Known for their intricate details and beautiful color work, Latvian mittens are truly functional pieces of art. In her new book, Knit Like A Latvian, Latvian knitter Ieva Ozolina shares the story behind these traditional patterns as well as giving you the blueprints and techniques needed to start knitting your own collection of colorful, cherished mittens. (Believe me, once you see these designs you’re going to want one in every pattern!)

Fiber & Fabric Mania! [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] is an indispensable resource for fiber artists on the go. Enjoy a comprehensive listing of over 5,000 yarn, fiber and fabric shops in the USA.

Never again will you have to spend hours scouring the internet for the perfect granny square motif! At least, not if you’ve got access to a copy of Crochet Kaleidoscope by Sandra Eng. This compilation of 100 motifs includes a super helpful lesson in color, as well as a handful of projects to inspire and get you going. These colorful motifs are organized by shape – from circles and squares to triangles and hexagons – and there’s way more in here than just your average granny square.

Look at all those variations and colors! I should mention that all the individual motifs shown in this book were crocheted using Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton Yarn.  If you’re looking for more colors than what’s offered in that line, I would recommend taking a look at some 3/2 Pearl Cotton Yarn mini cones.  That’s a slightly thinner yarn than the Ultra Pima, and it’s great for colorful crochet.

Looking for a little heavier wool instead? Try either Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn or Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn for beautiful pillow covers or blankets.

And here are some variations on hexagon motifs. Crochet Kaleidoscope also has a section on triangles and other shapes, along with even more variations. I love that black and white hexagon at the top – it catches my eye every time, and I’d be curious to see a bunch of them pieced together. Speaking of piecing them together, here are some of my favorite projects from this book:

Ok, I really love that Mod Flower shawl. Eng’s use of color is beautiful, and in Crochet Kaleidoscope she helps you understand how to pick and arrange colors like a pro. Most of the projects are designed to be joined as you go, but Eng also includes some handy tips on how to make your motifs individually and join them together later. By the time you’ve made one of these projects (or created something unique of your own!), I wouldn’t be surprised if you already have the next one in mind. If colorful crocheted piecework is as appealing to you as it is to me, you’ll have all the resources needed to make these and many more beautiful items.

Looking for the right hooks?

Lykke 6" Crochet Hook Set - Grey Faux Denim Case

Knitting Outside The Box

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a very special new book: Knitting Outside the Box, by Bristol Ivy. This hefty hardcover is not only the very first hardcover to be published by Pom Pom Press, but it’s also Bristol Ivy’s first full book!

Knitting Outside the Box is more than just a collection of patterns. In this book, Bristol generously shares her design approach in three parts: Part I encourages creativity, Part II discusses different techniques and approaches to create the fabric you desire (with some AMAZING insights from the designer, who is known for her innovative garment construction), and Part III helps show you how to take what you’ve come up with and put those pieces together to make it a reality. Add to that a stitch dictionary that describes the characteristics of each stitch as it pertains to your design, and this is officially one of the most detailed and in-depth knitting books I have ever seen.

I have to be honest – I don’t often find myself at a loss for words, but this beautiful book has me tongue-tied. Worried that I won’t be able to do it the justice it deserves, I’ve put off writing about it and opted instead to simply gaze lovingly at its pages. I’m blown away! Bristol Ivy’s designs are always uniquely hers, from their unconventional techniques to the ease with which they knit up. To have her show us some of the secrets behind this magic is… well, awesome. The show stopping patterns featured in this book are explained down to the smallest design consideration, and each project serves to illustrate the points touched upon in its chapter. Let’s take a look at just a few of the pieces featured in this delightful tome of  knitting wisdom:

Pina Cardigan

The Pina cardigan comes from a creativity exercise in which different desired elements are pulled together to create a “mash-up” sweater. In other words, take inspiration from your favorite designs – mix and match sleeves, stitch patterns, necklines and other elements for the perfect piece you’ve been dreaming of.
Sizes: 55.25 (55.25, 59.25, 59.25, 59.75, 65.75, 65.75)” bust, to be worn with 7.75–25.25″ of positive ease.
This cardigan is intended to be worn with lots of room to spare but with fitted sleeves, so Bristol has you choose your size based on the following finished upper arm measurements: 12 (12.75, 13.5, 14.75, 16, 17.75, 18.75, 20)” upper arm circumference.
Yarn: 1848 (1848, 1848, 2079, 2079, 2079, 2310, 2310) yards DK weight yarn

Try Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre Yarn or Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn.

