A Stitch In Time, volume 3

I have a new addition to my small (compared to my sewing collection) but growing library of knitting books.

New book!

I already had volumes one and two, so pre-ordered this one some time ago. For various reasons, it has taken a while to come to print, but it is totally worth the wait. For a start, it is just a lovely thing in itself: a hardback book, generously illustrated with beautiful photographs, printed on smooth, heavy paper. Everything about it suggests that this is a quality product, and that you will be in safe hands following one of these patterns.

An example of the photography

And what patterns they are. All types of colourwork are represented: intarsia, Swiss darning, slip stitches, and Fair Isle. There are some earlier and later examples but most of the patterns are from what was probably the heyday of colourwork, the 1940s, when rationing and make-do-and-mend meant that patterns which could utilise small quantities of wool were both popular and necessary.

The original images of all the patterns are included

The book includes two vintage knitting favourites: the Lavenda Rainbow Jumper (aka Jojo) and Chevron, here offered in a variety of sizes and lengths.

Jojo

Chevron

And this, for me, is what really makes the book. There are only 25 patterns in the book, fewer than in the previous volumes, but each one comes in an impressive range of sizes. Plus, there are options for different lengths, different shaping for those who prefer either a vintage or a more modern look, and even sleeve variations for some patterns.

Excelsior comes in sizes 71-157cm/28-62" chest

Unlike dress patterns, knitting patterns in the past were only offered in a single size, usually 32-34"/81-86cm bust. Of course, with colourwork it's not just a case of adding a few more stitches to the row for a larger size, the effect on the pattern has to be considered as well. A perfect example is the Nordic inspired cardigan, Folklore.

Folklore has both allover pattern and motifs

In an interview to mark the book's launch, Susan said that she didn't want the bottom band in the larger sizes to just include ever wider expanses of white between the motifs, so the pattern includes charts with different arrangements of motifs for different sizes.

This, to me, sums up the care and thought which has gone into this book; I can't imagine the amount of work involved to make sure that all of the patterns knit up successfully in the variety of options offered. Several patterns include instructions for knitting in the round or in flat pieces, and for those which only have the former (due to space constraints), information on how to convert the pattern yourself is provided. Ideal for lever knitters who are terrified of steeks but don't mind a bit of arithmetic, i.e. me!

My mum was a very keen colourwork knitter during the war years, and has frequently suggested I should give it a go.

Mum knitted both of these

Until now, I've thought it was beyond me, but this book has definitely tempted me to give it a go. Even better, Susan is running a colourwork knitalong over the winter. Given that it was Tasha's Wondrella knitalong which gave me the confidence to try knitting in the first place, I feel that there may never be a better time to try.