Book Description
Best-selling author Alice Starmore combines style, practicality, and the mystery of the Celtic spirit in this gorgeous collection of knitwear designs.
Customer Reviews:
So many Sweaters, So Little Time.......2007-09-30
Alice Starmore is truly a design genius. Don't be fooled by the visual complexity and subtlety of these designs. With few exception, they are all knit with two strands of yarn at a time. She uses between 6 and 20+ various shades in various color palettes and makes tapestry rich sweaters a knockout. Follow her color recommendations or design your own, you won't be disappointed in the results. Stranded on a desert island, I would take this book, my needles and a boatload of yarn!
Knit something glorious.......2007-04-25
I actually have two copies of this book. The first was purchased more than 15 years ago, and is a much loved / slightly tattered hardcover. I recently received the paperback version as a gift to replace my much-used original.
I love patterns that have either lots of colorwork, or lots of texture. This is why I learned to knit in the first place. This book is heavily skewed towards color work. I have been making the sweaters from this book for various relatives for many years, and am currently working on a sweater full of celtic creatures for my daughter. You can also transpose some of the designs, such as the entwined dragons from the back of a child's sweater onto other projects as long as you keep the stitches even on either side.
If you look at the guages, you can substitute available yarns for the yarns listed in the book. Consider the colors and yarn selections in the photographs as "suggestions" and you will free yourself to make some personalized choices.
Warning: In the years since this book was published, some of the patterns have become dated. This is mostly due to the shape of the sweaters and ever changing fashion trends.
Have I mentioned that I love this book? I can't imagine not having it to reach for when the urge to knit something glorious strikes.
Beautiful book -- buy it while you can!.......2007-02-26
This is my first Alice Starmore book. I heard about her on a knitting forum site. I believe this is the only Alice Starmore book that is still in print. It is a lovely book and lives up to the high expectations raised about Alice Starmore designs on the knitting site. The beautiful sweaters are photographed on models in breathtaking natural scenery. It's a knitting book and travel book under one cover.
Her designs are based on traditional motifs seen on Irish jewelry and in illustrations in old Irish manuscripts. The colors are either beautifully subtle or strikingly bold.
I have found out why this is the only one of her books in print. There is a controversy surrounding Alice and her daughter Jade (which I will not attempt to explain) which explains why her other books will probably never be reprinted and no new books of knitting designs will be written by her. So buy this beautiful Alice Starmore book for a great price from Amazon while you still can!
A visual feast!.......2006-03-24
I got this book on a whim, not knowing much about what patterns I'd find within. When it arrived in the mail, I pored over all the beautiful things inside and then brought it to my knitting class that night. My knitting friends are all jealous and have found patterns they want to make too - but the work is pretty advanced. There are some lovely color patterns, some cable ones - just gorgeous - but not for the faint of heart. I like that there are some for children as well. The photos are stunningly beautiful and I know I'll get a lot of use out of this book.
A very good Alice Starmore book still in print.......2006-03-21
Alice Starmore is a very artistic and creative designer. Her out of print titles go for prices of $100-$700 on ebay, so order ths one while it is in print! Beatiful pictures and sweater designs with many shaded colors.
Book Description
Sweaters you'll love to knit. Sweaters he'll love to wear.
Have you ever knitted a sweater for a special man in your life, only to find that it didn't quite fit? Tricoter's simple system for combining classic, easy-to-knit shapes with beautiful yarns guarantees wonderful--and truly wearable--results. Whether it's casual sweaters, tailored vests, or sporty pullovers, he'll cherish his sweater because you made it, and because it looks and fits great.
Men's knitwear patterns usually rely on complex designs and difficult motifs. Tricoter's sweaters use beautiful yarns and classic shapes based on clearly written patterns that make them easy to knit. Several sweaters use large needles that will speed up your knitting for fast, fabulous results!
