tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post115774048782563362..comments2023-10-19T03:40:40.815-04:00Comments on Go Knit In Your Hat: Publishing trendsCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651035210994960810noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1158239811401039272006-09-14T09:16:00.000-04:002006-09-14T09:16:00.000-04:00Commerce depends on trends and pyramid schemes in ...Commerce depends on trends and pyramid schemes in order to make the big money. I am interested in just enough industry bantor to learn about textiles and costs and new and old creative designers to help me to further my craft and what it will cost me to indulge (is it really cashmere??).<BR/><BR/>I ranted on my blog about market analysts trying to manipulate a successful market to get a leg up on the next trend. Can we all just knit along?Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16204539920858202588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1158168646057830182006-09-13T13:30:00.000-04:002006-09-13T13:30:00.000-04:00I know I am late to the party on this one, but her...I know I am late to the party on this one, but here are my two cents.<BR/><BR/>I am somewhat new to knitting and I love finding more books about knitting. For me I am on a search for a few good or interesting ideas for guys (three percent of the market according to the article). This being said, I am always interested in what my next knitting goal should be. I can knit the simple stuff, but am dreaming about what I will be knitting in a year. For example, I love the Greetings from Knit Cafe" book because it is not a complete beginners book and has interesting designs that fit my, and my fiances, taste. But I look forward to trying one of the really interacte sweaters out of the Loop de Loop book. I know I can't do the sweater from Loop de Loop now and even grumperina thinks I am being too ambitious with my choice, but I like to know what the next ten challenges are going to be for me in my craft.<BR/><BR/>Just Saying...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1158095755585658132006-09-12T17:15:00.000-04:002006-09-12T17:15:00.000-04:00Here, here, Ted!I am a self-taught 20-something kn...Here, here, Ted!<BR/><BR/>I am a self-taught 20-something knitter who's fairly new to the craft, and I own very few knitting books. The reason is that so many are pattern books that are subject to the whims of fashion. Plus, I might only like one pattern out of the whole book-- spending $20 on a pattern instead of yarn is a choice I will never make. The books that I do like are reference books, though like Ted I have yet to find one that does well at applying the techniques to the whole process. If someone could recommend one or two "essential" basic references (if any) I would be grateful.<BR/><BR/>As a new knitter, I do like to follow patterns, but the projects I have done I've gotten off MagKnits or Knitty or from a magazine. I think smaller, serial publications are better for patterns because I can read a pattern through thoroughly at my leisure to make sure I understand without spending a significant amount of cash.<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the long post, but I felt as a knitter from the demographic those books are aimed at I had to weigh in!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15452687167914301833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1158035853328173202006-09-12T00:37:00.000-04:002006-09-12T00:37:00.000-04:00My publisher sent me this article and I told him t...My publisher sent me this article and I told him that I or any number of knitbloggers could have told him all he wanted to know about he knitting book industry, he just needed to ask. :)<BR/><BR/>I also wrote him a long rambling email that covered many of the points disussed in your comments and I'm seeing many more I hadn't thought of. Very interesting stuff. I haven't read them all yet, but I plan to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1158011907097080142006-09-11T17:58:00.000-04:002006-09-11T17:58:00.000-04:00I read this same article too. I think the piece wa...I read this same article too. I think the piece was more of a forecast for the future of new knitting books being published and <B>not</B> about the decline of the popularity of knititng. Just because publishers aren't interested in publishing as much books about knitting geared toward 20 somethings anymore doesn't mean that the amount of knitters out there have decreased. That's like saying that home remodeling is not popular among the masses anymore because the amount of new titles regarding this subject is lower this year than they were a year ago at the same time.<BR/><BR/>Yes the hobby of knitting was a fad that may be calming down somewhat but the art/craft will always be with us because people like to pass down information to younger generations. Though publishers were only interested in publishing knitting books to the younger set to make some quick cash, they continue a tradition that all of humanity practices on a daily basis -- sharing information. I appreciate this no matter how many "beer cozies" or "fun fur" patterns I see out there.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14619407235955247871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157999859898453392006-09-11T14:37:00.000-04:002006-09-11T14:37:00.000-04:00I hadn't thought about it that way, but I'm with T...I hadn't thought about it that way, but I'm with Ted. The other day I was trying to teach a relatively new knitter about socks. I ended up loaning her two books instead of one. Socks, Socks, Socks, for the very good line-art illustrations and a very basic sock pattern and the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for all the gauge and stitch count information. I haven't had a chance to look at Schurch's book yet, maybe it's already done. But like sock knitting there are other examples of garment construction that require you to go to multiple sources (if you have them) to get the details. It would be great to have a definitive reference.Susan R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17700523214069697543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157920210116617862006-09-10T16:30:00.000-04:002006-09-10T16:30:00.000-04:00Yeah, Selvedge does it for me to. The only knitti...Yeah, Selvedge does it for me to. The only knitting book I have bought in the last two years is Nora Gaughan's Knitting Nature. Instead, I am buying technique books like Color and Fiber and design.