5 stars (The Knitting experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch) - I am an experience knitter and I love this book. The designs are not only simple but aesthetically beautiful. I am inspired to knit them all. Christine Montano. 5 stars (The Knit Stitch) - Loved this book. Good for beginners as well as seasoned knitters. 5 stars (This is the books that is teaching me to knit) - As a experienced crocheter, I've been disappointed with the lack of nice sweater patterns. So I decided to learn how to knit. After reading "Knitting for Dummies", I was just as confused as before. Then I picked up this book. The book is extremely easy to read and learn from. The step by step photos are very helpful when you are trying to decipher where the heck your hands, fingers, and yarn should be. By following along with the photos, I have been able to successfully complete two projects in this book, and I am beginning another one. The patterns are very nice. Of course, as with any pattern book, there are some that I have no interest in making, but there are at least 5 more that I can't wait to try. One reviewer has said that the patterns are monotanous with lots of knitting. Ms Melville states in the book that these projects were designed with lots of knitting on purpose, in order to have the new knitter practice, practice, practice. To me, there is an upside and a downside to this. The upside: by the time I finished the bulky yarn poncho, I had mastered the knit stitch and tension. The downside: I would like to make the Best Friend Jacket ( a cool assymetrical sweater ), but in order to get enough yarn for it, I'm going to be dropping a chunk of money for the yarn. This can be daunting for a newbie, who is unsure of their commitment to the craft (I, personally, am ordering my $100 worth of yarn today for the jacket, after 3 weeks of debating whether I would actually finish it or not) A side note on the patterns I have finished: The super bulky weight poncho turned out AW... Xrx Books :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Needlework - General :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Sally Me :: The Knit Stitch (The Knitting Experience- Book 1)
5 stars (Lovely presentation, innovative ideas) - One of the reasons I love this book is its gorgeous presentation. Let's face it, at least 50% of a book's appeal is how it is photographed and laid out - this book gets an A from me. There are a few projects that are quite "Meh" (like the knitted crowns - though I think my daughter will love one) but the ideas are wonderful. It is worth a look. A small "notebook" is included inside the front cover, it is just knitter's graph paper but a cute idea even if I won't be using it. Knit a window/door screen with nylon thread? Why not? I also love the armchair cushion - I am inspired to find an old leather chair just to make that cushion. Another favorite is the little knitted "lanterns" meant for adding to a string of lights. Wrist warmers have been done to death, but here they are photographed on a model holding a guinea pig - I have to admit, I am charmed :^) A lot of luxury yarns and new ideas for knitting. 5 stars (irresistible for the adventurous knitter) - I LOVE this book. I got it 3 days ago & already have 2 projects started from it! The patterns are so well written; clear & concise. The photography is beautiful! And there are truly new & creative things in here! I love the creative "exercices" sprinkled throughout the book, like "describe your dream knitting day". Or my fave, is to "write down all of things that prevent you from being creative as you want to be, put them in a bag, and throw the bag away". It is a beautiful book that even my non-knitting friends love to flip through! 5 stars (Another Interesting New Entry) - There are a lot of very new, modern knitting books coming out as of late and this is one of them. The approach is away from the ordinary - the knitting most of us grew up with in the 1960-1980's. This book has some great patterns with versatility and it also includes ideas which are following the popular "salvaging" trend - using up old knitted items in new ways. Very n... -Stewart- Tabori and Chang- :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: John Rizzo :: Leigh :: Alterknits - Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises
3 stars (Not totally unique -- but still helpful for the stash-stumped) - For knitters looking to clear the stash out from under the bed (to make room for-let's be honest here-more yarn), Barbara Albright has written Odd Ball Knitting. In this book, Albright provides a plethora of tips and patterns for knitters looking to do a little stash-busting. From small patterns that use just a little bit of yarn (like finger puppets or scarves or sachets) to larger projects that use different kinds of yarn to create one unique piece (like a colorful striped poncho or shawl), Albright provides plenty of solutions for stashes of every size and color palette. While many of the projects are pretty standard-projects that you can find on the pages other knitting books and magazines-Albright does something that no one else has done. She puts them together in one stash-focused book to aid the stash-stumped. She also throws in tips for storing yarn, stash-busting, and even for figuring out just how much yarn is left on a partially-used ball. The chart provided in the back of the book also allows you to choose projects based on what you've got stored behind your sofa. If your home is under siege by yarn balls of various colors and sizes and you don't feel like flipping through your collection of books and magazines to search for just the right pattern, Odd Ball Knitting will get you started on the road to stash-free living. Or at least it'll help you clear up some room for the next clearance sale at your local yarn shop. 1 stars (Waste of Money) - I was hoping to see some new and creative ways to use leftover yarn. This book does not deliver. 3 stars (Eh) - Most of these patterns can be found for free someplace on the internet. I did not find anything here that was overly creative or that really said, "Oh yea.... I could do THAT!" This would probably be something for a new knitter. ... Clarkson Potter :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Barbara Albright :: :: Odd Ball Knitting - Creative Ideas for Leftover Yarn
5 stars (the best of the best!!!) - It's one of the best knitting books I have ever seen, I also own Knitting on the edge (a great book also)but this second volume is greater. Who said that seconds don't work? This volume proves there wrong.If you're a knitting fanatic like me, buy this book, you wont regreated. 5 stars (A unique and worthwhile collection) - Anyone hesitating if Nicky Epstein's second book on knitting borders is worthwhile - worry no more. As her personal intro says, "...completely new...", it is a wonderfully fresh, new addition to her first collection. And, there are many of these new edgings - this is not a skinny, part 2 type of follow up book. The format of the book is the same - clear concise swatch photos, wonderful use of yarns to highlight stitches, and a larger section on color knitting. You will be able to customize your knitting w. ease since the edging patterns details are clear and concise. The author gives a wonderful intro on texture and size as a jump start point for you. The edgings are organized in logical style categories w. a fresh idea of one, "Noveau" added - it stays true to its title. As in the first book, patterns highlighting her new edgings are included. The patterns are like palettes for her fantastc new collection of edgings. This one is a keeper, for sure! ... Sixth-Spring Books :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: BUSINESS - REAL ESTATE TRD PB :: Needlework - Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Nicky Epstein :: :: Knitting Over The Edge - Unique Ribs ?? Cords ?? Appliques ?? Color ?? Eclectic - The Second Essenti
5 stars (I love it) - This is a great book. Very clear, and it gives you great ideas. I would recomend getting this book along with "Stitch n' Bitch" because the two together cover all!!! 5 stars (Great book for knitters of all experience levels) - I LOVE this book. I have done crafts for 20+ years, but never really got into knitting. A year or so ago, I decided I wanted to start making sweaters. This was the first and only book I bought to teach myself. I found the directions very simple to understand and very straightforward. This book teaches BOTH English and Continental stitching and incourages the reader to learn both. If you start doing Fair Isle, being able to do both English and Continental comes in very handy. I'll admit, I really didn't read the entire book page my page. Instead, I use it as a reference that is never far from where I am knitting. The book not only gives the patterns for many "fancy" stitches and different cables, but takes the fear out of these. I recommend this book for all knitters. 5 stars (Excellent book) - This is an excellent book, it explains both Continental and English style of knitting and shows how to do many things in detailed illustrations. It teaches all of the basics and some intermediate designs and it makes it all simple to learn. I am so glad that I purchased this book. I already knew some basic knitting but I needed a book that explained the rest of what I did not know. ... For Dummies :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Cheryl Fall :: Rich :: Knitting for Dummies
5 stars (A Must-Have) - This book is definitely a winner. It is one of the few knitting books that I have looked at and said, "I want to knit everything in there!". There are Christmas ornaments, garlands and treeskirt and stocking sets. Also, several styles of table runners and a clever lace tablecloth by Annie Modesitt that uses panels of linen in between lovely lace strips. One item I think I'll be making this year is a delicate lace "frame" to use as a mat for a photograph (within a wooden frame). The garments are wonderful and most (except a little tank) are in a variety of sizes, from small to plus sized. ALL yarns in this book are of the best quality; no craft store yarns here :^) This means some of the projects can be very expensive, but I like to see projects knit with luxurious yarns because I know I can always substitute if I need to. I know shrugs have been done to death lately, but there is a new and interesting shrug idea in here from Norah Gaughn that is lovely. Highly recommended for all your gift knitting, and holiday decorating needs. The book is slanted more toward Christmas and Winter Solstice celebrations, with only one specific Chanukah project (a lovely cable pillow in which the cables form a mennorah). Many great designers, many fabulous yarns. ... -Stewart- Tabori and Chang- :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Seasonal :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Hanukkah decorations :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hob :: Handknit Holidays - Knitting Year-Round for Christmas- Hanukkah- and Winter Solstice
5 stars (How do you choose just one?) - Don't even open this book unless you have an hour to spend with it. This is a veritable catalog of finishing and edges! Armed with this guide, you'll never be accused of bland knitting! Even new knitters will find creative and easy ways to spice up their projects. Each technique is shown with a swatch, instruction are easy to follow and concise and there are even several sweater and scarf designs included to demonstrate different ways you can ornament your knitting. A wonderful addition to your knitting reference library. 2 stars (Fraught with Mistakes!) - While the designs and photographs in this book are absolutely beautiful, I don't know if any of the reviewers actually tried knitting anything. The book is filled with mistakes and typos! I tried to contact the publisher, but there is no listing in New York for Sixth & Spring Publishing. I finally found a phone number in a knitting magazine. They were not very pleasant, but did tell me to contact "webmaster@sohopublishing.com" to get the corrections. The book does have a disclaimer about mistakes, but they should have tried knitting from their own instructions before publishing this expensive book! 3 stars (HELP! I want to use this book!) - How frustrating! I really wanted this beautiful book and finally got it. Poured over it for weeks and then I got the time to concentrate and actually try out the patterns. Try as I might, I COULD NOT EXECUTE THE PATTERNS! I am a grandmother who has been knitting since I was a kid, armed with my "Handook of Knitting" and ready to understand abbreviations, etc. YET.... I found that the amount of cast-ons at the start of the edgings I tried did not match up with the directions on the first rows. For instance, if it said "Cast on 9" - when I went to do the first pattern row, the instructions always went past those 9 stitches and I could not complete that first row. I am utterly frustrated and crying out for help. Someone PLEASE H... Sixth-Spring Books :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: BG-HISTORY - BG-WAR :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: General :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbi :: Knitting on the Edge - Ribs - Ruffles - Lace - Fringes - Floral - Points - Picots - The Essential Co
4 stars (THE Knitting Book) - I've been knitting on and off for about 5 years, not including the various times my mom tried to teach me. I love to look at knitting patterns and wish I could knit more than just a scarf. This book has been a great help so far. I'm comfortable with the common "knit & purl" techniques but anything after that, I get a little intimidated. This book breaks it down and shows you, with illustrations, just how to make those tricky stitches. With other patterns I've seen they have a difficulty scale and that's my only complaint with this book. I'd like to knit a few of the sweaters in the book but I don't know if I'd be way over my head or not. Other than that, I think it's a great book for anyone who is interested in learning to knit or even current knitters looking for some new, funky patterns. It would make a great gift! 5 stars (Fantastic 'how to' guide!) - I rate myself as an intermediate knitter yet there were still things I learnt from reading the technical parts of this book! Her style is easy to read and follow. 3 stars (A Beginner's Perspective) - This book is great for teaching basic skills--the instructional section is detailed and fun to read. It actually has some of the best beginner instructions of any book I've tried (and I went through a lot of them because I had no one to show me even the basics). It's also great at capturing the hipness and fun of the knitting revival. My only reservation is the patterns. I feel they jump from the beginner's scarf to intermediate stuff with very little in between. There's not a lot for the true beginner to practice on to gain the confidence to tackle some of the more advanced projects. As far as the selection of patterns, about half are cool, edgy stuff that I would love to try, and the other half look way too homemade. I would give it 3 1/2 stars: very glad I tried it, but also glad I didn't buy it. (However, there is a glorious poncho in there that I vow to make some da... Workman Publishing Company :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Debbie Stoller :: :: Stitch -N Bitch- The Knitter-s Handbook
5 stars (The Yarn Harlot Knows us All) - Chicken Soup for the Knitter's Soul? Perhaps not, but as you read this book you will be brought to laughter, tears, and given moments where you go "Thank God someone else understands!" The Yarn Harlot gives me something to read when I am away from a computer and can't read her blog. She is witty, insightful, and very, very real. 5 stars (A chuckle a day for knitters) - This little book is a must for the knitting basket. I read a page or two a day and laugh out loud. The author has something to say about all aspects of knitting and every page is insightful and often funny. Highly recommended 5 stars (Great Girlfriend Gift!) - I spent a few hours on a lazy weekend reading this delightful book of observations on life through the eyes of a knitter, then ordered it to give to several of my friends who knit. Laughed out loud many times. It is witty and irreverant, and you do not have to be a maniac with the needles to "get" it. Wonderful gift that is sure to brighten the day of anyone who picks it up for even a moment ... though I warn you, it is addictive! ... Storey Publishing- LLC :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Quotations :: maxims :: etc :: Quotations :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Knitters (Persons) :: Humor :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & :: At Knit-s End - Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much
