A while ago, right after VK Live, Kelly from TriCoast Studios contacted me about whether I’d like to review their latest venture – Stitch Heaven Salutes Barbara Walker.
I mean…. BARBARA. WALKER. Knitter extraordinaire. I didn’t have to think twice, plus I really wanted to know how they had reinvented the process of learning by transporting it to dvd.
http://www.stitchheaven.com/
The dvd is divided into sections, with the first one being Barbara’s introduction (Barbara! Like she’s in my living room having a cuppa tea with me!). She offers us a warm, personal chat, showing images of several objects made with her Treasury patterns (including some wonderful quilts). She also gives us a brief history of her knitting, and it truly feels like you’re having coffee with a good friend.
Barbara gives us tips, like drawing, making mistakes, and using top-down constructions to check fit as you go along.
We then delve into the project area. Each stitch pattern shows a comprehensive list of materials, techniques, difficulty level and a written set of instructions as well as a charted pattern.
The KAL videos demonstrate a good pace, wtih clear view, a well explained method for each row, showing you the written and charted stitches for each step of the way. The expert knitters give us their own tips, like how to cable with a cable needle, how to slip sts, types of lace stitches, yarn overs… at the same time as you knit so you can follow the chart and understand the repeats.
Stitch Heaven shows a selection of Barbara’s patterns - 18 in total. There’s something for everyone – texture, lace, colorwork, slipped stitches, cables… Their experienced knitters have good technique and they even add up their own mantra to certain patterns, which I loved, considering I do the same with my own!
If you feel like you want even more, there’s a section on Color + Yarn, presented by Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns. She introduces us to color, contrast and pattern and how to mix (as well as how NOT to!).
I loved how she introduced the concept of “Why Bother?” = Love your project, or undo it, because if you’re indifferent… why bother!
The dvd finishes up with a section on yarn weights, needle sizes, stitch symbols for charts, abbreviations and a small intro to the upcoming dvds (because yes, there’s more to come!)
Is it for you?
Stitch Heaven accomplishes 2 important things
- Teach new knitters there’s nothing they can’t conquer
- Teach experienced knitters there’s always something new to learn
I enjoyed watching this dvd, seeing the technique of other knitters and “talking” to Barbara (fine, Barbara talked to me through the tv, but for me, it’s good enough!)
If you want to know more and purchase your own copy, you can do so from http://www.stitchheaven.com/ and visit them on their blog and their Facebook Page!
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