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Brave New Knits: 26 Projects and Personalities from the Knitting Blogosphere
Brave New Knits is the first book to celebrate the convergence of traditional hand-knitting and modern technology. The Internet has made it possible for the knitting community to connect through photos, pattern-sharing, and blogs that document the knitting projects and passions of dozens of designers and enthusiasts. With a Foreword written by Jessica Marshall Forbes, co-founder of Ravelry.com, Brave New Knits includes 26 must-have garment and accessory patterns, all gorgeously photographed by knitting celebrity Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed. Contributors range from established designers like Norah Gaughan, Wendy Bernard, Anne Hanson, and knitgrrl Shannon Okey, to rising stars such as Melissa Wehrle, Connie Chang Chinchio, and Hilary Smith Callis. In-depth interviews with the designers reveal their design philosophy and passions. From shapely sweaters and delicate shawls to fingerless gloves and stylish hats, each of the knitted designs features detailed directions and charts to i
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 14, 2014
Rather underwhelming.
July 12, 2011
There are some amazing projects from big-name designers here. This book exceeded my expectations. I think it's because of the use of "blogosphere" in the subtitle. Editors, get rid of "blogosphere." Who says that?
March 2, 2011
To my surprise, my local public library acquired this book! (Their craft book budget has plummeted to nearly nothing over the past couple of years.) I made sure to check it out right away, and then renew it, to communicate interest. (And because I wasn't done with it yet...)
This book features 26 short essays about prominent knit bloggers, as well as a pattern from each. I quite enjoyed reading the pieces. Some were about knitters I know a lot about (Anne Hanson, Clara Parkes) and others were new to me. I'll be adding some blogs to my feed reader.
The patterns are a potluck mix of garments and accessories. There are several photographs of each item, so generally you can get a good look at it (though I noticed one hemline is not falling properly and is mostly cropped out of the picture). My only criticism is that the garment photo usually falls on the second page of the pattern, so you have to flip back and forth when looking at the basic info like specified yarn, needle size, technique, etc.
Sprinkled among the pages are definitions of knitblog jargon. I didn't find any surprises here, but these would be helpful and informative for a new knitter to get up to speed on the lingo (and may be fascinating to knitters reading this 50 years hence).
Will I be making anything from this book? Hmmm. I like Jared Flood's Woodsmoke Scarf, which is a simple garter stitch rectangle with a pleasing lace border in a slightly contrasting yarn. I'm oddly drawn to Kirsten Kapur's Sockstravaganza, which features a busy mix of techniques that work well together (stranded knitting and cables) - these are the socks on the cover, by the way. Clara Parkes' Foxgloves are simple and sweet fingerless mitts - though I was surprised that she used a 100% merino wool knowing that one of her chief goals is to educate knitters about other breeds of sheep (maybe that was an editor's call?). Clara's mitts would make a thoughtful, quick gift. And if I wanted to make a lace scarf, Kathy Veeza's Lubov Scarf is a nice one that uses more geometric patterns than floral ones (which are so common in lace).
This book features 26 short essays about prominent knit bloggers, as well as a pattern from each. I quite enjoyed reading the pieces. Some were about knitters I know a lot about (Anne Hanson, Clara Parkes) and others were new to me. I'll be adding some blogs to my feed reader.
The patterns are a potluck mix of garments and accessories. There are several photographs of each item, so generally you can get a good look at it (though I noticed one hemline is not falling properly and is mostly cropped out of the picture). My only criticism is that the garment photo usually falls on the second page of the pattern, so you have to flip back and forth when looking at the basic info like specified yarn, needle size, technique, etc.
Sprinkled among the pages are definitions of knitblog jargon. I didn't find any surprises here, but these would be helpful and informative for a new knitter to get up to speed on the lingo (and may be fascinating to knitters reading this 50 years hence).
Will I be making anything from this book? Hmmm. I like Jared Flood's Woodsmoke Scarf, which is a simple garter stitch rectangle with a pleasing lace border in a slightly contrasting yarn. I'm oddly drawn to Kirsten Kapur's Sockstravaganza, which features a busy mix of techniques that work well together (stranded knitting and cables) - these are the socks on the cover, by the way. Clara Parkes' Foxgloves are simple and sweet fingerless mitts - though I was surprised that she used a 100% merino wool knowing that one of her chief goals is to educate knitters about other breeds of sheep (maybe that was an editor's call?). Clara's mitts would make a thoughtful, quick gift. And if I wanted to make a lace scarf, Kathy Veeza's Lubov Scarf is a nice one that uses more geometric patterns than floral ones (which are so common in lace).
