Thursday, June 23, 2011

Teach Yourself Visually Circular Knitting

Melissa Morgan-Oakes is one of my heroes. She chucked a cushy life working as a charge nurse at a nursing home and moved out to the country to raise chickens and bees and write books. I have a dream that I'll do that one day too. But then the city girl in me kicks up a fuss and says that I'm gonna die with concrete under my feet. Who knows? Maybe one day...

Melissa's latest book is Circular Knitting. It's part of the Teach Yourself Visually Series that Wiley publishes. The idea behind the series is to use minimal text and maximum illustrations to get the point across. While I'm no expert on pedagogical theory, I think knitters as a whole are a visual lot so this makes sense to me.



















This book is pretty much soup to nuts. It starts out with a discussion of the pros and cons of circular knitting along with recommendations for needles, yarns and tools that might come in handy. It then goes on to talk about different methods and special techniques of circular knitting. All the while, there are lots of pictures, diagrams and drawings to help you visualize the process.

The middle section of the book is projects. Again, she walks you through from starter projects like potholders and mitts all the way through scary things like steeks. (Eeks!) Each pattern has a nifty little section called "Plan Your Project" where Melissa holds your hand through the process of picking things like your circular knitting technique, yarn, size, stitch pattern etc.

Melissa finishes up with a brief stitch dictionary designed to serve as a springboard to allow you to take the projects in the book and customize them to your own tastes. All in all, this is a great introduction to a way of knitting that is becoming more and more popular all the time.

Lorna's Laces is featured in one of the intermediate projects, Basic Socks, Kids to Adults. The instructions are clear and concise and provide a template to make any size socks in several gauges. This is a feature that will keep me picking up this book again and again.























And this sweet little baby set, Infant's Cardigan, Hat and Booties, is in the advanced project section of the book.



















It's knit from our Honor yarn in the Calumet colorway. Seems like a fun project for a lucky baby!

Speaking of lucky...would you like a copy for yourself? I have a signed copy right here on my desk waiting for a good home. Leave a comment here until 5PM CDT on Friday, June 24th and we'll pick a winner with the ever-so-popular random number generator.

64 comments:

Enid said...

I enjoy circular knitting, but could definitely use a few pointers. Thanks for the interesting review of the book.

Liz said...

I would love to win this book! Melissa is such a great teacher and her patterns are wonderful and straightforward.

Robin said...

I would love to knit that cute baby set. Pick me random number generator.

Carol said...

I love the baby set.

shan said...

that baby set is beautiful! would love to knit this for my first niece / nephew coming soon!

Ulrika Reinholdsson said...

Cute patterns and learning new things is just an awesome combo! I'd love to win this book!

Linda Quick said...

I've just lately discovered the joys of circular knitting and as such could use a book on it. NO SEWING!!! Thanks.

Mary said...

C'mon random numbers... go my way! What a great reference that would be... I can't imagine I'll ever be brave enough to steek!

Anne said...

Would love a copy! The first project I did when I was taught to knit was a hat on circulars. That was brilliant because I was scared of knitting to begin with, and circular knitting especially. It got me over my fears straight away!

GeSch04 said...

Taught myself to knit about 2 years ago when my health cut down on my movement. I have knitted with circular needles, I have even mastered double-points, but I am so scared to try socks! Is that normal??? LOL...

Susan from Phoenix said...

Thanks for an opportunity to win. I am on the cusp of teaching myself to knit socks.. .this book would likely be a great resource!

Stefanie said...

Heck yeah I'd like to win a copy! I'm always looking for new techniques/tricks to learn.

Meli said...

I've just started my love affair with socks. They are scary at first but jumping in blindly and following the instructions like religion helped. Love it!

Kelly K. said...

Melissa's books are always chock full of information!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I would love the opportunity to knit with this book! Come on random generator, mama needs a new book!

Steph said...

Circular knitting rocks - minimal seaming has to be a good thing!

Lynda said...

This book would be an excellent addition to my knitting library..thanks for the chance to win!

vickie said...

how lovely and the baby set is so cute vbarton24 at gmail dot com

kat said...

I've been knitting for about a year now and I've done some circular knitting but could definitely use some pointers!

mj said...

would love to learn how to change flat patterns to circular....it would be another mystery solved!

mary-ann said...

A knitter never get to many good books! So yes I`d like to win a copy :)

Kathryn said...

Love love love to expand my knitting library. Thanks LL for the giveaway and thanks MMO for what I'm sure is a great book!

