few hours in the day. Patterns: Flower Shrug, Flowers, Hair Accessories, Change Purse, Pot holders, Purses, Cuff Links, Cell Phone Charmes, Scarves, Hats, Bowls, Softies, Keyholders, Necklaces

kitty: Japanese Craft magazine -4895116263

Japanese Craft Books - Amazon JP - 4895116263

Knit Factory Creative Market Knit Collections by 13 Creators 96 pages - 2002/12 ISBN-10: 4895116263 ISBN-13: 978-4895116268 Artist: Jun Kobayashi, Kiyuna Hareru, Yukiko Kuro, Chie Kose, Toshiko Sakata, Tomoko Takamori, Setsuko Torii, Akiko Nishimura, Kumiko Motai, Sachiko Morioka, Naoko Yokata, Yoko Yoshioka, Kiyoko Yoshikawa, Kimiko Wakatsuki, Sunako Hata Ok, before you get to excited this book is essentially designed to profile some of the amazing knitwear designers in JP. There are no patterns included in the book, but every page is filled with oh's and ah's of knitting inspirations. I have had this title for awhile, but I just can not stop picking it up to study the works of Setsuko Torii and Toshiko Sakata. But on the other hand it makes me so sad, that our ability to acquire patterns by some of these designers would be so difficult. Definite Inspiration!

Jun Kobayashi

Toshiko Sakata

Setsuko Torii

Kumiko Motai

Sunako HAta

Kimiko Wakatsuki

Kiuoko Yoshikawa

Yiko Yoshioka