5 comments about Easy Knitted Socks: Fun and Fashionable Designs for the Novice Knitter.

1. Instructions are included for using double-pointed needles or magic loop technique on one long circular needles.
   
   Projects include: baby bootees, toddler slippers, felted baby slippers, felted adult slippers, socks knit flat and seamed up, basic tubular socks on 3 needles, spiral socks with no heel to turn, ballerina style slippers, lace knee socks held up by ribbons, striped lace socks knit on 3 needles (shown on cover), beaded leg warmers, mock cable socks, actual fair isle socks (not faked with patterned yarn!) and several other lace or textured patterns.
   
   One drawback, perhaps, is that in including so many forms of sock-knitting, there aren't actually very many patterns of actual socks knit in traditional styles. And while it claims to be for "novice knitters" it may intimidate real novices. On the other hand, there is something for everyone here.



2. When I picked up this book I really thought everything looked easy. The first pattern I tried was the "Love Heart Slippers". Well I got around the second part and found an error in the pattern after asking many advanced knitters for help. As I'm new to slippers and socks I'm not very good at tweaking patterns.
   
   Hopefully not all the patterns are like this. I'll give it one more shot on another pattern.



3. I started out great. Made a whole sock, tossed it in the wash (washable sock yarn), pulled it out, only to find a big honkin hole in the toe! I later found out that the standard grafting instructions in the book are incorrect. I must now start over. I have been knitting for years, but never socks. Silly me, I always expect the basic directions to be acurate, even if sometimes the pattern itself may have an error from time to time.



4. I have knitted two patterns from the book: The Textured Bootees and the PomPom Bobby Socks; both patterns were easy to knit and fast. The instructions were clear and the pictures of the How-Tos helped whenever I got stuck.



5. Have had great fun knitting several pairs of socks from this book.
   Made a dozen pairs of the butterfly and bumble bee ones on page 51 for a school fete. What a hit they were!

No comments about Knitting Noro: The Magic of Knitting with Hand-Dyed Yarns.

5 comments about The Knitting Way: A Guide to Spiritual Self Discovery.

1. This is one odd knitting book. I thought it would enlighten me about knitting and spirituality. Not so. I am forcing myself to finish it and I keep hoping I will come to a part that will get better. I wish I hadn't bought it.



2. I found this book to be somewhat enjoyable, but I felt a little misled by the way it was promoted. It was a fast read, and had many interesting and enjoyable stories about knitting, some of which personally happened to the authors, some of which were from other knitters, and some of which involved the history of the craft. However, there was a considerable lack of stuff on the spirituality side of things. I was expecting a guide to using knitting for contemplation or discernment or some other means of connection, but found the spiritual content to be shallow. I realize there are other works on the topic of knitting and spirituality. Maybe I'll check them out.



3. If you're curious, check this one out for the library. It's definitely not a "keeper."
   
   This book was a complete disappointment.
   
   The author has little spiritual practice of her own. So as a reader if feels like she's read some of the same books I have, and is making connections between them, but not particularly deep or significant ones.
   
   The patterns are mostly for junk nobody wants or needs. As opposed to something useful or beautiful. I swear, I'd rather have one more pattern for a damn chemo cap than this ugly knitted spiral onto which you can sew charms from the craft store. (There is a really basic shawl included almost as an afterthought, and that may be the one thing I try to make.)
   
   If you're interested in knitting as a spiritual practice, look elsewhere. I'm going to give Mindful Knitting and Knitting the Mystery a try.



4. 
   A book that helps you find the balance of knitting, a silent space, and finding the hidden bond beyond tapping the needles together. It becomes a mind-relief process...
   counting, watching, listening and learning.
   
   I was impressed with the personal touches, relating to find the transcendence of the 'spirit' via a craft that has been around for centuries. In between the little writings there are projects to motivate the mind and hands.
   
   This book was like a friend, opening the comfort in knitting. I carry this book and my knitting with me to parks, on trips and to the doctors, etc.



