Customer Reviews:
Be familiar with Elizabeth Zimmermann before buying this one.......2007-09-26
While this book does contain several knitting patterns, this is a largely autobiographical book by Elizabeth Zimmermann. If you are familiar with her lively books and "deconstruction" knitting patterns, and find them charming, you will love this one. If you didn't like her other books, you'll dislike this one.
The patterns are about learning to knit rather than following a pattern, and I think makes knitting less intimidating. The patterns cover socks, a fiar isle yoke sweater, dickeys and hats, the moebius jacket, the "Bog Jacket," the "pie are square" shawl, a Norwegian pullover, mittens, and my personal favorite, the Aran coat. Obviously, not a huge number of patterns, but I bought it mostly for Elizabeth's life story and her warm writing style.
keep an open mind!.......2007-09-03
i bought this book for a friend's birthday and was, at first, really disappointed when i received it. it is published in unprofessional laser-printed sort of way and is a hodge podge of biography, drawings and knitting patterns, some of which are too dorky to wear (eg dickies!) so i didn't give it to my friend and thought i would return it. in looking through it, i found a bunch of ways to improve my knitting designs that i thought it was well worth the price and kept it. if you are the kind of knitter that loves designing your own projects, this is a very useful book. the sweater i was making for my daughter was improved so much by using some of EZ's techniques.
i agree with other knitters that EZ seems like she was an amazing person with a great personality. she didn't take things too seriously and had a great sense of humor about her designs. and i am happy to be exposed to her ingenuity through this book. i'm hoping a bit of her extraordinary inspiration rubs off!
Elizabeth Zimmerman.......2007-08-23
I enjoy all of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books and with this one I especially enjoyed her talking about her life and getting some background on her. I have made several sweaters using her guidelines and her techniques work. The sweaters looked good and fit the recipents very well. There are several items in this book that I am looking forward to making.
Getting to know Elizabeth Zimmermann.......2007-07-27
Some timeless projects, written in Elizabeth's delightful and unique style. The biographical details make this book a must-have for any knitter's bookshelf.
Elizabeth Zimmerman rules!.......2007-07-22
Like all of EZ's books this one is as much fun to read as to knit from. I am a knitting instructor and recommend this book as a "must have".
Book Description
Throughout his years working as a knitwear designer, Brandon Mably has had the good fortune to journey around the world presenting his hugely popular “Color in Design” workshops. Wherever he went, Mably took inspiration from the local crafts and colors. Now, he shares some of the ideas he’s gathered in a collection of unique projects bound to tempt any knitter. Beautiful as these pieces are, they’re also straightforward, with most featuring a basic stockinette stitch and his own simple color technique. The 20 items include a Guatemalan bird-patterned slipover, Indian felted bag, Apache waistcoat, South African hands cushion, and Australian zebra swing jacket. In addition, Mably provides a lively account of his adventures in a visual travel diary that pays homage to the countries he’s visited.
Customer Reviews:
Truly Inspirational.......2007-09-24
Lovely book packed with gorgeous designs, but what was even more exciting for me was the opportunity to see the sources of inspiration together with the patterns, sometimes in several different color combinations and the final garment.
Try before you buy.......2007-09-14
I'm glad I picked this up at the library. It's a beautiful book, with lovely pictures and interesting information. The charts are big and actually in color instead of stupid little symbols.
On the other hand, many of the women's garments seem unwearable--the jacket shown on the cover has a 72" bust. Two of me could wear it. The xs/sm would weigh over 5 lb. Nearly everything is oversized, or worse. I don't think any thought went into garment design other than getting these great colors and patterns onto a wearable.
