There’s something that I’ve been desperately excited to tell you about, and now – at long last – I can.
Next year, Dover Press are publishing a very colourful new book about stranded knitting. And the author is, erm, me.
You could possibly make a case that I’m biased on the matter, but I think it’s going to be a cool book. With a respectful nod to traditional approaches such as Fair Isle, it’ll strip stranded work back to its core principles and encourage people to take their colourwork in new directions. Oh yikes, I’m starting to sound like a book blurb already. That can’t be good. I hope I don’t start talking that way all the time, e.g:-
Me: “Twinnage, it’s breakfast time. In the kitchen, you’ll find I’ve given the concept of lightly-cooked bread a new lease of life with the addition of fruit-based accompaniments.”
Twinnage, rolling their eyes: “Toast and jam, Mum. You’ve made toast and jam again, haven’t you?”
Anyway, I’ve been signed up to write the book, and its content has been planned in detail. Like everything I write (including this blog) I draft with pen and paper, because there’s something about a computer screen that kills my creativity. So the house is filling up with notebooks full of diagrams, and snatches of text, and notes on gauge, AND IF ANYONE IN THIS FAMILY STEALS ANY MORE PAGES OF MY NOTEBOOKS TO USE FOR DRAWING DINOSAURS, THEN I SHALL BE PROPERLY CROSS, OK?
The whole thing is rather exciting. I’ve always been evangelical about the fun and possibilities of stranded knitting, and now I get to infiltrate bookshops across the world with the message.
This has been in the pipeline for well over a year, and I hope you’ll understand why I didn’t say anything sooner. The publishers wisely thought I should wait until contracts had been signed, and you don’t want to mess with these publisher types because they’re hardcore. Think about it: if you cross them, they could ruin the novel you’re reading by telling you its plot-twisty ending when you’re only half way through. Or they could move the bookmark in the worthy-but-dull book on existentialist philosophy you’re doggedly ploughing through, so you have no idea whether you’ve nearly finished the wretched thing and you begin to question whether you have really been reading it and indeed whether you can even prove the book exists…
And, in extremis, they could even give you a really annoying paper cut that doesn’t heal for several days. Seriously folks, don’t mess with these people.
So when my editor suggested that on balance, it would be sensible not to mention the book at too early a stage, I kept very, very quiet.
Most of my knitting will be book-related over the next few months. The problem is that I’ll only be able to show you hints and mini-glimpses of what I’m making. So this post is partly to say please understand that I’m not being annoyingly coy on purpose, and that if you can be patient (for a whole year!) then the final product will hit a bookshop near you in 2021. But for now, I can’t give away the content before the thing has even been published… otherwise those scary publisher people might come and rearrange my bookshelves. And quite frankly, that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.
I am so happy for you. I won’t dare to say a thing to a book publisher. You make them sound soooo scary. Plus. Paper cuts. Auch.
Yeah, paper cuts are the WORST. But thank you for your sentiments.
Paper cuts respond really well to a slick of lip balm. Stops them breaking open and they heal much more quickly.
Very excited about the book and I’m good at deferred gratification, so am happy to wait. Lovely to have something to look forward to.
Ooh, that sounds like useful advice – thank you!
Wooooo congratulations! You must be so proud! Delighted for you ????
Thank you Kath! Seriously. 🙂
Can’t wait… 🙂
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So exciting. X
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Wonderful news Dr Phil, really excited for you and me as I’m looking forward to reading my own copy in 2021????????????????
Thank you so much! I’d better get on with writing it then…
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Congratulations on the book deal! I’m excited for you and the fact that we continue to need and use new information about knitting. Knitting is a craft/art that is truly growing in popularity.
I’m planning a trip this summer to Mountain Meadow Wool Mill and Spinnery. It’s located waaay east of me in Wyoming, just south of the Montana border. It will be good to explore some new places in this state. The town of Buffalo is nearby and home to a couple of my favorite authors, one of whom was in town last summer for a book signing of his new offering called The Bitterroot’s.
Hope you’re having a sunny day.
Peggi
That sounds like an absolutely perfect trip. Enjoy!
How wonderful! I live near Dover Press and have many of their books, will definitely be buying yours once it’s published!
Thank you! Wow to living near their HQ – they publish some awesome people (e.g. Alice Starmore).
Congratulations!! I have only tried stranded knitting once and it was OK although I am not sure I would try again! Having said that, I will buy your book because I love your work and the way you write!!
Wendy
A Brit in Colorado!
Thanks Wendy, you’re incredibly kind! I promise that stranded isn’t really that difficult. Hope I can inspire addiction…
How fabulous! Congratulations and all the best with creating the content over the next 12 months. Waiting with bated breath to see “the book”
Thank you! But it’s way less than 12 months until deadline day. (June 15th.) Not that I’m stressed or anything…
Congratulations! Dover Press has always been one of my favorites because of their unique inventory of fascinating, inspiring, and quirky books. Can you reveal the title?
Thank you! It’s provisionally titled Stranded Colo(u)r Knitting, but I hanker after Modern Stranded Knitting.
That is immensely exciting news, and well done for sitting on it for so long. I will most definitely keep an eye out for the released tome and purchase when appropriate! I’ve managed 2 colour stranded knitting but any advantages given would be most gratefully received! Much luck for the writing process x
Thank you for all of this! I’m evangelical about spreading love of stranded work, so will include as many tips as possible.
Congrats!!!!
Thank you!
I am amused but not amazed. 😀
I mean, if anyone is going to do something as impressive within the context of knitting it is you, Phil: you may have the most delightfully wacky sense of humour, but at heart you are an obsessive perfectionist. DO NOT EVEN TRY TO DENY IT.
