Loop-d-Loop

Since I only knit 4 rows on Birch and 2-3 rows on my socks, I figure I'd just write about another knitting book. . .

Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham. Wow! Now this is something new -- wild but many wearable designs. You can see a little slideshow on Durham's website.

For the most part the designs are a bit out there for my taste, starting with Bobble U-Neck. Who wants to make or wear bobbles that big? But then you get something like the Ballet T-Shirt which is super simple but has some cool shaping. I also like the Lace Leaf Pullover (can't find a pic), although I believe it was available in an issue of Interweave Knits, maybe? I thought the Braided Neckpiece was super cool. And the Hooded Capelet is hot. (Did I say I liked a *capelet*?!?!?) It's got an almost tribal tatoo thing going with the lacework on the shoulder.

All in all, I think the book is exciting (Bias Fair Isle Pullover!) and innovative. Durham is not afraid to go out on a limb (hence some of her ugly "neckpieces"), but she reels it back in and offers up some very nice designs along with the crazy ones. And you have to love the multiple color photos of each design. Very nice photography.

Now maybe I'll get some knitting done tonight so I can stop yapping about books!

** QUICK HAIR STORY **

Did you ever go to your hairstylist, sit down, discuss your hair color and end up with highlights? Now, I've had highlights before and I always hated them. Yet every couple of years I think, ya know, I should really get me some highlights. Blah! I guess I was in just this state of mind last time I went to the salon. I came out $100 poorer, with blonde hightlights in my dark auburn (which was dyed a very blah brown) hair. Now I usually color my own hair and after an experience like this I remember why.

So Maddie and I went to the grocery the other day and I let her pick my hair color. (This isn't so radical for me. I've had purple, red, orange and black hair. I even partially shaved my head at one point.) Here's what she choose:

(Yep, that's my actual hair.) I like it! And best of all, it only cost $6.99!

Comments

[Vicki]

I've heard so many great things about that books. I love the braided neckpiece. Your new hair color looks great! What brand did you pick? I really should dye my hair again...

[c]

I like Loop-d-Loop as well, and I'm with you on hair coloring. Every time I go in to a salon and say I want BRIGHT COLORED HAIR. BRIGHT. AT LEAST HALF OF IT. What happens? Maybe 20% comes out with a nice dark red or blue and the rest they dye back to my natural black. ARGH! So now I color my own hair, and I can go as wild and crazy as I want.

[NYC Mouse]

Hair: fabulous. Book: also fabulous. And I appreciate that Princess Leia took time out of her busy schedule-of-the-past to pose for the books' photo shoots.

[claudia]

That is a lovely color, but I can't help pining for the orange hair....

[Abigail]

I looked at that book today too. I love the spiral geek kid's sweater. I almost bought the book just for that pattern!

[Sara]

I also have auburn hair, and highlights just don't work. I think the problem is that most hairstylists want to do blonde highlights. Well, auburn hair doesn't *do* blonde. If I'm in the sun too much, mine turns a brassy orange, which is what fake highlights look like.

[Kelly]

The color looks like Herbal Essences Egyptian Plum (do they even still make that color?). I dyed my hair that color back in high school when our dress-code restricted hair color and it was the closest I could get to actual purple.

[Melissa]

wow, those models on that website look a bit scary. One's even cross-eyed! Those patterns are a little strange, too.

[Jenifer]

OOoh ... I had a hair story *just like that* last November, two days before a Thanksgiving vacation at the in-laws ... and it took me two hours and $7.00 to change it back!! Thanks for the link to the Kureyon hats ... they were cute.