Canady Shawl

The Canady shawl is a great example of Bristol’s unique approach to creating unexpected shapes in knitted fabric. Eschewing the traditionally straightforward methods such as “bottom up” or “top-down”, Bristol encourages you to explore the many different ways in which you can challenge convention to make incredibly interesting fabrics.
Size: 33″ deep by 82.75″ long.
Yarn: 1,820 yards DK weight yarn.

Try Malabrigo Rios Superwash Merino Wool Yarn.

Harjo Shawl

The Harjo shawl is an exercise in increases and decreases. This section includes a lesson in geometry, but don’t worry; although it is clear that this designer has no fear of “the Math”, she has a knack for keeping her information approachable.
Size: 41.75″ wingspan; 18″ at deepest point.
Yarn: 725 yards sport weight yarn.  (This piece was knit out of Acadia by The Fibre Company Yarn– you’ll need 5 skeins)

O’Keefe Pullover

Oh, did I mention that Knitting Outside the Box also includes a stitch dictionary? Ok so I did, but come ON. Is there anything this book doesn’t have? In this section of the book, Bristol talks about how different stitch patterns behave. For example, most of us already understand how garter stitch takes a lot more rows to grow than Stockinette; in that same manner, lace fabric opens up to be looser than, say, linen stitch. The O’Keefe pullover is an example of adding lace to an otherwise solid raglan sweater to help create and accentuate this sweater’s trapeze shape.
Sizes: 35 (39.25, 43.75, 48, 52.25, 56.75, 61, 65.5)” bust, to be worn with 3-6″ of positive ease.
Yarn: 1509 (1509, 2012, 2012, 2012, 2515, 2515, 2515) yards heavy lace weight yarn.

Again I find myself unable to fully express the awe and wonder I felt after reading this book. Whether you’re already an avid follower of Bristol Ivy’s work, an aspiring designer, or just a fan of unique styles and innovative techniques, I highly recommend you take a look at Knitting Outside the Box. Even if the patterns themselves go out of style (which won’t happen!), the knowledge shared in this book never will. Knitting Outside the Box offers something for every knitter. Thank you, Bristol!!!

Plum Dandy Knits

For all of you who, like me, let the nicest yarns go dusty in your stash because no project seems good enough for such luxury, Plum Dandi Knits just might be the answer to your problem. This book features 23 simple designs – all of them made from soft, high quality fibers. From pullovers to fingerless mitts, each project is designed to show off the qualities of the beautiful yarn it’s made from.

Camden Shawl

The Camden shawl is a wonderfully warm accessory, great for the coldest of days when you really want to insulate. Knit up in a bulky weight yarn, this shawl features a band of herringbone that follows along the ribbed edge. This would be super warm and squishy knit up in Ushya Yarn by Mirasol, and what a fun way to try out this fluffy chainette if you haven’t already!
Size: 63″ wide by 31″ long.
Yardage needed: Approximately 380 yards bulky/super bulky weight yarn.

Keene pullover

This perfect turtleneck owes all of its easy drape to the wonderful slinkiness of alpaca. The Keene pullover is knit from the top down with raglan shaping and a fisherman’s rib turtleneck. Although its design is basic, the yarn it’s made from is the real star of the show. It will be your go-to sweater for effortless elegance. Chunky weight alpaca like Baby Alpaca Grande by Plymouth Yarn would be my first choice, or you might prefer the silky heathered quality of [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .
Sizes: 33.25 (37, 40.5, 44.25, 48, 51.75)” bust circumference.
Yardage needed: 786 (917, 917, 1,048, 1,048, 1,179) yards chunky weight yarn.

