Book Review: Knits that Breathe

©  Zoë Lonergan

I've had the great pleasure of working with Julie Turjoman in the past. She's the author of Brave New Knits, in which she brought together designers both new and established from around the internet.

This time, she's published a book full of her own beautiful designs! Happily, I was able to cross paths with Julie at TNNA a few weeks ago, and she agreed to send me an e-copy of Knits that Breathe so that I could review it here for you all. AND host a giveaway! But more on that shortly.

Knits that Breathe: 12 Breezy Projects to keep you cool is a book that you want to get. Inspired by knitter's desires to keep on knitting even in the hot hot heat, this book is filled with sweaters/tops for women that are graceful and pretty.

“[L]ife in a warm and humid climate, an unpredictable internal thermostat, or sensitivity to animal fibers – KNITS THAT BREATHE has you covered.”

I like this book because:

• It has a fibers resource guide: I LOVE charts, and this one gives nine different fibres, and info like drape, hand, elasticity, source, antibacterial, strength, and more. VERY interesting.
• Large size range: “More than half of the projects are sized up to a 54" bust or larger, with special instructions where necessary to achieve optimal fit.”
• Gives you sweaters you can knit for the HOT weather for those of us who love to knit sweaters, and don’t like the idea of working solely on accessories in the summer.
• Each pattern has a nice intro, clear diagrams/schematics and the  ebook has links from each pattern to its accompanying page on Ravelry
• The book is styled in such a way that I want to just have it on my shelf; it’s aspirational and achievable beauty, making THIS summer-hater think more kindly on the season



©  Zoë Lonergan

• These patterns are the sort of designs that can suit a very wide age range of women.

If I had to pick a favourite pattern: hard to choose, but I think the Flutterbye Silk Tunic is a good example of what this book has to offer.
This design shows you what a silk lace yarn can do. It's for more than just shawls; it has the drape and beautiful sheen to make a top that can in turns be a relaxed casual piece and a more formal, feminine piece depending on how you style it.

Knits that Breathe group on Rav

Buy the book in hard copy or ebook form

But wait! You could win a copy of the ebook.
I highly recommend you enter yourself into this giveaway. It's a great book.
To enter the giveaway, just comment on this post with your favourite warm-weather fiber (eg: cotton, silk, bamboo, linen, etc…)
Please remember to leave me a way to contact you, preferably your Ravelry ID should you have one.

The winner will be drawn and announced Wednesday May 28.
Good luck everyone!