Book Reviews Spring 2007 Books are listed alphabetically by title.

Arctic Lace: Knitted Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska’s Native Knitters Donna Druchunas (Nomad Press) Donna Druchunas traveled extensively in Alaska to learn as much about the process and history of native qiviut (the ultrasoft underdown of the Arctic musk ox) harvesting and knitting before writing Arctic Lace. The result is a book that provides a rich background and deep appreciation for the production of a single skein of the yarn called “Arctic gold” or a finished scarf or a nachaq (lace hood). Druchunas begins by introducing the Oomingmak (which means “the bearded one”) Musk Ox Producers’ Co-operative, which is the business hub that organizes the procurement of the qiviut fleece, has it spun at a mill, then sends the yarn out to hundreds of native knitters in the far reaches of Alaska’s mainland and the Aleutian Islands. The Co-Op lets rural women who live in areas where there are few or no employment alternatives supplement their incomes. Druchunas offers an overview and history of Alaska’s native Yup’ik and Inupiat people, their lifestyles, and their stories. Dozens of native women draw upon their traditions as they knit the qiviut using patterns that are culturally connected to the villages in which they live. The book then offers in-depth information about the musk ox, the founding of the Musk Ox Producers’ Co-op, and qiviut fiber, including how it compares with other lace yarns. Halfway through the book, Druchunas presents a “Lace-Knitting Workshop,” which covers the basics of reading lace patterns, casting on, and making the stitches, all with simple black-and-white photo how-tos accompanying the text. In Chapter 8, Druchunas provides eleven lace projects, including a hat, wrist warmers, and scarf with a pattern that resembles native wooden fish traps; a scarf and nachaq inspired by the skeleton paintings found on Yup’ik utensils and boxes; and a stole based on a pattern found on native parkas. The final chapter offers lace patterns and templates, so that readers can design their own lace projects. A glossary of native words and an extensive bibliography round out this informative book about one of the most prized fibers available today. Softbound, 192 pages, $26.95, ISBN 9780966828979.

Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer (Potter Craft) Finally, the big girl club can come to Knit Night. For years, Big Girls who wanted to craft have been limited to patterns for garments that resembled pup tents. Those days are over. Moreno and Singer have bared it all in this brash and witty bundle of invaluable information and patterns for women with expansive bodies. Forget ponchos, forget curtains to hide behind. These patterns skim and hug sumptuous bodies while making them look great. And the patterns may not be the most important part of the book. The book opens with a good hard look at big bodies and the best way to present them. Moreno and Singer say what’s what in no uncertain terms (read: boobs, butts, and bellies). There are no shying delicacies, no hard truths left unspoken—and there’s at least one sentence on every page that will make you laugh out loud. This book offers the knitty-gritty best of what works for big women. Early chapters cover measuring basics, understanding where a garment should and should not grip or “grope” you, and deciding how to pick or when to ditch your accessories. Next: twenty-five fabulous patterns size 14 or larger. If you are smaller than that, you’ll enjoy the information, but you won’t find a single pattern in this book to fit your itty-bitty body. Choose from surplice sweaters (very flattering), a cabled turtleneck (warnings here for the large-busted), the Lacy Stacy Pullover (featured on the cover), and socks, mittens, generous-enough shawls, and handbags. Big Girl Knits may be the big knitter’s new best friend. Hardbound, 160 pages, $30, ISBN 0307336603.

Knitting with Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man Michael del Vecchio (DK Publishing) Braving ridicule and prejudice, men are taking back their knitting. Michael del Vecchio, cofounder of the MenKnit.net website, has written an informative and masculine manual for the male knitter. Forget teapot cozies and lacy stockings. This book has several practical projects for the men to knit and to use, including a traditional Aran-style sweater, hiking socks and their sandal-sock counterparts, a hooded zip-front sweater, scarves, hats, and a laptop cover. Okay, so very few men will knit themselves a wallet, but the simple sweater and sock designs will be winners. Del Vecchio includes a chapter about tools, yarns, and knitting basics—including a page devoted to understanding yarn labels. Also included is a very brief history of male knitting, just to set the record straight. Men do knit. They’ve done it for centuries, and it was a man’s occupation before it became “women’s work.” Softbound, 160 pages, $20, ISBN 9756622891.