Besides sweaters, jackets, and vests, women get a lackluster purse. Sofas get some pillows and a throw. Men get two vests and a basic sweater. Girls get an extremely charming vest. With your leftover yarn you can make a striped throw, but no total yardage or weight is given--just "various 4-ply yarns and colors from Rowan Yarns". The throw in the photo looks as if it is lined and then given a crocheted edging, but the instructions don't say anything about lining it. I can't think of a way to get that edging over a lining without excessive hand sewing. I really like this idea, because I can't wear wool next to my skin. (I wear a lot of turtlenecks in winter.)
Get this book if you love Kaffe Fassett and have a primary interest in color and pattern; don't get it if your interest is in garment design. People like me will check it out from the library or buy a used copy.
Knitting Color: Design Inspiration from Around the World.......2007-06-27
This is an interesting book. I like it because it takes ideas from what we see around us. We are different from each country -- only we are the same as each other., Thanks for a great book. Patterns given and the colors are wonderful. It makes the imagination start to flow.
A unique, perfect acquisition for any serious knitter's library........2007-06-18
KNITTING COLOR: DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WORLD provides the author's innovative use of color gained from his world travels and workshops for knitters. Knitters of all skill levels will learn the keys to his color pairing techniques, with 20 original patterns discussing sources of inspiration, cultural influence, and how new patterns for knitting can be discovered from everyday life. The full-page color patterns and insights make this a unique, perfect acquisition for any serious knitter's library.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Color To Take Your Breath Away.......2007-05-12
Brandon Mably's new book invites you to explore color in your knitting. I was just content to look at the glorious pictures for inspiration! Although this book would be daunting to a beginning knitter, the color guides and pictures of his travels are enough to satisfy anyone who loves knitting, color, or a travelogue around the world. I have this book in my living room and guests love to look through it and always comment that maybe they should start to knit!
Book Description
Knitters will delight in these 25 traditional and innovative vest patterns collected from around the world and through the ages. Both functional and decorative, these wonderful projects for men's and women's vests are accompanied by folk stories and regional histories from the country of the design's origin, including Scandinavia, Japan, North America, Nepal, Peru,and many others. More than a pattern book, readers will feel connected to the cultures behind the projects as they bring these native crafts to life.
Customer Reviews:
Traditional, Classic, and Innovative Designs.......2007-09-06
This book is a design library and Folk Vests are frequently seen being proudly worn at the big knitting shows. The wide variety of stitch and construction techniques makes Folk Vests a great learning guide for the newer knitter, and experienced knitters will find designs that showcase their skills. The photos of the vests give good stitch detail. All the patterns give clear instruction and finished measurements. Minor errata have been corrected in the new printings and are also available from the publisher on the web. Highly recommended for avid knitters and students of knitting alike.
Folk Vest.......2007-08-30
Photographs of the vests are beautiful, only wish the gauges worked. I tried the Bookworm vest and ended up searching the internet for corrections. I recommend, before knitting patterns, search for corrections.
Study in Frustration.......2007-08-25
This pattern book has very nice looking vests but,
unfortunately, the instructions have too many errors.
I tried to knit the Bookworm vest and it came out huge
even though the gauge measured correctly.
Wish I had not purchased the book.
Knitting.......2007-01-10
Enjoying the book, it provides me with an outlook on vests from other countries. Recommend this book to all who are interested in knitting styles .
A History of old garments.......2006-07-17
The book is interesting to read if you are interested in cultural history. The patterns are variated, you can knit some of the vests exactly as the pattern tells you, others are inspirational to your own fantasy. You can make your own variant of the garment.
Book Description
Thirty projects from 23 countries offer a worldwide representation of bags, from Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas. From the fish-shaped Japanese felted bag to the Persian carpet–inspired handbag, each bag is a product of its cultural history. Each pattern begins with a brief history describing the source behind these contemporary interpretations of folk designs. Folk stories also accompany many projects. Included are designs for bags for work or play, and bags of all shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Using this collection, knitters can create bags for children, for market, for everyday, or for a special evening event.
