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Monday, July 29, 2019

New! Book Review - The Art of Circular Yokes - Get Ready for Fall



** WE HAVE A WINNER! YOGANAN IS THE WINNER OF THE BOOK. **

Time for a new book review! Read on for details of a Giveaway.
From the book intro:
“As we practice our craft with yarn and needles, we work on canvases of stitches to create knitted masterpieces. One of the most iconic canvases is the circular yoke. Designers, with their boundless ingenuity, give us garments with painterly colorwork, illustrative lace, beautifully chiseled cables, and so much more.”
Copyright FW Media

The Art of Circular Yokes by Kerry Bogert is the perfect book if you enjoy this style of sweater. I've been seeing a lot of this sweater design lately, and I think it looks great. Whether the yokes consist of simple or complex color work, cable designs, or textured stitches, they have a great way of accenting the face, providing some interesting knitting at the beginning, and also providing lots of plain knitting as you proceed down the body -- for those times when something simple is just what you need, e.g. TV knitting or travel knitting.
As with many Interweave books, this one has great production values, beautiful photography, clean layout, and gorgeous patterns. 
Here are some of the topics covered in the beginning of the book:
  •          The Importance of gauge,
  •          How to swatch in the round,
  •          The definition of ease and how to use it,
  •          How to take measurements to ensure a good fit.
  •          Some math requirements to calculate your required number of stitches,
  •          How to manage the motifs among the shaping stitches.
From this solid foundation, we move on to the patterns.
Diamond, is elegant and feminine and features geometric color work. 
Strike uses slipped stitches for a striking pattern, and features three quarter length sleeves, and gentle waist shaping. 

Altheda uses Icelandic wool and has an unusual garter stitch edging. 
Emerge, combines cable and lace.   

Morris  has a dramatic cable panel.   
Really, I liked all the patterns in this book.  I thought they were very wearable and would be enjoyable to make. I think Twill might be my favorite with its interesting stitch pattern and soft colors.   
If you're itching to start on a new sweater for fall or winter, I think you'll find great inspiration in this book. Scroll through the patterns here.

Photos courtesy of Interweave/F + W Media.

 Giveaway!

Thanks to Penguin Random House (formerly Interweave Press), I'm able to offer a giveaway of a copy of this book to one lucky person who comments on the blog, naming a favorite pattern, technique, or a favorite aspect of the book. Post a comment on this blog entry, and sign up for my newsletter, and you will be entered into a giveaway to win your own copy of this book.  Be sure to give a Ravelry ID, or an email address -- or even your Instagram handle will do -- so that if you win, I have a way to contact you! Don't forget!  

I will select a name on Wednesday Aug. 14 2019. 

Note: I received a copy of this book for review from Interweave Press/FW Media.
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35 comments:

  1. DianeWAugust 9, 2019 at 1:19 PM

    Oh wow, that one with the dramatic cable really calls my name. The neat thing about these types of sweater is that they seem to fit my body best.

    dianelaces on Ravelry and Instagram

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  2. caromillAugust 9, 2019 at 1:25 PM

    I've been drooling over this book since you sent that first email.
    dcknitters on Ravelry

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  3. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 1:27 PM

    Swatching in the round. That has always defeated me. I would love to learn that.

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  4. shoebeeAugust 9, 2019 at 1:56 PM

    I think Frosty Flowers and Modern Art are my favorites. I love that they help with math requirements to get required # of stitches. shoebee

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  5. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 2:49 PM

    I've been wanting this book since it came out! The first pattern I would knit is Altheda. Thank you for this chance to win it!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 2:51 PM

      I am suknits on ravelry . Didn't put it in my comment above

      Delete
    2. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 2:51 PM

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    3. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 2:51 PM

      I am suknits on ravelry . Didn't put it in my comment above

      Delete
  6. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 2:52 PM

    I've been wanting this book since it came out! The first pattern I would knit is Altheda. Thank you for this chance to win it!

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  7. UnknownAugust 9, 2019 at 2:52 PM

    I've been wanting this book since it came out! The first pattern I would knit is Altheda. Thank you for this chance to win it!

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  8. JeanAugust 9, 2019 at 3:38 PM

    I like Altheda and Nonpareil. I think these two patterns would work well for the charity knitting that I do. (jeaninmaine - RavID)

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  9. Kitten With a WhiplashAugust 9, 2019 at 3:42 PM

    For me, Morris opens up whole new worlds of possibilities. I couldn't even believe it was a circular yoke, until I checked it out on Rav. (where I am KittenWhiplash, so I don't forget) I don't recall ever seeing a circular yoke sweater that wasn't the same design all the way around! OMG - The construction doesn't put a limitation on the design? Brilliant. Now my mind is just flooded with possibilities. A favorite slogan, a sampler of lace motifs, even a choo choo train, from engine to caboose, running around the yoke. This just shattered a design barrier for me. While all the sweaters are wonderful, Morris really steals the show.