· Choose from 21 stylish patterns, from relaxed, casual sweaters to tailored vests and sporty pullovers
· With just a few alterations, you can easily adapt any of these gorgeous sweater designs for women, too
· You'll enjoy the heartwarming "yarns" about the men who inspired these sweater designs
Whether you're new to knitting or an experienced pro, Simply Beautiful Sweaters for Men guarantees knitting that's easy, understandable, and fun!
Customer Reviews:
Not worth the money.......2005-03-29
I was very excited to order this book to start making a sweater for my boyfriend. Unfortunately the book is full of sweater vests and only a few simple patterns. You could easily find similar patterns free online, so I definitely don't think it's worth the $35!
If you love color, try this book.......2002-03-01
I know the title says "Sweaters for Men", but women will love this book too. The structure and color of each sweater are lovely and the knitting is not too complicated.
Inspiring all knitters.......2001-11-03
Sweaters for Men is a beautiful book, excellent photographs. The directions are plain, clear and easy to follow. I liked the schematic that showed all increases, decreases, bind offs. I bought yarn at my local store and made a vest and have started a crew neck sweater. I will probably make two more sweaters from this book.
Great but EXPENSIVE.......2001-07-28
I got the book yesterday and my husband immediately picked out the cover sweater. I did a search for the yarn and found out that the sweater would cost $... to make. Other patterns use cashmere or pashimina which is also costly. I do like the schematics but I find it very boring to knit a seed stitch sweater even though the yarn is fabulous. Also, I wish they had included more bulky patterns. It will take months to knit a man's sweater on 8s.
Slightly Disappointing.......2001-07-28
I love the simple patterns but the cost of the yarns recommended is really high. I know you can substitute yarns, but it's still quite expensive. Also, I wish there had been more sweaters on larger needles.
Book Description
Packed with modern styles, tips on how to create your own designs, and a history of the surprisingly close tie men and yarn have shared through the years-this original craft book is perfect for the growing band of male knitters and women who crave more cool patterns for men.
Book Description
Two hot topics—male knitters and knits for dogs—come together in this one fabulous, fun volume! It’s a stand-out-from-the-crowd collection that features strong, colorful, and masculine designs that will appeal to men of all ages...plus companion items for their four-legged friends. The writing is informative, supportive, and humorous; crowd-pleasing images of well-dressed pooches with their sartorially splendid owners add to the entertainment. Geared toward knitters of all levels—but with an emphasis on intermediate and advanced techniques—the projects will wow readers. Imagine a quirky Rasta-inspired hat and a cool matching doggie jacket. Or a classic gray, cabled vest in merino wool and cashmere—one for him and one for Fido. Hit the town in a colorful patchwork pullover; matching saddlebags turn walk time into a fashionable outing. The projects are offered in a wide range of sizes to fit a variety of male and doggie body types—and, as an added feature, there are tips and anecdotes from more than a dozen male knitters.
Customer Reviews:
Great designs.......2007-09-02
I bought this book after seeing one of the hats on "Knitty Gritty" and was not disappointed. The designs are wearable and just beautiful, and instructions are clear and thoughtfully given. There are many sweater designs here that I will eventually knit up. Can't wait.
Something for all experience levels.......2007-03-01
I love this book! It's as simple as that. I love the dogs (how did the photographer get them to do that?), I love to look at the handsome (the "take home to met the folks" type) male models, and most of all I love the patterns. There is something for every experience level, from small/easy dog toys to a sweater that incorporated cables AND fair isle, which will be my first project as soon as I finish my current project. (I can't wait) I've read a few tutorials in the front of a few knitting books in my time, and this one is very well written, with easy to understand sizing charts for men and for dogs, both of which can be hard to find.
You won't be disappointed.
A great one for your knitting library.......2007-02-28
It is so hard to get decent knitting patterns for men --this book delivers. The doggie patterns are cute too.