Customer Reviews:
So Clever.......2007-07-12
I bought the book because I loved the pictures of the finished bags. Now that I've started to work with the book, I've fallen in love with the author's craftsmanship. Not only are the bags unique, their construction shows a real understanding of the possibilities that stich choice creates. For example the Market Bag is a classic string bag, but unlike the string bags I've made from online patterns, this one uses unusual (but simple) stitch variations to provide maximum strangth and shaping. I can't wait to make more of the patterns!
Sweeeeet!.......2007-05-05
I convinced my sister to buy me this book for my birthday 4 months early so I could make her the fish purse for her birthday which was way before mine. Since then I've made 3 of the fish purses. They rock. Whenever we are carrying one people stop us to ask about it. My sister even had japanese tourists taking pictures of it (not her) in an airport. All of the projects are super cool and would probably get the same reaction. Now I just need to brush up on my fair isle skills so I can try knitting the Doll Bag.
Good bag mag!.......2007-01-10
I found the patterns easy to work and many easily adapted. Patterns were fairly well written. Also the inserted how to diagrams were extremely useful. Very well thought out book, easy to follow, and excellent patterns(in my point of view of course:).
Great, earthy designs.......2007-01-04
One of a kind designs with a lot of ethnic punch. If you like unique things this the book for you. I just loved almost all the designs and color combinations as well. Makes you want to collect purses!
Combines both artistic flair and solid knitting techniques!.......2005-11-18
As an experienced knitter, I am really enjoying knitting the exciting designs and exploring the interesting techniques in this book.
Book Description
With 30 completely original patterns for fun and functional hats, this globe-trotting collection presents clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions for knitters of all skill levels. History and folklore from the hat's country of origin accompany each project. Included are felted cowboy hats, festive hats from Cameroon and Japan, historic derbies from around Europe, a beaded cloche from Afghanistan, warm cossacks from Russia, and darling baby bonnets from Nigeria and China. Each unique topper is an item of style and of substance. The imaginative and versatile designs and range of yarns and techniques put a new spin on the standard hat pattern and reinterpret these folk classics for modern knitters.
Customer Reviews:
love this book.......2007-01-31
loads of wonderful things to knit in this book, just wish it was cold for longer so I can get wear them all
Fun, interesting, and different.......2006-09-23
I bought this particular book because I wanted guidance in making brimmed hats. I don't expect to be felting much but the patterns will be a place to start. What I liked about Vicki Square's book, as opposed to some other hat books, is that each of the hats is significantly different from the others that I think I'm getting my money's worth. Many of the hats are shapes I wouldn't have thought of myself.
True, I won't knit any of them in the exact colorways or details shown, and I may omit a few of the "finishing" touches. But in the world of "people will put anything on their head (E. Zimmerman)," these are pretty cool. I have a feeling I'm going to have to make a frontier in lace for myself... but then, I run to the exotic.
Point, however: I bought the book for the suggestions and direction and I haven't knitted a pattern as written, and probably never will. Can't offer any guidance about how easily one can follow these patterns.
What's Under the Hat?.......2006-07-06
Knitting is a new passion for me. History is an older passion. This book contains both. Knitting patterns include easy and fast to advanced techniques. The blurb about the origins of each hat is the surprise under each hat. The only drawback, perhaps, is the expense of some of the recommended yarns.
LOVE IT.......2005-12-13
Finally a book that has what most of us really want, some funky funny hats. If you are looking for a nice ordinary hat, then stop right there and DON'T get this book. Howevery if you are wanting something EXCITING, different and very creative then grab this book. My 9 year old is a hat wearer and THANK YOU, I was running out of ideas.
Funky Crazy Hats with FELTING.......2005-12-08
The most useful hats in the book and wearable patterns for the general population will probably the the felted hats.
Unless you live in my neighborhood. (A slightly left leaning younger crazier population who will probably put anything on their heads.)
The cowboy hat, fedora and derby are all felted, lovely and very wearable.
The samurai headdress is something my exboyfriend would have begged and cried for until I knit it for him.
