Exciting new book- Urban Knit Collection by Kyle Kunnecke
It feels like I come across something new, exciting and inspirational here on a weekly basis. Convenient for this newsletter, right? I swear it’s just a lucky coincidence. This week, I was trucking through the shop and stopped dead in my tracks when I caught sight of this new book, Urban Knit Collection by Kyle Kunnecke.
This wrap, which is shown on the book’s cover, is unlike any I’ve seen in a VERY long time. Inspired by urban architecture (I immediately see an Art Deco influence, which is so cool), this complex showpiece uses a technique called “locked floats”. These make it so the back side of the wrap isn’t a mess of carried strands. Instead, it looks almost woven! Don’t worry – the book includes detailed instructions on how to do this. Not only that, but I love the designer’s way of explaining things. His notes are so friendly and inviting, reading through this book made me smile more than once.
That fact probably isn’t surprising for anyone who is familiar with Kyle Kunnecke’s work. Having devoted a large part of his life to helping people in one way or another, Kunnecke has used his art and creativity to bring people together for many good causes. You should check out his bio on his website, kylewilliam.com. I don’t know him, but I think this dude is super awesome and I adore his work.
Anyway, let me tell you a little more about this book! It’s full of unique goodies and I’m really impressed by the color work; Kunnecke has designed some truly bold, one-of-a-kind pieces here. Ok, and let’s be honest- I’ve turned down many a pattern because of intimidating charts. Kunnecke is on to that, though, and has some very reassuring words about it. In fact, after reading the book through I felt like a completely different knitter, ready to tackle even the cruelest looking charts.
Not that everything is fancy stranded color work, though. Which brings me to this:
I can’t even contain myself, I love this piece so much. It is so impressive and bold and stunning and cool! I want one so badly, I’ve considered stopping every other project I have going so I can make this for myself. And I love how it’s constructed; to look at it, you’d assume it was a bunch of strips sewn together. But it’s not! It begins at the longest edge, and the stripes are worked simultaneously as you continue through the pattern. I won’t give it all away, but I can assure you that Kunnecke’s instructions are incredibly easy to follow. Did I mention, I love this designer?
Phew. I’m a little worn out from all this enthusiasm. Not too worn out to fantasize about what yarn I’d use for these projects, though… I think the wrap on the cover would knit up beautifully in Swans Island Fingering Organic Merino Wool Yarn. Their colors are so lovely, it’d be hard to choose just two. And the Apollo Wrap shown above would be so wearable in Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn. There are a ton of colors to choose from, and that would be a wonderfully warm and comfortable piece to wear. I think I’ve got some planning ahead of me…
Related items of interest: • Knitting Books • Our yarns • Fingering weight yarns • Merino Wool yarns • Light weight yarns • Wool yarns