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  10. YogaNan knits, too...August 9, 2019 at 5:03 PM

    Modern Art speaks to me in the lovely texture! Altheda is going in my queue, too. -Nan (yoganan on Ravelry)

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  11. Nicole AcunaAugust 9, 2019 at 5:20 PM

    Omg I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book for awhile now every single pattern is stunning! Modern Art is my favorite but I would literally knit every pattern in this book! Ty for the chance :)

    Ravelry name is angelicembers

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  12. Gagran1August 9, 2019 at 5:42 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. LacewingonheatherAugust 9, 2019 at 7:15 PM

    I have been admiring this book ever since it came out. I think circular yoke construction is my favorite type of sweater construction--it seems to be the easiest to modify reliably for my body type. I love many of the designs in this collection, but I think Morris is my favorite. :). My Ravelry ID is lacewingonheather

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  14. IngeAugust 9, 2019 at 11:36 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. IngeAugust 9, 2019 at 11:39 PM

    So beautiful patterns. I like them a lot. My favorite is Morris.
    IngeE is my ravelry ID.

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  16. asterideAugust 10, 2019 at 8:20 AM

    Beautiful book! I really like Altheda

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  17. Connie K.August 10, 2019 at 8:46 AM

    My daughter love circular yoke sweaters so I'm going to say the variety of choices in this book is my favorite. She'll be spoiled for choice with this to choose from.

    greyowl60@yahoo.com

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  18. Knittingdancer on RavelryAugust 10, 2019 at 11:24 AM

    I have 2 favorites the Lace Columns cardigan and the Nonpariel pullover.

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  19. BrendaAugust 10, 2019 at 2:43 PM

    This an entry for Karen, who was having technical difficulties and couldn't post. Her fave is Morris...

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  20. DeniseAugust 10, 2019 at 4:42 PM

    I love the look of circular yokes but have never made one. I like the designs in one color so I don't need to deal with floats along with a new technique. I never saw this book until your post. Thanks. denisechang on ravelry.

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  21. knitabitknitwitAugust 10, 2019 at 4:44 PM

    Several favorites in this book: Frosty Flowers
    by Jenise Hope with its richly textured yoke; Modern Art by Stella Egidi with the textured diamond shapes in graded sizes, and Twill by Holli Yeoh "with its interesting stitch pattern and soft colors" (as you pointed out in your review). (I am knitabitknitwit on Ravelry; and recently on Instagram, I am protophotogsl)

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  22. XafinHalfAugust 10, 2019 at 6:39 PM

    While I'm excited about the patterns, I am also more than a little excited about how to swatch in the round. That Modern Art pattern is also absolutely gorgeous! I'm XafKnitz on Ravelry. I'm glad that you posted, I would've never found about this book otherwise!

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  23. UnknownAugust 10, 2019 at 7:01 PM

    I love how yokes enhance a sweater. Would love to explore the beautiful patterns in this book.
    handmadebysue @ ravelry

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  24. RobynAugust 10, 2019 at 8:20 PM

    I love them all. If I have to pick one to be a favorite it will be Altheda. I like how the neck line is wider and the beautiful stranded work always seems to knit up faster for me.
    Ponybird on ravelry :)

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  25. margieAugust 10, 2019 at 10:02 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. margieAugust 10, 2019 at 10:05 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  27. margieAugust 10, 2019 at 10:06 PM

    I could use all the help I can get with swatching in the round; I do it but my swatch lies to me EVERY. TIME. As for favorite patterns, I love Altheda and all of Jennifer Steingass' patterns. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book! amalya on Ravelry

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  28. SerenaAugust 10, 2019 at 11:22 PM

    I haven't made a sweater yet, but it's on my list of things I want to try! This would be awesome. Looking through those patterns, those are BEAUTIFUL! Frosty flowers is my favorite!

    My ravelry ID is serenakathleen

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  29. CarolAugust 11, 2019 at 7:13 AM

    What a beautiful book...I do love circular knitting! L'heure Verte is a favorite of mine as is Sashiko and Scallops. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I'm carol1229 on Ravelry

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  30. KimAugust 11, 2019 at 10:58 AM

    I love that Diamond pattern and would love to learn how to manage the motifs among the shaping stitches. Chiromom2 on Ravelry.

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  31. lmecoll on RavleryAugust 13, 2019 at 4:17 AM

    My favorite sweater is Emerge, which combines cable and lace. Thanks for the chance to win the book. Lmecoll on Ravelry

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  32. MLH860August 13, 2019 at 7:33 PM

    I am currently leaning towards L'Heure Verte but so many of the designs are tempting.

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