Great Reads
Our favourite books include patterns for authentic Fair Isle colourwork and traditional sweaters from Scandinavia
Our pick of the best new books, plus a classic for your knitting library
A SHETLANDER’S FAIR ISLE GRAPH BOOK (The Shetland Times, £20)
A must for keen Fair Isle knitters, this book from the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers & Dyers reproduces original colourwork patterns used by Shetland’s professional handknitters in the 1930s and ’40s. The charts are hand-drawn in glorious colour - unlike many pattern books of the time, which used dots and crosses to represent the motifs - so can be easily incorporated into our own projects.
The wide range of classic Fair Isle designs includes borders, peerie motifs, diamonds and checks, OXO patterns, flowers and stars. There are also Norwegian motifs, and patterns labelled as “Scottish”, such as ‘Hunting McIntyre’ and ‘Royal Stewart’.
Throughout the pages we find evocative hand-written notes on pattern names and colourways, and maybe even the creator - one design has the note “Bert Parker 7/10/44”. Most are beautifully vibrant, although some use natural fleece shades.
There’s also a wonderful introduction by Dr Carol Christiansen, textiles curator at the Shetland Museum and Archives.
ETHNIC KNITTING DISCOVERY by Donna Druchunas (Nomad Press, 2007)
If you’ve enjoyed Donna Druchunas’s look at Peruvian knitting in our supplement, you can find more inspiration in her 2007 book, which explores the traditions of Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and the Andes.
Donna provides technical details on knitting traditions from these areas, as well as pattern templates and worksheets to help us create our own projects using these traditional patterns and techniques.
These include Dutch fishermen’s sweaters, elaborate colourwork jumpers from Norway that involve steeking, and smart textured sweaters from Denmark.
Her chapter on Andean knitting introduces Andean purling and puntas (small scallops), and shows how to tension the yarn around your neck when doing colourwork. These methods can be tried out on a unisex colourwork sweater and a sweet jumper for girls.
FIELD GUIDE TO KNITTED BIRDS by Arne and Carlos (Search Press, £14.99)
Design duo Arne and Carlos are known for their playful approach to knitting, creating decorative, whimsical patterns for the home. For their latest project, they have turned their attention to birds, and their book contains more than 40 designs.
These include species found in their garden in Norway - the robin, blue tit, wagtail, bunting and bullfinch, among others. More exotic birds of paradise are included, adorned with feathers and sequins to represent their gorgeous plumage. Arne and Carlos then indulge their love of colourwork with a chapter of more fanciful birds, decorated with traditional Norwegian patterns and Mexican-inspired embroidery.
A basic bird pattern is provided, which can be adapted in many different ways. This is also provided as a handy foldout at the back of the book, so you can refer to it while following the specific charts for the bird you’re making. Instructions are given on how to display your birds.