Book Review: Knit Noro
BOOK REVIEW: KNIT NORO
I will begin with admitting that although I always admired Eisaku Noro's yarns for their color combinations and the texture, I did not see how I could apply it to my design style. I was almost afraid to work with it. The yarn had a very strong character that had to be translated into a vibrant and dynamic design. Working on the proposal of some designs for this book I became more aware of the yarn and my swatches showed that there are plenty of designs that can utilize what yarn is trying to say.When the book came out I saw how different designers translated the yarn's story into their own style and produced one
masterpiece after another. In fact, there are 30 beautiful designs in this book ranging from simple in construction and technique to, believe it or not, a Fair Isle Cardigan. The photography is superb. You do not have to be a knitter to like the look of this book.The endpapers and the background of all photos are the motifs of Country French wallpaper which beautifully contrast some contemporary designs and at the same time complement the ones that look vintage.As I mentioned, there are 30 designs in this book. I will choose a few that caught my eye.
Parasol Lace Vest by Edna HartI love how the same yarn looks differently in lace and the wide rib.
Trinity Stitch Sweater by Valentina DevineThis three-dimensional stitch pattern gives more depth to each color. The designer is suggestingto play with colors by breaking the strand and choosing what color you want to be next. I think this is a brilliant design.
Cabled Cap by Faina GobersteinI leave no comments here since this is my design :) I used 2 skeins of Silk Garden for this hat and when I needed to join the second skein I also chose with which color to start.Fair Isle Cap by Carol SulcoskiIt is knit with Kureyon and Carol is very cleverly using the same skein from both ends to have two colors she needs for this technique. I love this hat also for the fact that it does not look like a very typical project from Noro yarns.Fair Isle Cardigan by Mary Scott HuffMade in Silk Garden Sock Yarn. When I saw this one, the only thing I could say is: "Wow!!"This is what I like about books that have many different designers working on the same theme. Every one of these designs are different and exciting.Overall this is a masterpiece and a well-deserved praise to NORO yarns.