I was sent a review copy of a new book by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably: Knitting With the Color Guys: Inspiration, Ideas, and Projects From the Kaffe Fassett Studio.
The book is available now — its publication date is today. And the subtitle pretty much says it all: inspiration, ideas, and projects.
The projects are for the most part throws, scarves, and pillows, along with some legwarmers, fingerless gloves, and a hat. The emphasis here is on color, not on design techniques. The book is divided into four sections organized by color inspiration: soft tones, singing color (vibrant brights), moody hues, and rich shades. Each project is beautifully photographed (of course!) and is accompanied by a detailed explanation of the inspiration for the design and the color palette used. There are lots suggestions and tips for using color to make the designs your own.
A couple of the patterns show up in more than one section of the book.
The Opal Dot Scarf above also makes an appearance as the Dark Dot Scarf:
This is a good illustration of how different color palettes can make strikingly different pieces.
I recognize some of the motifs from Kaffe Fassett designs of the past, like this pineapple:
Shown knitted up as a blanket here, I’m pretty sure this was used in a coat in one of his early books. Glorious Knits, perhaps? The yarn used for this blanket is Rowan Colourscape Chunky, a self-striping yarn designed by Kaffe Fassett himself. Using several different colorways of a yarn that has color shifts within each colorway adds more dimension to the piece. Very cool!
The patterns range from very simple (one or two colors) to complex (many many colors), so there’s a little something for everyone. There’s a section in the back with some basic information on colorwork techniques: both fair isle and intarsia.
All in all, this is a great book, both for someone who wants to follow the patterns exactly as written, and someone who’d like to use the patterns as a jumping-off point to explore color.
Who’d like my review copy?
To be entered in the random drawing for this book, leave a comment on this blog post by 11:00am Eastern time on Sunday, February 12, 2012. At that time I will use my WordPress plugin app to randomly select a winner.
Leaving a comment on this blog post is the only way to enter. Do not use the “contact me” link directly below the header — that sends me an email. Do not leave a comment on a different blog post — the plugin app will select only from comments on this entry. The link to enter a comment is right below the title of this post, which is “The Color Guys.”
Lucy sez:
“My colorway is perfect.”
I am sooooooo color impaired, I get my 15 year-old daughter to help me put colors together for new knitting projects. I need this book for when she isn’t home!
Carrie´s last [type] ..These boots are made for walking
I’ve been a Kaffe Fessett fan for decades-I’ll gladly take your copy ! Thanks!
Since learning to do colorwork is one of my resolutions for the year…I would love the book!
I could sure use a guide for color combos
I would love a copy of this book. I love Kaffe Fassett’s color work.
me! me! pick me, random thingy!
That book sounds very interesting. Please enter me in your random choosing.
I would love to win this book. Thanks!
would love to be in to win!
Rachelle´s last [type] ..Wardrobe Wednesday 08th Feb
I love me some happy color. Sign me up!
I would love to have a copy of this book.
I have some of his patterns… but need a simpler design to “jump off” to give it a try! This book sounds like the answer for me!
Color, color, color; just what I need to kick my knitting up a notch. Please enter me in the drawing.
Oh Boy, could I use this! I have always admired Kaffe’s talent to put colors together…..amazing. I’m lucky to make black and white look good with each other. Only know who Brandon is by name, but together they must be fantastic!. Love to win this one!
I also would love this book. Colorwork is on my list of skills to add to my knitting repertoire.
I have always loved Kaffe Fassett’s work.
I could very well be Kaffe Fassett’s biggest fan and if I win this I’ll never ask for anything ever again!
I’d really like to win this book.
Love his use of color –looks like a great book, thanks!!
Wool Free and Lovin’ Knit´s last [type] ..Portrait Cardigan Update
Lucy’s colorway is indeed perfect!
I like me some color!
yes lil Lucy you are purrrrrrrrrrfect in every way and the Queen of your universe – would you tell your Mom that I would love this book– thanks
Lucy is correct of course! Her colorway is perfect! I have a skein of sock yarn that resembles her very closely.
Kris´s last [type] ..Ann Dale Progress Report
Color is something that I could use some real guidance.
I’d love to win their new book; I’ve been slowly collecting their “old” ones, even though I have yet to tackle any but the most simple scarf!
would love to win this. Keep up the great work
Wow!! This new book looks great. Any help I can get in choosing colors with confidence is wonderful. Thanks for having such a neat giveaway contest.
Color is my thing. Thanks for the chance to win this book
I would love the book!
Would love to have this book. Love Kaffe’s designs.
This looks like a fascinating book – please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
I agree with Lucy–her colorway is perfect.
Wow! I would love to have a copy. Made my first sweater ever from Glorious Knits–woo hoo. What fun this book would be. Once again I would like to say thank you for your generosity. You Rock!
Yes, please, I would love your copy of the book!! *S*
Michele Ross´s last [type] ..Working on ‘The Bucket List’
I would love to win this “COLORFUL” book! Thanks for the chance! Lucy’s Colorway is truly unique and special!
Oh my goodness Kaffe Fassett book? Pick me! Pick me!
I would love to have this book!
Pick me!
