Not for frumps: New knitting books offer fresh, funky ideas

By Yoko Kuramoto-Eidsmoe
Seattle Times desk editor

	WORKMAN PUBLISHING Keep your head warm in style with kitty, left, and devil caps. Directions are in “Stitch ’N Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook.”
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Now that autumn's firmly upon us, the time's ripe for curling up with a new knitting book. And there's a healthy dose of new (not to mention hip) in this year's crop.

Debbie Stoller's "Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook" (Workman Publishing, $13.95) is most definitely not your grandma's knitting book.

According to Stoller, the percentage of women under 45 who knit or crochet has doubled since 1996, and her book is clearly meant for the younger members of the sweater-knitting set.

Projects ranging from a cat-eared hat and a skull-and-crossbones-bedecked sweater to a hearts-adorned bikini place it firmly in the "funky" section of your bookshelf. But with some 31 knitting patterns (and three pieces you can sew), the book has something for everyone.

WORKMAN PUBLISHING The Queen of Hearts bikini from "Stitch 'N Bitch" — not exactly the booties and shawls grandma used to make.

The designs are simple and are geared to the beginning to intermediate knitter. Another bonus for the beginner: Each pattern has an index of skills needed in it, directing you to the page number on which, say, picking up stitches is explained in greater detail.

Patterns are by many knitters, some of them relative beginners themselves, and biographies of the designers sit alongside the photos and patterns of their creations.

The main text's edgy tone (including a word here or there that we wouldn't print in a family newspaper) may sound familiar to readers of Bust magazine. That's because Stoller is co-founder, co-publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine for hip young feminists.

In addition to an extensive section on knitting basics, Stoller writes on the recent boom in knitting, a brief history of the craft, thrifty supply-buying tips, ideas for starting a knitting group, and helpful books, magazines, computer software and Web sites.

The $13.95 price tag — about half of what many best-selling knitting books go for — makes it a steal.

Melanie Falick's "Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $24.95) also appeals to a modern sensibility, but one that prefers "pretty" over "pretty wild."

	STEWART TABORI & CHANG You'll either wow your brunch guests or make them think you've got way too much time on your hands with egg sweaters, from "Weekend Knitting."

Its slick, full-color, photo-filled pages entice you to take on the many lovely hats, mittens, slippers, throws, shawls, sweaters, socks and tote bags.

If the word "cute" turns you off, stop reading now, because among Falick's projects are flower-shaped washcloths and turtleneck sweaters for an egg.

OK, why would you put a turtleneck sweater on an egg? Falick suggests something so insanely precious it would make Martha Stewart blanch:

Serving up sweater-clad boiled eggs to weekend brunch guests. Hey, don't say I didn't warn you.

While dressing up your food may be a bit much, this is a gorgeous book that appeals to those who find the craft healing and self-indulgent.

Included in the book are tips for a relaxing soak in the bathtub, a list of movies to rent that feature knitting, ideas for decorating your home with yarn, a recipe for Falick's grandmother's butter cookies, a recipe for French hot chocolate, guidelines for brewing a good pot of tea and a list of novels that feature knitting.

While there's no separate section on knitting basics, the projects fall within the reach of beginning to intermediate knitters, and tricky bits are explained in a "notes" section in each pattern.

STOREY PUBLISHING Cute can still be cool, as are the patterns in "Knit Baby Head & Toes!"

For a handy collection of holiday gift ideas (especially for the little ones on your list), try on Gwen Steege's trio of books new this year: "Knit Baby Blankets!," "Knit Baby Head & Toes!" and "Knit Christmas Stockings! 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments" (Storey Publishing, $14.95 each).

All three start with simple, clear sections on knitting basics and are rounded out by variations on their respective themes. There's enough variety in the two baby books to keep you showing off your skills at baby showers for years to come.

Steege's books are $14.95 and have two features that make them easier on the knitter: a book binding that stays open to the page you're using and easy-to-read patterns, which break down projects step by step.

Yoko Kuramoto-Eidsmoe: ykuramoto@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company