Before I launch into this next book review, I am pleased to report that the winner of my review copy of New Directions In Sock Knitting: 18 Innovative Designs Knitted From Every Which Way by Ann Budd is Susan (sjanova), who has been emailed.
And I have another book to show you.
This is Refined Knits: Sophisticated Lace, Cable, and Aran Lace Knitwear by Jennifer Wood, published by Interweave.
There are eighteen patterns in this book, which you can preview on Ravelry here. There’s a nice assortment of items represented: sweaters, cardis, a hat, fingerless mitts, wraps, and cowls.
One of my big issues with a lot of patterns for garments that I see is that they look unfinished to me. They are lacking the nice details that sets apart a thoughtfully designed garment from something that just looks thrown together. No neatly worked neckband or hem, just a rolled edge — one of my pet peeves.
So that’s one of the reasons I like this book so much — everything looks thoughtfully designed and beautifully finished. Some of my favorites:
This is Idril, knit in fingering weight yarn, available in a wide range of sizes. I love how the center cables extend up from the bottom of the sweater to frame the v-neck.
Brielle is a cardigan that is also knit from fingering weight yarn, also available in a wide range of sizes. I love the complex braided cable that makes up the front bands.
Estee is a cowl knit in worsted weight yarn that pairs cables with lace — with beautiful results.
And Elodie is a pattern for fingerless knits that include a lot of lovely details, including a picot edge, kint from a sportweight yarn.
The patterns are well-written, detailed, and offer tips and notes on construction.
Who’d like my review copy?
To be entered in a drawing to receive my review copy, leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time next Wednesday, March 9, and I’ll select a winner at random from the comments posted.
WendyKnits Pattern Sale
Don’t forget: all my patterns available for sale on Ravelry are now 50% off through March 13. No coupon code needed, just add them to the cart and the discount will be automatically taken. No limit — buy as many as you want.
My Bogus Bohus Cowl pattern will be released before this sale is over.
Loki is demonstrating his usual level of excitement at such announcements.
This looks like a lovely book. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks for the opportunity. Beautiful patterns!
I would love to win this!
Sadly, I suspect you wouldn’t post to UK, but wouldkve the chance to be entered! You’re right, the level of detail in these patterns make them so appealing
I’d love a copy of this book!
Oh lots of pretties!
What a lovely book – I really like Idril also (v-neck in relatively fine yarn with nicely fitted sleeve = pretty much my cup of tea).
Thanks for the opportunity!
I went to see the patterns on Ravelry, and was pleased to see some of the sweaters would fit a zoftig gal like me. Hope I win!
Barbara Seiver´s last blog post ..A magnificent cat
I love knitting cables and lace – the patterns look wonderful. Drooling here.
Some really lovely patterns! That cable and lace cowl is gorgeous
Dizzy´s last blog post ..Squishy Mail!
Nice collection of patterns. Thanks for the opportunity. 🙂
I’d love this book Wendy, there are several patterns I’d like to knit.
That looks like a book I’d like to own. I’ll have to look for it even if your copy doesn’t want to come live with me!
What a glorious collection of sweaters, as well as accessories! I would love to have a copy.
What a pleasant book! I would be interested. I am trying to improve the finer details of my knitting.
Also thank you for the pattern sale! I picked up several I’d been considering.
Well, to be honest I wouldn’t normally put myself in the category of “refined”, but I really want to make those Elodie mitts!
I’d like to be entered, please.
sprite´s last blog post ..p street flowers, inside, and silver lining/pocket
Refined knits, yes please. Thanks for showing this book.
This looks like a great book.
I love the Vivian top! Beautiful patterns in that book!
So nice of you to give that beautiful book away.
I love cardigans of lighter weight yarn as many of those you mentioned are.
I would love to win this book! Please put me in the drawing!
Those patterns are beautiful.
I’m smitten with the sweater patterns in that book. I have such a thing for cables, especially when they’re beautifully executed. I’d love to with that book.
There are some truly lovely, well-designed pieces in this book!
I’d love a chance at this! Beautiful and different.
Oooh, lovely knits. Pick me!
This looks like a great book with beautiful patterns. I would love to win the book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Would love to win. I too like the look of a nicely finished garment – there is nothing like it!
There are some lovely patterns in that book, I especially like Camilia. Now I’m going to go and peruse your patterns 🙂
Rachelle Crosbie´s last blog post ..Tucks and Pleating
I went to look at the patterns on Ravelry, and was surprised to see that I already had 10 of them in my favorites! I still like them, and added a few more, so I’d love the book. Thanks.
Pretty sweaters! Would love to add the book to my library!
I have loved this book for a while. So I would love to have it!
What a stunning collection of patterns! Just spent the best part of an hour drooling over all the designs, in close up and am totally blown away by the exquisite details that the designer included. I have added it to my wish list on Amazon already!
I would love to have that book!
Fingering weight is my favorite! Hope I win!
These are beautiful patterns. I would love to make them all.
