No comments about Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn.

5 comments about Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls.

1. I found out about this book on one of the knit list that I belong to. It was highly recommended as a great source for shawl knitters or those that want to learn about lace shawl knitting.
   
   I have found it to be a great source for designing my own shawls as Martha Waterman has great imformation and lace knitting charts in the book. I highly recommend it to any one interested in lace shawl knitting or designing.



2. I've got the first edition which was riddled with errors. I wanted charts so I ordered the second ed. The individual lace patterns are charted but the shawls are still written out. In addition, the number of shawls has decreased from 14 to 8. The book has been edited very tightly cutting down on anything excessive which includes some of the fun and some of the photos. However, it's still tops for help on designing shawls which is why it gets 5 stars from me. This ed still has a few corrections which are available from the publiser's website.



3. This paperback book (119 pages) has only black and white pictures. It is mostly a book on knit stitches with a mere 8 patterns. She does touch briefly on the history and origin of knitting shawls. Overall, this is really more a book on how to design shawls, choosing different yarns and needle sizes and is not suited for someone who wants to be able to pick up a book; find a pattern; and know which yarn to use.



4. This book was highly recommended to me by several other knitters when I asked what pattern books to purchase to learn lace knitting. And I can definitely see why!
   
   The stitch patterns in this book are not only gorgeous, but give endless possibilities for shawl design. Ms. Waterman gives many different variations on open work stitches, and information on the different traditional shapes for shawls.
   
   I am just starting out working with lace, so I am not comfortable yet designing my own patterns. I bought a more traditional pattern book with instructions for several lace shawls. I will work with those to learn the ins and outs of increasing and decreasing, and the different types of shaping. Then I will progress to this book and design my own lace patterns.
   
   This is an excellent book for those advanced enough to design their own knitted lace patterns, and a great reference book for those of us who are aspiring to do so. I really enjoy books that force me out of my knitting "comfort zone'' and make me want to take my craft to the next level!!



5. This is a good book for beginning shawl makers, but I would not really recommend it for experienced "shawlers." Has basic construction techniques and a section on patterns, but doesn't really provide good info on how to expand those patterns with diagonal or circular increases as the shawl grows.

4 comments about Not Just Socks.

1. If you can figure out how to buy a ball of self-striping yarn and how to knit/crochet in a round - you can make socks. Or more than just socks. Which, by-the-way, if you're interested in making something other than socks with sock yarn, this book has the ugliest examples I've ever seen. Google "knit socks" online for an hour. I returned this as soon as I got it.



2. This is a great book for those who like knitting with sock yarn. You can make more than just socks with it. Hats, gloves, scarves and more! I liked the patterns in this book, they are well written.



3. I highly recommend this book to sock beginners and sock beginners+. the instructions are very clear, and the ideas are great for being more inventive with sock yarn.



4. This book is not for people who are beginning knitters--you have to know how to use dpns (or know how to convert a dpn pattern to the magic loop method) and it is essential that you can join a round without twisting your stitches, and don't ask for any sort of stitch glossary in the back.
   
   ...but the author states all this outright in the beginning. What follows are patterns for generally attractive projects (with the exception of the dog sweater). The most impressive are the gauntlets shown on the cover, which I plan on starting a.s.a.p.
   
   If you like sock yarn, but are tired of turning heels, or want some new sock patterns to keep things lively (as Rossner does include a few sock patterns to appease those addicted to sock knitting) then this book is a must.
   
   ENJOY!

5 comments about Knitting Heaven and Earth: Healing the Heart with Craft.

1. What a wonderful book. Ms. Lydon wove memoir and craft into a fascinating and inspirational read.
   
   Her book spurred me to try lace knitting. I'm knitting my first lace garment right now: The bird's nest shawl from Folk Shawls, a book to which Ms. Lydon often refers. I'm knitting it in a tangerine cotton yarn for my grandmother, who lives in south Texas.
   
   About 10 pages from the end of the book, I couldn't stand it anymore and went online to see if I could find her email address and write to her about her wonderful book. I found her obituary instead. Rest in peace, Susan.



2. I read the whole thing, but I really didn't enjoy it. It was more about the traumas in the author's life than about how knitting helped heal her heart. Relatively little real knitting content, more psychological introspection. And needlepoint. I'm sorry that she passed away from the cancer she wrote about in this book, but that still doesn't make it a very uplifting read.



3. I got to about chapter 3 in this book and thought it was completely awful. She tells you how to knit with the only yarn that is the best. She doesn't say like every other knitter in the world I know how you knit and what you knit with is what is great for you. No she says only knit with this way and its the only right way to knit. She is a yarn snob also. I couldn't stand her condisending attitude in the book. I am glad I didn't read further because if she thinks its ok to just meditate and go back to your problem boyfriend and try to "fix" him then she would have made me so mad I would have just thrown the book. Its too bad because I really wanted to like it.