December 1, 2010
I like to collect patterns about as much as I like to collect pretty yarns, pretty beads, pretty paper, well pretty anything really, so I couldn't believe my luck when Rodale Books offered the digital version of Brave New Knits through NetGalley for reviewers. I'm thinking "teehee, it's sooo good to do reviews! Yum, yum, another good treat." More on that later.
The Brave part of the title is that it has a short bio on several of www.Ravelry.com's pioneers and then an original pattern from each designer. They were a bit ahead of their time in that they had the foresight to use modern technology of the web with the ancient fiberart. Very smart ladies, wouldn't you say? This part of Brave New Knits was a very enjoyable read.
I couldn't wait to get hold of this gem but little did I realize that the ebook would be laid out the way it is. It's basically a draft of the book, uncorrected in soooo many ways. In fact I've not been able to actually review any of the patterns. There are no photos of any of the items near the area of it's pattern, so if you want to see what the item looks like, you have to write down what page you're reading, hunt through the back of the book, where the pictures are, then flip back to where the pattern is. Remember, I just reading it, not trying to follow an actual pattern. When you do get to the pictures they are blurred! This was sooo disappointing as you can imagine, but as a dear friend says, "it is what it is."
Another big disappointment is the sizes offered within the patterns. With America having the most obese folks (myself included) on the planet, why are our knit books not adjusted to that? Now, I have heartburn...I really don't like doing a non-positive review....a knit book shouldn't do this to me. It should lift my spirits.
The Brave part of the title is that it has a short bio on several of www.Ravelry.com's pioneers and then an original pattern from each designer. They were a bit ahead of their time in that they had the foresight to use modern technology of the web with the ancient fiberart. Very smart ladies, wouldn't you say? This part of Brave New Knits was a very enjoyable read.
I couldn't wait to get hold of this gem but little did I realize that the ebook would be laid out the way it is. It's basically a draft of the book, uncorrected in soooo many ways. In fact I've not been able to actually review any of the patterns. There are no photos of any of the items near the area of it's pattern, so if you want to see what the item looks like, you have to write down what page you're reading, hunt through the back of the book, where the pictures are, then flip back to where the pattern is. Remember, I just reading it, not trying to follow an actual pattern. When you do get to the pictures they are blurred! This was sooo disappointing as you can imagine, but as a dear friend says, "it is what it is."
Another big disappointment is the sizes offered within the patterns. With America having the most obese folks (myself included) on the planet, why are our knit books not adjusted to that? Now, I have heartburn...I really don't like doing a non-positive review....a knit book shouldn't do this to me. It should lift my spirits.
April 28, 2018
I'm of mixed minds about this book, which is why it's a middling 3 stars from me.
Pros:
* Good diversity of designers represented. Definitely different personalities of designs, so a wealth of inspirations.
* A bunch of my favorite designers were in here, as well as some new names to look up on Ravelry. Always good to broaden my knitting influences.
* I don't think I'd make many of the patterns (just personal taste and needs) but I did really like the Global Cable Coat, the Orchid Thief Shawlette, and the Foxgloves.
* Lovely photography from Jared Flood
Cons:
* The biographies of the bloggers got a little repetitive after a while. Especially when it was 2-3 pages for each one.
* Though I haven't made any of the patterns yet, I checked her website for errata (http://www.julieturjoman.com/errata/). There were a good number of errors, actually - 10 of the 26 patterns had something to correct. Nearly half!
* While there was a lot of design variety, there wasn't a lot of variety in the skill levels represented. Of the 13 garments, only 1 beginner, 2 easy, and 1 advanced; the rest were intermediate. The 13 accessories were even worse: 3 easy, 2 advanced, 8 intermediate, and no beginner at all. When so many new knitters are coming to the craft via the Internet, seems like it would make sense to have a bit more variety in the experience levels represented - especially for a book focusing on blogging designers.
Overall, that puts this book in my Glad the Library Has It, But Not One For My Home Collection category. Certainly worth a look, but would rather just borrow it if/when I ever get around to knitting the Orchid Thief.
Pros:
* Good diversity of designers represented. Definitely different personalities of designs, so a wealth of inspirations.
* A bunch of my favorite designers were in here, as well as some new names to look up on Ravelry. Always good to broaden my knitting influences.
* I don't think I'd make many of the patterns (just personal taste and needs) but I did really like the Global Cable Coat, the Orchid Thief Shawlette, and the Foxgloves.
