Review: Fine Things for Plain Occasions

Hunter Hammersen's newest book of patterns arrived in the mail last week at just the right time - I was wanting to indulge in a little startitis, but couldn't seem to land on a pattern to cast on. Once I flipped through the book, I knew I wanted to get something on the needles, and I grabbed some yarn and started the Suitable for Use hat that very day.

Fine things for plain occasions by Hunter Hammersen

I'd seen a preview of Fine Things for Plain Occasions (available here from Pantsville Press) at TNNA and knew the patterns would be great as always - I love Hunter's aesthetic; seeing the finished book just added another layer to it all. In the forward, she explains that she's been collecting vintage etiquette guides for many years now, and they are the inspiration for the patterns: each design is accompanied with an actual quote from one such guide (from which the pattern names are also derived). Each piece has a vintage flair to it, but with a modern twist, and the pattern layout has vintage flourishes which I am sure are also inspired by the same.

Left: Knowledge of What Was Sensible; Right: A Lady is Known.

The patterns are especially focused on socks; they comprise 8 out of the 15 total patterns. Also included are two fingerless gloves, three neckwear/shawls, and two hats. If you're familiar with Hunter's work, you'll find the well-written patterns you are accustomed to here in this book, complete with clearly written instructions, charts, and helpful notes. Instead of specifying a specific yardage for patterns, each pattern states the size shown in the sample and the yardage used, and then gives a general yardage amount to make any of the listed sizes - perfect for destash knitting. There are tons of photos of each design (the average amount is about 3-4 for each one) so that you can see the stitch pattern and other details clearly. One other note about this book, it is available only as a hardcover, and it's a nice, thick, sturdy book to add to your library.

Fine things for Plain Occasions is available in both print & eBook format. You can find it on Ravelry, Amazon, and on the Pantsville Press website.

Comments

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends, so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks). The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a...

A Finished Sweater, With Cat Hair

After losing Tilly and Robin within a year of each other, I sure didn't think I'd be finding cat hair in my knitting any time soon. But the universe had other ideas. Over the winter, a white feral cat adopted us. I'd noticed her when we moved into our apartment last summer - I would see her hiding in the bushes or sunning herself in the grass when she thought no one was looking. I assumed she was someone's cat until I realized how skittish she was around humans, plus she had a tipped ear, which is a universal sign that a feral/stray cat has been spayed. Neighbors confirmed that she was a feral kitty (descended from several generations of feral cats, in fact), and that she has survived on her wits and whatever food various residents put out for her. We had some bitterly cold days over the winter, and I just felt so sorry for this poor kitty! I started offering her treats and slowly gained her trust. She didn't even want to come inside our apartment at first, much le...

handmade by stefanie

Search This Blog