If you asked me which designers I really admire and why, Woolly Wormhead would be one of the first names out of my mouth. There are many things to admire: the well-defined aesthetic, the technical know-how, the way she photographs her work, and the fact that Woolly runs a sustainable and ethical business. For me, personally, I also admire the playfulness and sheer fun she brings to her knitting designs. Knitting can feel so very serious at times with stone-faced models in crumpled linen dresses glaring across a misty forest lake whilst wielding an Estonian lace shawl made from unicorn yarn. Now look at this photo and don't tell me it doesn't bring a smile to your face.
If this photo doesn't appeal to your sense of mischief, Woolly's work probably isn't for you. But you're missing out on a lot of fun knits!
Painted Woolly Toppers for Kids follows on from Woolly's 2015 book, Painted Woolly Toppers. Like its parent (huh-huh), the new book explores how to use handpainted yarns in ways that show them at their best. Woolly has designed 10 Hats for kids - and all Hats carry stonking appeal both for the knitters and the kids.
Chesser (photo above) is one of my favourites. It is knitted in Skein Queen Crush DK (other dyers in the book include Countess Ablaze, OMA, Ripples Crafts, Five Moons, and Yarns From The Plain).
Look at the construction: sideways, up the way, small bits adding decoration. It is a Hat pattern that showcases the colours of the yarn without being overwhelmed by them. And the construction keeps the knitting interesting (yet never difficult).
Now look at this from a kid's vantage point. Does this look like yet another dull Hat your mum tells you to wear because it's cold? NOPE. It's an exploding rocket ship! It's a crown! It's an alien fruit! It's a chicken's bum! It's an astronaut's helmet! It's AWESOME!
I may be projecting a bit here (I would totally have wanted this Hat as a kid), but I love the combination of knitterly interest and hat mischief.
And Chesser isn't the only Hat that has that combination - all of them do - and that is what I admire so much about Woolly's work.
I learn so much from Woolly's patterns - whether it is a new way of approaching short rows or a different take on how to construct a Hat - and I often find myself wishing I could knit every one of her hats just to find out how did she do that? But I am also reminded that knitting should be fun and fill me with joy. I look at the kids having fun in front of the camera wearing awesome Hats and I want to knit every one of them for the kids in my extended family.
And that, dear readers, is a sign of a jolly good knitting book.
Full disclosure: I received a preview copy of Painted Woolly Toppers for Kids. I have done karaoke with Woolly, we share a birthday, and I know that she would want me to share my honest opinion. So, here you go: the book is great fun and it rocks.
The book is launching later this month and will retail at £10 (PDF) or £16.99 (printed). Just in time for you to make some awesome Hats for Christmas (and use up some of those single skeins I know you have in your stash). Sign up to Woolly's newsletter or follow her on Twitter/IG for more news regarding the launch.
(All photos used here are © Woolly Wormhead 2016)