Review
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Handweaving a gift is a labor of love. But, as Tom Knisely
points out in his new book, Handwoven Baby Blankets, along with
love there’s pressure to make the perfect gift, especially when
the gift is for a new baby. In addition to thirty-four charming
baby blanket patterns for both 4-shaft and 8-shaft looms, this
book is packed with Tom’s expert, practical advice for creating a
baby blanket that will be treasured as the perfect expression of
your love for that new little person.
One of the first challenges Tom tackles is the question of size.
Not everyone has a 40-inch or wider loom, but he points out that
a preemie blanket can be as small as 18 inches square, so
would-be blanket weavers need not be unduly limited by their
looms.
Tom also applies his analytical mind to the eternal question of
colors for babies. He points out that what newborns see best are
strong patterns in black, gray, and white. So why sweat the whole
pink versus blue question? That said, the book is packed with
great advice on using color, including variegated and hand-dyed
yarns.
Everything you need to know is here, from the best materials for
baby blanket weaving to complete finishing instructions. (Hint:
Mr. Knisely is not a fan of fringe for babies.)
The blanket designs are bright and charming, with something to
please every baby and family, from traditional blues and pinks to
the multihued Springtime, from a baby tartan to the Fortune
Cookie design in Chinese good-luck colors. There are weave
structures to suit every taste and experience level: plain-weave
plaids, basketweave, color-and-weave designs, classic huck lace,
twill, and even a bit of over. The projects in the book are
divided by loom type (twenty-one 4-shaft, thirteen 8-shaft), and
each includes a large, easy-to-follow draft and basic project
specifications: yarn suggestions, warp length, sett, and width in
reed.
But the most inspiring thing about this book (besides the photos
of darling babies) is the love running through it: for the
weaving community, for the craft, and for Tom’s own family. It is
laced with stories of raising his own daughters, and of the
granddaughter to whom the book is dedicated. If that doesn’t get
you warped and weaving for baby, nothing will. (Anita Osterhaug,
Handwoven Magazine Handwoven Magazine, September/October 2016)
Handweaving a gift is a labor of love. But, as Tom Knisely points
out in his new book, Handwoven Baby Blankets, along with love
there’s pressure to make the perfect gift, especially when the
gift is for a new baby. In addition to thirty-four charming baby
blanket patterns for both 4-shaft and 8-shaft looms, this book is
packed with Tom’s expert, practical advice for creating a baby
blanket that will be treasured as the perfect expression of your
love for that new little person. (Anita Osterhaug, Handwoven
Magazine Handwoven Magazine, September/October 2016)
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About the Author
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Tom Knisely is the manager of The Mannings Handweaving
School in East Berlin, Pennsylvania. He has taught weaving there
for more than thirty years--everything from beginners' classes to
complex multi-harness weaving--and was named Teacher of the Year
by Handwoven magazine. He has design collections and
instructional DVDs on looms, weaving, and other weaving matters
published by Interweave press. He is the author of the popular
Weaving Rag Rugs (978-0-8117-1212-5).
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