Knitting flip books that show moving pictures of stitches have just entered the fiber arts scene. Designer Annie Modesitt has authored a new series of books that allow beginning knitters to carry moving “video” instruction with them in book form.
The Books
The first four books in this newest series illustrate basic techniques, shown in both Western & Combination (Eastern Uncrossed) knitting styles. The books currently include instruction on the knit stitch, purl stitch, decreasing, and increasing. When a technique is universal (worked the same no matter what knitting style you prefer) it is demonstrated in the Combination Knitting Method.
The books work like any flip books do; each page is a picture (a frame of a movie / video), and as the reader flips the pages, the technique in question is demonstrated. Each book can be turned over and flipped in reverse to see the other style illustrated.
The Author
Annie Modesitt, a trained theatrical designer, is a big fan of femininity, as she confirmed with her book, Romantic Hand Knits. Loosely based on ultra-feminine styles from fashion history, the designs in Romantic Hand Knits have an undeniably modern appeal.
Nevertheless, the new flip books focus on practicality. It’s difficult to move on to making beautiful hand-knit items without having finely honed knitting skills. The flip books help new knitters do just that.
Modesitt’s own words explain her motivation best: “Knitting allows me to enjoy my time, my imagination and my mind more than I might without needles and yarn. When my mind is free and powerful–-the way it feels when I knit--then my soul soars a little.” She would like to share that feeling with all potential knitters.
The Review
These little books are great for beginners. New knitters in transit can see knit “video” at any time by pulling out their books and flipping through. One very nice attribute to these books is that if a certain part of the technique is not fully understood, the knitter can stop the flip action and study the picture more closely.
These books would also be helpful to knitting instructors. Students can review their teachers’ words and instructions anytime with a visual aid. Knitting teachers should consider adding this tool to their lending library.
Coming Soon
Ms. Modesitt is currently planning more flip books on the Kitchener Stitch, Casting On & Binding Off, and Cabling Without a Cable Needle. She is also considering a Crochet series.
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