Lisa Shobhana Mason's Yarnplay is not a knitting primer, but it's not strictly for the advanced knitters either. Instead, it blends the right amount of basics with the tools to help any knitter create projects that are truly her own.[Sarah Merkley]I've been reviewing the contents of my yarn chest and contemplating Mason's Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink sweater, which somehow creates harmony out of those accumulated, mismatched bits of yarn too short for anything else. I'll certainly give my co-workers exfoliating washcloths constructed of sturdy natural yarns and delicate stitching this holiday season. And arm-warmers and a coordinating knit purse are on my list of fall must-makes. To be honest, my knitting ambitions far outstrip my knitting talents, but this craft book does beautifully what any craft book worth the space on my crowded shelves needs to do: it gets me itching to start projects I'd never considered before.
This is the book for the knitter with a stash of fabulous yarn and no projects to create with it. While Mason provides clear, concise directions for the more timid knitter, her goal is to help the reader express her personality and style by playing with color, texture, weight, and gauge. And for all the irreverence and fun Mason offers, Yarnplay also contains a few pieces, like the Keep-It-Simple-So-Your-Man-Will-Wear-It pullover, that exude classic elegance.
