Stitching in the Stacks

Cooperative Press (and Sarah Barbour)'s latest book, Stitching in the Stacks, has just been released. I'm just stoked to be a part of it.

My contribution to this project is the Jessamyn Mitts, inspired by Jessamyn West. I've admired Jessamyn for some time now, so I was thrilled to hear that she would be getting involved with the book too. Not only did she provide the foreword for the book... She also wrote it while wearing a pair of the mitts bearing her name. :)

Photo © Caro Sheridan
The pattern is a fun knit, if I do say so myself - quick but engaging. I've made two pairs so far (one for the book, and one as a gift for my mom). In DK yarn, they really knit up in a flash.

It features an unusual stitch pattern with lots of texture created by increases & decreases, which also form the thumb gusset and wrist shaping. The right and left mitts are mirror images of each other - the stitches form a stair-step pattern. Plus, they’re worked in Debbie Bliss Andes, the cushiest most gorgeous alpaca-silk blend yarn.

This book has been a long time coming, and besides my own pattern I'm thrilled to see what the other designers have come up with. There's functional librarian gear (Kindle cover or French Press cozy, anyone?), and garments & accessories both practical and fanciful.

It has patterns inspired not only by classic pop culture librarians like Barbara Gordon and Mariam "Madam Librarian" Paroo, but also real-life librarians. Flipping through the book, I've learned about incredible women such as Belle Greene and the Pack Horse Librarians.

You can buy Stitching in the Stacks digitally on Ravelry or at the CP shop, where you can also pre-order the print version.

~Joyuna