Banned Books

verboten

(from Merriam-Webster Online)

Main Entry: ver·bo·ten
Pronunciation: v&r-'bO-t^&n
Function: adjective
Etymology: German, from Old High German farboten, past participle of farbioten to forbid (akin to Old English forbEodan to forbid), from far-, fur- for- + biotan to offer FORBIDDEN; especially : prohibited by dictate

Now that Fantine is officially finished, I thought I'd take a look at one of the other long-desired items on my wishlist: Anise. I walked over to the bookcase where I would have sworn I placed my precious NewShapes and it was not there. Just. Not. There.

I could feel my blood pressure rise as I pulled out all the recently reorganized books in the office. Next, I took everything off the top of the WIP armoire. Lastly, the yarn closet, where I apparently trapped an orange cat who had, unbeknownst to me, tagged along on my search.

I'm pacing now. How could it be MISSING? I fought so hard to get that damn book and now it's GONE?

Backstory
I first purchased this book in August from an online retailer who claimed to have the book in stock, but did not. The following week, the owner contacted me to say that it would be available and shipping to me within the next day or so. It never showed. I waited a month for that book. Can't say I don't have at least some patience. I never heard back about my refund request either. Grrr. But who's going to go ballistic over $16.95? No, I will not name the shop publicly.

By this time, the book had become more widely available in the US, so I bought it from the lovely (and speedy) Knitter's Palette. It arrived and I hugged it, then promptly put it at the top of the stack of books on the bottom shelf in the office.

That was last week. This morning, I decide to double-check yarn requirements for Anise and see what else I might queue for the making (or at least dream about). I reach for the book and no soap. Am I just not supposed to have this book? Ja. Verboten.

Was my desire for it too strong and thus the knitting universe is doling out a bit of Rowan-lust punishment? I don't think I rate that high on the naughty knitter charts for this kind of treatment, thank you very much.

If you were me, would you tempt fate and buy the book one last time?

ETA: Oh, how wise are my readers? Very. I found the errant Rowan tucked out of sight on another bookshelf. It had slipped behind a box of patterns. Now don't I feel a bit sheepish for blowing a gasket.

Let's Review

Yes, the Chicago Bears closed out this terrific season without bringing home the prize. Like our baseball teams say, "Wait 'til next year!"

Moving on. I thought I'd do something a bit different today and review some of the high (and low) points of Nicky Epstein's third book in the series, "Knitting Beyond the Edge". The quick and dirty take on this book? I really liked it from the inspirational design perspective. There are some things that are, at best, impractical and, at worst, shall we say not the best use of good yarn. I know. Eye of the knitting beholder.

At first, I thought Ms. Epstein would really have to stretch to find material for another book on edgings and embellishments. What I found was not rehashed work from the first two books, but some really original implementations of that work in the cuffs & collars, necklines and edges from this latest tome. The majority of the book's 155 pages is devoted to beautifully photographed cuffs & collars, with corners and necklines occupying second and third place, respectively. Those looking for extensive examination of "closures" (the last title chapter) will be sorely disappointed as this consists primarily of button-band treatments.

Since one of my goals is to awaken the creative design beast within, I was happy to see quite a few things to enjoy and adapt as takeaways. I've photographed a couple of my faves from the book for this review.

If you're at all uncertain, borrow the book or check it out at a local bookstore before you make the buy decision. That way you'll know if your money will be well spent.