Love the book!.......2007-02-28
I currently have no family of the four legged variety (does one count a crawling baby?) but I have plenty of plans for the mens patterns! Snatched this from my local B&N as soon as it came out, and I love it. Definetely recommend!
it's ok.......2007-01-10
men's fashion has always been disappointing, and men's knitting projects are no exception. try as they may to push the envelope, most of the designs look acceptable for heathclif huxtable and no one else. a few of the patterns have potential if you change yarns from those suggested, but there really isn't anything here that you can't find in every other men's knitting books.
overall, it's just ok. not a lot to get excited about.
Customer Reviews:
for the guy who said 'dated' styles..........2007-01-07
I knitted the 'Rocks and Sand' sweater from this book. Since the specified yarns are no longer available from Rowan (though they have equivalency suggestions at their site), and since Rowan is pricey yarn, I knitted it in Debbie Bliss yarns in a different gauge than specified, using the Medium pattern to proxy for Large, as my adjustment for yarn gauge put my figures very close to the stitch counts in the Medium size (size is fairly easy to adjust for gauge, but trying to get pattern elements right after such an adjustment is a real PITA.)
There are rare elements of some of the designs that are 'dated', and I would say in the Rock and Sand pattern, the cowl neck is not currently in vogue for men.
However, the 'dated' elements of the patterns are all easily fixed by an intermediately-skilled knitter. Converting the cowl neck to a V-neck crew on "Rock and Sand" required little more than some thought and a couple of trial swatches to work out the decreases so that the crew neck would lie flat in the context of the angles of the neck opening.
(FYI, on this pattern I also swatched what Philosopher's Wool calls a 'Baltic Braid' technique, along the border between the body and yoke of the sweater where the pattern calls for a course of purls; wasn't aesthetically pleasing--too bulky, at least in worsted weight--so I can save you some work by saying don't bother with that bit of tweaking if you were considering it.)
My brother has happily worn that sweater during the Connecticut winters for the past 5 years or so, and *EVERY* time he wears it out, someone comments to him about what a fantastic sweater it is and wants to know where he got it (at which point he can smugly reply, "Oh, I had it custom knit...")
This is among the less expensive of the out-of-print Starmore pattern books. Personally I think that anyone ready to attempt projects of this complexity can improvise well enough to 'fix' any elements they may see as 'dated'. The Starmore patterns are definitely worth working on not only because of their intrinsic beauty as written, but because of what you will learn about knitting (and especially about color, should you choose a colorwork pattern) as a result of completing them.
My suggestion--see if you can find the modeled finished sweater pics on the web. If two or more of them appeal to you, then buy the book. Handle it carefully (photocopy the pattern you want to use and work from the photocopy to protect the book from damage during knitting), and if you find you aren't knitting the patterns after all, put it back for sale online. You'll get back something in the neighborhood of what you paid for it, if you take care not to damage the book.
Very Dated Designs.......2005-10-12
I have Starmore's book on Fair Isle knitting and I wish I had her book on Aran Island knitting. Starmore is a great knitting historian, and those two books mentioned are incredible resources for traditional work.
Even this book of men's sweaters has a few nice traditional patterns that would be good for any era. The traditional gansey that opens the book is one of these.
However, I was quite shocked at how dated many of the patterns are in this book. As a man, I can say that in the whole book there were maybe only 2-3 sweaters I would ever be caught dead in. My wife was more or less laughing at many of the designs. Obviously each to their own, but be warned that this is not like Starmore's other books of 'timeless' classics.
Also disappointing is that the book is mostly just patterns. Alice Starmore's best stuff -- her instructional writing and knitting history writing -- is not present in this book, making it significantly less interesting than the previously mentioned Fair Isle and Aran Island books.
It is cheaper than other Starmore books, but the lower price reflects an inferior product. Maybe the patterns will be enough for some, but for me, if I am going to spend so much for an out of print book, I want more than just a few good patterns.
Gorgeous sweaters he'll wear with pride.......2004-02-18
Face it. Most "men's" sweater patterns look like large versions of women's sweaters, and a lot of men just don't feel comfortable wearing them. This book, on the other hand, is filled with patterns for classic sweaters that even my picky husband will gladly wear, and wear, and wear.
