Saturday, January 20, 2007

OMG, this is GORGEOUS!!

A package just arrived from Amazon, and DH popped it open to bestow upon me yet another wonderful knitting book! Honest, I *told* him not to buy me stuff for Christmas. I really did, but he doesn't pay attention to me a lot of the time.

This one is hot off the presses, knitters, with an official release date that's next week. Knits from a Painter's Palette, from the legendary Maie Landra is a visual feast. Wonderful patterns using Maie's fabulous Koigu yarn, especially the Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) Lots of patterns for this type of modular knitting are around now, from Iris Schreier in particular, and of course Kaffe Fassett has done beautiful and intricate color combinations in all sorts of fiber media.

The book has a lot of
information about Maie and her family, about the dyeing process (there are only 3 dyers??) and with instructions about modular knitting. Here are some of my already-favorite pictures.

This jacket is so gorgeous, though it is in subtle colors and doesn't show its beauty in this picture.
Big project, though, some 19 skeins of Koigu.

This one is the Carousel Tunic, one of the more brightly-colored designs that I find pleasing.







Here's another jacket, more formal with the stand-up collar and herringbone design.


This kids' vest is just wonderful, and it isn't just the fact that it features a lot of purples (my very most favorite color). There's an adult version, too.



This cloak is sort of the pièce de résistance, IMO. I love the colors and the black border of each motif makes the colors jump. The odds of me ever making this are non-existent; it would be a long, long project, since it calls for 47 skeins of Koigu. That's 8,225 yards of yarn, weighing over 2300g or more than 5 pounds.

8 comments:

jayne said...

Wowee!! Eye Candy!!

What a treat book for you. DH must love you very much.

Bet it feels good to get all those red scarves bundled up and off to the unknown. I hope that each and every one of them accomplishes its mission of warming necks and hearts.

When does Greg get his scarf??

Madge said...

What a great book to showcase the loveliness that is Koigu.

But 47 skeins of the stuff for one project?! Lordy. That's serious Koigu stash!

jillian said...

A 5-pound cape? Wow. 47 skeins? Wow more.

But those projects do look incredible - even as just art pieces. I love books that have a story - what a wonderful gift from DH!

Joan said...

Aww..that DH is just too good to be true! I've never knit with Koigu (afraid to try it bc I would no dount love it!).
Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

I've got that book too. It's a fantastic book. Love love love.

Grace said...

I was in Barnes and Noble today and I love that book! I did come home and order online Victorian Lace today and YarnPlay, I belong to IGIVE.com and a percentage goes to my daughters volunteer illiteracy group she tutors for so I look in the store and order online BUT I did buy THe Friday Night Knitting Club--the hottly anticipated fictional work that Julie Roberts wants to make into a movie, I started the first chapter in the car and its really good.

Grace said...

I just noticed its not due out yet but I saw that book in my B & N I may have to go back tomorrow and buy it!

Anonymous said...

Nice site, but how could you do this to me, we are 5 days away from pay day and now I have got to wait soooooooo long to go and get a nice book you have shown us.!!!
Sandra