I love new-to-me knitting books. What a treat it was to discover Barbara Benson’s Mosaic & Lace Knits: 20 Innovative Patterns Combining Slip-Stitch Colorwork and Lace Techniques! In it she fuses lace and mosaic techniques to create patterns that have the lovely drape and lightness of lace and also the excitement of color.
I’ve had some experience knitting mosaic designs before, but still I found myself utterly absorbed by the book’s in-depth description of the mosaic technique. Barbara’s writing style is easy and conversational, yet full of great tips. She explains the mosaic charts made popular by Barbara Walker. Then she tells us why she deviates from that convention, adding the “return row” to accommodate her use of lace stitches. (I confess that when I come across Walker’s style of chart, where every charted row represents two rows of knitting, I always re-chart it to include all rows; I find it more fun and relaxing.)
One of the sections I learned the most from is the discussion of carrying yarns up the edges in a way where the edges match each other. I’ve made several striped shawls over the years and the difference between the right and left edges has always bugged me. Barbara solved the problem brilliantly.
The book’s 20 patterns include a nice variety of projects, from mittens to scarves to shawls, hats and more.
When I review a book I like to make a project from it to assess the author’s pattern writing. I made the “Love Child” shawl above (which I’ll post about in the future). I was very happy with the clarity of the instructions. Each pattern includes photos that show the entire project and also detailed close-ups.
The next project I want to make is the “Pinwheel Market Bag”:
“Sailing Diamonds” is one of several fun hats:
The book’s back matter includes a variety of useful cast-ons and bind-offs, seaming techniques, and a well-done table of abbreviations. All very helpful!
The Giveaway
I really like Mosaic & Lace Knits and I’m giving you a chance to win an autographed copy of your own. Many of the patterns are perfect for summer knitting, as the lace gives them lightness. That’s why I’m calling this the “Summer Solstice Giveaway”. The drawing will be open until midnight Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 20th. We’ll celebrate the Summer Solstice on June 21st with a random drawing of the winning name.
To enter the random drawing, simply leave a comment here on this post. Please include your contact information in your comment so I can let you know if you’re the winner. (One comment per person, please, with only one comment and email address per person.)
I can mail this book anywhere in the world as long as there are no postal or delivery restrictions.
Resources:
Mosaic & Lace Knits: 20 Innovative Patterns Combining Slip-Stitch Colorwork and Lace Techniques by Barbara Benson. You can find more of Barbara’s patterns on her Ravelry designer page
Publisher: Stackpole Books. March 31, 2017. 128 pages
Available in paperback and Kindle
Errata for the book can be found here
What a wonderful and thoughtful collection of patterns It looks as if you could approach several of the patterns with little or no experience, and build your confidence through the collection to the point of making all of them. KittenWhiplash on rav
This looks like an amazing book, and would certainly be a great addition to my pattern collection.
I recently checked this book out of our Library. It is one I wouldn’t mind having in my small collection. Many knitting pattern books have only a couple of patterns I’m interested in, but this one, many.
I would love the book by Barbara Benson, I watch her pod cast every week. She makes some beautiful things.
Love Barbara Benson and all of her patterns. I’m knitting her “in the library with the Candlestick” mystery knit along and am loving it.
Barbara Benson’s patterns are great to knit. Her directions are so good and easy to follow.
Oh my goodness, I need to learn Mosaic! They are so beautiful! Barbara is so talented. I’m an advance beginner, so it’s perfect for me to learn.
I’ve been wanting to see this book on person – my library doesn’t have it so if love to win a copy. Sheilaokeefe on rav
Thanks for the great review … This sounds like just the thing for the knitter who wants the combination of colorful mosaic effects and breezy lace! I am gkgreen on Ravelry and gkgreenknits@gmail.com … ✨
I have wanted this book for a long time! <3
So glad you reviewed Barbara’s book. I’d love to own a copy. I still can’t figure how her brain comes up with these incredible designs. Just amazing.
I love Barbara Benson! Her patterns are all very well written and her podcast is the best!
I’ve been waiting a long time to get my hands on this book. Love Barbara Benson! Such an amazing designer.
I am really enjoying Barbara’s mystery knit a long on raverly and I’d love to add her book to my library.
I love Barbara’s mystery knit along shawl on raverly and would love to add her book to my library.
I like the different patterns. mdiva00@gmail.com
These patterns are beautiful. I am a beginner knitter and would love to learn more. Would be a great book to learn new things from. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have just recently discovered Barbara on YouTube and joined her Ravelry group. I plan to join her MKAL as soon as my out of town company leaves. I’m going to buy the book even if I win this because I belong to a weekly knitting group that could use those slip stitch skills taught by Barbara.