Sweaters for Men by Alice Starmore.......2000-04-10
This lovely book of sweaters for men contains photos of the Scottish shores that inspired both the colorways and the patterns. The photos of rocks and moss are inspiring. The designs are both wearable and attractive. The styles are masculine in appearance rather than unisex. I currently have this book on loan from the local library and am seeking this out of print book because it is one that presents timeless patterns in a beautiful setting.
Book Description
Find a perfect fit for you, your partner, and your teens in this collection of classic to contemporary sweaters for adults and teenagers! Choose from more than 25 seasonal patterns in an array of beautiful colors and styles that suit the size range--and the fashion sense--of your family.
Easy to advanced projects spotlight a rainbow of colors, a range of stitches, and a variety of designs that take you through autumn, winter, and spring. From a chic cropped sweater for girls that transforms into a long, tailored version for women to beautiful Nordic-style pullovers for both men and boys, you'll find all the inspiration you need to showcase individual style.
· More than 25 gorgeous projects feature complementary--but not identical--designs for men, women, and teenagers, with teen patterns given in hard-to-find sizes
· Choose from boldly styled sweaters for teens, plus richly textured cables, delicate floral patterns, and colorful intarsia knits in traditional shapes for adults
· Teen patterns focus on fresh colors, fitted shapes, and simplified knitting techniques that will inspire young adults who want to learn how to knit
Let this unique blend of classic-to-contemporary designs inspire you to pick up your needles and make a special sweater for yourself and your family!
Customer Reviews:
Flaws without a printed errata sheet.......2007-04-26
The very first sweater I tried from this book has HUGE numbers of typos, and there is no errata sheet available. The instructions are fairly clunky in their layout, and after finishing this sweater I will most likely toss this book away. I understand that proofreaders won't catch everything, but many of the errors could have been caught through simple addition (i.e. if we begin with "y" number of stitches, by casting off "x" number will there be enough stitches for the next step, or shouldn't the number of inches required for the large by necessity be LARGER than the number of inches for the small?) The errors would have been so easy to catch--this book is sloppy and not worth buying.
Excellent book.......2003-07-26
These sweaters are beautiful, and the directions are clear and easy to understand. I had a question about one pattern, and the author personally responded to my email. I love this book, and I highly recommend it.
great book.......2002-03-15
I like this book because the styles relate to the seasons and the photographs make me feel as though I'm really outside, breathing the fresh air. This of course encourages me to get back to knitting and trying out these patterns. The photos also give a close-up detail of the stitches, which is very helpful. A real treat is the men's styles featured of which 'gryphon' and 'wishbone' are very handsome and well suited to any age group. Although some of the models are young, several patterns would be very suitable for women in their forties or older--such
as 'mariner', 'salish','kells' and 'twister'. This is an excellent book for a beginner or someone who likes a challenge but isn't ready to completely design their own. Bravo Kirsten Cowan!
UNDERRATED KNITTING BOOK !!!.......2001-10-25
This is a wonderful book. There are VERY inspiring patterns in this book. I look forward to making several of the sweaters for myself-- a first!!
This is a great book younger knitters who are looking for hip sweater styles.
I really enjoyed this book
Happy Knitting,
Nanette
Didn't find the sweaters irresistable . . ........2001-09-24
The book is nicely produced, a high quality paperback made in China. Photos of the sweaters are fairly clear, with only some emphasis on poses of the models that obscure the sweaters here and there. The instructions seem clear also. The patterns call for Paton's or Naturally yarns, fairly inexpensive although Paton's is difficult to find in the US -- try a Canadian resource like Ram Wools in Winnipeg. The fault I found in this book is simply that I found most of the sweaters unappealing. The cover title and photos led me to believe that I would find more stylish sweaters than I did. I purchased based on one of the cabled sweaters I saw in an ad for the book -- only to find on seeing a full-size photo that the sweater is much too juvenile for me. Hence my disappointment, although the sweaters are all quite nice for teenagers or young adults. But then, most of the sweaters seem ordinary, things you can find in any simple knitting book or things that you could actually create yourself without needing any book/instructions at all. The patterns are arranged by season, and the more interesting sweaters are in the winter section. Those for spring and summer are typical, tiny cotton sweaters without much inspiration. A plus is that the sweaters are sized for adults and teens. In a season when we are seeing a good number of knitting books being published, this book may not be able to compete with those that are more stylish -- on the other hand, this is a very good book for the advanced beginner looking for a little challenge.
