As long as you haven’t been living under a rock for the past 10 years, you know that the internet has done incredible things for knitting. It’s taken the craft from it’s small, local, communal form and connected knitters into a worldwide family. Blogs, Ravelry and social networking have enhanced some of the greatest things about knitting; sharing, learning and inspiration. And, it’s made it possible for some to take their personal designs and turn them into a collection, recognized by knitters worldwide.

Brave New Knits by Julie Turjoman is a look at how 26 knitwear designers (including yours truly) launched their careers, how they use the internet to grow their businesses and what inspires them. Plus, each designer has included an original design.

I received my copy a few weeks ago and of course quickly flipped to the pages with my interview. I held my breathe as I read through it, hoping the information I’d shared with Julie was presented as I had intended it. I was so thrilled with how she captured my story. Now I’m about half-way through the book (I’m taking my time to process each one) and am enjoying learning about each designer. I’ve never read a knitting book like this; one that has patterns but also tells you the designer’s story. It really connects you to the designs and helps you understand the designer’s point of view. Even if there’s not a single pattern in this book that interests you to make (honestly, I don’t know how that could be), I recommend this book simply for learning about each designer.

Photographed by Jared Flood, here’s a look at what I designed for the book, Delysia Camisole. When I designed this camisole I was very inspired by the 1920s. I wanted something soft and feminine, but with the curve-less silhouette of the twenties. Delysia is very simple, worked mostly in Stockinette stitch. The lace-work straps are entertaining to make and attached separately by weaving yarn through eyelets. I used Alpaca & Silk yarn by Blue Sky Alpacas, which gives it an oh so luscious hand and drape.

Brave New Knits is available August 31. Add it to your queue!

Tags: book, brave new knits, camisole, delysia, easy knitting pattern, internet, jp patterns, julie tujorman, ravelry

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