| The Yarn Garden 30+ knits using plant-based fibers |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
|
Author: J. Marsha Michler Date Published: 2009 Review Date: January 23, 2010
Who is this book for? In The Yarn Garden, J. Marsha Michler picks plant-based yarns as the source of inspiration for knitting and crochet. The author is multi-talented, having published books on crazy quilting, jewelry making and knitting. She is also a spinner, potter, photographer, web designer and gardener. Her accomplishments are in evidence throughout this well planned and thoughtfully presented book. Knitters and crocheters who live in warm climates, who are allergic to animal fibers, and who are environmentally conscious want to use natural, renewable and organic materials. Yarn manufacturers have responded to this market by producing fibers from the most unexpected sources. Used alone or in blends with other yarns, these new yarns have special properties that must be understood if they are to be used effectively in a project. In this book, you’ll learn how to recognize and use each of these yarns. Choose one of the 30+ patterns provided, or knit up a few swatches from these new yarns and decide for yourself whether to add these yarns to your repertoire.
What Yarns does it Feature? It’s clear from the title that The Yarn Garden is a book devoted to plant fibers. As the author makes clear, newly available plant-based yarns provide knitters and crocheters with a garden’s worth of variety. These yarns can be produced with smooth, lustrous or coarse finishes that work into soft, crisp or flowing textures. These yarns can be used for any season, giving you year-round use for your hard work and investment. Alternative fibers to wool and synthetics, plant-based fibers are familiar to most of us. Yarns spun from bast fibers like cotton, hemp and linen have traditionally been available in a wide range of weights and blends. We’ve come to rely on these non-allergenic and non-itchy yarns for all-season garments, but yarn from nettles? Rest your mind; this is not the stinging nettle plant, but a giant (12’ – 16’) nettle grown at high elevations in the Himalayas. Rayon, one of the “modern” or man-made fibers, is classified as plant-based because it is a specially processed wood pulp fiber. The pulp is dissolved into liquid form and then extruded into filaments that are spun into yarn. Other plant resources are now being used to create renewable and natural yarns using similar processes. The author introduces you to other extruded yarns including exotic-sounding fibers lyocell and modal, and newly available seaweed, bamboo, corn, and soy yarns. There’s even a recycled yarn made from banana silk.
What’s Inside? The Yarn Garden includes patterns for 32 garments and accessories . Every pattern is designed specifically for a plant-based fiber, capitalizing on the natural characteristics of these yarns. There are belts, bags, shawls, wraps and even a skirt and a tie using these interesting new yarns. Surprisingly, the patterns are all suited for men or women. Plant-based yarns seem a natural for babies and children and one or two patterns for the little ones would help round out the collection.
Using It
The book is presented in two parts. The introductory chapter is a tutorial about plant-based fibers and their characteristics. Each fiber is depicted by a close-up photograph of a knitted swatch. At a glance, you can see how linen will knit to a different texture than hemp or bamboo. Charming botanic drawings of the plants form attractive borders between the entries, helping the reader visualize the source of these fibers. These drawings are carried through the rest of the book as the bottom page border and watermark behind the materials list for each pattern; a unifying element. The author discusses choice of tools for working with these yarns, and gives a plug for circular needles, but any tool will do. She offers other tips for knitting or crocheting the yarns, with special emphasis on gauging resiliency and stitch definition. The author makes suggestions on customizing these yarns by plying, spinning and dyeing them to get the effect you want. Proper care is critical to long wear in a garment. You’ll find advice about how to clean, block and press (or not) your garment. Don’t overlook the sage advice in this section. Part two of the book presents 32 fashionable projects for knit and crochet for a variety of skill levels. Each pattern follows the same format, but even if you complete just one you’ll like the clear format with lots of white space that makes for easy reading. Even the page numbers are in large print and easy to read. The patterns are accompanied by schematics, color charts, and close-up photographs of design elements. Lace knitters who rely on charts over written instructions may be frustrated by the lack of charts.
Best Pattern In discussing resiliency of plant-based yarns, the author advises against using ribbing to create shaping. She cautions that ribbing created with plant-based fibers will have a tendency to stretch out and stay that way instead of bouncing back. Alternative finishes for edges like seed stitch, garter stich, curled stockinette stitch, lace edgings, hems, and crochet are suggested instead. A bit of fact checking showed that the designer used her own advice; her designs included rolled, picot, sideways lace and bell shaped cuffs and edges.
Recommendation This book is a complete guide to using plant-based fibers. You’ll come to understand the origin, properties, and characteristics of new yarns flooding the market. The attractive project designs will ensure success in working with plant-based yarns. Overall Recommendation This book is a comprehensive resource on plant-based yarns, and anyone who prefers these yarns will find it a must have. I rate it at #8.
|
Title: The Yarn Garden 30+ knits using plant-based fibers
Did you enjoy this feature? Make sure you never miss an issue of Knitch Magazine. To receive alerts for upcoming issues:
