Folk Mittens

Book excerpt: Clothing for the fingers receives special treatment in this collection of 48 mitten patterns from all over the world. In fact, Lewandowski attempted to find at least one representative pattern for every cold-weather region--and has, for the most part, succeeded (except for the Far East and northern Africa). Geography and history lessons are also in evidence; we learn about Scandinavian and northern islanders' occupations, hobbies, and peculiar knitting habits (the process of felting wool for additional warmth and the technique of tufting, among others). Plus, each of the four dozen designs, though not labeled by level of difficulty, includes graphs or charts and adequate text to follow and is accompanied by good color photographs. A handoff for intermediate and advanced knitters. - Barbara Jacobs; 120p-