By Mary Skoy
I first encountered Vivian Høxbro’s clever approach to knitting in her book Domino Knitting (Interweave Press 2002). That book pushed the boundaries of my understanding of how knitting worked as it explored the interaction of shapes connected to shapes—“modular knitting.”
I dutifully followed the instructions to learn the domino knitting techniques and ended up with a collection of swatches that doubled as pot holders. I became an immediate fan of Vivian Høxbro when she wrote, ”There is no getting away from the fact that domino knitting is slower but who says that we have to knit quickly? We knit for the enjoyment today, don’t we? Who wants something fun to end quickly? Not I!” She also said: “Be kind to yourself—only the best equipment is good enough.”
In her latest book, Danish knitting expert Høxbro goes beyond domino knitting and explores space and shape in other kinds of modular knitting. Vivian Høxbro‘s Knitting Handbook: 8 Schools of Modular Knitting is Høxbro’s compilation of techniques and projects for eight different types of modular knitting. Once again, you can learn the techniques by knitting carefully explained swatches which are large enough to be put to use.
Vivian Høxbro’s Knitting Handbook: 8 Schools of Modular Knitting by Vivian Høxbro. Published by Trafalgar Square Books (April 19, 2022) ISBN-13: 9781646011353.
The book is divided into 8 “schools” or categories of modular knitting arranged by shape. School 1 is Stripes 2 Squares, 3 Tri-Squares, 4 Right Angles, 5 Staircases, 6 Zigzag, 7 Shells, and 8 Circles. Each “school” comprises 10-14 pages of row by row instructions illustrated with step-by-step photos of the knitting in progress.
An example of Høxbro’s excellent illustrations: the “zig-zag school.”
The directions are clearly written and Høxbro seems to anticipate questions that might arise in the knitting. For example, she tell us: “Just before a color change the edge stitches are very, very small, so here you have to be especially careful when the needle is inserted into the join. You can enlarge the edge stitch with the needle tip and can maintain control if the stitch and ridge count coincide” (p. 29). This is helpful information for both a beginning knitter and an experienced knitter.
Following each of the eight techniques are patterns for two projects using the technique just presented. Among the projects are patterns to create scarves, shawls, vests, sweaters, and pillow covers. As is always the case in books with patterns, some are appealing and some are not so great. I loved the Shell Top (pictured on the book cover) and was not so fond of the Boomerang Shawl. Of course, that’s very much personal taste. But each pattern is thoroughly explained and well-illustrated.
Boomerang shawl. Photo taken from the author’s website, viv.dk
The last section of the book is Techniques and Edgings. Here, she illustrates picking up stitches, short rows, changing color in stripes, and weaving in ends. She includes clear photos of i-cord, ribbed, and garter stitch edgings.
These instructions may not be necessary for an experienced knitter, but including them makes the book a handy reference for knitters at all levels of experience. She illustrates a way to mark decreases and increases by adding a small rubber band to the stitch to keep track and to make counting easier. This was new to me and a good tip.
The book welcomes us into the world of Vivian Høxbro’s knitting. She writes in the introduction: “I have never been a fan of the cast on 385 stitches and knit around to the underarms. etc. …I’d rather be entertained and challenged, and create something you could never find in a store. I like the knitting process. If you feel that way or you’d like a change of pace from your usual patterns, then this book is for you” (p. 8).
Høxbro suggests spending “a few evenings studying each school, preferably with your knitting friends, It’s always great to work together so you can help each other.” She writes as if she is speaking to us, inviting us along on this knitting adventure.
Her stated goal is for knitters to use the book to play and experiment further. She has given us the tools and inspiration we need.
Vivian Høxbro has worked as a knitwear designer for over 35 years, both self-employed and for yarn companies. She has written 12 knitting books, some of which have been published in Norway, Japan, and the USA-including Traditional Danish Sweaters, published in 2019 by Trafalgar Square Books. Since then, she has taught and given lectures in Scandinavia, as well as in the USA and Japan, and is working to make Denmark’s first knitting museum in Stubbekøbing a reality. Vivian currently resides in Stubbekøbing, Denmark.
Vivian Høxbro‘s Knitting Handbook: 8 Schools of Modular Knitting by Vivian Høxbro. Published by Trafalgar Square Books (April 19, 2022) ISBN-13: 9781646011353.