If you like Fair Isle knitting, but sometimes find the small patterns more than you want to do, this is a great book for your knitting shelf. The motifs are larger with more space around them, some recall traditional motifs, but most have a more modern look. The colors, too, aren't the traditional colors you might think of for Fair Isle knitting and they aren't blended tonally. But the designs sing! This is definitely a different style of Fair Isle. Martin Storey's excellent and whimsical design sense makes these patterns, cowls, scarves, a vest, hats, pillows into something exciting and fun. Hearts, owls, plaids , spots, boats, rabbits, sheep(!) and houses cavort on the knitwear. A lot of the motifs could easily be switched between projects with very little juggling. All of the book samples are knit in Rowan Felted Tweed (sigh) adding another layer to the traditional/not so traditional look of this book.

There is not one fussy thing about this book, just color and fun. This is the perfect colorwork to do while knitting with friends. You can even have a cocktail and not lose your way. www.knitty.com Fall 2017.