Knits from a Painter's Palette: Modular Masterpieces in Handpainted Yarns

Koigu yarn is beautiful and this book is filled with beautiful photos of different projects made from this yarn. Unfortunately, most of the patterns are for modular knitting which is a lengthy and often difficult way to knit. There are other knitting techniques that can capture a similar effect. (I took a two week course on modular knitting in Ireland and decided that it just is not worth the time and effort for the outcome). However, if you're a modular knit lover, this is the book for you. The patterns I would try in this book are the non-modular ones: Wrap Keepsake Shawl There is one other non-modular pattern called 'Floppy Jacket' which is just as the name suggests so it did not appeal to me. The Wrap and Keepsake Shawl are beautiful. If I were to knit the Wrap, I'd use the pattern there but make it shorter (to be used as a shawl or scarf), or I'd widen it and make it shorter (for a lovely shawl). Why it is 80" long is a mystery to me. If I wrapped myself up in something 80" I'd look like a mummy. If you like to look at beautiful knitting books, buy this. If you're looking for practical patterns to knit, I'd go elsewhere unless you fall in love with the shawl or wrap.

This is definitely NOT for the person who likes plain and simple traditional sweaters. Knits from a Painters Palette is a breathtakingly beautiful book, one that I often just look through when I need inspiration. The designs range from unusual wearables to runway wearable art, and from scarves and sweaters to long shawls and elegant long skirts. Maie Landra's design sense and her beautiful yarns are a delight for the eyes. The projects are labor-intensive small-needle works of art. I'll admit that I'm a huge fan of Maie Landra and Koigu yarn. For those who haven't heard of it, Koigu is a hand-painted merino yarn, fingering-weight or sock weight made by the author's company in Canada. The designs in this book make use of the modular knitting technique primarily and use LOTS of different colors, knitted mostly on small needles (size 3-5). One could knit any of the designs with similar-weight yarn successfully, although the resulting garments would look considerably different in terms of color palette. Some of the garments are tailored-looking, others are loose and flowing. And some are amazing-but-who-would-wear-that kind of designs. There are several patterns included that had previously been published under separate cover as patterns/kits,(Charlotte's web shawl, Toreador Jacket, and Oriental Jacket to name a few) but most of the book consists of new designs, including some adorable yet sophisticated sweaters for children. Included is a useful chapter on how to do modular knitting that is well-illustrated and clear. I've knitted two of the designs and encountered no problems with the instructions. The only minuses to the book are that they sometimes picture the garments NOT on a body (I always want to see how it hangs on a person, not a hanger), and there are few close-up pictures of either the designs or details on them (which would have been helpful). Very much like glamourous fashion magazines, which makes it a pretty read, but for knitters who want to see the details it's a little frustrating. Overall, though I love this book and would recommend it to those who love colorful and often challenging-to-knit garments that are worth every minute of time it takes to knit them.

Just what I wanted, I am very pleased with the overall concept, just need to find more time to put it into practice.

These patterns are breathtaking - this will motivate me to learn short rows. I don't know that it will motivate me to buy enough of the expensive but beutiful koigu yarn to make these designs - but I can see how I will be able to substitute for most of the garments - interspersing a few skiens of their equisite yarns. There are several skirst - which I love. I am a skirt girl - and I love to see skirt designs in knitting books -there is also a coat I am dying to make - and I'm thinking it could be a start and stop sort of project to just alwasy leave on the needles. I highly recommend this book. Once I feel my skills have advanced enough I would make almost everything in this book. That is rare for a knitting book

Koigu yarns and Maie Landra are by now famous words so I've been waiting for this book for maybe half a year ever since it was announced. All the yarns in the book are her fingering wt yarns called KPPM. Many of her patterns which I bought separately are included and some have been corrected. Other patterns are not included plus several are new to me. There are no patterns for Kersti and her other yarns. The designs are primarily done in the modular style using many different yarns in each piece. Many of the pieces are oversized which are no longer in fashion. Designs included are: Charlotte's web shawl, jazz cardigan, knit yarn-over scarf, spirit skirt and sweater, basic squares scarf, toreador jacket, midnight rapture skirt, top and wrap (formerly alligator wrap), patchwork pants and vest, keepsake shawl, floppy jacket, magique cloak, robe-diamond dress, butterfly poncho, joker tunic, oriental jacket(changes made), mosaic jacket, carousel sweater, play blocks vest, jigsaw vest, and log cabin vest. I would have liked a glossier paper for the pictures. Binding and print are fine. I'm happy with the book and don't feel cheated because before I bought it I was aware that some of the patterns I own would be included. But my favorite Koigu patterns are not in the book! I've moved away from oversize and modular. Good value for the price. The yarns are gorgeous and very expensive with nothing else approaching it so no substitutions. Not an essential purchase but lovely to enjoy looking at even if you never knit one of them.