Review on Mastering Yarn Substitution: A Simple Guide to Pairing the Perfect Yarn with Any Knitting Pattern by Heather Shaw

In Carol J. Sulkosky's seventh book, she brings her vast knowledge of yarn and yarn behavior to the subject of choosing yarns not specified in the template. In the first section, Yarn Basics, she tackles big topics that entire books have been written about and highlights what you need to know about yarn behavior, content, weight, construction and the visual effects of dyeing. The second section will help you choose a substitute yarn for a pattern based on the characteristics of the yarn specified for the product to achieve a similar result. (She expressly points out that this book is not about rewriting a pattern to suit a different yarn count.) The third section offers deliberately simple patterns, each chosen to emphasize the properties of the yarn (the one requires very stretchy yarn, the other - very stretchy yarn). draped yarn). , another requires yarn with excellent stitch definition, etc.). Each of these patterns is written for a specific yarn, and then Sulkosky shows you good, workable, and bad substitutions for each, and why they are or aren't good substitutions. This book will be useful for everyone who does not always choose the yarn indicated in the pattern. It is written in a very readable, almost conversational style. Being a knitter for over 25 years (oops!) I found I already understood most of this information, but rather intuitively. I guess I couldn't articulate it well, certainly not as well as this author with her many years of teaching experience. I also tend to get stuck on certain corners of the knitting world. Give me hand-dyed merino wool and I won't disturb anyone until my tea is cold. The information in this book is still useful to me. For example: This cardigan was written for a camel hair, silk and yak blend. Can I get by with Merino fabric? What about merino/silk? My only criticism is that I found a few typos. They will likely be corrected in the next issue and do not detract from the information provided.