Book Description
Yarn girls, whose easy, stylish knitting projects helped kick off the current craze, are back to show knitters-who-can’t-get-enough how to knit all year round. While the Yarn Girls still love wool sweaters as much as the next knitter, they want designs that work for the beach as well as the ski slopes. In their fifth book, Knits for All Seasons, they offer projects for every month of the year.
These forty new patterns are conveniently organized by season: a vest for fall and a Chanel-inspired cardigan for winter. For spring, you will find a three-quarter-sleeve boatneck and a short-sleeve polo. And the perfect projects for summer include a ruffle skirt and a halter top with cabling. As always, clearly written instructions will allow knitters of all skill levels to achieve polished results. Plus, many of the patterns knit up quickly, ensuring nearly instant gratification.
Ideal for knitters in warmer climates as well as anyone who likes to wear their hand knits year-round, this is the yarn girls’ most versatile book yet and one that you will return to again and again.
Inveterate knitters since college, Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs left their respective careers in the medical and legal worlds to assume ownership of the Yarn Company, New York City’s landmark knitting store, in 1997. The store has become a destination for celebrities and locals alike, who come for the quickly sold-out classes, unrivaled yarn selection, customized knitting patterns, and friendly conversation. Visit the Yarn Company at www.theyarnco.com.
Customer Reviews:
classic patterns.......2007-08-15
The patterns in this book are lovely, classic patterns. The main problem is that the biggest sizes for women are about 38 to 40 inch finished bust size. I noticed that all the women models wore their garments skin tight so these patterns may be meant to have negative ease but it would be better to have a larger size range.The mens patterns were also nice but were worn much looser. Australian knitters could subsitute 12 ply and 8 ply yarns for many of the patterns.
Another hit.......2007-08-08
I am a Yarn Girls "groupie" so I immediately pre-ordered this book as soon as I found out it was coming out. In keeping with the Yarn Girls style, this book is chock full of fun and fashionable sweaters showing lots of great colors and yarns. There are also some men's sweaters included which are all classic styles. Like their last book, there are also normal people modeling the styles which is such a refreshing change. However, I would have thought that by book #5, they can get into some shaping for waists and shoulders. These are techniques I've picked up in my short knitting experience that really make a difference and was rather surprised to find it missing. There are some styles I'd like to make, and I know I have to spend some additional time calculating the waist shaping on my own. An example is the "For a good cause" basic tank (they've included this same pattern in each of their other books) which would benefit greatly with some shaping. Even the beautiful girl in the picture looks a bit frumpy with the poor fit. Of course, the men's patterns and some other shrugs/boxy cardigans don't require such shaping, so no further work is involved than picking your favorite shade of yarn and getting started. All in all this is still a book I'd recommend. Do look into the Yarn Girls other books, especially "Beyond the Basics".
Simplicity and Style.......2007-07-31
The concept behind the Yarn Girls' fifth book is pretty solid: knits for every season of the year. The book is arranged by season, and there are 40 patterns represented of different technical skill levels. The majority of projects are well-suited to beginning knitters who are ready to move into garment making. Intermediate and advanced knitters will appreciate the simplicity of the patterns, and can also use the basic constructions as a "jumping off point" to add colorwork, cables, shaping, or other embellishments.
