Pretty Knitted Hands

Praise

Booklist 2016
Mittens and wrist warmers are popular items to knit, and these 27 patterns cover a range of styles. Many are designed with warmth in mind, but none are without a fashionable sensibility. The patterns are divided by season (spring and summer are combined into one category), with 7 to 12 offered for each time of year, and range from traditional colorwork to lace openwork to cables. As both authors live in Sweden, the influence of traditional Scandinavian stranded colorwork is strong, and more than half of the patterns feature this type of design. Many require the knitter to work in the round using two colors simultaneously. A brief introduction features details on choosing to use double-pointed needles or the magic-loop method as well as basic skills, including casting on and casting off. All but a few of the patterns use 2.5 mm (U.S. size 2) knitting needles and lace or fingering weight yarn, and all are charted with accompanying short written directions. The charts are produced in color and are large enough that following them is easy on the eyes. — Anne Heidemann

Library Journal 2016

Swedish knitters Falk and Svanlund present a selection of seasonally inspired mittens and wrist warmers, ranging from lightweight pieces suitable for a cool morning to cozy mittens ideal for the chilliest winter day. The Spring/Summer section features a variety of light- to medium-weight wrist warmers embellished with cables or lace, while the Fall section includes heavier-weight wrist warmers with cables and colorwork in an autumnal palette. The Winter section focuses on mittens, featuring stranded knitting with traditional Scandinavian motifs and embellishments, such as Latvian braid and colorful embroidery. The majority of the patterns include clear, easy-to-follow charts, and the designs are appealing. VERDICT Knitters looking for attractive and sophisticated accessories will appreciate this collection—especially if they enjoy colorwork.