I would love to have this book. The first thing I would make is the Brielle cardigan
I LOVE Jennifer Woods’s designs! 🙂 Please enter me in the drawing. >^..^<
I love the look of the first sweater. Is enjoy knitting that
Beautiful! Will have to have this book!
What a lovely book, I’d love to have it in my library. Hugs to Loki.
Thank you for the chance to win this book. Please enter my name.
Will buy this book if I don’t win it. Finally, a pattern book which has styles I’d love to knit and wear.
Patterns are lovely. Great book
Lovely looking sweaters, and what fun to win a copy maybe. Good luck to us all!
Looks divine! Please pick me!!
Love the lace patterns.
I’d love it! Can I enter to win Loki?? He’d go perfectly with my white ragdoll rescue, Finesse, who never ever lands on her feet. I didn’t name her.
Whoa, that’s a nice one. I would love to be the lucky winner. Thanks Wendy for reviewing.
Me,too — I’d love a copy of this book.
Great sounding book
Well Wendy, if you are not giving Loki away – Refined Knits will have to be enough! I really like the Brielle cardgan.
Looks like a lovely book! Looking forward to your pattern release!
Idril is truly knitworthy. I’d love to win the book.
All the patterns in this book are lovely! Victoria caught my eye.
Thank you for the giveaway and for your sale!
Beautiful patterns. Would love to receive a copy of this book. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks for always being so generous with your review copies!
The patterns in this book are beautiful!
Ady Grafovna´s last blog post ..Brioche
Oh wow what beautiful patterns! I would love a copy. Ummrania on rav
I can’t remember the last time I saw a pattern book where I would knit and wear every single item in it. This is definitely a book like that, and I will be picking up a copy as soon as I can!
I have spent time looking through the patterns in this book. They are indeed wonderful. Thank you for making your review copy available through this drawing.
Would love to knit that cardi!
“beautifully finished”; you’re not kidding, the details are delicious & so sophisticated-looking. I love the cable & lace combination: Usually these are polar opposites of texture and yarn weight, so it’s a delight to see them so charmingly combined. Hope you & yours are doing well. I’m looking forward to the bunnies’ Spring dresses for this year.
Gorgeous patterns! Would be so happy to win a copy. Thank you for offering this. If I am not the lucky winner, I think I just might have to purchase this myself.
oooo This looks like my cup of tea!
What beautiful patterns.
I could only hope hat my number would be called. If not, it will definitely be on my Amazon wish list. Very few books call to me as this one does.
This is a lovely book, I got to flip through one recently. It is kind of you to offer it up in a drawing, thank you!
I would love a chance to win. I was lucky enough to be one of Jennifer’s test knitters for a sweater pattern several months ago. Her patterns are lovely and well written.
I love all the lovely pattern in this book. So beautiful and detailed.
There are lovely patterns in this book. I would love to win this book.
Beautiful patterns. Camilla and Corinne are my favorites.
ooh, there are a couple of really nice sweater patterns in there. i especially like ada and keavy. oh, and willa too. thanks for the chance!
I love all the cabling in these patterns.
These patterns are gorgeous. There are so many of my preferred shapes that I find less common in patterns these days like wider necklines or 3/4 sleeves. Really beautiful details.
What a nice book.
There are so many beautiful patterns in this book! I want to have a whole closet of these!
Such lovely patterns!!!
And Loki needs to learn to contain his excitement 🙂
Really beautiful refined knits. The name of the book fits the contents perfectly. I went to Ravelry & looked at all the sweater patterns. I would love to win a copy. Thanks!
There are some beautiful patterns in this book. Thank you for hosting so many giveaways for your followers.
This book has really lovely patterns, please count me in.
Those are some lovely projects. I would love to own this book.
I love the Brielle cardigan, it’s just lovely.
I won’t win, I never do. But yet I’m commenting anyway. I guess hope springs eternal.
How beautiful. The patterns are just lovely.
I love cables and lace together. The Estee cowl looks beautiful. Thank you for the giveaway.
What a beautiful book. I enjoy knitting with the fine weight yarns and would love making these gorgeous pieces. Hope to be the lucky recipient.
I love Brielle! It looks beautiful and definitely something I would wear.
These are interesting patterns that Jennifer Wood has done.
Thanks for another give-a-way.
I love looking at patterns through your eyes! And I agree, these patterns are beautifully finished.
This looks like a very nice book. Please enter me in the drawing. I just ordered 15 of your patterns, Wendy. Thanks so much for the discount!
Wow, some of those patterns look wonderful! Love the detail on the sweaters! I have pared my knitting book collection down to the essentials due to space restrictions but this one looks like a “necessity” to me!!! thanks for the giveaway!
This book is already on my wish list, if there are cables and/or lace involved I’m in. Please include me in the drawing. Love your blog too.
These look bautiful…and I love kniting cables!
Jude
I love knitting cables, sweaters and cowls. It looks like a great book.
Beautiful patterns and a beautiful Loki. 🙂
You are so generous with your pattern sale and book give-aways! Thank you.