* Lovely photography from Jared Flood
Cons:
* The biographies of the bloggers got a little repetitive after a while. Especially when it was 2-3 pages for each one.
* Though I haven't made any of the patterns yet, I checked her website for errata (http://www.julieturjoman.com/errata/). There were a good number of errors, actually - 10 of the 26 patterns had something to correct. Nearly half!
* While there was a lot of design variety, there wasn't a lot of variety in the skill levels represented. Of the 13 garments, only 1 beginner, 2 easy, and 1 advanced; the rest were intermediate. The 13 accessories were even worse: 3 easy, 2 advanced, 8 intermediate, and no beginner at all. When so many new knitters are coming to the craft via the Internet, seems like it would make sense to have a bit more variety in the experience levels represented - especially for a book focusing on blogging designers.
Overall, that puts this book in my Glad the Library Has It, But Not One For My Home Collection category. Certainly worth a look, but would rather just borrow it if/when I ever get around to knitting the Orchid Thief.
April 19, 2011
"26 projects and personalities from the knitting blogosphere" pretty much sums up what this book is all about. Lots of the personalities have connections to Ravelry. I borrowed the book from my boss for a quick look and really liked the book. My library doesn't have a copy so I can't borrow it for a more in-depth review.
* I didn't read the personality parts of the book. They look like they might be interesting enough, but these are usually the parts that I skim through in knitting books. I don't really care about reading someone else's story of how they learned to knit.
* Love that they included pictures at the beginning of the book for all the patterns includes.
* Lovely photography. Pictures are available of items with and without models, which I find very helpful.
* Each pattern has a brief description, tells the knitting level and skills needed, lists tools and yarns, and includes other important construction information. I haven't made anything from the book, though I did make a copy of a hat pattern, but the pattern directions seem to be straightforward and are presented well on the page.
I definitely want to take a closer look at this book!
* I didn't read the personality parts of the book. They look like they might be interesting enough, but these are usually the parts that I skim through in knitting books. I don't really care about reading someone else's story of how they learned to knit.
* Love that they included pictures at the beginning of the book for all the patterns includes.
* Lovely photography. Pictures are available of items with and without models, which I find very helpful.
* Each pattern has a brief description, tells the knitting level and skills needed, lists tools and yarns, and includes other important construction information. I haven't made anything from the book, though I did make a copy of a hat pattern, but the pattern directions seem to be straightforward and are presented well on the page.
I definitely want to take a closer look at this book!
April 26, 2011
Chronicles the convergence of knitting, blogging and online social networking. 26 personalities prominent in the knitting blogosphere are showcased. Each has contributed an original pattern, with the finished object beautifully photographed.
The good: Each of these designer/bloggers has a compelling personal story. The biographies are well-done and very inspirational. There is a wide range of lovely patterns, with 13 garments (sweaters/jackets/camisoles) and 13 accessories (socks/scarfs/shawl/gloves/etc.)
The bad: I haven't personally knitted anything from here (yet) but the patterns have errors. At the time of this writing, the errata for the patterns can be found here: http://www.julieturjoman.com/blog/err... Also, although difficulty level and skills needed are listed for each pattern, these projects are not approachable for new knitters. Which is a shame since the book is so inspiring and a perfect gateway to the online knitting community.
It is disconcerting to see such a beautifully produced book have so many errors. Hopefully, they will be corrected in a second printing. I also hope that in the future a companion book is produced which includes crocheter-bloggers.
The good: Each of these designer/bloggers has a compelling personal story. The biographies are well-done and very inspirational. There is a wide range of lovely patterns, with 13 garments (sweaters/jackets/camisoles) and 13 accessories (socks/scarfs/shawl/gloves/etc.)
The bad: I haven't personally knitted anything from here (yet) but the patterns have errors. At the time of this writing, the errata for the patterns can be found here: http://www.julieturjoman.com/blog/err... Also, although difficulty level and skills needed are listed for each pattern, these projects are not approachable for new knitters. Which is a shame since the book is so inspiring and a perfect gateway to the online knitting community.
It is disconcerting to see such a beautifully produced book have so many errors. Hopefully, they will be corrected in a second printing. I also hope that in the future a companion book is produced which includes crocheter-bloggers.
December 5, 2010
With a foreword from Jessica, one of the co-owners of the "facebook for knitters" site ravelry.com, I jumped at the chance to get a copy of this book to review from netgalley.com. While the galley was very rough (there were notes back & forth in between the actual text, and I had a few dozen pages of garbage to skip through), the true light of the book shown through. Different designers shared a project, something that was suggestive of the designer's usual style.