Romantic Style: Knits and Crochet to Wear or Display Jennie Atkinson (Martingale & Company) Appealing to the softer side of feminine, Jennie Atkinson brings together more than twenty lacy luxuries in this vintage-inspired project book. Reminiscent of the elegant thirties, the lavishly styled garments and accessories are designed to gently propel knitters into the land of lace by adding lace edgings or using not-too-complicated allover lace patterning to simply structured garments, accessories, and home-decoration items. Warm up in the mohair bed jacket or the full-length dressing gown (with train!) and a demure eight-row lace edging; curl up under a  surprisingly warm diamond-lace throw; or go for the gold with the butterfly-lace overdress with double-lace edgings. Also included are elegant shawls, a dainty knitted purse adorned with crocheted-lace motifs, and a beaded choker knitted in a shimmering metallic yarn. Softbound, 128 pages, $29.95, ISBN 1564777154.

Simply Baby: 20 Adorable Knits for Baby’s First Two Years Debbie Bliss (Trafalgar Square) Once again, Debbie Bliss has created a project book that inspires one to knit. In her most recent pattern collection—for children under two—Bliss offers straightforward patterns for soft, captivating babywear and accessories. Bliss opens with yarn recommendations and cautions for handknitted baby projects, as well as laundering hints. Then comes a section that covers knitting basics, with full-color photos and hand-drawn how-tos. Finally, comes the heart of the book—94 pages of patterns for appealing baby knits, including a simple stockinette shrug; cardigans and vests pinstriped with classic Bliss cables; a seed-stitch smock coat harking back to the early 1900s; and socks, hats, and more. Every project is as knittable as it is charming. Hardbound, 144 pages, $19.95, ISBN 9781570763342.

Twist and Loop: Dozens of Jewelry Designs to Knit and Crochet with Wire Annie Modesitt (Potter Craft) Why knit with wire? Why not? In this dramatic volume, Annie Modesitt tackles wire jewelry making with two of our dearest friends, knitting needles and a crochet hook. Inside the Knitting Heretic’s latest collection, you’ll find twenty-five knitted- and crocheted-wire necklaces, chokers, dangle earrings, and bracelets, dappled with shells, glass beads, and pearls. Each project is seductively displayed on a single hand, imposed on a clean white background, giving the whole book exquisite polish. The first 80 pages are dedicated to the projects, which are arranged by type in chapters—“Necklaces,” “Bracelets,” “Sets,” and “Earrings and Pins”—and further arranged by difficulty. Beyond those pages you’ll find “The Basics” of knitting and crocheting with wire and finishing wire pieces. Crafting with wire is a little different from working with yarn, and Modesitt gives tips and techniques to make the transition easier. The final pages offer a glossary of stitches, sources for supplies, and a full-page list of other titles that might intrigue you. Softbound, 128 pages, $21.95, ISBN 0307340198.

Winter Knits Kit: Instructions and Tools for 25 Cozy Cold-Weather Projects Sara Lucas and Allison Isaacs (Chronicle Books) Chronicle Books released Holiday Knits in time for the 2005 holiday season. Its lovely presentation and simple, doable projects made it a great gift for new knitters as well as a great quick-gift reference for knitters of all skill levels. The authors, yarn-shop co-owners Sara Lucas and Allison Isaacs, return with some of the best patterns from that book—along with several all-new patterns—wrapped up in the very tidy, very portable Winter Knits Kit. The kit includes a small hank of yarn, a circular knitting needle, stitch markers, and a darning needle. Chronicle continues to place a distinctive stamp on its publications. The Winter Knits Kit beckons with simple, striking photography and trendy styling. Inside, along with the knitting tools, are a Winter Knits handbook, which covers all the knitting basics needed to complete the patterns, and twenty-five pattern cards. Each project card, with a full photo on the front and instructions inside, folds to 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches—a perfect size to drop into your project bag. Boxed Kit, $24.95, ISBN 9780811852555.