Knits from a Painter's Palette -- the Koigu Book

I recently purchased Knits from a Painter's Palette: Modular Masterpieces in Handpainted Yarns by Maie Landra -- yep it's a book from the woman behind Koigu!  I have a nice stash of Koigu under my bed and I have made a Charlotte's Web Shawl, socks, mittens and am in the process of making a Keepsake shawl all with Koigu-- but I still have plenty left and was hoping for some new patterns to help me use some of it up.

As you can see, the cover of the book is gorgeous and that was enough to make me purchase this book.  Upon opening it though, I was a little disappointed for some reason.  Maybe because I have several of the patterns that are in the book already (Charlotte's Web, the Keepsake Shawl, and various garments that have appeared in magazines.)  And while there is a nice explanation of modular knitting -- complete with lovely color photos -- I already own Modular Knits which seems to cover a lot of this material already. 

Many of the garments are gorgeous -- this is Koigu after all! -- but also boxy as a result of their modular construction.  (Not very flattering for me -- or probably most people).  And while I think I'd have fun making some of these items -- I would probably never wear them.  I might think of making the child's "Play Blocks Vest" (although at 7 skeins of Koigu -- that's an expensive vest for a child!)

The photography is quilte beautiful and artistic and the vibrant colors of the yarn really shine through.  I'll probably pick this book up and look at it again and again-- using the photos as inspiration.  This might even get me to play around with modular knitting a bit -- but there isn't anything here that I haven't already made that I would make. 

If you want to make Charlotte's Web, the Keepsake Shawl or the Magique Cloak -- this book is a good buy.  The patterns for the shawls look like they would be much easier to follow than the older print patterns that I purchased a while ago.  And if you are a fan of Koigu -- the pictures alone will probably justify the cost of this book.  It definitely is eye candy!

Comments

[Tracey]

OoooOOOoooh! I think there has to be a place on every knitter's bookshelf for a good artsy knitting book.

[Kelly]

I was curious if this book was any good. Thanks for the review!

[monica]

Can you tell me if the Gypsy Shawl pattern is in the book? I'm knitting it right now using an older issued pattern so I'm wondering if I need to get the book.