The other projects all have their uses. My Ren Faire friends ooohed and ahhhhed over a couple of the projects. (The Frontière and the Renaissance Beret)
And other projects that look crazy (the Chinese Knot Topped Calotte) looks a little too-too in the hot pink and yellow but would be adorable in a different color scheme.
If you're looking for some different hats, it might be worth a try. If you want to try felting a derby it'd absolutely be worth a try.
Book Description
Why knit one sock and then start all over again to make a match? Instead, knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles! With this creative approach, you can slip a sock on each foot as soon as you bind off.
* Get off to a great start with one basic sock pattern; then experiment with seven more designs
* Make cuffs, feet, and toes match exactly from sock to sock; no more measuring as you go
* Discover how easy it is to convert any sock pattern for double-pointed needles to this ingenious method
Customer Reviews:
I finally get it!.......2007-09-30
After many attempts at knitting socks, I finally get it! This book has stayed at my side while knitting my first "pair" of socks. As a matter of fact, I have them on right now and have 2 more pair on needles.
The instructions, photo's and description of each part of a sock are right on. I was fortunate enough to have taken one of Antje's sock classes in her shop and can tell you this book is a must! It makes knitting two socks at one time a breeze.
While I have only been knitting for 3 years or so, I have always wanted to make socks only to end up with one as I used double pointed needles.
I am so glad I found her shop and the book. Thanks for sharing!
A fun learning experience.......2007-09-28
Since I have done socks on doublepoints before, I decided to start with the "Anne" pattern and fingering weight sock yarn instead of the worsted weight wool recommended for first attempts. I figured I could just take the numbers from Anne and drop it into the basic pattern instructions as I went along. It worked beautifully!
The instructions in the basic pattern are very detailed and easy to understand and follow. And thank you for taking the time to add many pictures to the directions as I am more of a visual learner!
I also like the various patterns in this book because they show how to work this technique with cables and lace, and they are not too complicated to practice with. I've started working on the fixation/lace pattern and it's very pretty...I keep trying one sock on! ;)
Next I am going to use one of my favorite "regular" patterns and convert it to the circular needles. Hopefully it will be as easy to understand as the rest of the book is. I really enjoyed adding this book to my knitting library.
Knitting in Circles.......2007-09-15
The illustrations of the method was excellent. The patterns included were very simple and not very interesting or attractive.
2 at a time.......2007-09-14
I do like this book. I have not had time to try patterns but it is very well written and directions are good.
Good-bye repeat sock knitting!.......2007-09-01
I reallly enjoy sock knitting, but everytime I get close to finishing the first sock, I already dread having to knit the second one. I've tried the Magic Loop technique and it's okay but...not my favorite. When I saw this book and realized that I could knit two socks at the same time, I got pretty excited, especially since I've heard mention of this technique before. I was happy to discover the book since I've been too lazy in the past to research it.
Got my copy yesterday and went to work right away. The instructions are very detailed and along with excellent photos and drawings, Ms. Gillingham makes it pretty easy. I also loved the anatomy of the sock. It cleared up some of my confusion from previous projects. So far with the easy to follow directions in this book, I feel that I will be able to master this technique fairly quickly. I cast on my socks this afternoon and am already done with the cuffs, now working on the leg. I love it! Thank you for writing this book and sharing the technique with the rest of us sock knitters.
