Most people try to make some New Year's resolutions at this time of year. I love the idea that you get to begin fresh: a new page on a clean calendar, a new month full of possibilities, and a whole year of days, weeks and months stretching way out into the future.
What are you going to do with your new year? How will you plan your needlework projects? Will you keep a charity project or two in your knitting bag, or will you find that this is the year to make yourself something beautiful. What inspires you to knit?
I have a new book to inspire me, and I could hardly wait to get my copy. It's going to be one that I'll work from this spring. Melissa Leapman's "Continuous Cables, An Exploration of Knitted Cabled Knots, Rings, Swirls, and Curlicues" (Potter Craft, $32.50) is the second in a series of cable how-to books. While the first book, "Cables Untangled," features traditional cables, this book includes advanced cable knitting that deals with "closed rings" of cabled knots.
Leapman designs and teaches both crochet and knitting, and she has taught at our local guilds too. Her featured designs for garments that are translated into both crochet and knitted patterns are one of her unique signature talents, and many others grace the pages of Vogue Knitting, Knitter's Magazine, McCall's, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens and Interweave Knits. Her designs are classical and timeless, reflecting her training in both classical music and ballet.
This exciting book includes projects that will take you to new levels of knitting magic. There are 20 designs ranging from the difficult to the absurdly difficult, but she includes the directions for how to read the charting, how to work the stitches and makes them seem almost easy in the process.
There is even a section of more than 80 original stitch patterns for other cables that you can add to your own creations. They include some whimsically different cables that will charm you into finding the perfect project to use them in. In fact, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra even inspired one cable for the book that features a musical note.
Projects included in the book offer everything from the Stowe Rug to baby blocks for the nursery, and summer sleeveless tops to a beautiful hoodie. There are hats, sweaters and home decor items that will enchant you and keep your interest for a few days or a few weeks, depending on what inspires you. If you are interested in cables you can be sure there is something here for you.
Two years ago I knitted up one of the samples for Leapman's newest cable book. I had so much fun knitting the Celtic circle of cabled knots for the sweater pictured on Page 84, that I may just do something else from the book to challenge myself some more. It will certainly be more fun than meeting a deadline, and I can explore the techniques in more depth without the stress to go along with the knitting. Besides, I love cables, anything Celtic, and there is some beautiful dark green, Irish wool I have squirreled away in my stash that just begs to be on my needles. It looks like this will be an interesting, challenging and fun year for knitting. Happy New Year!
Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitwear designer, has lived in Alaska for 18 years. She is interim president of the Alaska State Yarn Council and past president of Knitters of the North. To reach her, e-mail twosticks@ymail.com.
By CATHERINE HOLLINGSWORTH
Daily News correspondent