The majority of the fibers and yarns used in the book's designs are easy to find, and are common weights and materials, able to be substituted easily. The fibers are natural, and there are also a few patterns that use vegan yarns and yarns from sustainable plant fibers (mainly linens and linen blends). My only complaint comes with the sizing: They are not quantified with sizes as many other knit patterns are (e.g. 34", 36", 40") but rather XS, S, M, L. Knitted measurements are provided in the pattern along with a schematic, so a XS corresponds with a finished width of 16", which would probably relate to about a size 32" or 33" (with ease). Sure, the information is there, but I am not sure why they choose to display it in this unconventional way; it could be confusing to a beginner.
The simplicity of the designs are what is so appealing - I like classic styles. If I am going to take the time and effort to knit something, I want it to be "in style" for years to come. These styles will undoubtedly stick around, and they will be fun to knit up in the process.
Book Description
This collection of men’s sweater projects presents classic designs and trendy fashion-forward pieces, forgoing the stereotypical Mr. Rogers and Bill Cosby variety of sweater. Offering tips for overcoming men’s reluctance to wear sweaters, this book provides the tools needed for making the right choices in fit, color, texture, and style to create beautiful, masculine knitted sweaters. Explored are how to understand his personal style and which colors and textures flatter particular physiques so that the sweater will be both enjoyable to knit and a favorite to wear. Patterns for Arans, Argyle, basket case, and cable rib are included for knitting cardigans, pullovers, V-necks, vests, and accessories such as scarves and gloves. Although intended for men, these sweaters have great unisex appeal and were developed for both new and seasoned knitters.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent patterns that guys really do like!.......2007-04-14
I bought this book looking for an aran pattern that my husband would like. Most patterns are made for thin guys and my husband has an athletic frame. With the instructions in this book I was able to adjust the fit to his frame type. I knit him a sweater and it is now his favorite and he wears it all the time. He even asked if I could knit him another sweater from the book.
Patterns Your Man Will Love.......2007-04-04
Knitters will enjoy crafting sweaters the man in their life will actually wear. Ban the boyfriend sweater curse forever!
hubby says he really will wear them!.......2007-01-25
Ok - so flip past the insutling first chapters and get to the patterns. There really are sweaters he would wear and yes, several he wouldn't wear. For one the cover sweater is a definite yes - he loves the casual rolled edges with the masculine fisherman cable style. There is another cable pullover that we like, a cabled cardigan much like a favorite that he already owns, and the tre find - three button up vest styles he would wear. He loves vests and I love them on him - but most of the styles on the market are too "older accountant" for him (there are a couple of those yuppy pullovers in here too.) so - there are things he wouldn't wear and I didn't knit -but there are at least 5 patterns maybe 6 that I'll definitely be knitting. There are probably patterns in here that your man (or you if you are the man and the knitter) will wear too.
The patterns in here are so much more man friendly than the other "knitting for your man" or "men who knit" books I've seen out there. These patterns are mostly for your 25 to 50 something man, the demographic that has been sorely missing from knitting patterns. Most knit patterns for men are either for the young and overly hip emo band member - or the older accountant heading for retirement. These men deserve knits too -and they have them. This book however is for the rest of the guys - the man who has a career - hobbies - a family - who wants that sweater he can wear every Saturday until it wears out.
So why only 4 stars? For my taste they could have included more patterns and spent less time telling me how to decide which patterns to knit or what color to use. The answer? simple - ask him to pick the desing, or look at the style of his favorite sweater & make something similar. I found the first few chapters insulting telling you how to choose color, style etc. Please - I know my husband's style (I knew exactly which sweaters he would like - I know his favorite colors. If you don't know this much about a man - maybe it's too early in the relationship to be knititng for him.) Yes - I've heard of the boyfriend sweater curse - but see - I'm knitting a sweater and a vest for my husband becuase he's asked for both items and I know his style - but I sitll asked him to pick -and he picked the ones I thought he would.
I still recommend the book - becuase of how hard it is to find sweaters that my husband would want to wear. These are mostly classic stles that won't become dated - but some of them at least - and have stitch patterns that will make them interesting to knit and to wear.
so pleased.......2007-01-18
exactly what i needed to expand my knitting skills!!! as always with amazon it arrived on time and in perfect condition!!!!