5. As a knitter, I look for projects that expand my skills. I like to spend my time creating something that's either useful or beautiful. I've worked hard to learn increases, decreases, and fancy stitches, to construct bags, sweaters and toys, to knit lace on big, honkin' needles and to knit socks on little, dinky size 1 needles. I like a challenge and I like to learn.
   
   Unfortunately, the exercises in this book are ONLY about process: "knit a cube that turns into a ball," "knit a spiral," "knit a mobius." You spend time, effort, and yarn, but end up with a fairly useless object. If you enjoy projects more than process, this book is not for you.
   
   As for the essays, I think that saying this book is a "guide to spiritual self-discovery" is a bit much. The essays are way too long-winded for me. This book would be twice as good if it were half the size.
   
   I much preferred the essays and exercises in "Zen and the Art of Knitting" which taught me how to be comfortable in knitting without a pattern and designing my own scarves and sweaters.
   
   I have found knitting to be a spiritual thing--the beauty of the yarns, knitting together with others, knitting for charity, knitting alone. As I've knitted with others, I've found that ALOT of folks knit just so they can breathe--as they face the death of a parent, spouse, or beloved pet, as they celebrate weddings and births, as they cope with cancer or depression. But "The Knitting Way" really fails to tap into the kind of deep spirituality that comes from knitting together with others over time.

5 comments about Knit Ponchos, Wraps & Scarves.

1. Some days I'm in the mood to knit "for the fun of it" instead of for the challenge. This book is full of projects that are easy, fun and yet still fulfilling.
   
   The only criticism I have is that there are errors (typos) in the instructions, that are annoying and could confuse beginners. For example, one pattern gives instructions for Row 1, then Row 2, then Row 4 - which should actually be row 3. Another pattern gives an incorrect stitch count within the first few lines.
   
   Also, there is no guage info - apparently because these items don't really need to fit. Still, if your guage is off, you may need more or less yarn. To obtain the same results as the author with the exact same yarn, I have had to adjust the needs size significantly (from size 11 to size 17).
   
   Even with all that - I do like the book.



2. Excellent types of products easy to follow directions made one in a matter of hours



3. This is a good beginner book with simple patterns and basic photographs. It's not groundbreaking and I don't feel compelled to start anything in it, but I do like to look at it for inspiration. It has a short techniques section and simple sections on cables, lace, beading & edging. Most of the patterns are rated Beginner / Easy and 80% of the patterns are for scarves. This is a good book if you like to use fancy yarns.



4. I love the projects in this book HOWEVER, BEWARE,there are a number of patterns that do not have the correct number of cast on stitches. For example on page 75 the white lace scarf says cast on 16 stitches but then the first row has 18 stitches. Similarly on page 79 the winter mountains scarf says cast on 36 stitches but there are at least 38 sts in the first row instructions or if you use the pattern diagram the first row includes 40 sts.



5. I am not into panchos, so I would not have even opened this book at the store. However my mother loves scarves and she picked it up at our local "big box" book store. We both loved it but there was only one copy. She is not computer savy so I decided to order this at amazon and let her buy the one in the store. It is great. I would say more wraps and scarfs rather than panchos. The patterns are not all simiple though some are. They are all interesteing and I would knit at least 85% of the patterns. I also think that the patterns are appropriate for a vast age group. This is a friendly "new" knitters book and if you like scarfs and wraps.

5 comments about The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches.

1. I don't knit - but my wife does. She has had this book on an endlessly renewed loan form the local library for over a year. I have searched every book shop -real and virtual in Australia - many listed it - none stocked it - Amazon had it.
   It HAS to be an indespensible guide to knitters everywhere - grab it while it is in stock!!



2. I use this book for knitting all the time, and although I do not crochet, I even look through the back quite often just for inspiration. This was my first knitting book and I find myself returning to it whenever I want to wing it or spice up a plain project.



