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Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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Knitting Reimagined

August 14, 2014 1 Comment

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

This book isn’t so much on trend as it is beyond trend. Legendary knitwear designer Nicky Epstein’s new book Knitting Reimagined presents 25 innovative patterns that are conceptualized differently than a lot of knitwear you might have encountered on your knitting journeys. Knitting your way through this book would be an amazing way to get inspired to do something new next time you’re feeling bored with knitting yet another cardi or wrap.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

The book’s skill levels and structure

Every pattern in Knitting Reimagined has two symbols at the beginning: 1, 2 or 3 balls of yarn or clocks. The fewer the balls of yarn, the more beginner-friendly it is. The fewer clocks, the quicker you can finish it. Easy peasy.

The book’s 25 patterns are divided among 4 chapters. The first chapter, Directionals, focuses on using only rectangles, angles and squares to form capes, tunics, shawls and sweaters. I think chapter 2, full of patterns with particularly interesting approaches to shape, is the one I might learn the most from knitting through. It’s got such cool ideas that are straight up made differently than patterns I’m used to making. Chapter 3 incorporates elements of knitting woven together to create neat effects. And even though a couple of these might look like entrelac at first glance, they aren’t. The pieces are physically woven together and sewn or appliquéd to complete the garment. (Epstein is known for designing with this technique.) Finally, chapter 4 includes “interesting and unique stitches, color work, an edgings that all go beyond ‘business as usual’ stitches.”

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

My thoughts

As an aspiring knitting and crochet designer, I have respect for everything Epstein does. She’s very much a legend in this field. In the introduction, she says “there comes a time to break new ground, a time for experimentation and improvisation, and a time to rethink and reimagine typical structures and shapes in hand-knitting. My goal was to fill this book with chic, wearable, but uniquely atypical garments that will appeal to knitters of all skill levels.” If there’s anyone I trust to do this, it’s Nicky Epstein.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

For me, a number of the patterns in this book were a little too avant garde for everyday wear as-is. Epstein was clever enough to include a “reimagine it” call out at the bottom of each pattern’s intro, offering suggestions like, “Keep the lace pattern and construction, but try using a fabulous subtly colored, hand-dyed yarn. Add a different button and closure choice for a completely new look.” I think less adventurous knitting fashionistas might opt for reimagining a couple of the garments before heading out in their handmade creations.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

My favorite pattern in the book is the Directional Vest, not only because bright blues always catch my attention (I even had the perfect color yarn in my stash already). The vest is the type of design that hits right at the waist, so it will likely flatter many body types. The cabling along the upper back and edges is really beautiful as well!

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

Last but not least, I love the design of the book. The photography is amazing! The modern meets vintage meets whimsical settings and lovely lighting combine to make a really beautiful book. And the graphic design, from the font choices to curlicue edgings, is really lovely.

You can get Knitting Reimagined by Nicky Epstein for $29.99 at Random House. Blogging for Books provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: book, book review, craft books, knit, Knitting, knitting books, knitting reimagined, librarian, nicky epstein

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

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Comments

  1. Sky Turtle

    September 6, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    That vest looks amazing! Are you thinking about making it? Last year I fell in love with a vest from Wool and the Gang, but didn’t do anything about it :/

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

Professionally I’m most known for: advanced intarsia knitting design & modern latch hook design.

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Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
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knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
A look at the halo on the back of my wrestling-ins A look at the halo on the back of my wrestling-inspired punch needle project! It’s interesting to see how fuzzy the handspun beige yarn is compared with the primary color sections of @knit_picks Wool of the Andes Bulky. ❤️💛💙🤎 
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Pictured: The back of an in-progress punch needle project. A wooden punch needle tool sits on the work.
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#punchneedle #woolrug #rugmaking  #kpambassadorsapr21 #sponsored #griefproject #handsoccupied #wrestlingfan #universalchampion #yarn #yarncraft #wool #needlepunch
Happy Easter / One week til Wrestlemania! Finishin Happy Easter / One week til Wrestlemania! Finishing up the punch needling part of this crazy @wwe inspired project by tonight. 💪🏻🧶 Anybody else have crafty plans for this fine spring day? 
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Pictured: A blond woman sits, smiling and holding an in-progress punch needle project inspired by the Universal Championship belt. Houseplants are in the background and there’s lots of sun. 
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#punchneedle #griefproject #handsoccupied #heidigustad #wrestlingcrafts #wwe #universalchampion #universalchampionship #wool #wooloftheandes #primarycolors #oxfordpunchneedle
I'm finally starting to get some of my energy back I'm finally starting to get some of my energy back from the past few weeks, and as I dip my toe back into production mode, the long-promised seamed sweater knitting YouTube series is at the top of my list. I've got FOUR versions of a simple sweater I've been playing with since last JULY to feature as a free pattern for folks who want to knit along during the series. Pictured is the first prototype for the series, knit in 2 colors of @knit_picks Mighty Stitch yarn. I imagine this soon-to-be short sleeved number will come in handy as an emergency Waldo costume or Christmas sweater. 🌲 
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I've got my own list of topics I think folks would like to see in a series like this: things like tips for construction, working with vintage patterns, how to seam as invisibly as possible, and more, but as always, I'd love to hear from you: What scares you about knitting seamed sweaters? What would be helpful to cover, especially since we'll be doing more long form video content. I get so much positive feedback on my series of 20 minute+ intarsia tutorials, so I'm using those as a starting point as I produce this series. Seamed sweaters using vintage or self-improvised patterns are one of my favorite things on the planet, so I'm eager to share some seamed sweater skills with y'all super sweet folks. 😉 
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Pictured: A red and white striped, short sleeved sweater knit in pieces that have yet to be seamed. They are laid out on a yellow and orange colorblock background and one sleeve is yet to be bound off. 
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Work continues this evening on my absurd punch nee Work continues this evening on my absurd punch needle pro wrestling inspired championship belt project. I’ve finished most of the front pretty quickly thanks to the @knit_picks Wool of the Andes Bulky yarn I’m using. For now, I’ve got a couple more weeks until Wrestlemania, & I’m on track to finish this in time! 
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The biggest question I have is what to do with the “plates” - the open circles in the picture. Should I try to closely replicate the Universal Championship belt or go rogue and make it wool themed? Please advise in the comments. ☺️🧶🙏🏻🐑 
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Pictured: The front of an in-progress punch needle project. A wooden punch needle tool with navy yarn running through it rests on top of the work. 
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#kpambassadorsmar21 #sponsored #knitpicks #punchneedle #rugmaking #primarycolors #punchneedlerughooking #punchneedlelove #wool #wip #yarncraft #yarn #yarnaddict
The latest Hands Occupied stitch tutorial features The latest Hands Occupied stitch tutorial features the Dimple Stitch & landed on YouTube last week... right in the midst of a bunch of life chaos. In the hubbub, I forgot to share the beautiful “wrong side” of the stitch. Isn’t it lovely? 😍 Read more about the hidden inner architecture that gives the Dimple Stitch its great depth on the blog & catch the video tutorial, both linked in bio. ✌🏻
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Pictured: The wrong side of a large swatch of dimple stitch knitting on a light blue background. It is knit in red wool yarn. 
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Yarn is @kelbournewoolens Germantown via @knit_picks. 🧶☺️
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