A Treasury of Magical Knitting [Paperback]

Cat Bordhi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004

With her latest book, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, Cat Bordhi introduces knitters of all levels to the warm welcome of a simple and mysterious dimension of knitting. Here you will find thirty-three projects, including scarves with one side and one edge, knitted in one fell swoop, like the Fringed Cedar Bark Scarf or the Mercurial Moebius Wraps. . . graceful headwear, like the Beaded Tresses Hat. . . felted footwear both practical and functional, like Sophie’s Mermaid Feet . . . the Lost Trail Cape with its four-way convertible collar . . . and the Seven Socklings Necklace.

Cat, who is known for her clear and comprehensive instructions both as a workshop teacher and as the author of the best-selling Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, has taken outdone herself in this full-color, 112 page coffee table quality book. Instructions for the simple technique are illustrated with close-up photos showing every move, almost like a slow motion movie, accompanied by clear descriptions so that learners of all kinds will find it easy to get started.

This author of novels (Treasure Forest, first of The Forest Inside trilogy, recently won the Nautilus Award for Young Adult Fiction) and knitting books blends the art of fine story-telling with instruction. In her own words:

"Following the unfolding path of a novel is astonishingly similar to following the unfurling flow of a knitting book. Both ask me to simply show up, keyboard or needles in hand, all my senses alert and willing to welcome what wants to meet me. Sometimes I think that it is because I am tame, and so the beautiful creations that populate both novels and knitting books come nibble the grass near my feet. I do not invent any of it. I simply get to be where it is, experiencing it fully so I can share it with you. And if you recognize it, if it sparks something in you, it is because it lives in you too."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love Cat’s ideas and her skill at sweeping up readers and engaging them in her wonder and excitement." -- Debbie New, author of Unexpected Knitting

And all you need to do is start right and the rest takes care of itself." -- Wilma Peers, Knitter’s Studio, Menlo Park, CA

About the Author

Cat Bordhi writes novels (Treasure Forest, Namaste Publishing, 2003) and knitting books (Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, Passing Paws Press, 2001). She likes nothing better than to have a knitting experiment go awry because it means very interesting, possibly never-before-seen things are probably hiding nearby.

During her years as a school teacher, Cat taught a form of math which required students to deepen their understanding by explaining their investigations and insights with graphs, pictures, numbers, and words. Once she began to write knitting books, she realized that she was using the very same skills she had taught, and so her books are known for their thorough explanations.

Cat has been a full-time writer since 2002, and also teaches knitting workshops, gives talks at knitting retreats and to knitting guilds, and also teaches writing workshops. At this time she leads a quiet and blessed life tucked away in the woods on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is working on the next book in the Forest Inside trilogy, and collecting what projects for a Third Treasury of Magical Knitting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Passing Paws Press (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970886977
• ISBN-13: 978-0970886972
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

209 of 224 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Take a good look before you purchase, November 14, 2004

By 

Carol S. (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Treasury of Magical Knitting (Paperback)

As with so many knitting or crochet books, you've got to take a good look at this one before you purchase it. The book is devoted to the use of the Moebius strip in knitting patterns, a Moebius strip being a loop of knitted fabric with a twist in it. If you are a freeform knitter who is interested in the Moebius construction or who wants to incorporate its unusual structure into your knitting, then this book may intrigue you. If you are a more traditional knitter, you may find the book to be a rather expensive one-trick pony. Likewise, scan the patterns carefully to determine whether they are to your taste. I personally can't imagine making any of them, but that's just me -- yet another compelling reason for looking at the book before you purchase to decide whether, say, necklaces made of miniature knit socks are something you'd like to wear to the office on Monday. The production values for the book have gone up dramatically since the "Socks Soar" book: color photography, nicer paper, more sturdy binding, but so has the price.

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wake up and smell the roses for weary knitters, July 26, 2005

By 

Amanda (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Treasury of Magical Knitting (Paperback)

I've never reviewed a book before but this one deserves it.

Of all the knitting books out there (and there are so many now) this one stands alone. For a knitter like me (weary of seeing either another sweater pattern or too many exceedingly young and hip designs) this book contains a new world of excitement. It took a leap of faith to believe the method would work because it seems like it can't possibly. Luckily the author explains everything in such friendly detail that it becomes easy. After a weekend with the book I had the unusual sensation of feeling like I knew the author, like reading a good novel and feeling like you know the characters. That is how clear and friendly the writing and instructions are.

The book is very beautiful too. Throughout are nature photos that take my breath away. The model is enchanting and shows the scarfs, wraps, felted boots, and capes very clearly. The print size is large enough to read really easily and the book lies open pretty well. It's the kind of book you can knit from and enjoy reading too. I rushed right into the knitting because I was impatient but later I went back and read the first chapters where there is a story about how the Moebiuis was discovered in Germany more than a hundred years ago. It's a funny story and I'll leave you to read it for yourself.

I highly, highly recommend this unusual book. The knitting is absurdly easy once you get going.

91 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical, creative and yes, magical, August 20, 2004

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Treasury of Magical Knitting (Paperback)

OK, knitting fans; here's another strange technique to add to your repertoire of "How the HECK did they figure THAT out" knitting. Cat Bordi has figured out how to do a moebius strip knit technique without grafting. Now, the late great Elizabeth Zimmermann made a moebius scarf by knitting on a provisional cast on and then grafting the scarf with a half twist to get the single sided mathematical puzzle we call a moebius. But Ms. Bordi figured out how to cast on over a doubled, long circular needle and get a moebius in one seamless garment.

There are patterns for, yes, scarves, but also some interesting hats including the very Sumerian looking "Tresses" cap, some shawls with shaping that turn the scarf into a poncho or capelet, and FELTED boot socks. These are amazing. If you like interesting knitting, this is absolutely a must.