Knit book catalogs fibers’ rich history

Most of us don’t live in the lap of luxury and aren’t likely to. But Linda Morse, owner of String, a New York City knitting boutique, has written a book that will enable knitters to wrap themselves in items knit from luxe yarns of rare pedigree.

“Luxury Knitting: The Ultimate Guide to Exquisite Yarns, Cashmere, Merino, Silk,” published by Sixth & Spring Books, is a fine blend of history about each of the fibers, tips and techniques for using it, and patterns for knitting.

The reader learns that cashmere is pricey because it comes from goats that thrive only in Mongolia, Tibet and parts of China. The people who raise the goats often live far from markets for their product, and the work of harvesting and sorting the fleece is done by hand, all of which contributes to the high cost of cashmere.

Silk, the queen of luxury fibers, Morse writes, is “famous for its sparkling sheen, soft, delicate feel and … regal demeanor.” Silk, produced by worms, was often tangled up in the politics of the ancient worlds of Byzantium, Asia Minor and China. Morse gives an overview of the power silk had to rearrange the status quo of that region.

Wool has woven its strong thread through human history from the earliest days of civilization to the present day. In her book, Morse talks about the history of merino sheep, raised primarily in Australia, where wool became the means by which Australia, settled by British convicts, rose from being a thorn in the crown to a jewel in the crown.

Morse’s historical information about cashmere, silk and merino makes for interesting reading and will deepen any knitter’s appreciation for the fibers.

The patterns in the book are rated according to difficulty. Knitters with some experience may want to try the mitered cashmere pillows. Intermediate knitters may want to try the baby sweater in silk.

The book includes a section on knitting with blends of luxury yarns, and experienced knitters may be challenged to try the lace pullover in a blend of merino and cashmere.

In the section called Linda’s Favorites, the author gives details about her favorite yarns.

This is a classy book; it encourages knitters to invest in these to-die-for yarns.

On a lighter but no less passionate note comes “Mason and Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters’ Guide, Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes and Pictures” by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne, published by Potter Craft. As if the title alone weren’t enough of a description, the book cover includes this caveat: “Created for knitters everywhere who share the give ’em hell spirit of just picking up the needles and making stuff.”

The authors, one who lives in Manhattan and the other in Nashville, met online. They started chatting about knitting and ended up collaborating on “Mason-Dixon Knitting.”

A quick scan of the book’s table of contents will give the reader a good indication of the authors’ devil-may-care approach to knitting. Chapter headings include: In Defense of the Washrag; Please Step Away from the Rhinestones; The Trouble with Sweaters; All Hell Breaks Loose; and Calimari Knitting.

One spot in the book that made me laugh out loud was Places We Have Tried to Knit and Failed. The list includes a funeral and the interstate highway. I can relate to that.

But the authors’ sense of humor in no way diminishes their expertise as knitters or the material contained in their book. My favorite patterns in the book include a wonderful, hole-y window curtain, log cabin afghans and wispy scarves that seem to be knit of air as well as yarn.

The Community Knitting section of the book encourages knitters to get involved in charity projects. A bibliography of well-chosen books with comments about each one round out “Mason-Dixon Knitting.”

Call local bookstores and libraries to find out more about these books.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net