Now with even more cosy! New Project #45: Yet Another Mock Brioche Neck Cosy

No, it's not a big knitting project gone horribly awry. I was just knitting another neck cosy and realized that I was wussing out on the width and needed to make it bigger. Three strands of this pixie dusted yarn held together are doing the trick. Triple stranding it means I'll easily finish the cosy in a sitting or two. I love finer gauge projects, but right now chunky, fast knitting is working best for me. I'm sure there will be a finished project post soon.

My recent aptitude for chunky knitting is why I ordered Wenlan Chia's newest book, Twinkle's Weekend Knits. I've been a Twinkle fangirl for quite some time, and this latest collection of patterns didn't disappoint. If you are familiar with Big City Knits, then you know the sort of patterns to expect. The photos and styling are wonderful. My favorite is the meridian tunic. It's probably a bit ill-advised for my figure, but the stripes are calling my name. The lilac mist throw and sand dune hanger covers are also lovely. [thanks to the Ravelry Twinkle Knitters member, lingy, who was kind enough to post those photos]

As its title suggests, all of the projects in Weekend Knits are meant to knit up quickly. That means there are quite a few wraps and scarves. These sorts of project appeal to me, though I know some look on them as filler. If you want a preview, you can get a free pattern for one them, the Riverbed Shawl, in this PDF on the publisher's website.

There have been a few less than sparkling reviews of the book. In part that's due to the scarf issue and also because the Twinkle style is now such familiar territory. Wenlan Chia has a third book on the way this fall, Twinkle's Town & Country Knits: 30 Designs for Sumptuous Living. From the name I am guessing that the book will focus on something new -- knits for the home. Blankets and pillows aren't my thing, but I'm sure it will be fun to look at. The word in the twinkle knitters group on ravelry is that Wenlan Chia also has a mohair-only booklet coming out soon. Hopefully somewhere in there, she'll publish patterns for some of the pieces from her fall 2008 show. Stylepoints' Sara Glassman has posted a few photos from the show on her blog, and you can find more on the Fashion Week site.

The Project:Yet Another Mock Brioche Neck Cosy
The Yarn: Nashua Handknits Ivy purchased at Clickety Sticks' liquidation sale - triple stranded
The Needles: 5.0mm
Started: February 2008

Comments

[Barb]

I think I was probably behind one of the less-than-glowing reviews of Big City Knits, tho as publisher, not writer.

Beyond my completely unfounded dislike of the name Twinkle (which I can't actually say aloud without feeling my teeth twinge like I've eaten too much spun sugar) there's the valid criticism that if your pattern sizing is going to *stop* at bust size 32" what's the point of publishing patterns?

Dunno, she just brings out the narky in me.

[Amy]

Thanks for commenting! I think that was the biggest problem with the first book. People didn't understand the sizing. All of the patterns are very stretchy and are designed with a lot of negative ease. The newest book does a much better job of calling out the difference between actual bust measurements and knitted measurements. For example, the Nimbus Sweater in her newest book goes up to a knitted measurement of 34", which is meant to be worn by someone with a bust measurement of 40-42".

[gleek]

i love neck cozies. i feel like they are much more practical than scarves. easier to carry around, you know?

as for the twinkle stuff? i like the patterns but chunky knits don't look good on me. wish they did! they are so much faster to knit! :)

[knitlit kate]

i did some test-knitting for the 3rd book...trust me, it's not just stuff for the home ; )

thanks for your words of encouragement on the ski injury amy. it was wonderful to hear from you.

will be back to check out your pixie-dusted cosy.

so nice to see you posting again!

<3
kate

[Oiyi]

The lilac mist throw looks awesome! I am one of those people that don't look good in chunky knits, but knitting with chunky yarn is so much faster!! Wraps and scarves appeal to me, too, but I am trying to knit some adult sized garments this year. I figured that I got enough practice knitting baby sweaters last year.

[Amy]

gleek
The scarves in the book are great. You should check it out! I don't like the way chunky knits look on me either, but I can't get that tunic out of my mind.

knitlit kate
That's exciting news, Kate! I can't wait until there are preview images out there. I hope you are healing well from your injury.

Oiyi
You should check out Yahaira's book, if you are looking for adult garments. There are some great sweaters in there! I'm really drawn to that lilac throw. I love the coral color mohair in Twinkle's collection.

[knitting]

i am new to knitting myself. You are definitely better than me