Brave New Worlds

I have been dabbling with a bit of international knitting lately. Let's take a tour, shall we?

From the UK, I got Kim Hargreave's new book, Nectar (actually, I got it from Kristen, who got it from the UK). I have started on Jasmine. It's lovely so far, but whether or not I'll ever actually finish a whole top on size 2's remains to be seen. I am using OnLine Java, which I had originally intended for Maude, from the new-ish UK online mag, The Inside Loop. However, the yarn was really really wrong for that project, so it got redesignated.


I also got a copy of the UK magazine Simply Knitting. This is the January 2008 issue that has Anise, which was also in Rowan New Shapes.


I got this pink Rowan Big Wool for it and am tempted to work on it even though it's in the 90's outside, simply as a diversion from knitting on those size 2's! Anyway, it's the first time I've read this magazine. I would love to be able to browse through the issues, and my bookstore does sell them, but they always come packaged in plastic because they contain some sort of "extra," like stitch markers or something. I'd rather not have the Cracker Jack prizes and instead be able to see the projects first before deciding whether or not to buy, thank you!

From Germany is the new English version of Verena. I had seen scattered references to it before on Ravelry, but when I first visited their website, all they had was a subscription number. After reading Jillian's great review, I went back to the site, and this time, they listed several retailers that were carrying the magazine. I was able to find it at my Barnes & Noble (but not Border's) and even my HEB grocery store! Interestingly, the instructions are in the middle section of the magazine. If you pick it up and flip through it, remember to flip past the instructions to see more pictures. The pattern I like best is this one, which is from the full-figured knits section. I'd have to resize it, but I like the lines.


From that same magazine, I saw this Soak ad featuring an adorable yellow little girl's dress. I followed their links and emailed the Danish company that was supposed to be selling the pattern, but I was told that there had been a problem with the pattern and it was no longer available. I was disappointed, but I like the idea of a fun, floral-inspired, brightly-colored dress so much that I cast on for this one for Baby.


I'm not trying to make it look like the original, but I do want to make it look like a flower. I have a general concept in mind but am kinda making it up as I go along, so we'll see where that gets me.

Next up is a visit to Japan. I ordered this Let's Knit! booklet from YesAsia.


It arrived in a few weeks and is such a treat! All of the designs are beautiful, but I got the book for this one in particular.


Stop for a minute and go see this spectacular finished one--it's worth it! I have to work myself up to the idea of learning enough to be able to translate these patterns, but even if I don't, the book is great inspiration.

We'll conclude our little world tour in Portugal. I am new to the idea of Portuguese knitting, but these YouTube videos have been really helpful. I'm mostly interested in it as a new way to purl. I've explored other ways before, but this will be a new experience!