The book comes with 26 patterns, divided up into different sections that's the usual for knitting books. There's a good variety of projects in different skill sets. Each one starts with a little biography about the designer & their blogging history/background, before one dives into the pattern. There were a couple of projects that caught my eye especially, including "Working all the Angles" blanket & the Lubov Scarf.
The book comes with 26 patterns, divided up into different sections that's the usual for knitting books. There's a good variety of projects in different skill sets. Each one starts with a little biography about the designer & their blogging history/background, before one dives into the pattern. There were a couple of projects that caught my eye especially, including "Working all the Angles" blanket & the Lubov Scarf.
November 28, 2010
Lots of projects I'd love to knit - this would be a great gift, but I'm glad the library has a copy too.
The ones I'd like to do:
Milk maiden pullover
Global cable coat
Silke jacket
Delysia camisole
Origami shrug
Woodsmoke scarf--I think I may want to do this one soon
Chutes and ladders socks (designed by a mom with young kids-cute name)
Hydrangea neckwear
Lenina cap
Foxgloves - would make great gifts and they seem to be a fast knit
Helix socks
Lubov scarf
There are others too, but I'd have to see if I could afford the yarn and commit to the time of the other projects I like better.
It's a really fun book because it looks at the journey of becoming a designer for 20 of the current blogging knit designers.
The ones I'd like to do:
Milk maiden pullover
Global cable coat
Silke jacket
Delysia camisole
Origami shrug
Woodsmoke scarf--I think I may want to do this one soon
Chutes and ladders socks (designed by a mom with young kids-cute name)
Hydrangea neckwear
Lenina cap
Foxgloves - would make great gifts and they seem to be a fast knit
Helix socks
Lubov scarf
There are others too, but I'd have to see if I could afford the yarn and commit to the time of the other projects I like better.
It's a really fun book because it looks at the journey of becoming a designer for 20 of the current blogging knit designers.
October 11, 2010
A great collection featuring knitbloggers - with a profile and a pattern apiece. Stephanie Japel, Shannon Okey, Jordana Paige, Melissa Wehrle, Wendy Bernard, Kat Coyle, Norah Gaughan, and other knitters who got a start (and/or a boost) from cyberspace.
I found a must-have/must-knit project - I almost drooled on the book when I saw Melissa Wehrle's Origami Shrug pattern. I. Must. Have. It. Note to self: go to the Knitting Shoppe when you're mostly done with Alexis's Xmas Stocking (otherwise Alexis won't get her Xmas stocking) and stalk down all the knitting peeps from Brave New Knits on Twitter.
I found a must-have/must-knit project - I almost drooled on the book when I saw Melissa Wehrle's Origami Shrug pattern. I. Must. Have. It. Note to self: go to the Knitting Shoppe when you're mostly done with Alexis's Xmas Stocking (otherwise Alexis won't get her Xmas stocking) and stalk down all the knitting peeps from Brave New Knits on Twitter.
November 13, 2010
I bought the Kindle version of this book because I was mainly interested in the designer bios more so than the patterns. It's a really nice collection, and I enjoyed reading about how each of the individuals featured came to be knit designers. I can think of enough other popular knit bloggers that would make a wonderful "Volume 2" for this. Interestingly, but not all together unexpectedly, almost every bio sang the praises of Ravelry as being instrumental to their successes. In that way, the book may have been about individual designers, but it was just as much a love story, so to speak, for Jess & Casey's brain child. Personally, I'd have enjoyed reading a chapter about them, as well.
November 10, 2010
I seriously enjoyed this book. There are amazing articles about many of the top online designers, and everything is so current it feels like a blog rather than a book! Shannon Okey's Silke Jacket is such a nice use of cables. Chrissy Gardiner's Chutes and Ladders socks are nice mix of techniques. Wooly Wormhead's Lenina Hat has such a nice pattern. Ysolda Teague's The Orchard Thief Shawlette is reminiscent of the haruni I made this summer. I hope Julie Turjoman writes a sequel in the near future!
March 28, 2012
Patterns from knitting bloggers. This is a good book, but like anything internet related, it's dated quickly. There is a new generation of knitting bloggers, and while this group is still around, teaching and blogging - there is a whole new generation which is not included in this book. Maybe a II book should be compiled. But really, why publish this book in print. The fans of these designers are mostly Internet oriented knitters. Just issue an e-book for Vol. II and III! There are two sweaters in here that I think I am going to knit!
