. . . new books and products from Schoolhouse Press . . .

Knitters Almanac Commemorative Edition (Sept.)

—Elizabeth Zimmermann

Dover is celebrating EZ's hundredth birthday with a special edition of Knitter's Almanac. Embellishments include: All new color photographs of ma's designs by contemporary knitters; wonderful intro by Stephanie Pearl McPhee; a 1974 letter from Barbara Walker to EZ; new and extensive Index; Feb Lady Sweater instructions, preface by me AND an Andrew Wyeth painting which includes EZ's Maltese Fisherman's Hat. Hardcover. $24.95 (Backorder at left.)

Aran Knitting (Sept.)

—Alice Starmore

Dover has re-issued another of Alice's long sought-after classics. 60 charted stitch patterns and instructions for knitting caps, sweaters and shawls - plus 2 new designs not included the original edition. Softcover. $29.95 (Backorder at left.)

Norwegian Patterns for Knitting

—Mette Handberg

Be prepared to gasp at a slew of rich and beautiful classic/contemporary Norwegian charts and garments. Translated into English with complete instructions and charts as well as a wealth of inspiration.  Hardcover. $24.95

Portuguese Style of Knitting

—Andrea Wong

Portuguese Style of Knitting includes a brief history of Portugal and its crafts of knitting and spinning. Andrea's travel photos open a window on the colorful world of Portugal. Detailed images and explanations offer knitters the opportunity to practice this style of knitting—a style that, once mastered, is easy on the hands and relaxing. Andrea also offers ten garment patterns that she designed specifically to practice different aspects of Portuguese-style knitting. These are inspired by traditional garments as well as the richly patterned environment of Portugal. Softcover. $24.95

SPP 19: EZ's Tomten Jacket

Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen & Cully Swansen

The Tomten Jacket is an original Elizabeth Zimmermann design, similar in popularity to her Baby Surprise Jacket. This pattern includes expanded instruction and multiple sizes for babies, children, and adults based on 3 different gauges. Decide if you prefer a hood, collar, or a shaped cardigan neck. There are details on garter-stitch weaving, knitting up stitches, EZ's Phoney Seam, three different choices for I-Cord buttonholes, After-Thought Pockets, sewn casting-off, One-Row buttonholes plus three choices for uniting the underarm seam.

8 pages. $8

Baby/Toddler Tomtens

Ceci's Tomten in Unspun Icelandic

"Elizabeth's sign off, 'Knit on, with confidence & hope, through all crises' has remained apropos all these years, and we have made available a new spring tote. We love the easy style of these bags, and the cotton canvas has been test washed by Meg with excellent results!"

Size: 14.5"h x 18.25"w x 6.5"d.
Material: Pigment-Dyed Cotton Canvas
Color: Stone, with choice of Bright Blue or Purple printing.
Accents: The large main compartment has a delicate brown-striped lining and an interior pocket. The front pocket is lined to match interior and has a velcro closure. Cotton handles are padded for carrying ease in hand or close to the shoulder. $28

Poetry in Stitches

—Solveig Hisdal

Wonderful news: those knitters who longed for this beautiful book have another chance to own a copy. Solveig Hisdal's beautiful, Poetry in Stitches has been reprinted. Included you will find charts and instructions for dozens of contemporary - yet classic - sweaters, jackets, vests, caps and some baby items. A truly inspired and inspiring book; we are delighted by its return. Softcover. $45

Omas Srickgeheimnisse

—Erika Eichenseer, Erika Grill and Betta Krön

Not new, but back in stock after a long lapse! This wonderful book contains some spectacular and unique stitch patterns for both lace and texture; some of which I had never seen before.There are 200 motifs altogether; each photographed and charted - with 2 charts per motif: one for flat knitting and one for circular (!). Prepare your brain to learn some new chart symbols. I know - we all wish for a universal charting system - but we do include an English translation for the symbol definitions (with thanks to Renate Baur). Hardcover. $35

Knitting In Art

—Annemor Sundbø (translated by Carol Rhoades)

Annemor Sundbø's beautiful new book, Knitting in Art, is aptly titled - with "Art" encompassing history, paintings, carvings, politics, religion, classic sweater charts, embroidery, nether garments (and other 'unmentionables'), plus the author's passion for garments, remnants, and artifacts rescued from ragpiles. Written in Norwegian and English, side by side (translated by Carol Rhoades), the book is richly laden with photographs, drawings and charts. There are good guidelines for constructing a classic Norwegian Dropped-Shoulder sweater plus how to execute that stunning, traditional embroidery around the collar and cuffs. Another treasure from this Norwegian treasure. Softcover, 200pp, $68

Estonian Mittens All Around the World

—Aina Praakli

This lovely new book, (Eesti Labakindad Ilma Laande Laiali), is on its way from Estonia.

