sneak peek
Thank you for all your kind wishes about the book proofing. It's going really well. The book is jam packed with information, patterns, pictures. I have to say, it's the most knitting book per page I've ever seen. Fifteen essays about the social phenomenon of knitting together through time, from firesides to blogs. Twenty projects, including three with massive charts. A DIY chapter on running your own knitalong. An introduction about me and my grandmother. Hundreds of photos from people around the world.
So the proofing is, while not hard, just a heck of alot. There is a vast amount of room for error, and in that great wide open space there are errors. Not too many, actually, but catching them requires looking everywhere just in case. Like checking every inch of a meadow for one bunny. We have our backs hunched over, bunny hunting.
The meadow itself is gorgeous. It has green grass and flowers of darkest pink, rust, and cream.
It's a crowded meadow. There's simply not enough room in the book for some of things I always thought would be there. A couple of project elements had to be cut. We lost some pictures of people I love. There isn't room for the map of the knitted quilt squares, showing who made which square and where they all traveled from. The dedication is so small I'm not sure I should include it. (But these gems will move, instead, to knitalong.net when the time comes, and the site will act as a companion to the book).
This is the thing that's saddest but most powerful about making a book, cutting that which you've cared about, while also realizing that without the act of judiciously cutting the book would not only require a forklift but would also suck. That by cutting you are really making the book good.
Argh.
Anyway! In answer to your many sweet questions, I don't really know when the book will be officiallly published, in stores, or available for preorder on amazon. Believe me: I. Will. Tell. You. You think I'll let that pass by? Haaaahahahaha. I can say it's a "Spring 2008" book, and the copyrights inside the book say 2008, so January seems the earliest possible. It seems like other Spring 2008 knitting books are coming out anywhere from January through April (here are some by publication date order).
BTW: It seems like the themed knitting books for spring are leaning toward "home," "I love felting!," and "men." I have no opinion on that, just noticing. And also, the new Wenlan Chia book which is also photographed by our awesome photographer, Michael Crouser, is now on preorder status.
I cannot wait to see more. You are such a tease!
Posted by: Mama Urchin | 2007.07.07 at 10:54
As an editor I know that you're right: cutting is painful but critical -- perhaps the hardest part of the process. And your careful proofing is also critical, allowing your reader to have complete faith in you. Good luck. I'm sure your book deserves the best care and attention you can give it.
Posted by: Luise | 2007.07.07 at 15:17
yay! i am really looking forward to your book.
Posted by: shobhana | 2007.07.07 at 15:20
I am SO excited for your book - just to know someone who has authored a knitting book - especially one with this cool premise - makes me feel very "in". Congratulations on your hard work!
Posted by: Katie | 2007.07.07 at 16:22
Oh, what a gorgeous photo! Cannot wait for more - there is no knitting book I'm more eagerly anticipating. (Have I already said that here? I may have...)
Also: new Wenlan! Yay.
Posted by: Max | 2007.07.07 at 17:30
Oh, what a gorgeous photo! Cannot wait for more - there is no knitting book I'm more eagerly anticipating. (Have I already said that here? I may have...)
Also: new Wenlan! Yay.
Posted by: Max | 2007.07.07 at 17:30
I still can't believe I *know* Hau. she looks like she belongs on a runway somewhere!
I can't wait for the book to come out. it's the only one I want in that whole list of books other than "tea cozies." hehe. (especially since I do NOT love felting) another theme I noticed: one skein. for the budget conscious?
Posted by: sarah gilbert | 2007.07.08 at 00:47
I am really looking forward to the release of your book. I will totally preorder one from Amazon!
Posted by: Knittripps | 2007.07.08 at 11:41
oh! hey! larissa, what's the title of your book?
Posted by: shobhana | 2007.07.08 at 16:33
I. Want. That. Scarf.
Posted by: anne | 2007.07.08 at 17:49
Beautiful! I'm so eager to see your book.
Posted by: Valerie | 2007.07.11 at 09:44
I noticed you have my name on your list. How did you get my name, and why are you using it?
Posted by: Ann Maszaros | 2007.09.12 at 11:09