from the rabbit hole depths

Today, I was going to do a post that was essentially a book review. I believe I scored, big time, when I found a copy of Norah Gaughan's new book, Knitting Nature. Norah Gaughan is one of my favorite designers, and I'd been looking forward to the book since I'd heard of it. I was mystified when I found out that, according to Amazon.com, the book isn't due out until June 1st. Hence, I consider myself even more than usually lucky for having gotten a copy so soon.

If you click on the link above, you can see the cover picture and read the book description. I've photographed the book photos of my two favorite sweaters, so you can see why I'm so excited.

This is a létt lopi sweater - and everyone knows how much I love the lite lopi, right? I'm a bit dismayed by the large expanses of moss stitch, but this is something I want to own. I think the only thing keeping me from casting on immediately was the fact that I didn't have enough of one color to knit the whole thing, in house.

This is the back cover sweater. I love it. Love the texture detail, love the neckline. Everything.

The book is beautifully photographed, and the chapter headings about the different types of patterns found in nature, are fascinating. I can't say I want to knit every single project in the book, but there are at least four that I'm seriously considering swatching or buying yarn for.

So, I was going to do a more extensive book review. This would have required more reading of the book, which I was not adverse to, but then ..... well, then the mail came yesterday.

Unfortunately, online purchases tend to clump up and arrive in flocks, so my sock yarn also arrived yesterday. So much for spacing out the gratification process - I had four packages when I arrived home (two were from Heirloom Knitting - they shipped the yarn and the patterns separately). Because I know that Chris was looking forward to some second hand Opal wallowing, here it is:

That actually isn't all the Opal - there are two backordered skeins. The Opal on the right is wool/silk, and I'm really looking forward to knitting with it. The Blauband in the front was a different order. I found out recently that they're no longer going to be importing Blauband and had a minor hissy fit resulting in .... um..... buying some. I knit my first two pairs of socks out of Blauband, and I still like it for comfort. And the nostalgia factor too.

I was a bit cagey when I mentioned my order placed with Heirloom Knitting last week. Not necessarily on purpose, but - well, I've got to build suspense somehow. Right? So, without further delay:

From left to right, we've got the Spring Shawl, the Rosebud Shawl, The Wedding Ring Shawl, and the Unst Bridal Shawl. [No, no one is getting married.] Up above are four skeins of Jamieson's Ultra lace-weight - a 50/50 blend of lambswool and shetland wool, in Shaela. Its not enough for any of the patterns I bought, but enough (848 yds) for someting like a Faroese shawl. Needless to say, the minute I got home I tore open the package and started reading through some of the pattern notes. The Rosebud is the easiest of the four, and its likely that I'll knit that one first. No promises on when, though.

The Opal sock (the last one in yesterday's post) has been ripped. More obsessive meanderings on sock knitting soon. When I can stop playing with the lace patterns.

Comments

[Cordelia]

Oooo... I love the bridal shawl...

[mamacate]

Ooh, I love Nora Gaughn too. And both of those sweaters are wonderful. As always, impeccable taste, m'dear.

[Martha]

Lite Lopi is the answer.

[margene]

I will order the book ASAP. It looks fabulous. There are many good books coming out so my $$ are going that way instead of yarn...oh wait, I bought yarn too, no wonder I'm broke.

[Cheryl]

Hey, I flipped through that book at Barnes/Noble the other day. I liked it too but I had to choose between that one and Stephanie's new book, which won. Maybe I'll grab it next week...

[Marie]

that book is on my list too! Glad to hear it's good. Will be looking in awe as you knit the four lace shawls!!

[julia fc]

My teedy aran cardigan is a Norah Gaughan design. I do so admire her novel spins on classicism and wearability. I think you'd look great in a sweater coat.

[Imbrium]

Once again you send me wandering over to Heirloom, and once again I get stuck looking at all the pretty....

That létt lopi sweater is amazing...yeah, it's a lot of moss stitch, but so pretty!

[heather]

wowee! i can't wait to see them in action. also - can we talk icelandic shawls sometime? i don't know how well that will go over for mimosas and deck knitting this summer but i can't stop thinking about the Hálfskák in the 2005 gallery over at dances with wool.

[Virginia]

I'm drooling!

[vanessa]

gah, i just placed an order from amazon! will wait til the morehouse book comes out and order them both.

[Diane E.]

Ditto on the back cover sweater! BTW, where did you get the book?

[Cathy]

I saw NG's book yesterday and thought, I need to order that. Went to a major bookstore today to pick up SO - and didn't even look in the craft aisle for the book. NOW you tell me it's already out. Great. Need to make a special trip back to Loveland. I guess I can stand to do that. :-)

[Sonja]

Thank you for pointing out this book. It sounds curious, I'll have to add it to my Amazon wishlist.

[Patricia]

Oh! Oh! Oh! Thank you so much for writing about Norah Gaughan's book. I was just thinking the other day "I wonder why she has never written a book of designs?" And she HAS!! I love her work, I can't wait to buy it, I think she's brilliant.

[Pip]

Where did you find this book?

[Lilikoi Knits]

I too recently picked up a copy of Knitting Nature, and am in love. In fact, I've started a KAL for projects from the book. I haven't figured out what I'll start first, possibly the Roundabout Leaf Tank (p. 108).

http://knittingnature.blogspot.com