A Year in Books

Feel inspired with our top picks from the Loop bookshelves this year. Time to find that perfect volume for your friend (and tell Father Christmas that you need a copy too!)

(Books Top – Bottom/  Shawl Book One / Away / Loop’s 10 / London Stitch and Knit / My Little Stories/ Farm To Needle / Colours of Shetland / Madder Anthology One / Home & Away/  Sequence Knitting) Squirrel available from Swoon Lounge.

Unless you’ve been hidden under your wool stash all year, you’ll know that we released Loop’s 10 in celebration of our anniversary. Inspiring photography and gorgeous patterns, it’s quintessential Loop style in a book!

Pictured above (along some other beauties from the book) we have Kirsten Kapur’s Islington Shawl. Her first book of shawls (aptly named Shawl Book One) is a collection of her top designs. We’ve struggled to keep it in stock as this gem is being bought up as soon as it arrives! An ideal book for any knitter who loves knitting shawls.

Another popular shawl book has been Curls, a collection of wraps that can be knit at any gauge . The beauty of these patterns is that you are not tied down to any thickness or even amount of yarn (perfect for stash busting!). Plus the curl element of these designs creates an elegant and flattering shape that is beautiful in any size.

If you’re a fan of experimenting with your stitches and swatching then we recommend Sequence Knitting. This incredible tome takes the basic elements of knit and purl to new levels, expanding methods and introducing a simple approach for creating amazing fabrics.

We’ve also had not one, but two offerings from the talented designer Carrie Bostick Hodge. First Anthology One taking you through four stitch stories with feminine garments, and then Anthology Two with a collection of elegant comfort knits

Hannah Fettig’s Home & Away, takes into account the styles and abilities of all types of knitters. Not only do you have every design written with two sets of instructions (chose to knit in the round or seam) there is also information to help you increase your knowledge and skill, with articles on gauge, fit, understanding a pattern and yarn substitution. Make this winter the one where you start that jumper!

 

Two artists that are close to our heart at Loop are Julie Arkell and Nathalie Lete. Julie for her paper mache creatures and Nathalie for her beautiful illustrations that she painted for our 10th Anniversary window. Both have quirky and folk style that we love – learn more from either of Julie’s monoliths Home or Away or from Nathalie’s My Little Stories (written in French and full of amazing images)

Just arriving this week from Tolt Yarn and Wool in Washington is their book Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool. A thoughtful behind the scenes look with the farmers, shearers, spinners and dyers who Tolt know and work with. This book also includes patterns from the likes of designers Dianna Walla, Tif Fussell and Karen Templer.

Selection of patterns from Farm to Needle

Also hot off the press is Brooklyn Tweed’s first book – and you’ll be pleased to know it shall be the first of many. Brooklyn Tweed are calling this project ‘Capsule‘ and each book will showcase a designers work – in this case it’s Olga Buraya-Kefelian. Using her signature architectural stitch design with the woolen spun Shelter and Loft has created a selection of textured and modern patterns.

Chose your favourite and take the time this weekend to curl up with a good (knitting!) book.

And one final thing, we of course have to announce the winner of last weeks giveaway. We gave you lovely wool folk a chance to win a skein of Mrs. Moon Plump and a pompom too… and the winner is Adriana Salgado, who said ‘It would be a cherry pie with a bonbon pompom on top’ Congratulations (and yum)! We’ll be in touch to let you know how to claim your prize.

Until next week, Happy Knitting and Crocheting!