Gina Rae Mitchell

Book Review – Curls by Hunter Hammersen

 Curls by Hunter Hammersen

Curls – Versatile, Wearable Wraps to Knit at Any Gauge by Hunter Hammersen, Pantsville Press

“Do you:

~Love shawls but find them hard to wear?

~Struggle to get gauge?

~Have a stash full of special, single skeins?

Then Curls are just what you’ve been looking for!”

This statement alone had me clicking buy in a heartbeat.

Hunter Hammersen’s Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet series proved that she does wonderful, unique, well-written patterns that are a joy to knit. When I read the tagline for this book, I was hooked. I ordered the physical/digital combo. Some books you know are going to be worth the shelf space. This is one.

Are you guilty of buying single or double skeins of a yarn that calls to you without having a project in mind? Most times, they languish in your stash waiting for the perfect pattern to come along. After a quick glance through this delightful book, my mind was already pairing stash yarns with patterns. I wanted to knit all 14 patterns….NOW. Talk about a bad case of startitis.

Curls is written as if the author is speaking directly to you. She starts out giving some background on how the “Curl” came about. She covers the anatomy of the shape, hints, and tips. An informative tutorial on charts & blocking is included. There is a nice discussion on the flexibility of the Curl since it can be knit with any weight yarn and any size you wish to make. The patterns may be knit as cowls, scarves or shawls. The options are only limited by your desire …. and the amount of yarn you have to devote to Curls.

There are 14 patterns in the book. Each is visually textural, and the photography captures that perfectly.

 

This is my first project from this book, Sinopia in KnitCircus Pirouette.

It was an absolute joy to knit!

 

Photos from the book.

 

The author gives a complete how-to on any unusual stitches used in the patterns. There are distinct color-coded charts since the patterns don’t lend themselves to written directions. However, in the digital edition, there is a link to JC Briar’s Stitch Maps where you will find each pattern from Curls. If you have never used Stitchmaps, you need to check it out. Delightfully innovative concept. I can see this taking the knitting world by storm.

I love the different styling of the Curls in the book. What a nice touch to show other options for wearing as well as simply wrapped around the neck as shown above.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Curls by Hunter Hammersen of Violently Domestic fame. It’s always wise to check for errata in published patterns. Currently there is no errata listed for this book, but you can check here to see if that changes. Kudos to everyone involved in this endeavor.

 

I should also mention ….. there is a sequel! Check out Curls 2!

 

 

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