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157907340350036572006-09-10T12:55:00.000-04:002006-09-10T12:55:00.000-04:00That, of course, would be "things" with fiber.Feh ...That, of course, would be "things" with fiber.<BR/>Feh typing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157907258550628182006-09-10T12:54:00.000-04:002006-09-10T12:54:00.000-04:00I suppose no one's surprised to see me agree with ...I suppose no one's surprised to see me agree with Ted.<BR/>Cool that so many of us are on the same page. Heh.<BR/>I think what I'm wanting to say to knitting book publishers is basically: aim a little higher.<BR/>I'd like to see books done by people who do things and make things, not some editor whose expertise is marketing rather than knitting and telling a good story.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and it occurs to me that the current best example of what I'm longing for is Selvedge magazine.<BR/>Gorgeous, fascinating, inspirational and introduces me every issue to colorful people doing amazing this with fiber.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157906171403516482006-09-10T12:36:00.000-04:002006-09-10T12:36:00.000-04:00I'm a self-taught knitter and am painfully aware t...I'm a self-taught knitter and am painfully aware that there are huge gaps in my knowledge and understanding of knitting and garments, so the books I'm wanting are selected to fill in those gaps. I see few books these days that fit that, and I've bought so many in the past few years that have ended up being disappointments that I'm now fairly suspicious about all of them, and less likely to buy any. There are a couple that I'm looking at getting: Beth Rrown Reinsel's (sp?) book on guernseys, and Deb Newton's book on designing, but neither of those are recent titles.<BR/><BR/>Something I wish someone would do is to take a sweater, step by step, from start to finish. It could just be a plain crew-neck with set-in sleeves. Show us everything: why the cast-on was chosen and how to do it; how to sew the shoulders; how to sew in the set-in sleeves if you did or didn't use full-fashioned shapings; how to pick up stitches around the collar and deal with the gaps. I know, you can find all this in technique books --and every designer has their way of doing things-- but those are separate from the pattern books, and I think it would be really useful to see the 2 things side-by-side. It's easy to write "sew the sleeve into the armhole", but -- in my experience, anyway -- it's never <I>quite</I> that simple. And that's when the instructions in both the garment book and the technique book fall short.<BR/><BR/>Come to think of it, sometimes my experience of applying the information from the technique books to the sweater has been like trying to use the online help for Access 2000: if I already knew how to do what I was wanting to do, the help would make sense. I remember, several times, staring at pages in Stanley's "Knitters Handbook", realising I knew how to do the technique, but not understanding how to apply it to the situation I was grappling with so that I'd get the "neat, clean, professional" result that Stanley was telling me I should be aiming for, and that I was seeing in the photo of the model sweater in the pattern. If they could do it, why not me? <BR/><BR/>I think Maggie Righetti did this for a baby sweater in "Knitting with Plain English", and I own a booklet of men's sweaters (all size 38) from Ondori that has <I>fantastic</I> illustrations for things like this. I dunno about Maggie's book, but I know that the Ondori publication seems to have vanished. Perhaps the book I'm wanting already exists in recent publication; if so, please point me to it.<BR/><BR/>There's going to come a time when beginning knitters graduate from scarves and hats to sweaters, and they'll need good finishing information to make those sweaters. Even some of us non-beginners could use the help.<BR/><BR/>Long comment. Sorry Carol: edit as you wish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157906040829970702006-09-10T12:34:00.000-04:002006-09-10T12:34:00.000-04:00What does the increase in the popularity of knitti...What does the increase in the popularity of knitting have to do with a "post 9/11 world"?<BR/>Marilyn, you make me laugh and think. That's why people want personality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157904165819601392006-09-10T12:02:00.000-04:002006-09-10T12:02:00.000-04:00Well, I've spent the better part of four years wri...Well, I've spent the better part of four years writing about this topic on my blog. Here's what I think:<BR/><BR/>The book market for knitting is going to slow down. Does that mean that knitting books will be relegated to the discount tables? Yes, to some degree.<BR/><BR/>Project books, to me, are usually a bore and I seldom buy them, with some exceptions. My library's emphasis is on technique and stitch patterns. However, there are a few really worthwhile books out, pearls before swine, as it were.<BR/><BR/>I'm with Kathy--I look for inspiration as much as anything. I have books on Japanese textiles, Colonial textiles, you name it. Wherever there's inspiration, I'll use it.