Customer Reviews:
Collection of Alice Starmore's articles.......2007-01-30
If you're dismayed by the prices for some of Starmore's famous knitting books (Aran Knitting, etc) then this book is a marvellous taste of the work by the Knitting Guru. The book is a compilation of articles from Threads Magazine and 4 of the longer articles are by Alice Starmore! The Articles (for those of you who'd like to know) are:
Aran Knitting BY ALICE STARMORE
Shetland Lace by Alice Korach
Exploring a Knitted pattern by Margaret Bruzelius
colorful tvaandsstickning by Linda Sokalski
Fair Isle Knitting BY ALICE STARMORE
Argyles without Seams by Susann Thompson
Methods for Multicolored knitting by Maggie Righetti
Knit Paintings by Yoshimi Kihara
Swedish Two strand Knitting by Linda Sokalski
Unraveling the Myths of Shetland Lace BY ALICE STARMORE
Socks Socks Socks by Peg Richard
Catalan Knit Lace by Montse Stanley
Knitting in the North Atlantic by Madelynn Fatelewitz
Make a Wooly Warm Coat by Meg Swansen
Designing a Wheel Pattern Fair Isle Tammy BY ALICE STARMORE
Knitting Traditions by Beth Brown-Riensel
I adore this book and love the fact that it has complete patterns and explanations of so many different types of knitting and still costs a fraction of what other books do.
Classic with Bohus, Twined knitting, and Shetland Lace.......2006-01-03
This book covers some of the most coveted styles of international knitting, from Shetland lace, to imitating Bohus Scandinavian-style pattern knitting. Sections include Shetland lace, Catalan decorative lace for doilies, Fair Isle, Two-End Twined knitting (Sweden), Aran Knitting, Socks in Shetland pattern, Japanese knitting, Faeroe knitting, tam 'o shanters, and more. Great book, a classic.
collection of knitting styles/techniques from all over.......1999-08-15
I really enjoyed this book. it can be read for knowledge or to learn how to do the techniques. The history of the different styles is given as well as the how-tos from fair isle to tvaandsstickning(that's how it is really spelled) to shetland lace. It is a great into to different ways to knit. I would recomend it to anyone who wants to expand their base of knowledge(sorry if I sound like a teacher).
Average customer rating:
- Exciting knitting patterns!
|
Around the World in Eighty Sweaters
Sue Bradley
Manufacturer: Holt Rinehart & Winston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0805004564 |
Customer Reviews:
Exciting knitting patterns!.......2000-11-30
Colorful, imaginative, and fun to work....that describes the patterns in this book. I'm a knitter of pretty average skill who has been looking for really eye-catching patterns for sweaters. Far too many patterns these days are monochromatic, basic cable-knit or dolman type garments. This book takes basic, easy to follow patterns, and imbues them with influences from many other cultures.
There are patterns for coats, sweaters, gloves, hats and sweater-dresses in here, each with fabulous patterns from Persian rugs, South American peasant weavings, African tribal masks, Scandanavian traditionals, as well as a myriad of others.
The instructions are explained well, in basic layman's terms, and (probably most important) the garments really do come out looking like the pictures! Any knitter, from beginner to expert, can find something wonderful to create in here.
Average customer rating:
- Around the World with Melinda
|
Folk Knits: Traditional Patterns from Around the World
Melinda Coss
Manufacturer: Anaya Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
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Knitting
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ASIN: 1854701223 |
Customer Reviews:
Around the World with Melinda.......2001-07-18
From the minute I opened this book I knew it was a must have for my library. Every design is unique, though not for the faint of heart. Most items are challenging enough for the most advanced knitter while many are still manageable for the intermediately skilled. My first project had to be the sweater featuring the exquisite geisha portrait, which I chose to duplicate stitch for added depth. With clear, precise directions & graphs, there are no problems to producing garments with a panache you'll be proud to be seen wearing.
Product Description
"You will find it possible to knit any number of stitches on one circular needle."
Books:
- Learn-To-Knit-Afghan Book
- Learning to Weave, Revised Edition
- Loom Knitting Primer: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting on a Loom, with over 30 Fun Projects
- Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5)
- Machine Quilting Made Easy
- Making Mosaics: Designs, Techniques & Projects
- Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads
- Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unleashed
- Milady's Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians
Books Index
Books Home
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Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes (Knitting Without Tears SL 466)
Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac
Knitting from the Top
The Opinionated Knitter