Fennimer legwarmers

I’m a fan of legwarmers, and have been ever since I was a small child when my sister and I knit a pair for each of our chickens. I wouldn’t want to let my chickens wear these delicate Fennimer legwarmers, though. Knit up in fingering weight superwash wool, these feature a very pretty fanned lace pattern all down the leg with stretchy ribbed cuffs to keep them in place. These would be especially pretty in one of the more tonal shades of Malabrigo Sock Yarn.  I would use Herriot Fine Alpaca by Juniper Moon Farm Yarn for a super soft, slightly fuzzy pair myself.
Sizes: 8.5 (10)” circumference and 19.75 (21)” long.
Yardage needed:  Approximately 920 yards fingering weight yarn.

Bretton Woods cowl

Having grown up a short distance away from this cowl’s namesake, I was excited to see that it also features one of my favorite stitches; fisherman’s rib creates a delightfully squishy fabric while maintaining just the right amount of structure. Knit up in a super soft chainette yarn such as [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , this cowl is sure to keep you cozy.
Size: 27.5″ circumference by 16.5″ tall.
Yardage needed: 2 balls (approximately 284 yards) each of two colors, or approximately 568 yards total Aran weight yarn.

With so many beautiful luxury yarns here in the shop, there’s no shortage of fiber inspiration. The patterns found in Plum Dandi Knits offer many options for putting these fancy yarns to work – the best part? These projects will be as much of a joy to make as they will be to wear or give.

Knit Mitts Book

I knew this book was going to be good when my reaction to seeing the front cover was, “Ooh!!”  Knit Mitts - Your Hand-Y Guide to Knitting Mittens and Gloves is not just a book of pretty patterns. This book is a complete guide to making the perfect pair of mittens, no matter what size hands you have or what style you like.Author Kate Atherley gives you all the tools, tips and know-how needed to battle problem areas and create the hand wear of your dreams!

In this book you’ll find extensive size charts, as well as a guide to taking your own hand measurements. And I don’t just mean the circumference of your wrist and hand. Atherley gives you an easy to read diagram of different areas to measure: thumb circumference, hand length, and other spots that you may have never considered when planning a mitten or glove project. Atherley also includes a chapter on fiber choice, which contains a wealth of information that will help you choose not only the best fiber, but also the best type of yarn for your desired project. There is seriously so much in this book, I’m overwhelmed just trying to tell you about it! Here’s a short list of some other highlights I found:

• A complete chart of yardage requirements for mittens and gloves in 13 (yes, thirteen) different sizes and gauges.
• Tips on getting the most accurate gauge, as well as the best gauge for your project.
• Troubleshooting common problems/annoyances.
• A bunch of different thumbs!

In addition to all that wisdom, Knit Mitts - Your Hand-Y Guide to Knitting Mittens and Gloves is also a great book of patterns! In the chapter titled “The Basic Patterns”, Atherley gives you just that – find your gauge and sizes in the charts, and you’re ready to make mittens and gloves (fingerless too) in just about any yarn you please. You’ll also find some great ideas for variations on that basic pattern such as different cuff stitches and even lining options. You can make thrummed mittens just like our Snuggly Stuffed Mitten - Pattern download. (Speaking of that pattern, it’s free with yarn purchase – choose your own color combos using and !)

After learning the basic patterns, Atherley gives you patterns for nine of her own designs.  These include gloves, fingerless mitts and a few different mittens. My favorites are the “Instant Mash” kid’s mittens – their bulky squishiness makes them perfect for cold winter mornings at the bus stop. These would be warm and sturdy knit up in Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn, or soft and colorful in Malabrigo Mecha Yarn.

