Several weeks ago, we got a couple of copies of this book in the store. Within hours they both sold and several were on special order. For a $32 knitting book, this was interesting. Just last week, someone asked me "What is with the Little Red book?" My initial response was "It's cool, she's a young designer, and she's Scottish." But the question got me thinking about it more. What is with this book and why are so many people (including myself) shelling out $32 for a small press knitting book from a young, Scottish knitwear designer?
First of all, it is unlike any knitting book I have seen in a while. All patterns are sized for 15 to 17 different sizes so with this one book, you could knit a sweater for a 38" bust or a 60" bust. The designs are flattering for all sizes; are photographed on 2 women of very different sizes; and are photographed from a variety of different angles. This last part is so important. Have you ever started knitting a sweater that you loved in the photograph only to discover that it has a collar or a weird cuff detail that is not shown?
There's Ysolda's explanation of gauge, sweater construction and yarn substitution. Yes, I know, dozens of books exist with explanations of gauge, construction and substitution. But this is different. All three are explained in a straight forward way. I want to hand the book to anyone who comes in the shop with a gauge or yarn substitution question and say "here read this and it will all become clear." Ysolda doesn't just give a paragraph or two of gauge. She uses pages to explain gauge and shows picture of real swatches. Did you know that if you are knitting in the round you are supposed to swatch your gauge in the round as well? Did you know that you are supposed to block your gauge swatch completely before measuring? This is a book about sweaters and sweaters need to be swatched and gauge needs to be measured before you invest all the time and effort into knitting the darn thing up.
There's the cool photographs with superimposed handwriting over them that give a visual example of measuring a gauge swatches, shaping with short rows, and calculations for sweater design. Her photographs of a gauge swatch show a ruler on top of the swatch and has numbered the stitches and rows to show you exactly how she gets gauge. She shows you how to choose a size. She shows you how to take your measurements the right way to ensure that you get the right size. She discusses how a sweater for a 44 1/2 bust won't necessarily fit a thin person with a large bust or a 40 bust won't necessarily fit a larger person with a small bust. A lot of things click in this book.
The final thing that I think is super cool is that when you purchase the book, you also get a copy of the ebook. How awesome is that!!!! You own the book (which is part of the fun for me) but I don't have to carry it around everywhere. How many of us are toting around a knitting bag with books, magazines, knitting, accessories, and anything else we can get into the darn thing? I bet you have a purse to tote as well. So now we can have the real book at home to sit on our bookshelves and the ebook on our iPhone (or iPad). Two books in one - I like that kind of deal.
Check this book out! It may not be for everyone but I think that it is worth a look.
First of all, it is unlike any knitting book I have seen in a while. All patterns are sized for 15 to 17 different sizes so with this one book, you could knit a sweater for a 38" bust or a 60" bust. The designs are flattering for all sizes; are photographed on 2 women of very different sizes; and are photographed from a variety of different angles. This last part is so important. Have you ever started knitting a sweater that you loved in the photograph only to discover that it has a collar or a weird cuff detail that is not shown?
There's Ysolda's explanation of gauge, sweater construction and yarn substitution. Yes, I know, dozens of books exist with explanations of gauge, construction and substitution. But this is different. All three are explained in a straight forward way. I want to hand the book to anyone who comes in the shop with a gauge or yarn substitution question and say "here read this and it will all become clear." Ysolda doesn't just give a paragraph or two of gauge. She uses pages to explain gauge and shows picture of real swatches. Did you know that if you are knitting in the round you are supposed to swatch your gauge in the round as well? Did you know that you are supposed to block your gauge swatch completely before measuring? This is a book about sweaters and sweaters need to be swatched and gauge needs to be measured before you invest all the time and effort into knitting the darn thing up.
There's the cool photographs with superimposed handwriting over them that give a visual example of measuring a gauge swatches, shaping with short rows, and calculations for sweater design. Her photographs of a gauge swatch show a ruler on top of the swatch and has numbered the stitches and rows to show you exactly how she gets gauge. She shows you how to choose a size. She shows you how to take your measurements the right way to ensure that you get the right size. She discusses how a sweater for a 44 1/2 bust won't necessarily fit a thin person with a large bust or a 40 bust won't necessarily fit a larger person with a small bust. A lot of things click in this book.
The final thing that I think is super cool is that when you purchase the book, you also get a copy of the ebook. How awesome is that!!!! You own the book (which is part of the fun for me) but I don't have to carry it around everywhere. How many of us are toting around a knitting bag with books, magazines, knitting, accessories, and anything else we can get into the darn thing? I bet you have a purse to tote as well. So now we can have the real book at home to sit on our bookshelves and the ebook on our iPhone (or iPad). Two books in one - I like that kind of deal.
Check this book out! It may not be for everyone but I think that it is worth a look.
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