Monday, April 10, 2017

Book Review & Giveaway: Mosaic & Lace Knits

Today, I am reviewing Barbara Benson's book, Mosaic & Lace Knits. It's hot off the presses and I am thrilled to have a copy in my hands. Lace is a very popular technique in knitting. Basic lace knitting is as simple as creating yarn overs. Have you ever tried mosaic knitting? Mosaic knitting is also known as slip stitch knitting. It's a fun and easy way to add some colorwork to your knitting. The easy part is that you are only knitting with one color at a time. There is no need to carry multiple yarns. Barbara took lace knitting and mosaic knitting and combined it together. GENIUS!
© Tom Moore
Isn't this gorgeous? I think Ves really shows off the combined techniques of mosaic stripes and lace very well.
© Tom Moore
If I had to pick a favorite piece from the book, it would have to be Isochronal Arc. The color combinations and the stitch pattern creates a dramatic and stunning look. The arc design is carried all the way up the yoke which really completes the design of this piece.
 © Tom Moore
I think the Lozengy Scarf is a perfect project to get you started with mosaic and lace knitting. It uses a super bulky yarn, simple motif and lace and it is knit flat. You can work up this scarf pretty quickly while learning this new technique.

These techniques may look intimidating, but fear not. Barbara has added a instructional section in the book that covers the basics of knitting slip stitches, how to read lace and mosaic charts, how to work mosaic in the round, and tips and tricks to help you avoid potential troubles. She includes clear photos to help you learn the techniques that will lead you to success in knitting mosaic and lace. I really like the part where she goes into detail about carrying the colors up the sides and what kind of selvage it would create. Barbara took the time to knit a swatch to show the different examples and how it would like like if you chose one technique over the other. I am a real stickler about details and finishing techniques and that kind of information is so important, in my opinion.
 © Tom Moore & Barbara Benson
As a knitter, I just love trying trying new techniques. What would I cast on from Barbara's book? Right now, I am trying to choose between Sailing Diamonds or Lacy Pinstripe Cowlette.

If you like what you see, you can check out Barbara Benson's Ravelry designer page and her YouTube channel, Watch Barbara Knit. You can purchase Mosaic & Lace Knits from Amazon, your local book store or your local yarn shop.

GIVEAWAY 
Are you intrigued by mosaic and lace knitting? Would you like to win a copy of this book? Luckily, Stackpole Books is offering to give one of my blog readers a free copy of the book. To be entered to win, leave a comment below letting me know which pattern is your favorite. You can see all the patterns from the book HERE. Enter before April 17, midnight EST time. Don't forget to leave me your Ravelry ID or email so I can have a way of contacting you if you win. Good luck!

16 comments:

AtPlayWithFiber said...

I really like Fractured Helix!

Ravelry ID AtPlayWithFiber

Unknown said...

My favorite is Isochronal Arc but it will have to wait until I become familiar with mosaic knitting.

Anonymous said...

Rocky City Scarf is my favorite. Suedavis52 Ravelry ID

Barbara said...

The fractured helix is my favorite!! I got to meet her at Rhinebeck and see it in person! I would love to win her book!! Rav ID: babknits email: jbvic@comcast.net

Sheila said...

I like Ves best.

Unknown said...

I love the shawl on the cover of the book. My eye went directly to that shawl, the colors and design. I love to knit lace and this concept of using one co.or at a time intrigues me. I would love to win a copy of this book

Vicki Knitorious said...

Wow. I think Fractured Helix is my favorite -- it sure caught my eye!!
knitorious
;)

diane k said...

I love mosaic knitting and I particularly like the pinwheel market bag.

DaigleD said...

I love the Fractured Helix, cause they are wearing it over a skirt and thats how I wear some of my favorite shawls. Plus those colors are amazing.

meshinda said...

I like Rhipis the most. I like the combo of lave an mosaics the most on that pattern. I am meshinda on Ravelry

ikkinlala said...

My favourite is Fractured Helix (although I have to admit the colours probably have something to do with that).

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Patti said...

Nice! I love different knitting techniques.

Unknown said...

Isochronal Arc 1st choice that's beautiful�� so want.

Unknown said...

Hard to choose but Tamiami Trail is a great choice!

Shutterscape said...

I love Fractured Helix. Many if the patterns in this book intrigue me though.
Shutterscape

Unknown said...

I like the pattern "Love Child" the best so far. I have never been very good at using more than one color in my projects. So trying out patterns that encourage the use of multiples looks fascinating! Great way to start early on some Christmas gifts!