Contemporary Irish Knits [Paperback]

Contemporary Irish Knits is a delicious book for knitters. It has twenty aran-inspired patterns and provides a history of Ireland's Aran Islands and Aran Knitting. The patterns are charted and there is a section on how to read the charts. I was fascinated with the way the book is divided - by contemporary Irish Knitting mills. Each pattern is associated with a particular knitting mill and there is a history of the mill and its congruent area in Ireland. We learn what sheep are used in each of the mills, how the mill started, and how it is currently operating.

Kerry Woolen Mills is near Dublin. Most of their yarn is made from Jacob sheep. A pattern I particularly like is the Boy's Hooded Vest, or Caherciveen. It is knit in a lovely loden tween with a hood, and just the right amount of cable stitching so that it does not look too busy.

Cushendale Woolen Mills is located in County Kilkenny, Ireland. They provide yarn for weavers and knitters. For knitters, they provide three types of yarn: DK Wool, Wool 4-ply Sport, and Mohair Boucle. One of my favorite patterns in the book comes from this Mill. It is called Men's Twisted Stitch Sweater, or Knockmore. It is knit primarily in stockinette stitch for the front and back with a bit of cables, and the sleeves are knit with a twisted stitch that looks like ribbed cables. There is also a lovely hat that matches. My favorite pattern in this book comes from this mill. It is called Cable-and-Lace Square Blanket/Shawl, or Dangan. It is a beautiful lace blanket or shawl knit with yarn that is known as Black Water Abbey 2-ply Sport Weight in the U.S. The lace pattern is so beautiful that it made me gasp in delight when I saw it. There are several more patterns from this mill that are lovely.

Donegal Yarns (formerly Kilcarra Woolen Mills) is located in northwest Ireland. They are famous for their Donegal Tweed yarn and they make an Aran Tweed yarn as well. The Women's Honeycomb Cardigan, or Killybegs, is knit in a lovely green Donegal Aran Tweed. It is cabled front and back in just the right amount using mostly honeycomb cabling. There is a lovely hat called Women's Honeycomb Beret, or Bundoran, that matches. The Men's Aran Hoodie, or Straboy, is knit in a lovely natural beige tweed called "oatmeal' in color. It is great-looking and I imagine it would keep any man warm on a cold day. The Girls Cable Yoke Sweater, or Rossbeg, is darling. Knit in a deep red/orange it is a cardigan utilizing 'soft donegal' 100% Merino wool.

There is a section in the book for smaller mills and hand dyers. There is a lovely Cowl Pattern from Dublin Dye Company. Hedgehog Fibres, in Cork City, produces one-of-a-kind yarn that is like eye candy. There is a beautiful hat pattern using this yarn.

There is a good section on yarn substitutions and yarn availability along with a section on knitting resources. These sections help make the yarn used in this book accessible to the knitter.

I always ask myself three questions when I review a knitting book:

Will I knit the patterns?

Are the patterns easy to read?

Is the book a good resource?

The answer to all three questions is a resounding 'yes'. The book is not for the beginning knitter but it is a wonderful addition to any knitter's library and a must-have for those who love aran knitting and cabling.

First of all, the book contains a nice history of Irish yarns, and the specific histories of some of the shops there. It covers their wool sources, how the process the wool, spin and dye it, and sell it. It starts with their origins, and how they've progressed to where they are today. It's interesting reading, I really enjoyed it, and I would hope anyone with a passion for yarn would too!

Unfortunately the book didn't discuss the history of patterns like I'd hoped it would, but honestly if it did then the book would probably have had to be about 40+ pages longer, so maybe that's for the best?

It was easy reading, and the book is nicely printed. There are a lot of color pictures in there of the yarns and Irish scenes, as well as multiple pictures for each knit item.

Every pattern in this book I would find a joy to knit, they're gorgeous! I probably won't knit the children's sweaters (because I don't knit for kids), but I am considering trying to upsize the boy's hooded vest for myself! It's a cute pattern. There are three patterns in here that I am definitely going to knit for myself this year, and I've already been swatching for them. Not only am I getting the right gauge, but that's with the substituted yarns I'm using.

DISCLOSURE: The yarns in this book used on all the patterns are IRISH YARNS! That you have to buy from yarn makers in IRELAND!!! It can get pricey. Be prepared to either pay for those yarns, or to get substitutable yarns.

Also, the patterns are presented so that you can adjust them for your body type, no Small/Medium/Large here. Be prepared to do some knitting math. The patterns also include charts for most all of them. You'll need to know how to read the charts, but it's easy, and they book explains how to read the charts as well. It's very easy to pick up if you don't already know how to knit from a chart.

Bottomline: Buy this book. I haven't regretted it for a second.

I love this book! It was an interesting book to read and I picked up my needles and started knitting the day I received the book. Although the yarns shown are all beautiful and from Ireland, the author gives substitutions that are readily available in the United States. The designs are contemporary, yet classic and include sweaters for children and men as well as women. It appears they appeal to a wide range of ages because I loved them, my mother (78) loved them, my daughters (20-30) all loved them and so did my granddaughters. That's ununusal! In addition to the sweaters, there are also beautiful smaller projects like hats, fingerless mittens, shawls that are lovely as well. The men's hoodie (Straboy) is definiely in my knitting queue. I want to knit it for my husband (and borrow it on ocasion!) The photography is wonderful and really enhances the patterns and writing. I would highly recommend this one.

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