A great book, almost foolproof, and really fun, with gorgeous result.......2006-10-11
I have not knit for 25 years, and certainly never did anything like arans in my whole life, but have been able to make the most fantastic pullovers and cardigans for my boyfriend as a result, ones he not only wears, but proudly brags about (and so he should, the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino I use does NOT come cheap!!)At the same time, though, if you are going to take the trouble to do these lovely designs, go for the best yet most practical yarn you can afford. The patterns like the one on the front of the book knit up really well and swiftly if you use your markers and good wool, and don't go for anything too fussy that a guy will balk at-the texture and pattern really does all the work for you to make it gorgeous. I have made sweaters in black, navy, mid blue, charcoal gray, regular gray, and the traditional Irish oatmeal since I bought the book last year. The cardigans and pullovers also are very similar in patterns, strategy, like the diamonds, so once you get the pattern into your head, don't stop, go for another sweater.
The fit is perfect, the instructions clear, for the most part, if you make sure you read the whole thing through before you start the pattern, and make notes to yourself as you go.
Also, I strongly recommend photocopying the pattern several times per panel of the sweater or sleeve, to use as scratch paper, because they are repeating patterns based over like 30 rows or so. With the copies, you can just cross off one row so you don't get lost in the pattern. For the more complicated aran and color work ones, you can even cross them off one stitch at a time if need be.
One other recommendation, if you are going to invest this kind of time and money to create a fab sweater like the ones in this book, if you can find a knit store that will help you finish off the garment professionally, by all means do so. It is really the difference between handmade and exquisite, or homemade and kind of silly.
The chart at the front, what is your guys style, and match it to the pattern, is really the best part of the book! Now I have to knit for my step-dad and brother, they have been so wowed by the sweaters they've seen me making! Enjoy!
Customer Reviews:
Nice but..........2002-02-12
Nicely done but too many repeats from their Fall/Winter book.
The basics and beyond.......2002-01-21
This book contains some glorious patterns--the cropped diagonal aran knit is especially inspiring. I've only had time to briefly run through the patterns but many appear to be fairly easily adaptable to larger sizes and/or the use of different yarns. Someone mentioned earlier that some of the designs are "ordinary" and basic. I personally don't own a lot of patterns so it's nice to have a book that has inspirational designs I may never make as well as others I can use as a template for my own designs.
Hoorah Kim!.......2001-10-18
I am a fan of Kim Hargreaves because of her simple clean designs. Her patterns in this book not only showcase the beautiful new wools and colors of Rowan this season but the sweaters are fashionable. The sweaters mirror the boxy clean lines of todays fashions. I look forward to making every one of them. The book itself is also very well done and beautiful to look at. I only wish there were more books by Kim to collect.
Little excitement, ordinary sweaters.......2001-10-11
I can't ever say that I've looked through a knitting book and wished that the photographer had paid more attention to the scenery that to the sweaters. I felt that way with this book. I think the location was Scotland, which could have been fun to see, but unfortunately most of the location is blurred or cramped by the shot. This is unfortunate because the sweaters were, for the most part, so disappointing that if the landscapes were better, the book might have made me a lot happier. Hargreaves published a fantastic book many years ago, with very stylish, sometimes intricate, but truly beautiful sweaters. For many years she's been one of Rowan Yarns' lead designers, especially favored by those of us who weren't Kaffe Fassett fans. Her sweaters are normally innovative but not way-out, striking and easy to make, feminine without being silly or childish -- in summary, truly wonderful. She's had a flair with Rowan yarns, coming up with designs for every walk of life or moment of your life, from casual to formal, outdoors to party chic. But in this book, she seems to have lost her inspiration. The intent of the sweaters is to present styles for the return of the old Rowanspun line of yarn (I'd prefer they returned their lightweight and DK weight lambswools!). The yarn aside, too many of the sweaters have a clumsy look to them, and too many are commonplace -- cropped crew neck cardigans or cropped sleeveless pullovers, things you could knit yourself without even thinking. I did like two of the sweaters, but not enough to purchase the yarn and make the effort at knitting them. I'm glad that I purchased the book, because like with Rowan magazines, it is a quality product, nicely printed and a good collector's item, but you may be as disappointed as I was in the dullness of these ordinary sweaters.