3. I use this book constantly, as I love to create my own scarves and hats with various fancy stitches, and it's fun to find new ones in this book. It's a pretty good collection, at least for an advanced beginner like myself. There is also a fair amount of instruction at the beginning of the book, and it has helped me figure out such intimidating things as psso and sl1 that scare new knitters! I don't crochet, so I can't really comment on that part of the book, which is about half of it.
   
   However, as I am getting a little more experienced, I am finding a few amount of mistakes in the pages of this book. I tried one stitch pattern and found it actually made the pattern shown in the picture for the pattern next to it. Another time, a pattern that clearly had 23 stitches in every other row all of a sudden had the last two rows saying to K1, P11, K1. I am pretty sure it meant the last part should be K11, but I felt quite upset that I worked my way through the first 14 rows only to be unsure what to do.
   
   I also find the organization a bit strange. There are little tiny sections like mesh knitting, and bigger sections like small scale lace patterns and then bigger scale lace patterns and then motif knitting...and they all seem to blend together to me.
   
   I wish also there was a little more commentary on the stitches. I'd love a little guidance as to what kind of project each one might be good for, or even a chatty little comment like "a real favorite for new knitters" or something like that.
   
   Overall, though, I am very glad I have this book. The pictures are in color, the pages are easy on the eyes and it's BIG, with a lot collected together for the money!



4. The only problem with this book is deciding on which great stitch to try first.



5. What is important for the serious knitter is to know that this stitch book is a rehash of the older Harmony knit and crochet stitch books. One of my books had 440 stitch patterns alone. So with just 900 stitches about half of which are for knitting and the other for crochet, you are not getting the total of all the Harmony books together. However, each stitch has a helpful name to it and they are grouped into like categories. The color pictures are tiny and there are no charts but there are good top subtitles on each page and also at the sides. The index is also a useful feature and the book looks sturdy with good print and binding. The aran stitches and fair isle stitches are lacking from this edition. There was one Harmony book just on those stitches so worth hunting around for that one to supplement this.

5 comments about The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: 25 Years of Articles, Techniques, and Expert Advice.

1. Do I wish I had read the reviews before ordering this book. I was not expecting basic information, as good as it may be. To knitters/crocheters who buy this book, techniques at a beginner's and even more advanced level are most probably not unknown. I expected more articles covering revolutionary knitting milestones - about the evolving of knitting. For my taste, the articles were not selected with the aspect: THE BEST....
   however, I should say to younger readers that the various articles are worthwhile reading as it improves one's understanding of the history of knitting during the last 25 years.
   
   The title: ...25 Years of Articles..." ALSO draws all those faithful Vogue Knitting Magazine readers who are at least in an age bracket between 50 + and ... well, very senior. And who very often wear glasses. Here comes my point: the book is SO hard to read! The very small print and particularly the pastel colors of the print (such as a diluted black or soft light yellow and pastel blue on a glossy white paper!) are a strain on the eyes and take away a lot of pleasure when reading the book. I wish I had been able to look INTO the book before I bought it with so much anticipation.
   
   Do not complain though about missing patterns: The title does not mention ANYTHING about patterns. Please note: NO PATTERNS.
   
   Experienced knitters over 50: You may prefer buying new Vogue instruction books for your personal level of interest and knitting expertise and/or subscribe to the magazine - this book is just too basic, despite some articles, which bring back memories (wonderful articles by E. Zimmermann and Meg Swanson, for example).
   
   Unless you wish to have it in your library for completeness' sake - stick with those wonderful Vogue books on specific topics. It is a book to reminisce about the time Knitting grew up.



2. This is a nice book to read, but the illustrations of techniques are not very helpful and I consider myself an advanced intermediate knitter. I admit I was expecting some patterns and was not smart enough to note the book descriptions did not say that there are none. As an avid reader of Vogue knitting over the years, I'm glad I have kept as many as I have. I would have borrowed this from the library, but not purchased.



