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Shadow Knitting
by
Vivian Hoxbro Knitting is becoming more popular every day, and stitches of the past are revived with easier explanations and instructions to master them. Vivian, author of Domino Knitting, brings this technique to us through her new book. Shadow Knitting uses a stitch that creates a shadow pattern that changes as you move your body. The garments are unique with more depth in appearance and yet the technique uses only garter and stockinette stitches. The introduction explains what shadow knitting is and how the patterns are formed. Vivian starts you out with some two basic patterns for making samples and learning the techniques. You will find tips, weaving in ends Continental and American/English style, determining your size, counting rows and ridges and joining stitches for circular knitting explained in this section. Once you master the technique, you can pick from a variety of projects your first shadow project. There are pot holders, bags, pillows, hats, scarf, tops, wing shawls, pullover sweaters and rainbow jacket. There are also advanced projects; a vest, triangle top, jacket, sweater and a kimono. Some of the tops are designed for children, the tone on tone sweater works for both women and men and most the other patterns are for women. When you make one of these projects and look at it, you will be doing double takes because the shadows will keep changing as you look at it. The matching hat and scarf are very contemporary and appealing worked in a rainbow of aqua, pink, green and rose with black. The triangle shawl is exquisite and every knitter will want to make at least one of these shawls, especially when you see how slimming it is. The rainbow jacket and kimono jacket are classy and could be worn for both casual and evening. You probably noticed that I glom onto all the advanced projects. Even if I can’t make them yet, I have Vivian’s book waiting for me when I have become an advanced knitter. A pattern layout is provided for most of the patterns. A symbol chart is provided for the more complex patterns with a legend for specific stitches or color information. Abbreviations and terms, techniques plus resources are at the back of the book. You should already be an intermediate knitter to work most these patterns and an advanced knitter for the specialty patterns. Advanced beginners can learn the basic technique and make samples. Shadow Knitting is the next step for knitting knowledge. Vivian’s technique can be added to other projects and you will find unexpected results. Knitting continues to evolve with pleasing results and Shadow Knitting is one of them. Review by Lydia Borin |
