Christmas brought me lots of wonderful knitting books, as my husband found his way to my Amazon wishlist and stress-free Xmas shopping. He thought that Santa was very clever to fill my stocking with books about stocking knitting. So did I!
One of my favourite books was Ann Feitelson's Art of Fair Isle Knitting.
This sits along with Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting as a favourite in my library.
But I also have two new (to me) Japanese books of Fair Isle knitting which I think are really beautiful.
Have you seen these?
ISBN978 4 529 03923 9
They are both full of beautiful, contemporary interpretations of Fair Isle knitting. I love the colouring of this vest from the book above.
These next pictures are taken from the first of the books and show the colours and styling typical in it.
Most of the yarns seem to be solids rather than heathers so they look quite different from traditional Fair Isle.
I've been working on a hat for my soon-to-be-50-husband, based on the pattern from the first book's cover. I'm just making up sizes and colours as I go. It won't have any patterning on the top since he wants to fit it under his bicycle helmet. I suggested a head band, but he thinks they're naff.
His head is giant. Beware young women, when choosing a husband, look at the size of his head and remember that you have to give birth to his children! (or not).
Fits me fine. Hee, hee!
Fair Isle is so great, i am working on a 25 year old sleeveless sweater at the moment, it was full of holes, from mice i think! i submerged it into boiling water, and i am cutting it up and making brooches, but it will soon be all used up so am on the look out for another. The colours in your hat are delicious..S x
Posted by: STEPHNE HALDEN | January 31, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Your comment about head size really made me laugh - I remember watching Jilly Goolden say the same thing on tv when I was 9 months pregnant and it was too late! I looked at my husband and I think PANIC was the only emotion I could feel - Now as I knit huge hats for my little boys I wonder if it is a piece of advise I will pass on :D
Posted by: Mousy Brown | February 01, 2010 at 08:55 AM
That's an awesome photo of you! Great knitting - and the book looks very interesting as well!
Posted by: Denise | February 01, 2010 at 10:58 PM
beautiful! I get very impatient with untangling yarn when I actually knit fair isle, but I would love to flip through the photos of finished projects. You lucky duck, you :)
Posted by: RainyDaisy | February 05, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Hi,
I've just discovered your blog: your knitting is amazing! Keep posting please!
Cat
Posted by: Cat | February 12, 2010 at 08:49 AM
Hi Juju!
i've just given you a Sunshine Blog Award. Details of what it is and how to pass it on are on my blog. http://mrsgknits.blogspot.com
Posted by: Agnieszka Glynn | February 14, 2010 at 07:10 PM
Oh have you seen the fabulous FairIsle ideas of Kristin Nichols...they are amazing as is her blog.
http://getting-stitched-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/
Many years ago you sent my an artist trading card that I just framed and hung in my new studio...its charming!
Posted by: Mary Ann | March 11, 2010 at 08:54 PM