3. If you have come to expect quality from Vogue Knitting Books or Vogue Knitting Magazines, you will not be disappointed in the 25th Anniversary Knitting Book. Enjoyed the information pulled from the magazine copies on the different subjects in the past 25 years. I like the fact that they addintionally updated that same information and made it relevant to todays knitters and market. A real opportunity to learn new and old ideas. Loved the history lessons!



4. Do yourself a favor, get it from the library and spend the money on yarn instead. I love buying books, and have an extensive library, knitting and otherwise. I highly recommend Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book, but this VK 25 is just stale and downright boring. How many times can you publish the same old stuff? Yawn.
   
   Lucky enough to have acquired every issue of VK, I knew to expect a rehash. But even with low expectations, I found this a terrible disapponitment. I checked it out from the library and after flipping through it exactly once (and reading a few articles) I felt no loss when I promptly returned it to the library the very next day.
   
   As of late VK books have been mostly compilations of old dated material. Even the latest edition of "Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book" is page for page the same old original book, with the old dated photos from the first edition. All they did was slap a new cover on it! (I actually do recommend this book though. Well written, every knitter should have it.) Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book
   
   Sorry, I digress. The point is, one has certain expectations of Vogue, based upon the image they have so carefully cultivated...and they are not living up to this image of late. Even the layout on VK 25 is tired.
   
   VK 25 serves to prove VK has become stale, predictable, complacent and downright lazy in recent publishing efforts. Hardly what we've come to expect from the once progressive trend-setters! Time for new editors, puh-lease!
   
   Unless you are a brand-new knitter (and by that I mean you learned in the last 30 minutes) you can easily pass on this one and miss absolutely nothing. Come on VK, step it up...your readers, new and old, deserve much better!



5. I bought the first edition of this book when it first came out. I bought this edition to make sure I didn't miss anything new. I have recommended this to all my students as the best all around reference for beginning and intermeditate knitters.

3 comments about Knit One, Embellish Too: Hats, Mittens And Scarves With A Twist.

1. I have been a long time reader of cosymakes blog, and I have been waiting for this book since she first announced it. I received it this morning, and it is beautiful. The work here is wonderful, I didn't see a pattern that I didn't want to make. This is the accessory book that will keep me knitting for a long time to come.



2. Love this book. The knits are simple but cosy (as appropriate to Cosette's nickname) and thanks to the thrifted and handspun yarn, full of personality. There are lots of hats and other headgear and several gloves and neckwear. I probably won't add the mostly-embroidery embellishments suggested, with the exception of the well-placed button or two, but it is inspiring to see what placing your original stamp on a knitted item can do to raise the appeal of a simple design.



3. I love this book! The patterns are adorable, easy-to-understand, and won't break the bank! They work with or without the embellishments, which are totally adorable too! Cosette's patterns and knitted items always stand out from the crowd with their originality and playfulness.

5 comments about Bead Knitted Bags: 10 Projects for Beaders and Knitters.

1. This is a very nice little book on knitting with beads. I've been looking for a book on the topic of knitting beaded bags for quite a while and this one explains it very well. The DVD really shows you how to do it. My only complaint (a small one) is that the DVD is a little hard to figure out. It shows how to knit both from the left and the right which is confusing if you choose the wrong one. Also, there is no audio on the DVD, which is ok, as long as you're aware of it. The DVD also contains the patterns in the book so you can print them off to carry around with you and your project. She also provides you with graph templates so you can design your own. Really a useful book.



2. Hey - I'm an old hippie - I also say groovy. Seriously, the book is fantastic. I have never worked with beads in my knitting and am looking forward to trying this out. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and am pretty limited on how much I can knit (been knitting since I was 18) - not sure I can even knit with such small needles, however, have enjoyed just looking at the purses with such beautiful beadwork and the directions look easy to do. I have not viewed the DVD yet, but will be doing so soon. I am having fun picking out beads and learning obout how to knit with them.