3 stars (Not the right book for me.) - By the time this book arrived, I'd already found a free online tutorial showing how to knit socks on two circular needles. I was hoping to use the sock patterns, but most are written only for a women's medium foot--too small for me, too big for my kids. And, although I've successfully resized patterns in the past, these are written in such a way that I haven't been able to figure out how to do that. I'm curious enough about the "turned toe" technique that I may just make one according to her directions to see how it's done, then figure out how to resize it for my big feet. But it would be nice to be able to start with the right size. Basically, this was the wrong book for me--doesn't mean it won't be useful for someone else, but I was disappointed. 4 stars (its called building a better mousetrap..) - I thought twice about purchasing this book because of some of the reviews that have been written,,,,, but being the thinking knitter that I am,,,, I paid little heed to the reviews,,,,,,and decided to check it out for myself. I am very glad I did. The author NEVER promises that this will be a 101 sock knitting book,,,,,, in fact she makes it quite clear,, that it is understood you have basic knitting skills, and one good reference book beyond the scope of her book .( page 2) I questioned why there are reviews that say there wasnt enough information in this book.( have they read it??) The author does offer a neat trick for grafting a toe which she credits the original inventor also. Circular needles have been around a long time,,,,, I think its should go without saying,,,,, that in all of the needlearts,,, we are to share very openly with each other and not "trademark" techniques. This book is a great addition to your sock library and I have given my dp needles a new home,,, the back of a drawer. Since starting this method, have done a 180 with my sock knitting,, my guage is very even and smooth , (with no stress poi... Passing Paws Pr :: Socks :: Patterns :: Knitting :: Needlework - Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Cat Bordhi :: :: Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles- a Manual of Elegant Knitting Techniques and Patterns
3 stars (AN ERROR IN HER KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS) - ATTENTION KNITTERS: **VERY IMPORTANT!** I am currently knitting from BOOK 2: THE PURL STITCH EXPERIENCE. The pattern I am knitting is: To-The Cottage Pullovers (Pgs. 136 through 139). After spending LONG hours trying to get the 3-block pattern for 76 stitches, I realize after not being able to sleep through the night thinking about it, THERE IS AN ERROR IN HER INSTRUCTION. For those who will be knitting this pattern, on pages 137 * 148, 3-block pattern chart, CORRECTION IS: rows 13, 15, 17, 19 (RS) K8, *P8, K8, repeat from * to 8 sts remaining, P8 There are a few sweater patterns using this 3-block plattern, so BEWARE AND READ CAREFULLY before you get frustrated like I did. Knitting a guage was no problem. The problem arised when I was acutally knitting the swetaer. The publisher should correct this and send me a new copy FREE OF CHARGE! any questions relating to this 3-block pattern, write to graphicprd@sbcglobal.net Thank you 5 stars (Another winner) - The Purl Stitch is a beautifully illustrated, easy to follow guide to producing intricate-looking garments using simple techniques and readily available yarns. Having used the first volume in the series, The Knit Stitch, I was happy to find that this second book is just as valuable. One of its best features is the presentation of photos of the same garment done in different yarns and sizes. Patterns are accurate and adaptable, and I find that they stimulate my creativity and interest in customizing them. Though I've been knitting for more than twenty years, the simplicity is far from boring. The Purl Stitch is one of my most useful references, one that I return to time and again. 5 stars (A sense of Passion and Elegance) - I feel a harmony with Sally while reading her books. As a man, there aren't many books written to men and knitting. The meditations are appropriate for this art. I especially love her second book, and feel that it has guided me to becoming an... Xrx Books :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: A :: The Knitting Experience- The Purl Stitch (Knitting Experience Series- Book 2)
