An Almeida Theatre production that opened at the Albery Theatre with Diana Rigg and Toby Stephens; and then played for a season on Broadway. This political thriller; set in Rome at the beginning of Emperor Nerorsquo;s tyranny; lays bare the relationships at the heart of power as a world slips into moral chaos.
#1584469 in eBooks 2005-10-11 2005-10-11File Name: B00DBYU78C
Review
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful. An Ethnic TreatBy Fairbanks Reader - Bonnie BrodyI received my copy of Mostly Mittens today and it is a real treat. It focuses on designs from Russia; especially those of the Komi people. The Komi people are located mostly in Hungary and their language is of Finno-Ugric descent. Many Komi people also live in Finland. All of the Komi are originally from Central Asia and have migrated over time. Russia still considers the Komi "one of their 26 recognized ethnic minorities and they form an independent republic".The fundamental design pattern of the Komi is the diamond. Some people think that Komi knitting is the basis for the Fair Isle tradition in Scotland. As preliterate people; the Komi memorize their patterns as they were unable to write them down. Their patterns combine a wonderful choice of different palettes and lovely colors.This book contains 35 different patterns for mittens and four patterns for hats. The book is divided into chapters based on "pattern systems" from the easiest to the more complex. The yarns used for the mittens call for sport or fingering weight and should be 100% wool or another natural fiber such as alpaca; cashmere; llama; etc. Washable sock yarn or superwash wool yarns may be used. The patterns also call for double pointed needles; 7 inches long. Eleven inch circular needles may also be used depending on the knitters preference. The patterns in this book are all charted out in a Fair Isle manner and are easy to read. Ms. Schurch gives general instructions for all mittens before going into the individual patterns. I found this very helpful.The chapters are Basic Patterns; Septenary Borders; Wide Borders; Reticulations; Complex Borders and Complex Reticulations; and Alternative Ways of Working Mittens and Caps.Most of the mittens are knit in two or three colors; with a few using four or five colors; and they are BEAUTIFUL. It is easy to see the diamond motifs in almost all of them. The patterns are numbered rather than named. The colors go from striking and bright to subtle and soft. There is not a pattern in this book that I would not be proud to knit. I cant wait to start.The hats are whimsical and look like fun to knit. The four included in this book are the Komi Earflap Cap; The Komi Cap; The Ribbed Cuff Cap; and the Komi Fez with Tassels.Whenever I purchase a knitting book I ask myself the same three questions.1) Does the book contain patterns that I want to knit?2) Are the patterns easy to follow?3) Will this book be a good resource?The answer to all three questions is a resounding YES. Any knitter interested in knitting multi-colored mittens or hats with an ethnic flair will love this book. It is for the high intermediate or experieced knitter. Anyone who has done two-color knitting might be able to do the basic patterns. This is a must for my library and Ive already looked through the book multiple times; smiling with the beauty of the patterns.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is a really fun knitting pattern book - beautiful colors and patternsBy NThis is a really fun knitting pattern book - beautiful colors and patterns; well-written instructions. This book turns into a launching pad for your own cool knitting ideas. Plenty of eye candy. Plenty of how to. Great book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Patterns for Using Up Those Leftover BallsBy Sydneys MomI do charity knitting every year; mittens and hats. I have gotten so I can recite the patterns in my sleep. I wanted something different this year; just to stir things up; and ordered this book. What a pleasant surprise! First; there is a wonderful discussion of the ethnic roots of these mittens with the Komi. Second; I can use up all my quarter skein left-overs in nice patterns (of course I use my color wheel!) and something that holds my interest; without being difficult. The mittens are as shown; but there are also 4 hats; which will take any of the patterns shown for mittens. Cables are great; but color is really fun. Right now I am doing a purple and yellow; blue and orange mitten (all lined up on the color wheel). Since I am using leftovers; I run each ball through my measurer (my husband made it from something used to measure fishing line); divide by 2; and wind up 2 balls of that length. Then; however long that color lasts; I know I can make a mirror image for the 2nd mitten.The patterns call for mostly fingering or lace weight yarn - if you make socks; you probably have a lot of that lying around. I dont - all of my ends are from worsted weight sweaters. Just adapt. For the very first mitten; it calls for fingering weight and #2 dpns. I tried a large swatch with my worsted weight and #3 dpns. My gauge is almost there. Since I am not knitting for any particular size; I started knitting a medium adult; figuring it might fit a large adult. Well; I am about half done with the first mitten; and it looks like a medium adult. I have small hands; and it is just a little loose on me. These mittens are thick; because of all the stranding. They should really be able to stand up to a Chicago winter!I have hundreds of knitting books. This is one of my current favorites. I will make mittens and hats (I need to do 100 hours; and then the charity gets a cash gift from my employer); then put it away until next year. But I guarantee I will pull it out again next year. This is a wonderful book; something that could be enjoyed by beginners (maybe advanced beginners) and experts alike. If you have to knit a lot of hat/mitten combos; for your family; a fund raiser or charity; this is your book to use up your stash ends!