The Art of Seamless Knitting is making rounds

We are so happy to report that our book is doing great. On Amazon it is on the list of 10 best selling books in knitting. Many sites are doing very positive reviews. People are telling us that they already have some projects on their needles. 

Here is one of the reviews we are proud to share:

Library Journal – 6/15 STARRED Review

¶ Merchant-Dest, Simona & Faina Goberstein. The Art of Seamless Knitting. Interweave: F+W. 2013. 183p. illus. index. ISBN 9781596687882. pap. $26.95.
FIBER CRAFTS - Ask a group of knitters to name their least favorite part of knitting a garment, and many will say seaming. This aversion has led to an abundance of patterns—especially for sweaters—that don’t involve seaming. In this guide, experienced knitwear designers Merchant-Dest and Goberstein explore the whys behind seamless knitting, describe the various shapes of seamless garments and accessories, and educate knitters on best practices for seamless knitting. For the truly seam-averse, there’s even a section about adapting flat-knitting patterns for seamless knitting in the round. Eleven patterns—most for sweaters—are included. 

VERDICT  Rarely do knitting books contain both gorgeous patterns and authoritative information on technique; this title is a notable exception. The background information about seamless knitting is useful, and the patterns are beautiful.

The Finer Edge

Another wonderful and useful book by a well-known crochet designer Kristin Omdahl.

It is a combination of a dictionary of special edgings and beautiful designs where these edgings are applied.  Any crocheter who wants to polish some skills or looking for ideas will be very pleased with Kristin's innovative techniques. It is a reference book that you can treasure.
Please read to the very end and you will see that there is a surprise waiting for you.

Laura Zander, founder of Jimmy Beans Wool has gathered up 30 superstar designers from around the world to awe and inspire in the book Knit Red.  This book is part of the stitch red campaign, a partnership between Jimmy Beans Wool and many other companies in the fiber arts industry, compiled to help raise awareness of heart disease in women. Read full review...

The Art of Seamless Knitting

This is a quick post of introduction of our book.
After 2 years of hard work and anticipation, we have a book!

Simona Merchant-Dest and I are very proud and happy with the results. It is now available online and in stores. So, check it out and let us know if it is in any way is helpful for you or you just got it so you can make these beautiful patterns:)

Here is from Interweave website:
Go beyond the basics! Learn how to convert flat patterns to circular techniques with 12 classic, beautiful projects suitable for all ages.

With The Art of Seamless Knitting, take your knowledge of top-down, bottom-up, and seamless knitting to a higher level by adapting lace, cable, and color patterns to circular knitting and shaping techniques. The book delves deep, showing different modes of construction and stitch pattern adaptations for seamless (or nearly-seamless) knits while also offering a sophisticated collection of elegant and timeless designs that knit up quickly, give a custom fit, and do not require sewing.

The Art of Seamless Knitting is the go-to hands-on reference book that will be a staple in any knitter's library.

I will write a more detailed inside look into this book later.
Both Simona and I are available for book signings and workshops. Please contact us directly. We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Welted Peerie Shawl

Honestly, I do not know how did I let this go for so long. I mean: not posting here. So much happened and now it is a long line of posts waiting to show up. I am going to start at the end of this line.

This week you will see the new Spring 2013 issue of Knit.Wear magazine on the news stands everywhere. My design Welted Peerie Shawl is on page 98. I love the photos made by Interweave Press. 

Description Inspired by vast meadows of Russia this shawl combines geometric triangular shapes and Orenburg shawl lace technique. It is worked from a neck down with a common increasing technique that creates a triangular shape. Simple eyelet stripes gradually increase the width and give a way to a Little Berry pattern. A traditional Orenburg shawl border is knit separately and sewn to finish this gentle shawl.

Finished Size 52” [132cm] wide and 21” [51cm] tall at center point after blocking

Yarn Anzula Cloud (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 575 yd [525m]/100 g): seaside 1 skein.

Needles Size 3 (3.25 mm) 32” circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

I designed this shawl on my needles. This means that the normal process of designing that includes calculating, charting, thinking through ahead of times was bypassed. The only thing I knew is the technique I wanted to use: Russian Orenburg lace. The yarn was so beautiful and soft and I knew that it is going to be very pretty, although the weight of it is not what is normally used for such shawl. 

I tried a few stitch patterns, but settled for a simple, somewhat geometric design. The more I progressed the more sure I was that I made a good choice. The yarn was changing its color very gently and was not at all interfering with the stitch pattern. The border is made separately and sewn to the edge of the shawl. 

I am going to make me another one, so I can have it. Usually, I do not get my samples back.  Before I sent the shawl to the magazine, I took some photos of my model wearing it. She loved it. You can see it in her eyes.  

BOOK REVIEW: Short Story

As we all know, Cathy Carron designs chic and wearable pieces that range from cute to sexy. You can read her interview for The Designer's Studio here to learn more about Cathy and her work. Her new book Short Story, published by Sixth&Springs Books, is a collection of cropped tops. Read the full article...

Linda Permann is a wonderful crochet designer who is also an author, teacher, and a full-time employee at Craftsy.com. Her books are very popular and her beautiful and whimsical designs range in difficulty to accommodate any crocheter.

 

Read the full review at At First Glance