His color creations are amazing.
Love his way of playing with color—- when I grow up I want to be able to do it too (age 59…)
diane
Come on, Random Number Generator! I love me some Kaffe!
Lucy, your colorway is always perfect. I love that you like your various beds. That one looks comfy. I wish I had a better sense of color.
Jeanie´s last [type] ..Super Bowl?
Would love to win The Color Guys!
Would love to have this book. I have no imagination when it comes to color. Would love th find the key to unlock the door to that side of my brain.
I have a frient who loves Kaffe’s quilts. She also knits and this would be a perfect birthday gift for her. If I don’t win I may have to order one.
Leslie in Maine´s last [type] ..Virtual Quilt Show
Lucy is right. Hers is the perfect color combination. But sometimes we need a little crazy color.
oh, pick me! I love color and I love Brandon Mably and Kaffe Fassett. so excited for this book to come out!
Kris´s last [type] ..Ten on Tuesday – the View from Here
Lucy, your colorway is perfect. Clearly you are a very gifted cat to recognize this.
Ooh, I’d love to win, I love Kaffe!!!
odessa´s last [type] ..Sweet Sweet Georgia
I LOVE Kaffe Fassett patterns. The “Kilim” is on my someday list.This is sure to be a great book (pick me, pick me).
I’d LOVE to win that book! Please pick me!
Thank you.
Geri´s last [type] ..Constant Quest
i could use this…i’m not very color creative, except for my clothes…but that was from the beginning…this is new…
Beautiful book! Would love to win!
Looks like a great book. I’m in!!!
Joan from Wisconsin
Lucy’s colorway is perfect! I’d love to win the book.
Great review, Wendy. This Kaffe Fassett book looks like a must have. Thanks!
Debbie M´s last [type] ..TAST Week 5
I’d love to win the book. I also think Lucy is super super cute!!
Lucy is right, but I could use some more color! Thanks for the chance!
Kaffe’s books are wonderful reads, as well as beautiful. Thanks for a chance to get a copy!
I knit some of his sweaters back in the 80′s! I’d love to see what he’s cooked up now.
I’ve always loved Kaffe designs! I’d love it!
Love Kaffee knits maybe me?
I love color…
Love it!
Love it!!
What a thing, to be gifted with all these cool books to preview, and so generous to share (hopefully, with me!)
Color I love!
It would be great to add to the quilting books I own by them.
I love color knitting inspiration! Would be thrilled to win it!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..taking a break
Sounds like a beautiful book. Please enter me.
He does have a great sense of color, doesn’t he?
And I just wanted to say that I’m so sorry that you still have to tell folks how to enter one of your great giveaways. Get a clue people!
Sue´s last [type] ..Finding Five
Oooh, pretty – I could use some inspiration to get braver about color
Color my world, please.
I’d love to have this book in my library!
I love Kaffe and Brandon’s designs … pick me please!
Color me interested!
Doesn’t everyone need at least one book by Kaffe? This would be a great way to get one:)
Thanks for the chance!
I love what Kaffe Fassett does with color! This book offers great inspiration.
Can’t believe you’re not hanging onto this one for your own shelves. I’d be happy to give it a forever home, though.
I’d love to have all that color.
This looks like another fabulous book from Kaffe. Would love to have it.
Lucy sezz, “give her the book give her the book! “
A book with a little something for everyone – I’d enjoy the new ideas and inspiration to try something new. Thank you for running this give-away.
Looks amazing!! Hope I win!
Free is always awesome! I’d love to win.
Kaffe has been an idol of mine since his first book came out! His color sense is just the most exceptional I’ve ever seen! I’ve been lucky enough to attend a workshop he offered years ago at the museum in Salem, Ma and I think my mouth was open in awe the entire time! I would love to place this newest book in my library standing cover to cover next to his existing cousins. I even can hear them (sweetly) whining that they want a new update!
Sign me up! Love those colors!
How did you know I’m starting to try more color work????
I would love to add to my collection of Kaffe Fassett’s books.
I would love to win your copy.
I remember first seeing “Glorious Knits” in 1986 on visit to see my parents. My mm had to show me the book almost as soon as I walked in the door. And, yes, that blanket is an adaptation from That first book.
I once did a tumbling blocks sweater jacket out of odd skeins and wore it to death. Maybe I should use my leftover fingeringg weight bits and do another. And, yes, I’d love to win a copy.
Love his design and color sense…his sweaters are too warm for my part of the country, but I can deal with that–they are fabulous fun to knit.
Gorgeous looking book and Lucy’s comment made me smirk!
Oh, Yum! Love these color designs. Thanks for doing another giveaway. M
oh, I love those guys! please count me in.
best wishes from Iceland
Frida
Fríða´s last [type] ..FO nr 10/2012
Thanks for a great giveaway! Please enter me in the drawing to win the book. I’m gkgreen on Ravelry and g_k_green@hotmail.com … Knit on!
I’d live to have a copy of the book – thanks!
I love me some Kaffe… Please include me!
I really, really need color help. I know what I like, but I do not know how to change color combinations. This book looks lovely!
I am lucky that I discovered this weblog , exactly the right info that I was searching for! .