What a great book. I love Barbara Benson!!! She has some amazing patterns. I enjoy watching her videos on YouTube. I have learned some new things. Mosaic lace is a lot of fun. I would really like to add this book to my collection. Thanks.
I need more patterns like I need more yarn . . .and we all know “need” has nothing to do with it! I’d love to win this, as there are obviously some challenges in the book that I should attempt. Thanks for the chance to win.
The market bag alone would be worth the book…it is one of the prettiest that I’ve seen! But her excellent tutorials and thorough instructions are the real winners in this book and her single patterns and podcasts.
I would love to win this book.
I love this book and have wanted it every since it came out. I watch all of her podcasts. Thank you for such an awesome giveaway!!!
Fingers and toes crossed. Would be fun to try a marriage of lace and mosaic. I’m always looking for new ways to engineer my knitting.
I’ve usually stayed away from lacework because I didn’t think I was skilled enough. However, I am trying very hard to work outside of the box in my knitting and crocheting. Iam so intrigued by these stitch patterns, I think it’s time to move to the next challenge. Thank you.
My two favorite knitting techniques combined in one book…how fun is that!
Slip stitch color! Great! And Barbara Benson is wonderful.
I would love to win this book. I watch her all the time and think she is amazing
Wow! Thank you for such a comprehensive review! I’m currently doing Barbaras MKAL and would love to win this book. And thanks you the chance to win also!
I would love a copy of this book to start my knitting book collection! I watch her podcast every week and love the designs she creates,
This looks like a fabulous book. I love Barbara’s designs. nwheatley on rav
I have recently learned of mosaic color work and it looks like something I could do. Most of my knitting has been single colors because I didn’t like the way the multi colors had to be added, I hate weaving in! I have also just found Barbara Bensen within the last six months and was referred here from her newsletter.
I would love to win this book:) Love Barbara Benson:)
Thank you for your wonderful review of Ms. Benson’s book. I’ve already picked some to knit.
And I appreciate your support of another fine designer. That’s very good of you to do.
I love Barbara’s patterns. Have knitted one but would love to have her book to knit more! I’m Judy Schubert from Wisconsin.
Sewmchfun@aol.com is my email.
Love that shawl on the cover! This book has been on my wishlist for a while now and I just haven’t had the budget. Might as well give this contest a shot. 🙂
Barbara’s work is enjoyed all over the globe. Her patterns are well thought out and fun. I would enjoy this publication very much. Thank you for your wonderful review.
What a nice give away… thank you
I love Barbara’s work and this book is on my wishlist. What an amazing giveaway!
I love Barbara’s slip stitch designs and can’t imagine how to combine lace in the mix. I hope I win the book so I can find out how!
This book would look great in my collection.
I have knitted lace and mosaic, but never together. This looks like a wonderful book!
A perfect combo-I looooove lace patterns as they keep my interest, but find it difficult to often use lots of color without looking ‘stripey’, which takes away from the lace. Have wanted to really master mosaic knitting–and this seems like the right time!
I <3 a free pattern book! And these do look lovely. Fingers crossed.
Hi!
Seems like a book with many nice patterns 🙂
Wow, these patterns look like they would be so much fun to knit!
Kimert on Rav
I recently discovered Barbara Benson, and completely separately I finished my first mosaic project. I would be so thrilled to win this book!
I stumbled across Barbara Benson’s patterns on Ravelry a couple of winters ago. I like her style.
carolsumie on Ravelry
What a great book.
sparky136 on Ravelry
That looks like a wonderful book. I see some things there that catch my eye.
Gorgeous!
What an interesting technique. This looks like it would be a lovely addition to my knitting library. Thank you!
OMG love ❤️ the patterns! Just gorgeous. Msmarbi on Ravelry
What a fun giveaway! I’ve been thinking about getting this book for a while now – there are a lot of interesting looking patterns in it. I’m currently taking part in her mystery knit along and I’ve never had so much fun knitting a shawl before. Actually, since the knit along began, I’ve purchased yarn to make another of her patterns after I finish this one. I’d love the chance to make many more. Thank you for the opportunity!
These patterns look super exciting! Thanks for the give away, I’m Rebekka on Ravelry
Just had to try – I would love this book.
This looks amazing. I’ve done mosaic knitting and enjoyed it but haven’t done a lot. This looks like a great book to get more tips from as well as some awesome patterns. I’m Jjlrdomom on Ravelry.
This book looks great, I’d be over the moon to win a copy. I love your thorough review. Thanks for sharing. I’m purplejen on Ravelry.
I love the colors in the projects.
tktl on Ravelry
Such beautiful patterns! I especially like the Love Child shawl. (asimplehomestd on Ravelry)