<BR/><BR/>As far as the personality book thing is concerned, I was asked to rewrite my book with that in mind. And I'm fine with it and am so doing. However, I can't for the life of me understand where it's going to be of interest to those other than my friends and family. And yeah, I'll throw designs into it too. But I have never read one of Stephanie's books, nor have I read Wendy's either. I'm too busy learning more about knitting, spinning and weaving.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00285597626042261061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157901797066643562006-09-10T11:23:00.000-04:002006-09-10T11:23:00.000-04:00I think the publishers may be missing out on a big...I think the publishers may be missing out on a big market of middle aged knitters with disposable income and incurable book lust. I have a use for simple knits, and funky styles - there are teenagers on my gift list, after all. Still, as an intermediate knitter, I don't have so much interest in beginner books. I have a need for some how-to, but not for knitting scarves. My concern is that once the market is saturated with "fast and easy" the publishers may feel there is no need for further knitting titles of any kind.Cinderellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08944325468803416106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157901311689226512006-09-10T11:15:00.000-04:002006-09-10T11:15:00.000-04:00I think there's room for everyone, even if the tit...I think there's room for everyone, even if the titles and pattern names of some of the stuff aimed at the thick 'n' quick knitter make me cringe. If it gets one more person knitting, that's cool to me. And the fact that there is room in the market for all of these trendy books has allowed a bunch of extremely talented designers to publish even more books that appeal to people like me. <BR/><BR/>There are a bunch of people in our local knitting group who have expressed an interest in expanding their knitting libraries beyond Stitch 'N' Bitch lately, and I so love to see that transition. One of my friends who started on scarves and had been lamenting that she would never progress beyond that just did her first sweater for her father, and then went straight into lace and fair isle.<BR/><BR/>I'm thrilled that there are books out there that simply inspire, too. I'm not sure that publishers would be willing to spring for those books if the other trendier ones didn't exist. Or if they would spring for them as often as they appear to be doing now. Would the production of these books be as gorgeous as it is if the market weren't so big? Not sure.<BR/><BR/>The errata thing is a symptom of how fast publishing occurs these days in general, not just in knitting books. I'm an editor and writer who comes from a publishing background, and the need for speed has really cut down on the willingness to let an editor take her needed time with a manuscript. Dontcha get me stahted on that one...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157894216010980802006-09-10T09:16:00.000-04:002006-09-10T09:16:00.000-04:00Yes, the 80s are back -- can mullets be far behind...Yes, the 80s are back -- can mullets be far behind? It only goes to prove what I've said about the 70s: Only people who didn't live through it the first time are willing to wear it the second time.<BR/><BR/>Toni, there is a very famous & extraordinarily talented Scottish designer who loves to sue people and threaten to sue people. If you go http://www.girlfromauntie.com you will find links to Jenna's detailed description of some of the legal action she's been involved in. One of the most frequent issues has to do with protecting her intellectual property rights, including use of her name. Having led many in the knitting community to refer to her by euphemism, for fear that merely speaking her name, like Lord Voldemort, will beckon her.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07651035210994960810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157893084607724102006-09-10T08:58:00.000-04:002006-09-10T08:58:00.000-04:00One more thing...(or two or three):(1) Sorry Gail,...One more thing...(or two or three):<BR/><BR/>(1) Sorry Gail, all the fashion windows in midtown manhattan are showing leggings (and boxy, long sweaters and tunics) for fall this year.<BR/><BR/>(2) 'She-who-must-not-be-named' -- I am sure who it is but why can't she be named? I am late comer, here. <BR/><BR/>Thanks, ToniAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157892503792212712006-09-10T08:48:00.000-04:002006-09-10T08:48:00.000-04:00I read the article, I cannot remember where, and o...I read the article, I cannot remember where, and of course it was written/published by non-knitters about publishing houses/editors who are non-knitters. It is the same old problem. I am not sixteen or twenty-five, I do not wear a size eight (and I never will again). Does it ever occur to these people that if fewer people are buying their pattern books it is because the patterns are ugly and repetitive? I do not do 'trendy' in my knitting except for the occasional fur scarf. I do not know a woman over twenty years old who wears these, I make them for little girls. My disposable income and knitting time are severely limited and I am not going to waste either on teenage trends (endless successions of shrugs for B cups or teeny purses that won't even hold a wallet, never mind my life). Thanks for the rant, Toni in NYCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157861511861554472006-09-10T00:11:00.000-04:002006-09-10T00:11:00.000-04:00Oh, dear, Gail, are you one of those knitters who ...Oh, dear, Gail, are you one of those knitters who think the only good garment is one with waist shaping?<BR/>Because it's so necessary and fine looking?<BR/>Wait a heartbeat and watch that trend look stoopid and dorky.<BR/>Just like long large loose sweaters look to folks now. <BR/><BR/>And individual patterns put out by individual knitters is not what we were longing for just now and here.