(by 2 people)
Books, books, books. There are so many books on knitting, weaving, color, art...who has the time to go through them all. Interested in what an artist actually thinks and does with those books? If so, read further.
Below are links to various knitting, weaving and art books that I have read, attempted to use and recorded in my blog. These are only my favorites; all my reviews will be in upcoming lenses. I also provide opinions.
Yes, I have opinions. So do you. Let's see if they agree.
What's In my Studio?
Morning Musing of an Artist
Interested in seeing what I am working on in my studio? Check the latest three entries in my blog - CyberFiberScriber
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMy Favorite Books
To the point, here are the top three books I am actually using right now for inspiration, assistance and/or motivation in my artistic endeavors. More details and other favorites are in the modules below.
- Name: Living Colors - the definitive guide to color palettes through the ages
Author: Margaret Walch & Augustine Hope
Current usage: development of color palettes - Name: Color Works - the crafter's guide to color.
Author: Deb Menz
Current Usage: using as a textbook on color theory as I explore 'value' through my tapestries. - Name: Yarns to Dye For - creating self-patterning yarns for knitting
Author:Kathleen Taylor
Current Usage: hand dyeing some yarn for an upcoming sculptural project
Knitting Favorites
Only the good, not the bad nor the ugly
- Knitting Rules! by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
- I found this to be a COL book. That refers to 'chuckling out loud'. Lots of knitting content including different slants on the segmentation of the knitting market. Know your knitting self better after reading this book.
[My Opinion:keep the book and buy another and for a friend] - The Sweater Handbook by J. Fee
- If you want to learn to do more than simply knit back and forth...this is the book! I learned a plethora of knitting techniques through knitting the sampler described in this book. Once you finish the sampler, you know how to modify any pattern or just make one yourself.
[My Opinion: buy for a friend] - Yarns to Dye For by Kathleen Taylor
- This book provides a good overview of how to dye self-patterning yarns for knitting. For those who want the step by step process this book takes you through the entire process from yarn & dye selection, the dyeing process, the knitting instructions and a picture of what it should look like. I know how to dye and am reasonable intelligent so one reading was all I needed to figure out what I needed to create my own designs.
[My Opinion: use once, take some notes and return to the library]
Weaving Favorites
Weaving books are not as prevalent as knitting books but some are really good!
- The Tapestry Handbook by Carol Russell
- For any tapestry weaver this is the bible. It contains a lot for the beginning weaver to start to weave and for the more advanced to further their technique. This one has been out of print for a long time. Rumor in the weaving world is that the author is updating it and it will be re-published.
[My Opinion: keep this one close at hand]
Other Favorites
Not quite knitting and not quite weaving...but definately worth reading
- Living Colors by M. Welch & A. Hope
- Whenever I hit a color roadblock;whether it is not knowing what colors to use for a piece or when I am stuck in a rut always using the same colors- - this book is the cure. [My Opinion: keep this one close at hand]
Buy My Favorite Books
Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color
Buy it for the pictures, if not for the content! This is a must for all fiber enthusiasts.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/13/2008)
Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
Have a few chuckles as your learn about knitting and how your knitting personality stacks up with the rest of the knitting universe.
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 10/13/2008)
Living Colors: The Definitive Guide to Color Palettes Through the Ages
Stuck in a color rut? Check this book out.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/13/2008)
Sweater Workshop
A must for new knitters who want the knowledge and confidence to go beyond the basics.
Amazon Price: $25.43 (as of 10/13/2008)
Yarns to Dye For: Creating Self-Patterning Yarns for Knitting
Wondering how to make that yarn that creates beautiful patterns on knitted socks? This book shows you how.
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 10/13/2008)
