Fall Book Preview

Earlier this week, it was ninety-five degrees and as humid as an armpit in my neck of the woods, but the weather has, thankfully, turned more comfortable, with just the tiniest hint of fall in the air. So let's dream longingly of cooler seasons as we take a quick peek at some of the books to be published this fall.

New Offerings from Old Favorites

Kaffe Fassett (say "Kafe FASS-itt" -- NOT "coffee faucet") releases Kaffe Knits Again: 24 Original Designs Updated for Today's Knitters (Potter Craft; due early October), in which he revisits some of his most popular patterns, updating them in current yarns. (He'll be signing books at Stitches, I believe.) Kaffe also has a new quilting book out in October, Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in the Sun: 20 Designs from Rowan for Patchwork and Quilting, which also features designs from elite quilting designers such as Liza Prior Lucy. (If you've ever toyed with the idea of quilting, go to Liza's website and take a peek at her gorgeous fabrics...)

Another designer who frequently designs patterns for Rowan is the prolific and talented Martin Storey. Knitting for Him: 27 Classic Projects to Keep Him Warm (Taunton; expected release September 25) aims to provide more options for knitting for the guys in your life, with that classic Rowan sense of style. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this book contains new designs rather than a repeat of garments that have previously appeared in other Rowan publications sinceI like Martin Storey's designs a lot and probably already have most of his previously-published designs for Rowan.

Rowan alum Louisa Harding -- who has been designing her own yarns and pattern booklets, too -- has written a book full of small projects called Knitting Little Luxuries: Beautiful Accessories to Knit (Interweave Press; early November). This book promises quick projects for accessories and other items that require a minimum amount of yarn.

Fiona Ellis, who released an interesting book on cables last year, follows up with Inspired Fair Isle Knits: 20 Creative Designs Inspired by the Elements (PotterCraft; early October). The book description sounds intriguing:

Using unconventional placement of Fair Isle patterning, such as at the cuff or shoulder, and asymmetrical or striped color placement, Ellis creates a wide
variety of moods, movements, and graphic impact. And Inspired Fair Isle Knits isn’t just about Fair Isle knitting; it combines the basic method with other knitting techniques such as cables, lace patterning, felting, and even pleats.

And my longtime favorite Debbie Bliss just released another book of baby knits, called Essential Baby: Over 20 Handknits to Take Your Baby from First Days to First Steps (Trafalgar Square; already available). I'll probably pass on this one, since I've got tons of baby patterns and my kids are getting too big for this size range, although I'm sure it's lovely, as Debbie Bliss's books always are.

Interweave Press

In addition to Louisa Harding's new book, our friends at Interweave -- always a source of excellent knitting and crochet books -- have just released The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years. As you may have guessed, it's a compilation of the best-loved patterns from past ten years of Interweave Knits magazines. If you've got all your back issues, then you may not want to spring for it, but if you're like me and your magazines get all dog-eared, it might be nice to have a beautifully-bound book version of the best of the best. This one is already on sale at some places and should be at your local yarn shop or bookstore soon, if it isn't already.

Kim Werker -- new editor of Interweave Crochet -- has written Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution (expected October 28). I met Kim at a booksigning last year and although I found it hard to believe she's only been crocheting a few years, she is so cute and nice that I found it easy to get over my hook envy. (Plus she's pals with Shannon Okey, who's always fun to hang with.)

Bag Style: Innovative to Traditional, 22 Inspirational Handbags, Totes, and Carry-alls to Knit and Crochet, edited by Pam Allen, is the next installment in Interweave's beloved Style series, and Folk Style: Innovative Designs to Knit, Including Sweaters, Hats, Scarves, Gloves and More came out a few weeks ago, edited by color-savvy Mags Kandis (the owner and founder of Mission Falls yarns).

All Toilet-Paper Cozies, All the Time

On the (ahem)more eclectic side, a book devoted entirely to toilet paper roll cozies is slated for release this fall, Toilet Roll Covers, along with a prequel (?) Tea Cozies.

I Guess You Can't Trademark Titles

You might think that Interweave's super-strong "Fill in the Blank" Style series -- e.g. Lace Style, Scarf Style, Bag Style -- would have put the kibosh on another publisher starting a knitting/crochet series with Style in the title. However, Martingale is releasing "Stitch Style, Mittens" and "Stitch Style, Socks". Each is a compilation of knit and crochet designs having to do with mittens and socks, respectively. I'll leave it to you to debate whether that is a blatant attempt to trade off the popularity of Interweave's series or simply a coincidence.

In addition

you'll find the following titles, fellow knitting-book lovers:

• the ever-prolific Deb Stoller releases Son of Stitch 'n Bitch: 45 Projects to Knit and Crochet for Men (yep, had some designs dinged from that one, too), with patterns for men and boys (Workman; late November).
  
• Candace Eisner Strick -- who, rumor has it, has one of the most attractive, mellifluous and charming test knitters in the world -- has a book devoted to self-striping yarns called Knit One, Stripe Too: Making the Most of Self-striping Yarn (Martingale; due October 8).


• Knitter's Review founder Clara Parkes releases The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn (PotterCraft; mid-October).


• Vogue is putting out a book called Designing Custom Knits (Vogue Knitting Techniques Series) which could be interesting
  
• Donna Druchunas will be guest-blogging in a few weeks to coincide with her new ethnic knitting book, Ethnic Knitting: Discovery: The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and The Andes (Nomad Press; late October)-- ethnic knitting always being a fascinating and rich source for exploration, and Cables, Diamonds, & Herringbone: Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters by Sabine Domnick is coming from Down East Books (late October).

I'm sure there are some more titles that I missed, but this will give you a flavor for some of this fall's offerings. We live in good times for knitters: the fact that there are a lot of new knitting books coming out on a such a regular basis is a great sign for the continuing vitality of the craft.