<BR/>We were talking about being revved up by beautiful well-thought-out books.<BR/><BR/>Whether you approve of Kaffe and Alice or not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157856963718076072006-09-09T22:56:00.000-04:002006-09-09T22:56:00.000-04:00I'm totally on-board with the "books as inspiratio...I'm totally on-board with the "books as inspiration" folks. I occasionally follow patterns, especially for things I've never made before (first sweater, first glove), but mostly I like to get general ideas and take it from there.<BR/><BR/>I understand the urge to push the hip-to-knit type books while the trend is hot, but I tend to find it irritating because I'm in the target demographic, but I've been knitting since I was a kid so I don't really need my hip knits to be easy, fast, and on big needles. I want hip *and* interesting to knit.<BR/><BR/>Also, tragically, leggings are coming back. I don't know what that will mean for the drop sleeve sweater though. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157853047991769862006-09-09T21:50:00.000-04:002006-09-09T21:50:00.000-04:00I find looking in yarn stores for books on knittin...I find looking in yarn stores for books on knitting much more rewarding than the big box stores. I'm lucky in having a little independent place near here, Celeigh Wool. I rarely leave without a book..one of the old classics reissued, B.R-B book on Guernseys, spinning books etc. My favourite sight for books is Needlearts. <BR/>I think we'll leave behind some of the band wagon knitters, but definitely not all new knitters. One that I taught to knit last year is working her way through a stitch dictionary, doing a square of each one, and figuring out why and how each one works. The other day out grocery shopping, I caught her walking behind a guy, muttering and moving her fingers as she tried to figure out the stitch on his sweater. She's gonna stay, and she's gonna want quality books.<BR/>Like the one Carol will write as soon as she has the time.<BR/>And the one Mar is writing.<BR/>Barb b.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157850973168266582006-09-09T21:16:00.000-04:002006-09-09T21:16:00.000-04:00The publishing world is so strange. I was a buyer...The publishing world is so strange. I was a buyer for a large independent book store for a dozen years and saw so many trends come and go, with every pub. and every imprint of every pub. trying to get on board. Sometimes things don't stick--in 1988 there were a bunch of books on Feng Shui (my Chinese-Amer. huband, not one to speak softly, said, "WTF is all this peasant superstition crap?"). They disappeared, then a few years ago, a tsumami of new ones, and ladies becoming "Feng Shui Masters."<BR/><BR/>In 1988, the addiction/recovery book shelf was one small, shelf. Suddenly there were hundreds of titles--it wasn't just my stepmother who was 12-stepping. <BR/><BR/>Who knows what we'll see in a year or so--I certainly expect the hip knitting gurlz stuff to weed itself out. Like Kathy Merrick, I can't resist something really fresh and inspirational--Kaffe's books, Knitting Out of Africa, etc.<BR/>I probably won't use the patterns, but love to have my eyes opened to possiblities as I work out my own designs.<BR/><BR/>Jude in obscureknittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157845839343081112006-09-09T19:50:00.000-04:002006-09-09T19:50:00.000-04:00I'd sure love it if at least a few of the upcoming...I'd sure love it if at least a few of the upcoming books were inspirational--you know, the kind where you might not actually follow any of the patterns, but would pick the beautifully done book up off and on when you need to get fired up again about your knitting or just see amazing things wrought by brilliant people.<BR/><BR/>Remember your first read-through of Kaffe's Glorious Knits or Alice Starmore's Fair Isle Knitting or Poetry in Stitches or the Bohus book or Norsk Strickedesign or Handplagg or Knitting Nature?<BR/><BR/>That. That's what I want.<BR/>Except for the Norah Gaughan book, haven't seen that for a while.<BR/><BR/>Of course, I'm waiting excitedly for Maie Landra's book.<BR/>But then that's me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157840955423666082006-09-09T18:29:00.000-04:002006-09-09T18:29:00.000-04:00And by REALLY good- I just meant not full of begin...And by REALLY good- I just meant not full of beginner, hip, etc. No offense intended. Just good in my opinion.mindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15981340071876565395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157840737802156072006-09-09T18:25:00.000-04:002006-09-09T18:25:00.000-04:00I pretty much did my book collecting when I re-ent...I pretty much did my book collecting when I re-entered the knitting world after my daughter's birth 8 years ago. So I did collect lots of Debbie Bliss and such. Also, She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, various sweater collections, one of the "recipe" books, etc. A much smaller percentage of books out now catch my attention- I've moved on I guess, or I feel like my collection is enough (unless something REALLY good comes out- the Norah Gaughan for example). Like Mamaloo, I enjoy the essay type books now. Other than that, I guess I'm no longer the target market either. I really don't mind- and if one book out of only 20 is all that catches my eye- well, there's that much more $ left for yarn...mindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15981340071876565395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710479.post-1157832303387688192006-09-09T16:05:00.000-04:002006-09-09T16:05:00.000-04:00Mamaloo, I'd like to see me write a book, too. ;)...Mamaloo, I'd like to see me write a book, too. ;)Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07651035210994960810noreply@blogger.com