The Knitter's Book of Yarn

The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn by Clara Parkes is an informative and entertaining guide to everything you need to know about yarn.

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The Knitter's Book of Yarn is written by the editor of Knitter's Review (http://www.KnittersReview.com), Clara Parkes, who has been reviewing yarn, needles, and all things knitting for years.

It includes a thorough discussion of the 4 major types of fibers used to make yarn: protein fibers (wool, cashmere angora, etc.), cellulose (plant) fibers, cellulosic fibers (rayon), and synthetic fibers (nylon, acrylic, etc.). Clara writes about the characteristics of each kind and where they come from. More importantly she explains the properties of each kind of yarn and what type of knitting uses are best for them.

Clara also has a whole section of the book that covers how yarn is made from the major mill to the microspinneries and everyone else in between. Plus she discusses the different processes used to dye yarn.

Finally, in the third section of the different plys of yarn (single, two-ply, tree-ply, four-ply, cabled, textured, boucle, brushed, and chenille), she has 40 knitting patterns that take in the best features of each type of yarn.

I especially liked the two-ply Baby Soft Cardigan (page 91), the four-ply Princess Mitts (page 173), and cabled-yarn Cabled Headband (page 187) by designer Jennifer Hagan of Figheadh Yarnworks. The baby cardigan has an unique slightly asymmetrical front placket that doesn't require a button band to be knit. And the fingerless gloves have a beautiful cable pattern on top.

Amy King has several nice patterns including an angora cardigan, Vines Cardigan (page 103) and a cabled-yarn vest, XOX Vest (page 183).

Other designers featuring patterns in the book are: Adrian Bizilia, Cat Bordhi, Teva Durham, Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, Norah Gaughan, Amie Gavin Glasgow, Bess Haile, Lana Hames, Shelia Janury, Elanor Lynn, Tara Jon Manning, Gina Wilde, and Margaret Klein Wilson.

Clara Parkes has included several of her own patterns including a lovely Butterfly Moebius shawl done in a cabled-yarn.

What I especially enjoyed about all the great patterns in the book is that in addition to listing the yarn used in the pattern, the book also has recommendations on what type of yarn to use for substitution.

Two patterns from the book are available for free, Maine Morning Mitts by Clara Parkes and Princess Mitts by Jennifer Hagan

Errata for the patterns is available on the Knitter's Review website.

The finally section of the books is a great reference that any knitter could use. It includes how to care for handknits and special considerations to keep in mind for each type of fiber. There are couple of invaluable charts, one on figuring out Wraps Per Inch (WPI) and the other listing the standard yarn weight system. And the abbreviations and technique section is invaluable.

Overall, The Knitter's Book of Yarn is a must have for any serious knitter who want to knit better finished garments. It gives all the information you need to make better buying decisions of yarn and wonderful patterns to use the yarn with.

Knitted Fingerless Gloves Pattern

Are you looking for a knitted fingerless gloves pattern? Unlike regular gloves or mittens, fingerless gloves, also know as wrist warmers, keep your hands warm while allowing your fingers freedom. They are great for wearing while doing outside activities or at the computer in a cold office. So knit up a few pairs of these fun accessories.

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Below are some free knitted fingerless glove patterns and free knitted wrist warmer patterns to get you started:

Get a custom Wrist Warmer Pattern. Just enter your wrist size, gauge, and needle size. The wrist warmer pattern generator creates an easy wrist warmer pattern just for you!

Pamela Grossman's Knucks Fingerless Gloves are a fun way to keep your knuckles warm while expressing yourself with a faux tattoo. I especially like the embroidery used to embellish the gloves.

Another knitted fingerless gloves pattern I like is Kid Merino Fingerless Gloves in Rainbow Stripes by Cathy Campbell. These warm looking gloves are knit using left over sock yarn in a variety of colors.

Web Surfing Mitts by Melisa McCurley is an easy to follow pattern that uses ribbing and cables in the fingerless gloves, giving them a bit of style while keeping your hands warm.

The Custom Fit Fingerless Mitts pattern has great directions on measuring your hand (along with pictures) to get great fitting gloves.