Filled with playful photography and all the knowledge needed to knit mitts with confidence, Knit Mitts - Your Hand-Y Guide to Knitting Mittens and Gloves is a fun and easy to use reference for all things mitten. Making mitts for others is easy with such detailed size charts to follow, and you’ll always be able to come up with the right fingerless mitt pattern for that beautiful skein of yarn you’ve been hoarding. Reading this wonderful book makes me daydream about knitting myself a pair of boldly bright mittens to liven up the gray days ahead. (I’m thinking the basic mitts in Peace Fleece Yarn, because everyone knows Peace Fleece is one of the best yarns for mittens!)
No matter what kind of mitts you’re daydreaming about, Knit Mitts - Your Hand-Y Guide to Knitting Mittens and Gloves gives you everything you need to make them a reality.

This book is a great addition to anyone’s knitting resource library – so make room on your bookshelf now!

Texture, by Hannah Fettig

Knitters everywhere, rejoice! We have a new book by Hannah Fettig, the renowned knitwear designer responsible for some of this decade’s most popular and well-loved patterns. Texture - Exploring Stitch Patterns in Knitwear is the latest release since Fettig’s smash hit, Home and Away - Knits for Everyday Adventures, which inspired knitters across the globe to make wearable everyday pieces – many of whom used Fettig’s helpful instructions and tips to bolster their courage to knit their first sweater. Drawing from the success of that more tutorial approach, Fettig encourages knitters to use this new book as a guide to approaching garments that break out of the Stockinette stitch mold; Texture - Exploring Stitch Patterns in Knitwear is about all-over texture, with twelve beautiful new projects and all the tips and expert info needed to make them.

The patterns in this book are organized from lightweight, delicate textures to heavier weight, big textures. Multiple projects demonstrate the qualities of each category, with a brief introduction to describe how yarn construction, fiber choice, and yarn weight can effect your overall garment. The Pretty Little Cardi shown above is a lovely, open draping cardigan featuring subtly textured columns all over. This would be a luxury to wear knit out of Herriot Fine Alpaca by Juniper Moon Farm Yarn.  The alpaca would drape nicely, and the slight halo of fuzz around it is just enough to be soft without hiding any details. The Herriot Fine alpaca has great yardage per skein too!

Another great (and approachable!) project in fingering weight yarn is the Supermoon Kerchief, shown above. This simple accessory uses a plain Stockinette background to show off an all over, structured texture pattern. Knit up in Block Island Blend Yarn, that Stockinette background would have a light slubbiness that would add an alternatively cohesive depth to the fabric, while still allowing the unique stitch pattern to shine through.  Note: If you do decide to try this piece with Block Island Blend Yarn, all you’ll need is three easy-to-knit-from mini cones!

In the “Everyday Texture” category, Fettig moves on from lightweight yarns to the DK-Worsted weight range. The Boatyard Pullover above is a delightfully structured, simple, versatile unisex pullover that shows a garment doesn’t require plain stitching to be understated. This worsted weight sweater offers lots of yarn options, but some of my favorite recommendations are Norumbega Yarn for a hard-wearing everyday sweater, [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] or Swans Island Worsted Organic Merino Wool Yarn for a bit more of a splurge, or Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn for those of you who are trying to keep the ever expanding yarn budget down.

Moving on up to “Big Texture”, Fettig explains that even worsted weight yarn, when worked in a bold enough texture, can create an outdoor-worthy piece of substance. The Pierside Cardigan above is the perfect example. Worked up in an all-over cabled pattern, this worsted weight sweater also features a wide, ribbed collar for a modern feel. This cardigan would be super cozy knit up in [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , or if you want more stitch definition you might be interested in using [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , which is every bit as soft and squishy as it looks.

Texture - Exploring Stitch Patterns in Knitwear makes a beautiful, helpful addition to any knitter’s library. Fettig’s patterns truly set a standard – clearly written, easy to follow, and beautifully laid out. Her books are not just pattern collections, they also serve to help even the most timid of knitters achieve the garments of their dreams. As a matter of fact, years of knitting Hannah Fettig’s patterns helped me understand knitwear design in a way I never would have before – eventually giving me enough guts to create designs of my own. Between Home and Away - Knits for Everyday Adventures and this most recent release, Fettig makes superstar knitting approachable for everyone.

Click here for more patterns and books by the wonderful Hannah Fettig!