Written in Estonian and English, the author has undertaken extensive research to provide us with photos of 175 different Estonian mittens plus a chart and construction details for each - as well as the name of knitter (when possible). It is Aina Praakli's dream to see the knitted treasures of her culture spread around the world; we are more than happy to help; in this effort. Hardcover, 240 pp, $40.00

The Haapsalu Shawl

—From Estonia

During the past decade we have been thwarted in our attempts to reprint the near-legendary Estonian shawl book, Pitsilised Koekirjad. 

However, last year a new lace book was published - in Estonian ... but we had only to wait a short time to see it appear in English.

This lovely new book has an introductory section on the history of lace knitting in Estonia, with plenty of photographs. Then on to techniques accompanied by large, clear illustrations. The stitch dictionary is extensive with clear photos and charts (128 of them) for each motif and the book is peppered with encouraging full page photos of finished shawls. Hardcover, $60.00

Reversible Knitting

—Lynne Barr

This is Lynne Barr's newest work. 50 new stitch patterns - augmented by 20 projects from assorted other designers.
Hardcover.
$29.95

Knitting New Scarves

—Lynne Barr

Ouf! I remember Lynne Barr from her Sweaterscape days and she has, indeed, climbed to new heights of innovative knitting technique and design. There are many scarf books on the market which we do not carry -- but this one stands alone. The 27 designs include some breath-taking knitting.
Softcover. $21.95

Knit One Below

—Elise Duvekot

Innovation abounds; here is another lovely book using unique applications of slip-stitch knitting. An amazing variety of truly beautiful garments.Softcover. $19.95

Swing Swagger Drape

—Jane Slicer Smith

Over 25 designs for sweaters, coats and small items; some simple and straightforward, intersperced with dramatic and flamboyent garments. Chapters include Intarsia, Miters and Texture.Softcover. $24.95

New Twists on Twined Knitting

—Laura Farson

This new book is a wonderful adjunct to Anne-Maj Ling's, Two-End Knitting. Clear photographs and concise instructions for 20 small items worked in this fascinating Swedish technique.Softcover. $26.99

Norwegian Handknits

—Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel

I simply melt when I encounter such a beautiful book, based upon traditional knitting. There are over 30 designs for mittens, socks, scarves, hats, wristers, handbags, snapsacks and sweaters. Plenty of photos and charts.Hardcover. $30

Knitting Lace

—Susanna Lewis

This beautiful and important lace-knitting book has been unavailable since the mid-1990s. Susanna Lewis has done an impressive job of dissecting and analyzing a fascinating 19th-century lace sampler. Not only does she reveal the necessary techniques which enable lace knitters to duplicate each of the 91 motifs, but through ensuing chapters, Susanna provides detailed instructions for lace knitting - from basic to advanced - through which we are able to glean a thorough understanding of lace construction, stitch movement and how to chart lace.The series of garments in the final chapter is, indeed, an added bonus and she has not forgotten to include notes for machine knitters. We are very pleased to be able to reprint this impressive work.
Softcover. 208 pages. Printed in the USA.
$29.95

Twisted-Stitch Knitting

—Maria Erlbacher

A classic trio of Austrian books (originally titled, Überlieferte Strickmuster) is now in English and amalgamated (by us) into one volume; 174 intriguing twisted-stitch designs plus instructions for a number of jackets/cardigans, vests and elegant stockings with separate motifs in the calf-shaping. Amy Detjen and I augmented the technique section a bit (explaining more fully things that had stymied us). What a treat. 208 pages. Softcover. Printed in the USA. $28

Knitting America

—Susan M. Strawn (foreword by Melanie Falick)

From the back cover: "Here is the history of knitting in America in all its many-stranded, multicolored glory. Knitter and scholar Susan M. Strawn unravels knitting history from pilgrims to pioneers...through war and peace. 300 color and black and white images. 20 historical knitting patterns. Hardcover. $35

Knitting Art

—Karen Searle

Profiles of 18 unique and extrtaordinary fiber artists (including 2 Schoolhouse Press authors: Debbie New and Katharine Cobey). You may be awed, amused and/or startled by some of the 150 works shown in this lovely coffee-table book - but inspiration abounds. Hardcover. $35

