Christie C. “Libraries serve as beacons of unfiltered knowledge. In a time where information can be suppressed or altered, they stand resilient, offering every reader a chance at true enlightenment and understanding, especially in the face of banned books.” — Caleb Peter
In the context of my self-made wardrobe, am I seeking security or adventure?
As I continue sewing and knitting my own clothes, new attitudes emerge, prompting me to try new styling formulas and engage with more difficult sewing and knitting patterns. When I look back at my first few safe pieces, they really don’t embody what I want to actually create. This begs the question: should I keep creating safe pieces, or should I seek out some adventure without fear of ruining my materials?
When I look back at some of the older work, I can see the improvements in both my crafting and taste. Security in making the same pieces feels nice and they can get produced quickly, but the true satisfaction is in being more adventurous and creating more complicated garments.
2013 Knit Cardigan vs. 2024 Knit Cardigan
2022 Knit Sweater vs. 2024 Knit Sweater
2022 Sewn Shirt vs. 2024 Sewn Shirt
Knitting Literature
As my latest knitting projects come to a close, I am beginning to prepare myself for what I might want to create next. Like most crafters, I tend to purchase more patterns than I can realistically knit—hence why I’m not in a hurry to buy any new books unless they’re reference and resource books.
Just when I was tempted to explore the seasonal selection of craft magazines at my local bookstore, I decided instead to venture to my nearest library to see if I could be inspired by a limited selection of literature. Libraries are free, after all! And, we’re doing our best to limit our spending. I miss my old turf: the Brooklyn Public Library Main Branch, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any gemstones in my smaller town.
While sifting through the Dewy Decimal System, I realized how small the selection was at this library versus the one I used to live near further uptown. Before I could be defeated, however, I managed to find a few books with potential ambitious projects.
The thing about libraries within my town is that crafting resources are rather… outdated. As a fan of vintage work, this isn’t always a bad thing, but the offerings aren’t always nice and wearable vintage apparel. Upon further digging, I found a few timeless selections as well as cute books with plushie patterns.
The Great Knitting Book by The American School of Needlework
The Spinner’s Book of Yarn Designs by Sarah Anderson
Knitting out of Africa by Marianne Isager
Quick Nordic Knits by Ann-Mari Nilsson
The Knowledge Knitter by Margaret Radcliffe
Knitted Cats and Kittens by Sue Stratford
Vogue Knitting American Collection edited by Trisha Malcom
Potential Projects
After snooping through each pattern in the books, four patterns jumped out at me from various titles.
Knitting out of Africa by Marianne Isager
Marianne Isager is a Danish designer who has extensive knowledge of textile printing and weaving as well as an established career in knitwear design. Her work is heavily inspired by her international travels, and she has written books accordingly.
Her book Knitting out of Africa contains sixteen sweater patterns inspired by textiles and weaving from all over the continent. It’s rare to see an entire book dedicated to African inspired knitting, so I was intrigued. Despite the first evidence of knitting being found in Northern Africa, the craft was not intrinsic to eastern, western, and southern Africa until after Western nations arrived and brought the craft through colonization and missionary work.
It would also make sense that practical knitting would be largely unnecessary due to Africa being the most tropical of all of the continents. This would render knit garments inessential. There is plenty of weaving that was and still is preferred, as well as prints inspired by Indonesian batik designs.
Nigeria Pullover
This Nigeria Pullover is inspired by Nigerian woven cloth. It is worked in the round in one piece from cuff to cuff, but it does have some shaping on the sides and collar.
I sat in horror as I read the gauge, which requires size US 2 and 4 needles. I typically knit with worsted weight or heavier yarn (US 7 to 9 needles), but I just might take the plunge because this sporty pullover is incredibly eye-catching.
Zigzag Tunic-Style Pullover
This Zigzag pullover is inspired by the basket weaving patterns from the Lake Kariba region in Kenya. I can’t decide between this one and the Nigeria pullover. I love the textured colorwork, and the zippers at the sides.
This is another piece knit with fingering weight yarn.
Vogue Knitting American Collection
Vogue Knitting has a special place in my heart because this was how my mom started knitting before she passed her supplies onto me. This book consists of an anthology of knitting designs by some of the most well known designers of the early 2000s.
Cabled Vest by Norah Gaughan
This one caught my eye due to its stunning use of cables, dramatic collar, and tweed yarn. I’ve never made a vest before, but I was inspired to possibly make this one. Why not since it fits my professor ambitions?
It would go nicely with the 18th century shirt I created after Bernadette Banner’s Shirt and Ora Lin’s Shirt.
It would also be a nice break from having to knit sleeves… Or, should I add some?
The Great Knitting Book by The American School of Needlework
This book smelled of vintage, and I love it. The American School of Needlework published this book in 1980, and it includes several classical designs.
Car Coat
I am a sucker for large jacket-like cardigan knits, so this Car Coat stuck out to me.
It has a lot of texture and makes use of garter and stockinette stitch to achieve the geometric designs on the panels and sleeves.
I can only choose one to two massive projects, so I’m not sure if this one will make the cut, but I do see myself creating it sometime down the line.
What an adventure! For how long do you do travel blogging?