Domino Knitting                                                                                                 ISBN 1-931499-36-5, Softbound, 33pgs, $9.95(US), Interweave Press, Interweave Press, 201 East Fourth Street, Loveland, CO 80537-5655 USA, www.interweave.com, 1-800-272-2193 (USA), 970-669-7672 (International)

Domino Knitting has been in use since 1946 and probably earlier.  Both Horst Shultz and Virginia Woods Bellamy published books on the subject at an earlier date.  Carol’s translation of Vivian’s book is up-to-date, easy to understand and user friendly.

Basic knitting techniques and skills are required before beginning the lessons and projects.  This book will be a breeze for intermediate and advanced knitters.  It would be difficult for most beginners.  Domino knitting is worked with one little diamond shape motif added to another until the item is finished.  All the finishing is completed as you make each motif.  It does take longer to knit using domino knitting techniques compared to traditional knitting.  However, once you have finished making the motifs, there is not a lot of finishing to complete.  The finished pieces are lovely, and depending on fiber colors chosen, can be subdued or radically bright, and color patterns can be worked in each motif for an overall pattern.

Potholders are the project lessons to learn domino knitting.  These are small samples that will work up quickly and teach you the techniques at the same time.  Garter and stockinette stitches make up the stitches for these samples.  Potholders do not sound exciting until you look at the eight samples on page 1.  They are very attractive and will teach you the skills required to continue and make the larger projects.

You will learn how to knit squares and knit them together; how squares are knitted together in a ring; how strips are knitted together, and finishing with borders.  How to knit cast-on; complete the end stitch, the stitch at the point of the diamond; weaving in yarn tails; and making I-cords are clearly explained with illustrations and instructions.

There are 15 projects with baskets, scarves, shawls, mom and baby matching vests, wrist warmers, tablemat and a variety of other items.  I like the scarves and shawls best.  My choice is the poncho on page 69-70, which can also be used as a shawl.  There are many tips about yarn types, needle sizes and finishing techniques.

If you have a pile of small yarn balls left over from other projects, you could make a multicolor shawl since you are making small motifs and working them together as you go.  Using a variety of specialty yarns, you can make wonderful small gifts using the domino motifs.

Domino knitting has a unique appearance.  Designs using this technique have recently been published in a variety of knitting magazines, indicating new interest of this technique.

I plan to make samples with many of my little bits of yarn and add this technique to my knitting learning experience.  Domino Knitting is a book knitters will want to add to their library.