The book has an internal spiral binding so it looks great no the shelf and also will lay flat. The photography is great with large photos. I don't think anyone is trying to hide any pattern flaws in this book. The type is large and easy to read. The first thing I did is go through an dread all the tips that are highlighted throughout the book. As for the patterns, every project is portable which is important for traveling and sit and knit groups. There's a wide variety of patterns from bags, babies, kids, scarfs, tops, tunics, home adornments (cool bath mat) and more. Just too much to list here.
And now for my interview with Colleen —I love shrugs. When I lived in FL, they were so much more practical than a sweater, but now I live in SC, and they are the perfect fall accessory. So I'm always knitting shrugs and collecting shrug patterns. The Cabled Shrug in It's a Wrap immediately caught my eye and I was given the pleasure of interviewing the designer, Colleen Smitherman.
Colleen, Why a shrug?
As you know, a shrug is perfect for those days when just a little something to throw over your shoulders is needed. Also I think that a shrug is perhaps flattering to most figures in that it creates the illusion that the midsection is a little slimmer than it might actually be. So that's why I like them so much — they are flattering!
Why a tie front instead of button or shaw collar?
I think ties are a fun accent and they provide adjustability that buttons don't provide. Yes, they do offer more adjustability than buttons.
What was your inspiration?
I was trying to create something with some sophistication that didn't look like a traditional "homemade" sweater with ribbing at the center front. Additionally, I wanted to design the pattern so that the knitter could complete the center front edges as the piece was knit and not have to go back latter and pick up stitches for the edging. The result was to use cables in a non-traditional way to provide a firm, attractive finish to the center fronts. I am a minimalist by nature so I thought a simple V neck would really draw attention to the cables and I added the cable down each sleeve as an unexpected touch. Great use of cables!
Which came first — the yarn or the pattern?
It was a synthesis. The yarn Kara chose was perfect for showing off the cables as it was light to medium in color and smooth so that it resulted in really good stitch definition.
Have you designed other shrugs?
I had done the basic shrugs knit side-to-side that was very popular a few years ago. They were sort of a shaped tube with the two ends seamed for sleeves.
Are there any special problems when fitting a shrug?
One question to deal with is deciding how long it should be. I think just a few inches below the bust is attractive for most women. Another issue was address by using a deep 2 by 2 ribbing at the bottom rather than a shallow 1 by 1 ribbing to keep the shrug from riding up when worn.
What is the biggest challenge in designing a shrug?
Making it look fresh and new and not just another dated short sweater.
Tell me about the inspiration for the cables?
There are so many really pretty cables that are rarely used such as the braided cable I chose, and they are not any more difficult to knit than the ever popular 3 by 3 or 2 by 2 cables . I always try to always use a different cable just to add some interest.
Tell me anything else about the design.
I like making the sleeve and armhole design as simple to knit as possible without lots of shaping demands, but I want to use something with a better fit than a drop shoulder style. Using a modified drop shoulder is so much more attractive on most people and still just about as easy to knit. Since I hate shaping sleeves and armholes, I'm looking forward to this.
How old were you when you learned to knit?
I had a very stressful job when I graduated from college working as an RN on a pediatric unit with terribly ill children at a medical center. I thought myself to knit at that time and found it to be a useful way to relax and I have rarely been without a project on my needles since. I can identify with that. I have a very stressful job for the first time in years and can't wait to get home and curl up with my knitting. I'm probably knitting more than ever.
When and how did you become a knitwear designer?
It was a very gradual process as I began tweaking patterns here and there to suit myself.
Tell me anything else about yourself you would like to tell me.
I eventually completed a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and taught in several universities while doing research on childhood lead poisoning. I retired a few years ago when work was beginning to cut too deeply into my knitting time.
Good for you!
So that's my interview with Colleen. With so many new knitting books coming out, I'm starting to be more picky about my purchases. This book certainly gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
Don't miss Day 8 of It's in the Bag Blog Tour with Glenna Harris' blog Knitting to Stay Sane.
READ FITTERKNITTER BLOG TO FIND OUT HOW!
I was recently given a copy of Fiber Gatherings by Joanne Seiff to review and thought I'd share my conversation with the author with you. (I’m also proud to be a contributor in this book!) If you'd like to purchase this book from Amazon, you can find a link on my website.
Joanne, what was your inspiration for Fiber Gatherings?- The original concept came from a conversation I had in June of 2006. I heard briefly about a conversation between an agent and an editor about festivals and they suggested it might be a book idea for me, but I was really busy with freelance work at the time. In the fall of 2006, I had time to reflect on how much I loved fiber festivals and to consider writing about them. I realized I was inspired by the community of people and animals festivals brought together. I started working on a book proposal. The book grew out of that period of reflection on our rich fiber arts community.