Inca Knits

—Marianne Isager

Marianne Isager stuns us, again, with her book Inca Knits. The book's 15 designs are inspired by traditional South American art. Not only are there step by step directions, plus charts and diagrams for each piece, but also essays describing Isager's inspiration for these lovely garments. See also Marianne's 3! previous books, Knitting Out of Africa (at left), Japanese Inspired Knits (below), and Classic Knits (below). Softcover. $24.95

Classic Knits

—Marianne Isager

More amazing garments from this most inventive designer: garter-stitch, entrelac, two-color, slip-stitch, and more. 25 garments which concentrate on garment shaping and technique. Softcover. $24.95

Isager is the author of Japanese Inspired Knits (below) and Knitting Out of Africa (see side bar) and she'll treat us to Isager's Inca Knits in October.

Japanese Inspired Knits

—Marianne Isager

A wonderful new book of inventive designs: a sweater for each month of the year - inspired by festivals and traditions of Japan. The garments feature 2-color patterns, lace, cables a, garter-stitch and other textures plus unique garment construction. pb $22.95 (I must say that the cover photo is not representative of the contents.) Isager is author of the splendid Knitting Out of Africa (at left) and Inca Knits (above). Softcover. $22.95

Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting

—Alice Starmore

How many knitters have been thwarted by the soaring on-line-auction prices for this title? Dear Dover convinced Alice to bring it back for only $24.95. Indeed, a beautiful and comprehensive book on this vast subject: technique, steeks, charts, plus plenty of garments for men, women and children; an essential adjunct to any color-pattern-knitter's library. Alice is certainly one of the masters when it comes to use of color and traditional construction. Softcover. $24.95

Charlie's Soap

After a long search-and-test process, we have found Charlie's Soap to be the best for our woollen sweaters; for use with even the hardest water. Biodegradable and safe for the environment, this soap cleans thoroughly with a very small amount of liquid - and it is unscented. As it says on the label, "If you want flowers, go pick some." 500ml/ 16.9 fluid oz bottle - enough for scores of washes.

$13.25

Combed Tops from Shetland

100% pure Shetland Combed Tops- selected from the finest wool in the Shetland clip by Oliver Henry himself. We melted when we saw this lovely roving at Jo Watson's UK Ravelry event in Coventry a few months ago; carded, drawn out, and ready to spin. There are 5 undyed shades from which to choose. $35 for 17.5 oz.

View Individual Colors and Order

Open Heart Penannular in Sterling or Nickel

Penannulars are one piece shawl clasps with the stick attached to the design. This open heart comes in either Sterling Silver or Nickel, sometimes called "German Silver", with a matte finish. Sterling, $44 or Brushed Nickel (pictured) $30

Knitted Lace Designs of Herbert Niebling

—Herbert Niebling

The name of Herbert Niebling has become legendary among lace-knitters.In his designs you may find familiar leaves and flowers - but frequently his extraordinary and unique motifs will make you gasp; he seems to bend the "rules" of knitting to near-impossible lengths. Over two dozen patterns are included - edited and revised by Mary Frances Wogec - along with her full English translation. What a treat.

This beautiful book, Knitted Lace Designs of Herbert Niebling is a reprint of Gestrickte Spitzendecken by Eva Maria Leszner. However, the English translator discovered errors in many of the instructions - and has corrected everything she found. Most comforting as you launch into one of these spectacular designs. Softcover. $28

Bohus Notecards

—Wendy Johnson

In conjunction with the Bohus Exhibit, photographer Wendy Johnson created a series of 6 note cards (with envelopes), shown here. $12.95

Bohus Knitting DVD

From Relief Work to World Success

A Swedish film company has just released a new DVD: Bohus Knitting - From Relief Work to World Success. It is devoted to the history of the halcyon 30-year period in the annals of hand knitting when women in Sweden's Bohuslän banded together to form a cottage industry and ended up producing world famous works of knitted art in the form of sweaters, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. The DVD is beautifully done (with an English voice-over and sub-titles). I found it very moving to learn about individual women who had worked so hard to help their families, and to see the extraordinarily beautiful knitting they produced.

58 minutes, $25.00

After you've been inspired by the DVD, you can turn to Wendy Keele's, Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition for detailed instructions and charts for many of the traditional and historic garments. For anyone interested in knitting tradition and history, the book and the DVD are, indeed, a gift. Order both together (at left) for a 20% discount.