Donna said...

Would love to try the sock pattern with Solemate yarn!

Colleen said...

I love you random number generator! And I love circular knitting, too. Pick me please :)

Ashley C said...

That basic sock pattern is my favorite! I just made a pair for myself using Shepherd Worsted Gold Hill and a pair for a friend using Franklin's color :)

Anonymous said...

Eeek steek, indeed. I bet with Melissa holding my hand, I could do it.

theknitter13 said...

I would love a chance to win this book. Thank you for
giving us an opportunity. Circular knitting rocks!

LAUREN said...

I would love a copy of the book!

Jturnrich said...

Would LOVE a copy. I could use advanced circular techniques.

Jaye said...

Melissa's a wonderful teacher, would love her book in my house.

sparkle said...

What a lovely baby set! And, a great prize, too.

Tamsyn said...

This looks like a great book. Would love to add it to my library!

Mary Fran said...

I'm itching to start baby knitting for a friend due in December. Would love the book just to get my hands on the baby set patterns.

a2z said...

Circular knitting is the only way to go. I'm considering giving away all my straights and double points. Well, maybe....

Brook said...

What a great book. Your review makes it seem like I really need it. Goodness knows I could use all the help I can get!

Beth L-S said...

Love Circular knitting, love to learn more!

jerredawson said...

Have both her other books and learned to knit socks from them, no second sock syndrome. They are so clear and easy to use, I love them and would love to have a complete set.

Elly said...

Ooh! I want! I want!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Eliana

kaykatrn said...

Thanks for the generous giveaway! The baby set is beautiful.

Cynthia said...

Visually is the only way to go. Try finding a teacher at 10:30 p.m...or on holidays or while you are on vacation...

Looking forward to seeing the book!

Cynthia

Karen said...

I'd love to have the signed copy! The baby things are adorable.

NanciKnits said...

It would be great to have another of Melissa's terrific books. I'd love to win this one!!

Dvora C said...

I am enjoying all these different reviews of the book. Like the baby set you picked to show. Wish I had some babies to knit for.

s said...

It sounds like a must-have book! Please include me in the lottery.

Ollandeejo said...

I don't have that many knitting books and one about circular knitting would be very welcome, especially if it explains steeks. And of course the baby set would be cute too for my december baby to be born.

Anonymous said...

Circular knit whenever possible, but could use the tips.
On Ravelry - Harleyboy

Fjola said...

Wait, is there more than one way to circular knit? I need to learn more!

Kathie said...

What an adorable baby sweater!

Christine Lima said...

Circular knitting is the best! Around and around and before you know it, it's done!

Imladris said...

Sure, you can never have enough books and visual tips are often better for me anyway. I'd love to see the book.

Dianna said...

The more I read about this book the better it sounds.

MotherHenKnits said...

That definitely looks interesting! Thanks!

Jo Anne W-M said...

I've been anxiously waiting to see this book. Would love to win it.

Jane said...

I have both of Melissa's 2-at-a time books and love them! I would love a copy of her new book. Thanks for the review and opportunity to win the bok.

Pat said...

I have wanted this book ever since I heard about it. I'd love to have it to increase my circular knitting skills. Thanks.

Pat Prahl
pprahl@gmail.com

Carol Perecman said...

Looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy...

beth said...

I'd love to win a copy of the book- thank you for the chance!

Wendy McDonnell said...

LOVE circular knitting and books! Perfect match.

Dee said...

I would love to win a copy! I am teaching some ladies at work to knit and this would be a great resource for them.

Mad4marvin said...

I have never been able to circular knit though I have tried and tried. I would LOVE to have this book because the description makes it sound like the ultimate easy guide to learning circular knitting...and the fact that it includes projects from simple to difficult as well as holding the readers hand when trying to customize circular knitting on one's own...PICK ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

Please enter me, the graphic approach is how I learn best. I have nearly zero visualation skills. Even things I know how to do, I can't always picture in my mind.

I hope I've beat the cutoff time - all those zones are too confusing for me. Wonder if there'll ever be a book to Teach Yourself Visually - Time Zones?

Kalos said...

Am I to late? I would so LOVE this.

danielle said...

I just have to say charge nurse + nursing home do not = cushy life! LOL!
In many many many ways I am sure she is much happier with the chickens and bees!
Looks like a great book....hint! hint!

Lorna's Laces said...

#5, Shan is our lucky winner. Please email us your snail mail addy to yarn@lornaslaces.net and we'll set you up.