Product Description
Just in time for their 50th Anniversary comes this first full-length biography on the groundbreaking Irish Folk Music Group, the Clancy Brothers. Fifty years ago, in March 1956, four aspiring actors, three brothers and their friend, joined forces and recorded an album of Irish rebel songs. By 1961, after two additional albums, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem landed a spot on the Ed Sullivan Show, which, by a chance of luck, ended up being an 18 minute appearance, unprecedented at that point, and Columbia Records hired them soon after. By 1969, fifteen albums, and numerous television appearances later in America, Canada, Ireland, England and Australia, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem had revolutionized Irish music worldwide, as well as the woolen knitting industry in Ireland with their trademark sweaters. And they didn't stop there. For thirty more years, they continued performing, though with various personnell changes with the departure of Tommy Makem in 1969, and later the departure of Liam Clancy, to be replaced by "the other brother" Bobby Clancy, nephew Robbie O'Connell, and Louis Killen over from England. Plus, Tommy Makem and Liam reunited in 1975 to form one of the most sought-after Irish music acts in the 1980s, Makem & Clancy. Their story is all here in this first full-length biography devoted to this legendary group, with over 300 vivid photographs depicting their lives and career, along with a flowing text telling their story in detail.
Customer Reviews:
Best bio available on groundbreaking Irish folk act.......2007-01-01
First off, give author Conor Murray credit. The kid is only 20 and he's managed to assemble the first bio of this seminal, often-overlooked pioneers of Irish folk music. It's also a credit to his musical taste -- not many 20-year-olds can appreciate Irish folk music. And it's a decent piece of work covering not just the most famous lineup (the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem), but also the brothers' post-Makem work with Louis Killen, Bobby Clancy and Robbie O'Connell.
I particularly appreciated learning about their later years -- what they did and how they (Bobby, Tom and Paddy Clancy) left us
Murray's also not afraid to give his opinion, making it clear he likes the simple, unadorned productions (esp. concert albums with lots of on-stage banter) rather than the dressed-up studio albums of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It's just important to remember these are one person's opinions; the very albums he doesn't care for -- 1969's The Bold Fenian Men and 1970's Clancy Brothers Christmas, for example -- are among my favourites.
It's unfortunate Murray didn't appear able to get interviews with Makem or Liam Clancy; as a result, there are huge gaps in information, such as quotes explaining:
-- exactly why Makem left in '69;
-- why the 1984 reunion didn't result in a new recording;
-- what the boys thought of their uneven 1970s recordings (and why they were so uneven).
-- What Makem thought of Clancy recordings made after he left and;
-- Why the 1970s recordings contained so little actual Irish songs.
I also would have liked their thoughts on how/why record companies have mistreated their catalogue (good luck finding most of the Clancy Brothers albums on CD!) their successors (Wolfe Tones, Dubliners, Chieftains) and the state of Irish music today. We could have used more of this information and fewer pictures; many of the shots are repetitive and, therefore, simply unnecessary.
Anyway, it's still nice to have this book. Hopefully, if Liam writes and publishes a sequel to his wonderful autobiography (The Mountain of the Women), some of the gaps I've mentioned here will be filled in.
CONGRATULATIONS CONOR.......2006-04-04
Thank you Conor, for the work you have done to commemorate the heritage of Irish people throughout the world. It is important that we remember the lives of fellow Irishmen who impact our lives; as Irish, a vivacious bunch we are...honoring our distinct cultural qualities is part of the celebration of life. This book is already a triumph!
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