Pick-a-Page: Reversible Knitting

I always love doing our Pick-a-Page feature, but it has been a while since I have done one. I had planned to post this several trips ago, but I am traveling once again, so what the heck!

Reversible Knitting by Lynne Barr – Pgs 66 – 67

Lynne Barr is one of those designers that you may not be aware of unless you follow book reviews, are a member of EduKnit.com or your knitting tastes tend to fall on the somewhat unique side of things. Lynne is not a designer that you regularly see popping up in the regular knitting magazines (print or electronic). She is not a teacher you find at the big knitting events and conventions. But she is a fabulous designer nonetheless.

Reversible Knitting by Lynne Barr

I find Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand-New, Groundbreaking Stitch Patterns fascinating and inspiring. Happily, I often find it on the shelves of many local yarn shops. I first discovered it while browsing the Unicorn Books booth at TNNA a number of years back. I had been teaching a Reversible Knitting class for many years at that point, but this book took the concept to entirely new levels! The word “groundbreaking” used in the title is NOT an overstatement.

Where I have always been a fan of “reversible” not having to mean identical on both sides but instead pleasing on both sides, Lynne expanded on this definition by leaps and bounds. The fabric shown on pages 66 – 67 as shown above is just one small example.

Knitting in a Whole New Way

As you can see on page 66, the two sides of the fabric are very different. One is highly textured while the other very closely resembles plain stockinette. But what I really love about the book is what is found on page 67. Lynne always includes step-by-step photos for how to complete the process any time she showcases a knitted pattern where the fabric that is created in a truly new and different way.

In this case, additional layers of knitting are knitted right into the purl bumps on the “WS” of the fabric. Not only does this create an unexpected texture, it also opens up lots of other creative possibilities. Think about using this technique to create a truly unique collar with a simple stockinette underside, for example!

Thinking in a Whole New Way

And that is why I love all of Lynne Barr’s books: each one not only encourages to you look at your knitting in a whole new way, but also to change your thinking. When I quickly browsed through Kellie’s copy of Knitting New Scarves: 27 Distinctly Modern Designs I was inspired to think about using the double-knitting technique in a new way. The result is my latest addition to the 2S2P pattern line, the Accordion Scarf.

Would I have ever conceived of this without Lynne Barr’s inspiration? Honestly, I doubt it! But her books and the designs within contain a spark of creativity that is rarely seen, and it challenges me to go deeper, try harder, and seek to be more creative. And for that, if for nothing else, I will always treasure all of Lynne Barr’s contributions to the world of knitting!

Do you have a book that helps you push your knitting boundaries (either technically or creatively)?