3. I am not only a bag maker but a beaded bag maker and I did have to learn the hard way from the old 1900 books but if you have been wanting to learn how to accomplish bead knitting this is a MUST have book. It comes with a CD which for me is an invaluable tool to learning. I love everything about this book and CD. It is laid out very nicely and for me everything is very clear and easy to follow. Plus in my opinion the patterns are timeless again this would be a great addition to your knitting library.



4. This book is beautifully illustrated. Backed up with a great dvd. Projects are exquisite. Very easy-to-understand instructions. It would help if some suppliers for the projects were suggested. Even a novice to knitting would be able to tackle some of the designs, with a little help from a patient friend. Very good basic knitting tutorials included.



5. I taught myself to bead knit with an old magazine article, waaaaay back when there weren't any books on bead knitting. This one is very nicely laid out, pretty and inspiring, and I think anyone just starting to learn would do well with it. I didn't keep it, because my primary interest is in creating 20's style flapper bags like the wonderful enameled mesh purses of the time, and this book does not contain any useful information on using the little metal snap-frames that characterized them. However, for technique and a launching-pad to design your own (the most exciting part), it's a very nice book--certainly better than any of the competitors available.

5 comments about Unexpected Knitting.

1. Excellent buy. Unique and unusual diversity of knitting techniques. Beautifully presented.



2. I love the book, very nice ideas and great pictures. In my opinion it is not so great for it's practical patterns (the ideas are nice but the sweaters are shapeless) but for nice original ideas.



3. Debbie New is the mastermind behind some of the most ingenious knitting projects and methods out there. This book is a well of inspiration, techniques and artistry.



4. I LOVE this book which is the quintessential book on the art of knitting. Debbie New's creations are mind-boggling, and so wonderful. Definitely a book to inspire, not a straight pattern book.



5. Unexpected Knitting has been one of my most treasured tomes since it was published. Endless inspiration abounds for taking knitting to the next, creative level. I had the great fortune of taking one of Debbie's classes recently and not only is she a great writer, she's a great teacher and generously, thoughtful person. If you ever get a chance to take a Debbie New class do!! And if not, at the very least, treat yourself to this treasure. A must have for any adventurous knitter's library!!

5 comments about Knitting Sweaters from the Top Down: Fabulous Seamless Patterns to Suit Your Style.

1. This book appears to have been written to teach experienced knitters how to make seamless garments starting from the neck instead of the hem. It accomplishes that goal reasonably well, with good information about the basic anatomy of cardigans and pullovers in different yarn weights and gauges. Unfortunately, the sweaters chosen to illustrate top down techniques are heavy looking, done in unappealing colors and textures with minimal shaping. The emphasis on collars is also overdone. It would be nice to see a revision of this entire publication with more attractive, up to date sweater designs. Otherwise, it's difficult to find inspiration to try the practical top down approach. Too bad.....



2. This is a great top down quilting book. Not only does it supply patterns but includes enough information to go further than just the patterns included. I am well on my way to finishing my first quilt project in a very long time.



3. I'm only speaking from a quick flip through the book, looking at the
   pictures of the sweaters, but boy they were not attractive or inspiring;
   maybe to the taste of some, but I advise looking at the book in person
   before you buy. I found it at the library and didn't even bother to
   check it out.



4. This is my favorite sweater knitting book, but if I was a beginning knitter I would be careful. I found SEVERAL errors in it that I had to catch or I would have messed up. Easy ones to catch if you know what you're doing, but not if you're a beginner. Wonderful sweaters though.



5. Knitting Sweaters from the Top Down: Fabulous Seamless Patterns to Suit Your Style
   I had taken this book out at my local library before buying it, so I already knew it was something I wanted for my home library. The author clearly explains & illustrates the technique for creating several different types of sweaters in several different weights of yarn. The patterns are up-to-date and attractive. The technique is applicable to men's, women's or children's sweaters. The patterns give you a place to start working with the technique. A knitter of any expertise - even rank beginner - can work with this book.