compiled and revised | now available as a book
Those familiar with The Ravell’d Sleeve know that originally it was a journal and that it was unique among knitting publications. It’s context was couture knitting and it was devoted solely to the technical aspects of knitting, design and fit as they relate to this approach to knitting. The first issue appeared in the spring of 2002, the fourth and last issue was mailed to subscribers in September of 2008. Each issue examined in depth a technique or element of couture knitting, explored a fundamental practice, tenet or theory, and, beginning with the second issue, offered a pattern for a small project that served as an exercise in the couture technique that was the focus of the issue.
When issue 4 appeared last year, many expressed regret at the news that it would be the final one and were concerned that ceasing its publication would limit access to couture knitting to only those able to attend workshops. There was a small reserve of back issues, so the journal remained available, but the reserve was soon exhausted. The continued interest in the journal and the many warmly enthusiastic comments inspired me to make the complete journal available in a book format.
The new, single volume Ravell’d Sleeve collects the contents of all four issues. The articles have been organized according to their subject, rather than the issue in which they appeared; photographs of the projects have been added; the patterns have been re-worked with an eye to consistency in the form and language of their text and presentation; and all time-sensitive material has been eliminated. In some cases the articles have been edited and expanded in the spirit of clarity and completeness, but the goal of any edits has been to preserve the original journal without undertaking a complete revision. Considerably revised, though, the introductory discussion of couture knitting reflects the evolution in my thinking about couture knitting and the way my practice of couture knitting has sharpened in focus and broadened in reach.
The book is now available directly from lulu.com at the same price as the original journal subscription.