Knitting Out of Africa
Marianne Isager (Interweave Press)
$39.95, ISBN 1931499985
In her latest book, Danish knitwear designer Marianne Isager presents 16 exquisite hand-knits that capture the feel of traditional African textile arts and crafts in a contemporary manner. Some of the designs are versatile and can be made in different ways, eg African Domino can be made as a kimono-style cardigan or a jumper, and another jumper uses either triangles or stripes to totally different effect.
This book provides clear and well-illustrated how-to instruction for methods including entrelac, slip-stitch knitting, intarsia, stranded two-colour knitting, and double knitting. Information is also presented on the design sources: palm-fibre fabrics from Zaire, mud-dyed fabrics from Bamana in Mali, Asante block designs from Ghana, along with charted patterns and beautiful photographs. I have long been interested in both knitting and the origins and meanings of traditional patterns; if you share my interests, this book is a must.
—Philippa Olsen