5 stars (A MUST HAVE for all knitters) - After finally getting a copy of this book for myself, I'm sorry I wasted my money/time on the other knitting books in my collection. Elizabeth Zimmermann has a way of explaining the mechanics of knitting - even the most complicated techniques - with a conciseness & a simplicity that astounds, and her personal warmth & sharp wit come through on every page. I'd thought that I'd mastered the basics, but Elizabeth had a few IMPORTANT tricks to teach me. Her 'percentage' approach to pattern interpretation means that you will NEVER have to struggle adapting patterns for your exact measurements again. The included patterns are enduring classics that knitters have been making & remaking for decades now, & will likely continue to do so for decades to come. If you don't have a copy of this book in your collection of knitting, you MUST get one. If you don't feel inclined to get it for yourself, drop hints to your friends, lay a guilt-trip on your family - do whatever it takes. It's worth it. 5 stars (literally the only sweater book you'll ever need) - If you want just patterns that tell you exactly what to do stitch by stitch, this isn't the book for you. If you want to everything necessary to learning how to design your own garments, along with a generous helping of commentary and lots of fodder for your imagination to spin off and invent your own "knitting workshop," then GET THIS BOOK. The seven separate sleeve shapings and how they can be done on a circular needle alone are worth five times what you're going to pay. The garter stitch chapter doubles that to ten. Seriously -- get Barbara Walker's stitch collections, a fair isle chart book or two, and this. You literally do not need anything else to be knitting sweaters that you yourself designed for the rest of your life. Then, when people ask you what pattern you used, you can smile subtly and say, "Oh none, I just made it up." You and Elizabeth Zimmerman. :-)... Schoolhouse Press :: Patterns :: Knitting :: Needlework - Knitting :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Elizabeth Zimmermann :: :: Elizabeth Zimmermann-s Knitting Workshop
3 stars (Beautiful Ideas - Full of Mistakes) - A beautifully photographed book of afgans for beginning to advanced knitters. How discouraging can it be to start a project, and realize things just don't "add up". If you are a knitter, you know what I mean. I contacted the publisher and pointed out a number of errors in their directions. Surprisingly, they sent me two pages of Editorial corrections, most of them identified by readers. All I can say is, BEWARE, and call the publisher and ask for the Editorial corrections OR you try to figure out if there is a mistake in the directions. Just have fun!! 3 stars (Beautiful patterns, needs better editor) - I love this book. The patterns are beautiful and easy to follow, the pictures are stunning, and I expect to get a lot of use out of it in the coming years. However, I'm working on my first afghan from the book, and there are two mistakes in the pattern. It's on page 52, and the pattern doesn't work unless you cast on 154 stitches instead of 152, and there's a psso missing from Row 11 - without it, the row is a disaster of increasing stitches that would probably result in a giant triangle. I'm about 80 rows into the afghan, which had to be restarted three times in order to work out these typos, but now is coming along beautifully. But it makes me wonder what other typos are in store for me on the other pages. 4 stars (Excellent source book for a variety of afghans) - This book has plenty of afghans in various styles, from Bavarian traveling stitch (difficult) to garter blocks (easy.) All are designed in yarns you can find fairly easily on the Web or Ebay or in yarn shops. The styles also vary from lacy, openwork, to fairisle, to colorblock, to dense cables or texture. So there is a bit of something for everyone. I found the color choices mundane, but with some imagination (or even scanning software followed by image manipulation) you could envision an aqua lace block afghan in a stunning creamy taupe rather tha... House of White Birches :: Needlework - Knitting :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Jeanne Stauffer :: :: Big-Needle Knit Afghans
4 stars (fresh, light young, urban) - Fresh, light, young, urban. These are words that come to mind when I compare the styles in Iris Schrier's latest book to other recent books about modular knitting. They are all good but the designs in this one are more geared for up and coming young professionals. hip new knitters or knitters of any age who prefer a simpler, more understated look. Because they are less complicated and generally smaller they will be quicker to knit. Besides, Iris is a natural teacher so her instructions are easy to follow. 5 stars (Wonderful New Book for Knitters!) - Perfect book if you love hand-painted yarn and want it to look as good in your knitted piece as it does on the hank. It shows you through tutorials and 25 projects how to maximize the beauty of the yarn by turning and knitting to create interesting designs. Most of the chapters teach a way to knit in continuous modules without having to cut yarn or pick up stitches and the last one teaches traditional modular knitting. This is totally new stuff, so if you're adventuresome and want to expand your knitting abilities, you'll love it. ... Lark :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL :: Sale Books :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Craf :: Modular Knits - New Techniques for Today-s Knitters
