Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Thayer Allyson Gowdy (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A fractal is a complex geometric figure made up of patterns that repeat themselves at smaller and smaller, or larger and larger, scales. In nature, they're found in fern leafs and corals. In this book, they're found in the pattern for a scarf, the cables of a pullover, and the intricate hemline of a skirt. The pentagon is a familiar five-sided figure that, in nature, can be spotted in the starfish or sand dollar; in this book it's spotted in the yoke of a pullover, the textures of a cardigan, and the shape of a shawl. In nature, water waves and chemical waves abound; in this book, they flow as the patterns in a hat and mittens and in the gores of a skirt.

Knitting Nature is a singular book created by one of the most innovative and respected designers working today. Norah Gaughan, who got her degree from Brown in both biology and art, has combined her knowledge to compile this book of 39 fabulous designs inspired by patterns in nature. With each design, Gaughan first explains where in nature the pattern can be found, such as the spiral in a ram's horn or seashell; then with step-by-step instructions she shows how she rendered that pattern in a skirt or tunic or coat. Complete with exquisitely beautiful photographs, this sophisticated book is truly one of a kind.

About the Author

Named one of Vogue Knitting's Master Knitters of the 1990s, Norah Gaughan is the design director for Berroco Yarns. She has been working in the handknitting industry for more than 20 years and her designs have been featured in all of the major knitting periodicals as well as in many books, including Handknit Hoilidays and Weekend Knitting from STC. She divides her time between Peterborough, New Hampshire, and Providence, Rhode Island.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy is a photographer based in Northern California whose work has appeared in the magazines Real Simple, Health, and Country Living, and in the books NEST: Home for Two, Spiritual Bathing, and Healthy Homes, among others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584794844
• ISBN-13: 978-1584794844
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gorgeous and stunning book! , April 20, 2006

By	J. Kaya "yarn freak" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a stunning book. Beautiful designs inspired by nature. Thank you to Norah Gaughan for bringing us such a great pattern book. Similar to Teva Durham's "Loop-d-loop," this book pushes the boundaries of design to the next level. However, unlike Ms. Durham's designs, which are more cutting edge and sometimes over the top, Ms. Gaughan has contained her beautiful designs within garments and pieces that are classical in shape and styling and ultimately wearable by people of various shapes and sizes. Some of the garments mimic natural objects, such as the cowl sweater that has a beautiful fluted sleeve mimicking the shape of a snail's shell. Other designs are basically simple sweaters decorated with beautiful and innovative design elements.

I was afraid this book may be a shill for Berroco Yarns (Ms. Gaughan is the design director for the company). However, the designs incorporate yarns from different companies to stunning results. The techniques may be too difficult for a novice knitter; however, the instructions are so clear that anybody, including a novice, can knit projects from this book. Ms. Gaughan used a lot of textured knit stitches, such as cables, in her designs; thus, her designs remind me a lot of Elisabeth Lavold's or Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton's.

Get this book; the photography is beautiful and the stylings are minimalist but eye-catching. I can't wait to start knitting the mind-boggling star fish shawl. Thank you again to Ms. Gaughan for bringing us knitters this wonderful book.

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Does publisher or author care about errors?, October 11, 2006

By	dam "debm" (Monkton, MD) - See all my reviews

The garments are beautiful. I am eager to start on several. However, a close friend knit one garment and found tons of errors. Since then errors in this book are described all over the web, but no way to get corrections from publisher. Consider this before purchasing.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful but filled with errors, August 10, 2006

By	R. Day (NH) - See all my reviews

My initial read of the book wowed me. I've long combined my own love of math with a passion for knitting so I felt instantly at home with Norah's approach. The book has inspired me to incorporate some of the concepts into my own designs. However, I don't recommend attempting to knit directly from the patterns. They contain so many errors that it's clear no one tested the patterns before publication. This is very disappointing for such an expensive and beautifully designed book.