Hollywood Knits Style
Suss Cousins (Stewart Tabori & Chang)
AUD$45/ISBN 1584793457
Here's a book I want to hate, but can't. All the Hollywood name-dropping and California sunshine smiling just can't get in the way of Suss Cousins' approach—she's having a knitting party and we're all invited.
The book introduces the Swedish/American owner of Hollywood's local yarn shop and her knitting philosophy, and offers some good starter patterns including a needle cover for stylish storage. But Chapter 2, 'The Knitting Life', is where Cousins really gets the party started, with chatty tips for finding knit time, as well as the inclusion of yummy-sounding recipes. (Who doesn't love a good reason to sit, knit, chat, and eat?)
The standout offering here is a close call. Is it the luscious-looking cotton Everything Bag, with its tapered shape, or the menu of Lingonberry Delight, Swedish Meatballs and, of course, Swedish Pancakes? Other high points are a double-breasted baby set and the Blanket Set, a lightweight matching bag and blanket Cousins designed to be carried along on a plane. There's nothing difficult about it, or any of these patterns. Rather, the lesson Cousins teaches is to make up something you need and perhaps just haven't found anywhere. Knitting inspiration at work.
The yarns used throughout the book are Cousins' own brand but tension guidelines for each pattern are included so substitutions can be easily made. Come on over to Suss's place—everybody's here and the place is swinging.
—Melissa Deutsch Scott