September 16, 2012
Brave New Knits: 26 projects and personalities from the knitting blogosphere by Julie Turjoman is the book to read if you need knitting inspiration. Each chapter introduces a knit designer, who is also a knitting blogger, and one design they created. The interviews with the designers let the reader feel as if they too were sitting in the room enjoying a conversation about starting a knitting business. It is interesting to set the book aside and go to Julie Turjoman's Ravelry.com to see what the artist is doing now and follow that with a look at the designer's blogsite.
August 1, 2011
The only project that really caught my eye was Ysolda's contribution, the "Orchid Thief" shawl. Can't wait to make that! Also intrigued by a pretty blue camisole, but there are similar patterns in other books.
The bios that precede each pattern are a little repetitive after a while, and I skimmed over most of them.
As with any knitting book, make sure to double-check the website before beginning a project - there was a problem with the chart for the shawl.
The bios that precede each pattern are a little repetitive after a while, and I skimmed over most of them.
As with any knitting book, make sure to double-check the website before beginning a project - there was a problem with the chart for the shawl.
July 16, 2012
Awesome concept--a book of biographies and patterns by knitting bloggers. Made me a little jealous of all these amazing designers and their successes, but I know it's because they are gifted and because they work really hard. I am a huge fan of them all and have knit many of their designs. Knowing their stories makes knitting their patterns even more interesting and fun. The patterns in this book are wonderful and I wish I could knit them all.
January 25, 2015
Super cute collection of modern knits with a huge variety of sweater, cardigan and camisole knits.
I just finished the cute open fingered market mittens and the sweet and soft camisole patterns which were easy.
242 pages and borrowed and then added to my knitting book collection
5 stars but it could change after I finish some patterns because sometimes there are errors and I can't give a complete review without trying out the patterns
I just finished the cute open fingered market mittens and the sweet and soft camisole patterns which were easy.
242 pages and borrowed and then added to my knitting book collection
5 stars but it could change after I finish some patterns because sometimes there are errors and I can't give a complete review without trying out the patterns
June 30, 2016
I enjoyed reading the brief bios of the pattern creators/designers, to get a feel for what their inspiration and design process was like - especially for some of my favorites like Jared Flood and Ann Weaver. I wasn't as inspired by the patterns, especially with the garment-heavy first section of the book. The designs were skillful overall, but only a few things jumped out at me as items I'd want to knit.
March 4, 2012
I got to read the essays and text of this through netgalley, and loved it and checked out a lot more knitting blogs. Since a lot of the patterns weren't finalized at the time, I held off on trying anything until I purchased my own copy. It's a good book to own, and I think I will make a lot of the items (orchid shawlette!)
Read
December 17, 2010This is my new favorite knitting book. I really enjoyed the profiles of each blogger/designer and the patterns are outstanding! I borrowed this from the library but I'm going to buy a copy for my personal library.
February 28, 2011
Book is formatted with 2-3 pages of intros/bios of each blogger, followed by an original pattern.
Beautiful photography by Jared Flood.
Only 1-2 projects that I would consider knitting in this book, though.
Beautiful photography by Jared Flood.
Only 1-2 projects that I would consider knitting in this book, though.
January 11, 2011
I liked being introduced to new designers, learning more about the ones I already knew, and exploring the impact that the Internet has had on knitting. Not many of the patterns are up my alley, but I think most of the designers probably are.
February 18, 2011
I am so in with some of the patterns in this book, especially the origami shrug (although the suggested yarn would cost me over $100, sigh). The longer bios of the designers are really interesting. It's sort of a whose who of the big names in contemporary design.
June 21, 2011
It was beautifully photographed and had some great info on the new designers. There wasn't much that I wanted to knit, but that's mostly because with my 5 month old around I've given up on having time to make adult garments for a while.
May 13, 2015
Love the variety of talent displayed in this book. The individual designer biographies were interesting and the projects were well-photographed. Even so, the projects were not ones I can see myself immediately casting on. The Seaweed Vest was my favorite.
November 1, 2015
Great resource in the form of long lists of knit-blog and yarn vendor addresses. I didn't find any of the projects cried out to be made but i did enjoy the bios and design and inspiration info from the creators.
November 29, 2010
Love this book, read it cover to cover. Great patterns and interesting blogger stories.
April 23, 2011
Based solely on the patterns, I regret buying this book. There is not a single thing in here I want to knit. yuck-o!
June 4, 2011
Fascinated by the Origami Shrug on page 117. Thinking of making the Woodsmoke Scarf on page 148.
June 22, 2011
Besides some great patterns, the stories about designers was very interesting. The book nudged me into joining Ravelry finally. A knitter's dream!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews