Authors: Vicki Stiefel and Lisa Souza
ISBN: 978-0-312-61200-9
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Approx. Retail Price: $24.99 (USD)
Craft: Knitting, some Crochet
Patterns: 27
Availability: At fine book retailers everywhere
10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters is a 2-for-the-price-of-1 kinda book. Not only are there some wonderful patterns in the book, but the book also contains 10 Secrets which every knitter should know to love their craft! Vicki Stiefel and Lisa Souza explore knitting in a holistic approach: allowing the knitter to look at his/her craft with a new eye and giving the knitter the freedom to make mistakes, try new things, and expand on their knowledge of fiber. One inescapable theme in the book is community. Vicki and Lisa navigate the many definitions of community with ease: from local growers and artisans to the global community of knitters to the online community of knitters, they demonstrate that knitting can be a common thread whether in your backyard or 5000 miles away. Every nook & cranny of this book has been filled with knitting knowledge. In each chapter or "Secret", you'll find the secret and why it's important, patterns, a profile, a mini convo between the authors pertinent to the secret, and/or other assorted tid-bits of information. The construction of elements of this book remind me of a well-loved local yarn shop: filled with bits of knitting in every corner.
Technically, the book includes tidbits of information about various topics such as the color wheel, community supported agriculture, spinning, fiber terms and more. The book explains that rather than be an encyclopedia of knowledge on each topic, the authors wanted to expose the knitter to these topics and provide listed resources where the knitter could learn more in depth information about the topic. Vicki and Lisa were able to skillfully pull this off in the book without sounding like a book of resources. I truly did learn some things and now thirst to learn more! The photography is straightforward and oftentimes contains multiple views of the projects, allowing the knitter a good sense of each pattern before casting on. The patterns are clearly written and provide written and charted instructions when applicable.
The Secrets (Chapters)
Find Yourself a Wise Woman
- Profile: Anne Hennesey
- Patterns:
- Anne's Wings
- Sweater for Chillin'
- Solvang Weekend Vest
Discover Slow Knitting
- Artisanal Yarns
- What the Heck is Fiber CSA?
- Patterns:
- Peasant Bread Tunic
- Smoked Jewels Hooded Shawlette
Become a Barefoot Sock Knitter
- "The Barefoot Sock Knitter" by Vicki Stiefel
- Patterns: