Obsessions among those given to needle crafts is taken as a given these days. Knitters and crocheters often talk about obscene amounts of “stash” they have squirreled away in every nook and cranny of their homes. Pattern collecting is another sore affliction, one from which yours truly suffers.

However, of late I have developed a new compulsion: more and more I find myself taking armloads of books home from the library, and then proceeding to purchase my favourites.

Like this             and this 

and this        and this

The list goes on, and my wallet suffers.

These glossy tomes are of the new breed of pattern book. Glossy pages, expert photography, and professional modeling abound. I know just by looking at the complex patterns, perfect fits, and sumptuous non-acrylic (and therefore expensive) yarns that most of these pieces I will never ever make, yet I can’t help but gawk. You are likely aware of the term food porn. I declare that yarn porn is just as serious a phenomenon. Based on my reconnaissance of this blog and this tumblr account, it appears I am not alone.