In the beautiful package that Scheepjes sent me, there was also Bookazine No. 16 Shimmerland. Today I’m sharing my review of this gorgeous Scheepjes Bookazine. So grab a cup of tea, a cookie or two, and get comfy. Here we go!
In the past, I used to review these Bookazines while standing in the bookstore. Just flipping through the pages of a “sample copy” that had been handled by multiple people. I was immediately a fan of the concept, but my crochet skills weren’t at that level yet. I only recently learned how to make a magic loop, and all these Bookazines seemed too difficult to tackle. But as of today, I can do the magic loop with my eyes closed. I’ve written down a bunch of patterns myself and feel confident enough to start a new project from this Bookazine. Today I’m sharing my review of the Shimmerland edition, and believe me, it’s wow. No, really—WOW! Let’s get started.
The Theme
When you think of Shimmerland, most people imagine glitter and glamour. Everything that shines and sparkles. That’s certainly true for this Bookazine. On the other hand, there’s also mystique and fantasy. Mix sparkle with imagination, and you get Bookazine Shimmerland. From dragons to kissing benches. From colorful blankets to glamorous shawls. Each design has a touch of magic, which makes them so special.
The Items
In this Shimmerland Bookazine, you’ll find 16 stunning designs. From a cute amigurumi dragon to a colorful fantasy blanket. The item I love most is the Spotlight Stole. The black-and-white with bright pink fits perfectly in my wardrobe. It can be paired with anything, and if pink isn’t your color, you can swap it for blue, yellow, or any other shade you like. The stole is knitted, but in a simple way. I can knit, but not as well as I can crochet. Still, this Spotlight Stole definitely won’t intimidate me from giving it a try.
And don’t even get me started on the amigurumi dragon. I won’t say much because I’m sure that if I show that page to my son, I’ll have to make it for him. It’s that cute and would make a wonderful gift for both boys and girls. Just change the dragon’s colors to pink, and you’re set. So yes, the dragon is on my favorites list!
I also really like the Float Away Jumper. Again, I’m no queen when it comes to knitting. But the colors of this sweater—oh my! This one is definitely on my “to-try” list. A good friend of mine knits, so maybe she can help me with the sleeves. The rest seems easy, so I’d go for it!
Interviews with Designers
This Bookazine features inspiring interviews with designers Yayoi Kusama and Chris Berens. Chris is a Dutch artist focused on fantasy worlds. His specialty is painting, and he pours his heart and soul into his work. Google him for more inspiring artworks. The other designer is Yayoi Kusama. She combines fantasy and her vision of the world in the form of art. Look her up for some inspiration!
The Yarn
The yarns used in Bookazine Shimmerland include: Scheepjes Merino Soft, Cahlista, Catona, River Washed XL, Metropolis, Truly Scrumptious, Scrumptious, Our Tribe, Mohair Rhythm, Whirl, Organicon, Downtown, Terrazzo, Stardust, Legacy.
The Patterns
The patterns in Shimmerland range from beginner to advanced. I noticed that some designs might look complex, but when you read the pattern, it’s easy to understand. You just need to get the hang of it, and then you’re good to go.
There’s one thing I found a bit confusing in the book. When looking at the designs, you see “knitting needles” and a page number for the pattern. On closer inspection, you see that it’s actually a crochet hook and a knitting needle. From a distance, it looks like two knitting needles, which might make you think it’s a knitting pattern. Maybe Scheepjes could adjust this icon to show a single crochet hook or a set of knitting needles, so you immediately know whether the item is crocheted or knitted. :) As for the Spellbinding Blanket, I thought it was knitted. Well, it’s crocheted!
My Conclusion
The book contains several very special designs. I’m not sure if I’ll make them all, but I’ve made a list of my favorites. Definitely the Amigurumi Dragon, the Spotlight Stole, the Spellbinding Blanket, the Float Away Jumper, the Celestial Mobile, the In the Clouds Blanket, and the In The Shadows Shawl.
