I Want to Knit Them All
April 25, 2008 by knitterbunny
Well, as close to all as I get.
I recently bought A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd and it is the first book that I have looked through and thought “I would knit AND wear any of these.” There are two vests in the book and I don’t wear vests, but I would knit and wear these vests. The patterns fulfill my intense desire for attractive, classic, beautiful items that will look just as good in ten years or twenty years.
I thought that I would share a few of my favorites in case you were thinking of buying the book, but haven’t been able to flip through. I did skip the first section that deals with fiber and spinning and gauge among other things, and went straight to the patterns, so I can’t comment much on the first section. I do want to say that even if you don’t spin, this is a wonderful book with an alternate commercial yarn listed for each project.
The first pattern that drew my attention was Rhinebeck. I love the small collar, the touch of patterning on the body and the lack of patterning on the sleeves. Plus the big buttons are just the right accent to the finished project.
The next sweater that caught my eye was Kearsarge. With the cute v-neck and and mistake stitch rib sleeves, against that basketweave body, it begs to be cast on.
And then Halcyon. Oh, that bold back cable wending its graceful way up the models curves. I want to trace the cable crossings with my fingers over and over.
The final piece that I want to share is Ravensong. There is something about that simple lace eyelet ribbing and the big cowl neck (is that the right terminology?) make it look so sweet and sophisticated. It’s almost something that I could wear to the office by day and out to an elegant party that night.
Every time I look through this book, my favorites change. I may never find another book of patterns that appeals to me as much as this one and I am going to make full use of it . . . as soon as I finish a few things first. 
Speaking of which, I finished a washcloth because I needed to finish something. I knit until I ran out of yarn in a simple K4P4, repeat across row for four rows, then P4K4, repeat across row for four rows. I like the little bubbles of stockinette and garter stitch. I’m sure this has a pattern name somewhere, but I just made it up as I went along.
Wow, that is a fabulous book!
You’re right about that book; I’m loving all those patterns!
I like the way they’ve got TWO models wearing the same pattern there sometimes differently.(unbuttoned, or on a dude) . My only complaint would be that the sweaters look too big for the models, they just sorta hang there. But that’s a twiggy-model thing. They’ll look better on a “real” person.
I didn’t think much about about that book until I saw your review - now I must have it! ;o)