New book on knitting. . .

I think I've mentioned my awesome library system before.  Basically I go online and can search a bunch of libraries in Illinois.  Then I "place a hold" on the items I want and they are shipped out to my local library.  The local library call me and I go pick them up!  Now this is an excellent use of my tax dollars as far as I'm concerned!  You may want to see if your library does this too!

So anyway, last week I was browsing the online catalog and came across a knitting book that almost looked like a text book to me.  I hadn't seen it in the bookstores and I was really curious.  So I "placed a hold" and was called a few days later.  Wow!!

The book is called The Art of Knitting and it was written by Francoise Tellier-Loumagne (in French originally, but it has been translated into English).  The sub title is "Inspirational Stitches, Textures, and Surfaces" and that is a great explanation for what this book is all about. 

The basic format is this -- there is a graph with a basic stitch pattern, following that  is a diagram of the pattern (this is in a format strange to me, but very useful in describing what the yarn "does" in a particular stitch pattern), then there is an illustrated representation of the knitted fabric.  Next is the incredible part -- there are *numerous* photos of the stitch pattern knit with different materials including many different yarns and sometimes combinations of yarns.  It is a visual treat!

The book is massive with over 300 pages, 600 color photos and hundreds of diagrams.  There aren't any "patterns" in here, it's more of a collection of ideas that will inspire and hopefully get you creating your own knitwear!

Really -- check this book out!  I think that you will be glad that you did!

I'm going to post this over at Two Frieds Collect Books too!

Comments

[Scout]

Abq Public Library does it too and I LOVE it! I'll have to search for that one. Thanks for the heads up.

[janna]

Most libraries can do this, even if they don't give you the ability to search a number of libraries' catalogs. If you see a book (say, on Amazon), but your library doesn't own it, you can request it. Sometimes there's an electronic way to do this, sometimes there's a paper form, or you can do it on the phone. You need to have enough information that they can identify the book - the author and title are usually sufficient, although the publication year is helpful if there's more that one edition.

Just ask at your local library - this service is frequently called interlibrary loan or interlibrary services.

(Yes, I'm a librarian who knits....)

[TheBon]

I love the extended inter-library loan that I have access to as a grad student. Of course, I'm not likely to be requesting knitting books through it, but boy, has it come in handy for my research.

[spaazlicious (wendy)]

Yes, I have been drooling over this book in the bookshops. Beautiful pics, and great to dream to.

[PJ]

YES & YES! I went to Borders and feel in love with the book! Amazon here I come (for price) and yes isn't it a PERFECT way of using tax dollars...San Diego does the same thing :)

[Judy]

Our library has the clan system, same thing. Wonderful. The book is on it's way.. from Amazon. lol

[Tina]

I borrowed that book at my library, and I found it totally inspirational. Since it's not a pattern book, it rarely checked-out, and I can go look in it whenever I want to.

Glad to hear there are more people who liked it! :)

[Imbrium]

You know, I haven't belonged to a library in years...after I graduated from college, I never really thought about it. I should go get a library card after work....