booklet review (Isesla Phillips)

 

hello, one and all!!

 

I had the opportunity to review a booklet for Isela Phillips (she is a really great person!)

Below are some questions that she was so nice to answer for me

 

As an avid reader of your blog, I have noticed that you enjoy taking pictures. You do a really great job, too! What kind of camera do you use?

“Kimberly, thank you for the candid words about the pictures on my blog. I do love to take pictures. It is my ultimate pastime. I have a Canon EOS 30D and a few lenses that help me take some very neat pictures.”

How long have you been taking pictures like these?

” I have had my Canon camera for about a year now and I have taken every opportunity I have to take pictures with it. Before my 30D, I had a regular point and shoot and although it did a great job for still objects, it made me miss many one-of-a-kind shots of my kids thus the upgrade.”

Did you teach yourself to loom knit?

“My Grandma taught me the basics of a spool knitter as a child, then when I had the chance to come in contact with an “adult” version of the spool knitter, I applied the knowledge I had and took off from there.”

What was the first loom knitted project of which you were proud?

“Hmmm, this is a tough choice, as my skills as a loom knitter have grown, I have had different “favorites”. But, I would have to say that the very first item that was different and challenging was the Jazzy Socks. At the time, there was very little colourwork done on the looms and whatever there was it was done on a hat but trying to be different than everyone else, I wanted something more so I tried socks—the heel was a huge challenge to overcome.”

Which do you enjoy doing more, knitting or loom knitting?

“Enjoy both equally. Each one of them has its advantages for me. When I knit with needles, my brain relaxes and I simply knit. When I pick up a loom, my brain automatically goes into “work” mode and I start thinking of designs and techniques that I can bring or improve upon to the loom knitting community. Having said that, if you ever see me in public you will see that I always have a sock in progress on needles. I love my dpns and my sock making!”

Do you know how to crochet?

“I do! It is another great gift that my Grandma gave me. I can follow a crochet chart very well, however, I fumble with written instructions. Grandma always worked from a chart or from a sample and that is the way she taught me. I can duplicate almost anything if I have a sample in front of me.”

What is your favorite kind of yarn?

“Hands down sock yarn, especially hand-dyed. I have a small collection of sock yarn by different Indie dyers. Every time, I see a new colourway, I tend to purchase it as I see it as a unique piece of art by that specific dyer.”

What books are on your ‘to read’ list?

“On my to read list, I have various books: some knitting related ones are the knitter’s bible: the Principles of Knitting, along with the entire library of Elizabeth Zimmermman’s books.

Non-knitty: there are too many to list. I am a huge fantasy and sci-fi reader. The list grows everyday I hop to the Barnes & Noble website.”

What books would you suggest for new knitters and loom knitters?

“The number one book that I would suggest for a loom knitter to obtain is the Knitter’s Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones, this book can provide a loom knitter with a grand array of stitches to try out on their looms. All the stitches are charted which makes it very easy to “convert” to loom knitting.For a new knitter, I would recommend Vogue Knitting: the Ultimate Knitting Book. When I picked up the needles again a couple of years ago, I needed a good reference book, like every new knitter, I went out and bought a few but the only that has been invaluable to my library is the Vogue book.For both loom knitters and needle knitters: I highly recommend the following two books: The Knitting Answer Book and KnitSpeak. Both books are small enough to carry around in your knitting bag and they are both packed with answer to questions that may come up when they are in the middle of a project.”What project that you completed took you the longest in time to finish? Are we referring to knitted items? The longest project so far has been the nine months I have spent pregnant with each of my children. LOL.Seriously, knitting, it was the Ruana in the Loom Knitting Primer book. At one point, I thought that I was going to strangle myself with it. I am an accessory knitter, I knit hats, I knit mitts, socks, scarves, but I rarely knit a large project. I lack the patience and the focus for larger projects. I want to knit the item and finish it so I can admire it.”now onto the fun personal questions How long have you been married?

I have been married for 7 years next month.”

What do you like best about being a Mommie?

“Bedtime. LOL. Alright, the best thing about being a Mom is when my children come and give me a hug and they cuddle with me. I love summertime with them as we are able to go outside and lay on the grass and simply watch the sky and talk. Their love for everything around them is contagious. I love my children.”

How do you like driving (since you’ve just recently learned)?

“I love it, especially when there is no snow on the road. I have had a few scares this winter but every time, I have been alone on the road and I haven’t hurt anyone or hurt myself.”

From reading your blog I’ve gathered you love biking. What kind of bike do you have?

“My bike…my other baby. I have a Specialized Ruby Comp Triple. She is a blue all carbon frame beauty. Her components are Ultegra and 105’s. She rides like a Cadillac!”

What is your ‘dream’ bike?

“My dream bike, that is easy. I would love to have a Pinarello Prince in color pink.”

What makes you laugh most these days?

“My family and the great times we spend together.”

What’s your favorite kind of sandwich?

“The kind that is in my tummy. LOL. I love hot sandwiches, my favorites are made by Quiznos. I usually get the meatball. Toasted please.”

Do you enjoy snow filled days or sun filled days the most?

“Sun filled days. I was raised on the coast for part of my life and my body needs the warmth and the sun. Dreary, cold, and overcast days get me a little depressed.”

Early bird or night owl?

“By nature: night owl but I am forced to be an early bird—something with getting up and taking care of the children, LOL.”

Something that we would be surprised to know about you?

“My favorite band at one point was Metallica and I even went to a concert.2^{nd thing: My favorite sport to watch is hockey.”} Thank you Mrs. Phillips, for allowing the questions & the review

REVIEW

I have been able to review this book

“Learn To Knit

Cables on Looms”

by Isela Phelps©

some (+)’s to this book

it tells you right on front how many designs there are, and it tells you right on back how much this booklet costs $10.95 for US and $13.95 Canada is what it is on my booklet I have here.

really great directions! There are pics through out the book. Great when you are a visual learner.

the directions CLEARLY explain everything

the book not only shows you what kind of yarn you should/can use. It also breaks down everything you will need about the project.

the pictures in this booklet are great. The models all appear to enjoy what they are wearing

some (-)’s

in my copy there was this attached

I think if I were to buy this book, I’d be disappointed to have this paper to keep up with on top of the booklet to keep up with. (I always misplace things)

the sweater just didn’t fit this model. It makes it seem like if you loom knit this, it will be too low cut for a young child & will have to ‘grow into’ it. It looks illfitting.

the front of this hat has a bad matched front/sides. It looks like an ‘afterthought’ of this pattern.

I can needle knit & loom knit & I can honestly say that some of these directions/ways to loom knit (cables for example) seem to be much harder to do with the loom knit than it would be for needle knitting the very same thing. However, if you can not needle knit, due to having limited hand use, or if you can’t needle knit, you will probably like this booklet.

would I purchase it?

only if there were 2 of the patterns inside I really wanted. It isn’t worth buying if you want only one pattern from inside.

If you want to learn how to do cables and such on the loom, Isela is a very capable teacher & you will learn if you keep with it, and can use the visual and written directions in this booklet.

all in all, I give it

out of

balls of yarn.

details can be seen here

http://www.decoraccentsinc.com/learn_to_knit_cables_on_looms.html

details about the author/creator of designs

http://www.purlingsprite.com/ swing by & show her some love!

Kimberly Storey©