As part of your research, did you actually attend all those Fiber Gatherings? Do you have a favorite or does one gathering shine in one area more than another?
I did attend all those Fiber Gatherings! I even attended several others that aren’t in the book for one reason or another. As for festivals, I don’t choose favorites! They are all wonderful and fun events. I feel there’s truly no “top” festival. Sometimes smaller festivals are discounted as not being “as good as” a big one, and that’s a shame. They offer an intimate, relaxed venue with lots of time to actually make connections, learn things, and get right close up and personal with fiber, animals, and new friends.
Did you work closely with the photographer?
Every day — he’s my husband! He’s also a biology professor, so he had a special skill set when it came to capturing images of animals.
This book is so much more than a knitting pattern book. It's loaded with history, instructions for processing fiber, spinning, weaving, felting and more. Is there any one particular group of fiber enthusiasts the book will appeal to than others?
I hope not! I actually wrote this book to appeal to the whole fiber festival community. That includes the casual day trippers as well as the serious alpaca and rare sheep breeders. I think all of the fiber arts are valid and tried to include everything.
I was encouraged to make at least half of the projects knitting related, which I did. That was because publishers and booksellers like to have each book in a certain sales category, and that allowed it to be a “knitting book.” I think it’s also a spinning, felting, crochet, dyeing, shepherding and travel book, at the very least!
I know that you are an accomplished designer in your own right but for this book, you have invited other well-known designers to contribute. How did you find these designers?
With all the travelling, I just couldn’t manage 26 projects! Plus, I wanted designs that covered the diversity of the fiber arts community. I solicited designs directly from people whose work I respected. First, I connected with colleagues and friends all over the country and asked them to submit. Second, I posted a call for submissions to the Association of Knitwear Designers. In the end, it worked out just right.
With all the submissions, how did you decide which designs to include?
Most all the designs were chosen collaboratively. I said what I was looking for very specifically in my call for submissions, and the designers I contacted told me if they were interested and pitched an idea or two. We chose yarns together and solidified the projects. Since I started out with a very limited “call for submissions,” I didn’t have a hard time with an enormous number of submissions to wade through.
Who would most benefit from the patterns in the book? (beginner, intermediate, etc. comment)
Everybody! There is everything from easy to advanced in terms of pattern skill levels in the book. I did that on purpose. It isn’t a “learn to knit/crochet” book, but otherwise, it’s got every skill level covered.
Well, as I mentioned, I didn’t see this as a knitting/crochet project book, but as a book about the whole fiber arts community… and that includes felting! I’m also an enormous fan of both bags AND recycling, so your project seemed absolutely appropriate! I should mention too that I’ve already heard tell of several people who rushed to their closets to find a sweater and start making their bag. Your project is a hit!
I understand you have another book in the works. Can we have a little hint as to what it is all about? When do you expect to have it published?
I’m so excited about “book #2!” It’s called Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability. It will be available for sale this fall, in September! This book includes more than 20 knitting projects that promote sustainability and a whole series of chapters that go through topics like biodiversity, recycling, organic labeling, buying local goods, fair trade/fair work and sustainable farming practice. Unlike Fiber Gathering, I did all the designing on my own this time. It was a real challenge, but such an enriching experience. I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to research and write this. While the projects are designed for knitters, the concepts apply to everybody who has an interest in fiber arts, from crochet to weaving to dyeing, and — on a larger scope — anyone who wears clothes!
(I understand it’s already up on Amazon if you’d like to pre-order!)
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The closure is made from the hooks on the back of a bra!! This will definitely be a keepsake!
Our 12-year-old granddaughter, Ella, comes every summer to spend some time with us. We have lots of fun doing the usual things (amusement parks, shopping) and we also have fun being creative. 
She designed this skirt herself from a couple of pair of jeans she had outgrown. She cut out all the patches and stitched them together by hand (white stitches). I then went over all the stitches with a machine buttonhole stitch. The lace was the finishing touch. Below is the belt she designed and crocheted to go with her skirt.
We then went to a thrift store to purchase a wool skirt to make a bag. When I felted the skirt, the white wool shrunk more than the black stripes giving the bag a shibori look. I added a bottom, lining and handles. We call it a designer bag because it was an Ann Taylor skirt (we left the label in).
Now isn't this the cutest little bear? Ella combined crochet cotton and sport weight yarn to get the unusual pattern. The muzzle and tie are crocheted from crochet cotton. This is her own original pattern.
I'd say we had a pretty full week.
Best of all, it's made from a recycled sweater!
</a>The yarn goes in the yarn bras. These fit in the main compartment.
The socks go in a side pocket and the needles go in the flap. There's also a place for a crochet hook in the flap.
You can purchase this bag at http://www.technicalillustrator.net/Bag
I have created another purse from a recycled sweater. The medallion is a one-of-a-kind find from my stash.
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