The doctor is now Out. That’ll be $500, please. [grin]
Eek, the cheque’s in the post….
More seriously, you’re ridiculously, overgenerously kind. STOP IT! 🙂
Let’s reach an agreement then: you don’t write entirely delightful posts, and I don’t write entirely justifiable comments ..
Oh boy… I do hope there will be a digital version available… I do love reading on my iPad, instead of actual books these days. Carry on, and beware the dinosaur drawing paper snatchers.
Yeah, those dinosaur drawing paper snatchers are FIERCE! As for the digital version, interesting idea. I confess to having no idea about this. Will ask my editor…
I would like to order your first book, signed of course. Lee
Eek, thank you! I’d better get on with writing it, then!
Ooh, very exciting to look forward to a book on your kind of stranded knitting. I’m sure it will be unique, new and fun. Stranding is my very favorite technique; I like traditional as well as pushing the boundaries and experimenting. Have fun with it and know there are a whole lot of us who eagerly await your manuscript.
Thank you so much. And it sounds as though you and I are absolutely on a wavelength re stranded knits. 🙂
Congratulations and I am excited about the book. This would be most famous and ever lasting document of your creativity. Best wishes.
Thank you so much! It will be an amazing moment when the first copy drops through my letter-box. Better get on with writing it, I guess…
I’m immensely super excited for you! Congratulations are due, even though your publication date is out there a bit. Your book now resides on my “To be purchased” list and, rest assured, I shall devour every word. Stranded work is a favorite of mine in crochet and I’m a tic close to designing a cowl. Now, I just need to get a lot more comfortable with knitting to add stranding to a small work. This is very happy news for today.
Squeee, thank you for being so kind! Guess I’d better get on with writing the pesky thing…
Congratulations x will look forward to the book but having to wait a whole year – please don’t stop your posts though! You can always chat about Robyn!
Thank you! I certainly won’t stop posting here. Am just honoured that people want to read.
Congratulations! I love reading your blog so hope the scary publishers will allow you a bit of fun!
I second that – I love a knitting book that doesn’t take itself too seriously so I’m really looking forward to your first foray into the book world. Congratulations!
Thank you to both Yvonne and Sue. The book will be chatty and light-hearted, because there’s no point getting overly stress about knitting.
Well done, Phil. So exciting for you and a massive achievement. I can wait….just… 🙂
Thank you so very much, especially as you’re such a long-term commenter.
Congratulations, how very exciting, and well done. Looking forward to it already. I do hope you include some easy motifs for novices, and we don’t have to cut our stranded-knitting teeth on a pond life piece to begin with. x
My plan is to write something that will give people the confidence to tackle stranded work. And no, experience in knitting ridiculous pond-related pictures will most certainly not be necessary!
That sounds really exciting, congratulations. The only colour work I’ve done is contrast heels etc on socks or a stripy hat ???? which is so many levels under that! Totally happy with tiny hints and snippets x
If you can do that, you can do anything. Welcome to the wonderful world of stranded.
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Woop woop! How very exciting!
Thank you so much, especially as you’ve been here through thick and thin. Yup, it feels pretty exciting.
Super Kudos! Keep it fun for yourself!
I can hardly wait!
Thank you!
What they all said…
…is kinder than I deserve, but thank you anyway!
Huge congratulations! I look forward to learning new directions in color work, with your creative guidance. Fun!
I’ll do my best. And thank you for your congratulations.
Congratulations! I’m now waiting with bated breath and know it’s going to be a very useful and well-read addition to my bookshelf.
Eek, no pressure! I’d better get on with writing the thing. (But thank you for such kind words.)
HUGE congratulations, and so deserved! I can’t think of a better person to write this…and the patterns….looking forward to the patterns.
Sign me up for a first edition! Xx
Eek, thank you! You’re very kind. Obviously the first edition will make you a profit of millions in a year or two’s time…
Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I’m learning color work (by book, hook, crook and YouTube) will so now there’s your book to look forward to. Here’s hoping I’ve advanced enough by the time it’s available for purchase to appreciate your offerings.
You are amazing. I hope you’ll offer signed copies!
Best wishes for your continued success!
Congratulations! How exciting.
Congratulations on the book deal! I’ve only done enough stranded knitting to want to do more of it, in small projects. I look forward to seeing your book.
Right, I’d better get on with writing it, then! (Also, thank you.)
Woo Hoo.
I. Can’t. Wait (will you sign my copy)?!
Well done you ( and as for keeping the secret….. You could have spilt the beans then we could have fed the publishers midazolam cake and they’d have forgotten you had told anyone ???? ) x
EEEEEEEEHHH how exciting!
Congratulations on your book!! Looking forward to reading it!!
How very exciting. And terrifying (for you!). Looking forward very much to seeing how your imagination ranges wild and colourful.
Wow that’s fab, well done you. I keep threatening to delve into the intriguing world of colourwork, maybe I should start now and I may have got to grips with the basics when your book comes out. Look forward to reading it but, as others have said, please don’t stop blogging xx
Very exciting and well deserved, congratulations. Looking forward to it. Hope there are some easy peasy bits for strand-knitting newbies like me.
Thanks! I’m evangelical about stranded knitting so I hope that the book will help wary newbies find their confidence with two colours at once.
How exciting! Can’t wait to see it!
Thank you so much!
How cool to be published in this domain. Living the dream
Must admit that yes, this is a dream come true. Or at least it will be once I’ve actually written the thing…
Well, isn’t this fabulous news! I wish you much success.
Thank you! Better get on with writing it, then…
Well done you clever clever girl, as I have said before “is there no end to your talents?
“Is there no beginning” more like, but thank you!
Waiting for your book to be printed and available is, for me, like waiting to open Christmas presents, only with more anticipation! Big congratulations!