Noro Silk Garden

Book review: "Knit Noro, 30 Designs in Living Color"

"Knit Noro: 30 Designs in Living Color" landed on Peggy's desk and I nearly swooned just from the cover. I promptly volunteered to steal it from her for review purposes. First off, the hardcover book itself is flat out gorgeous. Each project starts with two full page photos that are wonderfully styled. You turn the page for instructions and are greeted with a third picture of the project. If you're not familar with Noro, this Japanese yarn is known for its long color repeats, bold color combinations and earthy texture. I have loved many a blanket, scarf, hat and other accessory designed with this yarn. But I am seriously picky about sweaters. If I'm going to invest the time and yarn money in a sweater, it better at least have a chance of looking good on me. Noro's color combinations and they way they stripe make most of the sweaters I've seen look like something only someone under the age of 9 should wear. The Belted Cardigan Vest featured on this book's cover has me singing a different tune. The cardigan, designed by Theresa Schabes and knit in Noro Silk Garden, angles the stripes diagonally. The silhouette, the (relatively-subdued-for-Noro) colorway and the fact that this sweater is short-sleeved make me think that it is exactly what my wardrobe needs.

"Knit Noro" also has a local connection -- Mary Scott Huff's Fair Isle Cardigan is knit with Silk Garden Sock Yarn. I especially like how the corrugated ribbing at the waist looks in this yarn.

A couple patterns that peaked my interest because of how they are constructed are the Trinity Stitch Sweater and the Modular Afghan. The Trinity Stitch Sweater, designed by Valentina Devine (Isn't that an amazing name?), is knit in strips of Noro Taiyo that are joined as you go, which creates a lovely effect with the yarn. The Modular Afghan, designed by Anna-Beth Meyer-Graham, also uses Noro Taiyo, this time it's hexagons that are joined as you go.

If you didn't get your fill of mitered squares from Kay's Mitered Crosses blanket , then you'll defintely want to check out the Patchwork Afghan, designed by Doracs Lavery.

While "Knitting Noro" has a few clunkers, overall I love it. There's some amazing eye candy and an impressive variety of patterns. With a cover price of $24.95, I'd say it's well worth the money.

Ninjas « Knittymuggins

I imagine my deadlines smiling madly at me from behind the potted plants while plotting feverishly to attack me with five-finger death punches and assorted hand-held artillery.  I’m pretty sure a throwing star whizzed past my head this morning.  The deadline of which I am specifically referring to would be this one .  A writing contest I posted about wanting to enter…oh…back in .  I guess I was feeling optimistic in that warm spring air, which has since fizzled into cold drizzly summer air (I am not actually complaining about that – I hate the heat).  Instead, one thing after another has popped up, and I can literally watch my free time sublimate in a puff of glittery smoke.  So once again, I will be putting a goal aside for less lofty accomplishments like keeping Knittymunchkin fed and clean clothes on all our backs.  But this is o.k.  I’m learning that this is what life with a toddler means.  It also means kisses, snuggles, giggles and more love than I ever thought possible.  So it’s worth it :)  This is a season in my life and rather than dwell on the aspects I don’t appreciate, I need to spend more time being present in the moments that really matter because once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. Taking care of myself and letting go of all the crap that stresses me isn’t something I do easily.  But knitting helps.  I’ve been a monogamous kind of gal lately and when all else seems chaos, I have the simplicity of a beautiful pattern and stunning yarn to ground me.  I just finished Spectra and it was the perfect balm for my anxiety.  Stunning in its simplicity, yet sophisticated in manifestation, I was obsessed from the moment I began.  No modeled pics as of now, but I did snap a few “artsy” shots for my project page which I’ll share with you here. Love love love this pattern!  Love the Malabrigo Sock!  Hate the Noro Silk Garden.  Sorry Noro.  Usually I love you, but this time you freakin’ shanked me.  Three knots ( three! knots! ), bad transitions and too much red-orange (which I only mildly like at best).  What do you have to say for yourself?  If I wasn’t so stubborn, I would have done this differently and just cut out the colors I didn’t like as I came to them, instead of just suffering for my craft.  But what can I say.  I hate to weave in ends.

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