5 stars (Great book to get started with freeform crochet) - I read through most of this book the day I got it because it was that good. There is a section on color theory that helps you choose your yarns, and there are clear instructions on how to put together your "scrumbles" - which are the building blocks for freeform crochet. It is more step-by-step than other books on freeform, which is good for those who need it. The pictures are beautiful and inspiring, too. I'm a long-time crocheter, but I'm new to freeform. This book inspired me to work on my first freeform project - a vest. Crocheters with a desire for more creative expression will love this book! 5 stars (Go For it!) - I love this book, its broken down the walls surrounding the mystery of how to make my own free form garments and helped ease my fear that i can't be that creative! Its well written, with great ideas for projects, even with directions on how to make your own buttons, and has the best discussion on color and how to use and mix it that i have seen. This is the perfect way to use up small bits of left over yarns, especially all the great new funky yarns i can't resist. 5 stars (Freeform Knitting and Crochet) - Well thought out book. Creative and easy to follow. MAKES YOU WANT TO GRAB YOUR NEEDLES OR HOOK AND GO FOR IT! ... Sally Milner :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL :: Needlework - Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: :: Freeform Knitting and Crochet (Milner Craft Series)
2 stars (not visually pleasing) - Although some of the patterns were quite lovely--and creative! one pair is knitted using licorice--the book is not lovely. The photographs of people either wearing or holding up socks are distracting, to say the least, and add little. Also, no yarn information is given for the sample versions shown. 5 stars (my favourite knitting book) - I own scores of knitting books, but I always come back to this one. Socks are perfect little projects for breaks between big projects, and great for trying new techniques. There are lots of different techniques in this book: Dutch heels, Turkish (short-row) heels, after-thought heels, cuff-down construction, toe-up construction, two-needle method, two-circular method, machine knitting, sideways-knitted, etc. The list of knitting skills you can try is comprehensive: lace knitting, cables, intarsia, fair isle, mosaic, modular (entrelac, mitred squares), embossed (bobbles, etc.), ribble (reversible cable)... the list goes on. Highly recommended. 3 stars (Some of the patterns have mistakes) - Overall I would have to say that this is a good book and worth buying. I have found mistakes in the Interlac socks, and with the maple twist socks, The maple twist socks, I have tried three times and still have yet to make it look like a proper sock. Everthing is fine until the last 3 sections. The Interlac socks are missing a set of squares after the heel. I have also tried the leafy lacy ones, and the fire like ones and found no mistakes in there. I also have a tendancy of trying to find the hardest pattern and doing it so it could be a me thing. If there were no mistakes in the book I would give it five of five, but the mistakes are nerve wraking for me Jodi ... Xrx Books :: Socks :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Fashion :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Alexis Xenakis :: Elaine Rowley :: :: Socks Socks Socks - 70 Winning Patterns From -I-Knitter-s Magazine--I- Sock Contest
3 stars (Caveat knitter!) - Or, buyer beware. First off, as was already stated in many of these reviews, this book is not for a new knitter. At all. The patterns are not impossible, and some of them are pretty easy. I am an experienced knitter and some of the patterns, like the flower washcloth, were easy to do, easy to understand, and quick to knit. The patterns, overall, were lovely to look at and the photography in this book was amazing. Interspersing the knitting with suggestions (recipes, etc.) was a cute idea. The caveat is this: the projects in this book are not weekend projects, nor are they cheap. You can substitute, but let's be serious for a moment. A weekend cashmere sweater? In my dreams. This is a book for the knitter with time and money. If, like me, you fall into the other category, this is probably not your book. Part of me wants to give this book just one star because it is one of the most misleading titles for a book I have ever seen. The other part won't rate it low because there were some neat ideas but frankly, very little in there I would actually knit. I would be more likely to design a sweater than pick one from this idyllic-weekend-in-the-Berkshires book. One more thing - this book has egg cozies and elf slippers and tiny tiny finger puppets that would be cute to me if they weren't knit on 00 needles using 3 or 4 colors and cozy sweaters that would be awesome - just awesome - if you can spend your weekend uninteruppted by phone calls, dogs, kids, visitors, your boyfriend's friends waltzing in at 2 o'clock Sunday for breakfast, or... you get the idea. If you have to have a sweater egg cozy for your soft boiled egg, you need this book. If you can live without one, you can probably live without this book. 2 stars (Much harder than described) - I have other books by Falick that are much easier and less time intensive. These projects could only be done in a weekend if your weekend lasts 30 days! The main problem is that ... Stewart- Tabori and Chang :: Crafts & Hobbies & Knitting :: Patterns :: Needlework - Knitting :: Knitting :: Hobbies&Crafts :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Crafts & Hobbies :: Ericka McConnell :: Melanie :: Weekend Knitting - 50 Unique Projects and Ideas