My lovely friends Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook recently contacted me to see if I'd be interested in being part of a blog tour for Jane's gorgeous new knitting book, ISLAND. Of course, I jumped at the chance! They sent me the book earlier this month, and let me just say that if you pick up one knitting book this year, ISLAND should be it. These patterns are well-executed, easy to understand, perfect for every knitter ... and once you see them you'll want to knit them all. The photos are breathtaking ... cover to cover. If you're a nerd like me, you'll appreciate the paper quality (the cover is like butter) and the clean graphic design. Here is Jane's collection.

Arbutus

Grace

Strathcona

Renfrew

Rathtrevor

As soon as I had the book in my hands, I cast-on Arbutus in bright yellow Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted. I love how sculptural this cowl is! It looks so cool when you wear it; I love how the front three tiers lay and move with you as you do your thing. It's one of those pieces that you can throw on and you know it will look good all day long.

The construction is pretty fantastic ... short rows and three tiers that connect in the back. This colorway is called ‘Michelle’s Dress’, named after the First Lady’s Inauguration dress from 2009. It’s a little bit hard to see in my photos, but there are places where the yellow tones turns greenish. So cool.

Next, I knew I had to knit myself a Renfrew. This is quite possibly the best-fitting hat I have ever made. (The pattern has instructions for a regular cap or slouchy hat ... I knitted the slouchy version.)

I used a skein of kelly green Araucania Toconao Solid and I love how it turned out.

There are subtle color variations in this yarn that look super cool with the reverse stockinette.

This hat flew off the needles in record time, probably because Jane's clever pattern instructs you to knit it inside-out to take advantage of the knit stitch. Slick!

And this awesome band on one side of the hat is made of mock cables. So fantastic to knit. I already have yarn picked out to make a second one.

So, you totally want to get your hands on this book, right? Print copies of ISLAND are available now through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and Amazon.co.uk. The e-book is available through the ISLAND Ravelry shop.

OR. Leave a comment on this post telling me which pattern is your favorite. One lucky winner will receive a print copy of ISLAND. The winner will be chosen on Monday, January 28.

ISLAND is a collection of handknits designed by Jane Richmond and inspired by life on Vancouver Island. This book was a special artistic journey to bring Jane's patterns to life with photography by Nicholas Kupiak, modeling by Kylee Shaw, and graphic design/layout & conception by Shannon Cook & Jane Richmond.

Follow along as ISLAND makes it's way across the rest of these blog stops...

J A N U A R Y

8th - Vancouver Yarn

10th - KD Quilts

14th - Canadian Living

17th - Celtic Cast On

22nd - Canary Knits

24th - Hey Jen Renee

29th - The Yarniad

31st - Knitted Bliss

F E B R U A R Y

5th - French Press Knits