Reviews

I've had this book for months and while I do flip through it occassionally I've yet to cast-on one project. I wish some indication of the level of difficulty for each pattern was included because this is NOT a book to learn new techniques. In my opinion it's for a very experienced knitter who is at ease using charts (up to 15 various symbols), doesn't need schematics, or even clear pics of the finished product. If you're at this level there are some lovely designs. But if you're not you'll need quite a large block of time without distractions or interruptions, excellent concentration, and some really good reference resources on hand. Most of the patterns assume you have prior experience in the more intricate techniques like colorwork, entralac, cables, etc... Yes, there are "easier" patterns but none so terrific that you couldn't find something similar on the net for free or just a few $. BTW, there are only a very few crochet patterns and they're nothing special.

I've knit the entrelac shawl (gorgeous) and entered it in the county fair. It got a lot of complements and was a pleasure to knit. I crocheted a single stitch along the edge and omitted the fringe and am very pleased with the results. Might add an edging in the future, but for now am enjoy the pattern and colors of the wool. Since I had wool left over, I started to knit the Misty Garden scarf, what a pleasing pattern. I'm using a lush red Limerick 1 ply wool and it's entirely different from the entrelac shawl. The red colors meld into the next hue, like dry rose petals in a potpourri. The entrelac pattern kept the colors in squares and the changes in hue were more of a checkerboard pattern. Both highlight the richness of the wool. Love my new red shawl. I liked the photography, but would appreciate more emphasis on the knitted item instead of the face of the model. Photographers should look at the *purpose* of their image as well as the overall composition. The thing that attracts me to a quality knitting book is the images. I want images that make me want to knit, not see how pretty a model is. I don't care if the face is there at all, or gazing off to the distance, that's not what I'm buying. I want to see the overall item and the stitches to decide if it's something that I would spend a lot of time knitting.

Thanks for sending this wonderful book and providing it in excellent condition at a reasonable cost.

Yes, several of the patterns are innovative and inspiring, but the frustration of the photos just overrides any positives in this book. The models' pretty faces are in sharp focus; the scarves are usually obscured by a pseudo-artistic mist. If the publishers were professional and concerned about the needs of the people fabricating these patterns, you sure can't tell.

This book has several different styles of scarfs you can make, it's wonderful. I just went out and bought some yarn specifically for some of the patterns in this book.

Reviews

As a beginner knitter, I like the patterns in the book because they are easy, pretty and varied. I was ready to move on past scarves. There are a few purses, tops and little sweaters. I especially like the cast on technique for the Chenille Bag and Belt, cool! It makes the assembly so much easier. The yarn weight listed is helpful if you want to substitute yarns but the book includes a suggested substitution which is useful too. For four projects they use a new yarn I have never heard of. It's a vinyl yarn, very unique and different if you like to try new things which I do. Three projects include beads and most of the projects use soft feel-good yarns which I like.

I'm not so sure the patterns are all that simple, even though they mostly used Stockinette stitch. This looks like more of an advertisement booklet for the yarns that they produce, namely the "plastic" yarn that's been reported to be extreamly hard to work with. Although the patterns are all very pretty, they're just not ones I'd spend my time on.

This book does have some really cute looking tanks and capulets, many with beaded designs. However the patterns are a bit difficult for the true beginner and they don't list the weights of the yarn in the patterns making substitions difficult.