Sunday Book Review: Precious by Kim Hargreaves

(I'm hoping to make this a regular feature: I thought I'd start out with a knitting book review, but I'm a bookworm so I'll be talking about normal books too. I'm an English Lit student - it's what I do :))

Precious: Twenty One Designs, by Kim Hargreaves

There are some pattern books that don't require any work on the knitter's part to enjoy. They are the kind of books that can be “read” or at least visually feasted on, because you don't need to have made the items to appreciate the beauty of the styling and photography. Precious is one of these. Set in deep (and characteristically grey) English countryside, in a rustic, stone-walled house, the setting reminds us what autumn and winter knitting is all about: cosiness. Precious not only contains twenty-one patterns that are beautiful to look at, but also recreates the feeling of warm, soft garments that ask to be worn, rather than just displayed.

Precious primarily consists of garments rather than accessories. The majority are cardigans and sweaters for women, with a couple of jumpers for men, two hats and a wrap. The male garments are appealingly simple; beautiful as heavily cabled jumpers are, the pared down cables of “Ed” are far more likely to fit into my own male knitting recipient's wardrobe, without the mind-numbing acres of stockinette that can often accompany sweaters for men.

It is the garments for women that really shine in Precious, however. I have made, or am planning to make, nearly every single item in this book. In fact, I want to make many of them in multiple colours and no doubt some of them will be appearing on this blog in the near future. As is usually the case with pattern collections, some pieces might require a certain body type to look their best; for example, “Dusty” (a chunky cabled tunic/dress thing with an amazing wide collar) is beautiful but probably not going to work if you're a shortish girl like me. On a tall figure, however, it would look incredible with opaque tights and boots. Another pattern, “Effie”, is knit from Rowan's Kidsilk Haze and features delicate ruffles down the front: a look that might not suit large busts, but reminds me of the 1920s flapper look, especially if worn with pearls.

As I believe is usual with Kim Hargreaves' books, not all of these patterns are original to this particular collection. However, since I think this book is worth the price for the beauty of the photography alone, this is not really a problem. The cover pattern, for example is a long-sleeved version of a pattern from Heartfelt, an earlier collection, but looks beautiful and fresh with button detailing at the cuffs and although I have made the original, I would quite happily knit this new version as well.

It is this detailing that makes Hargreaves one of my favourite designers. From the ruffles on “Effie”, to the buttons at the hip of “Fay”, a lacy scoop necked sweater, the beauty of these patterns comes from the finishing touches. These items therefore require you to put some effort into the finishing; all the garments are knit in pieces and seamed. This, for me, was not a problem, because I love seaming.

Let me repeat: I love seaming.

Now, please don't run away. Probably one of the most common things I read on the internet from knitters is that seaming is the devil and that knitting in the round is the best thing ever. It definitely has its merits, of course. Being able to try it on as you go is a wonderful feature, along with the pattern control that entails. However, for me, there's nothing quite like the feeling of sewing up seams, sewing on buttons, weaving in ends (although I'll admit I'm not exactly in love with that last one!). It is those finishing details that make me feel like I am creating something truly beautiful, a tailored, hand-made garment and seaming seems to give me that satisfying sense of completion. Who knows, maybe one day I'll change my mind, but for now...bring on the pieces!

Kim Hargreaves has produced yet another wonderful book, one that I know I'll be pulling off the shelf again and again, and that will continue to inspire by reminding me just how beautiful knitting can be. If you are a fan of beautifully finished, classic, vintage-tinged knits (and you don't mind all that seaming!), or just gorgeously styled fashion and photography, I highly recommend it.

You can buy Precious and see photos of all the patterns here.