4. Lydon's second book tying together threads of life and craft is as beautiful as the first. She takes you by the hand to skip through delicate pathways into the heart. She recalls the calm of summer days exploring new territory with old friends, the tenderness expressed between people whose bonds have been at times taught, loose and sometimes tensioned just right. She coaxes into bloom descriptions of several people whose lives were hanging in the balance as she wrote. I can't think of a more fitting or beautiful tribute to those loved, including ones self. The metaphorical knitting strands here allow a tracery of these intricate connections and her sensuous descriptions of yarn and technique flow beautifully along with her depictions of people and relationships. Read this.



5. I loved this book! From using the most extravagent yarn to knit items she didn't even want to the brutal honesty in her own shortcomings to the way her abusive father managed to finally make peace with all his children before his death, the serenity that comes from reading this book, the joy and beauty is breathtaking.
   
   She also mentions her recovery from addiction, and this book really is the embodiment of the "Serenity Prayer" - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"

3 comments about Not Just More Socks.

1. enjoyed looking but probably not too many patterns I would use at this point.



2. I purchased this book with the intention of making the "Button Glove" pattern, which the yarn company KnitPicks has featured in their latest catalog. Wow, I was so impressed when the book "Not Just more Socks" arrived to see the cute and functional designs offered here by Sandi Rosner. All the designs are made using fingering weight self-striping sock yarn, so if knitting on size 1 or size 2 needles is not for you, then you should pass on this book.
   
   However, if you are like me and love the self-striping effects obtained with today's sock yarns, then you should definitely look at this book! In fact, of the sixteen designs contained here, only three of them are for socks. The other designs are for hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, pillows, a bed for a small dog or cat, a hot water bottle cover, and even a camisole! After I received the book, I've even decided to make the convertible mittens before the button gloves which originally inpsired my purchase.
   
   The patterns are well-written and the photos are great. This book is a great addition to my knitting library!



3. This is a GREAT book.
   I knit the "tabbi" socks shown on the front for my daughter.
   Excellent pattern....I also made the zig-zag ones and they are my
   favorite socks. They turned out perfect.

2 comments about The Beader's Bible.

1. The best bead book ever? Not quite -- but a very nice addition to any beader's library.



2. I cannot tell you how many beading books I have picked up in the store and have put back on the shelf. Either the projects dont have enough to interest me- or simply lacks panache. From the moment I opened this one- I was amazed at not only the detail- but in the beauty of the projects done to illustrate the various techniques. The photos are very detailed- and instead of wasting pages with one or two how-to photos per page- there are several on each page along with illustrations! My favorite project is the Medallion belt featured on page page 33. I cant wait to make it. I highly recommend this book for those wanting a more in depth look at techniques.

2 comments about Poems of Color.

1. The Bohus Workshop in Sweden was started about 50 years ago and brought together creative designers and hand knitters to make some of the most stunning knitted creations ever. The wool was carefully chosen, the designs modern and timeless, with that ineffable Scandanavian flair. Sadly the Bohus workshop has long been closed. All that remains are some treasured vintage sweaters and...this book to document their history. And not only does this book document the history of Bohus Workshop, it also has patterns so you can make some of the famous designs yourself.

   This isn't knitting for the timid; many of the designs boldly go where color knitting isn't supposed to go; there are patterns with 3, 4 even more colors per row. The colors are subtle and varied, knitted in an angora/wool mix to create the "shimmering" effect the Bohus designs were famous for. But if you embark on such a knitting adventure you will surely make a masterpiece you will wear or give with great pride.

   A source for the kind of yarn that closely matches the Bohus mix is provided in the book, plus patterns for the famous fairisle-like yoke pattern models. Also included are jackets with matching designs to the yoke pullovers, mittens, and hats. You can certainly adapt the design to your own creations. Not all the designs require many colors per row; some are two color only throughout and some rely more on texture than color.

   This book is worth reading for textile history, for history of women in clothing design, and for knitting history. And it's also a valuable knitting reference for people who like to knit their own designs as well as reproduce them from patterns. All in all, this book has a lot and is one of my great favorites.




2. The photos in this book are glorious, and the story of the Bohus collective is inspiring. The book provides reconstructed patterns for Bohus-style garments at the back, and it is as far as I know one of the only places to find such patterns. These reconstructions are not technically authentic Bohus garments -- their gauge is a bit bigger and they use different yarn. So if you are a stickler for authenticity, buy a Bohus sweater kit online. If you are interested in learning more about the history of this kind of knitting and you want to knit a gorgeous Bohus-inspired garment, this book is for you.

5 comments about Colorful Knitwear Design (Threads On).

1. This book is one I couldn't put down, kept up my interest throughout. Explains in full detail while also providing great photos and drawings in color that are simple to follow. You will be amazed at the wonderful results. This undoubtedly will be a classic in the years to come. It teaches all you need to know in learning how to utilize different colors and yarn for your knitwear. I would love to rate this higher than 5 stars.
   
   Included among the chapters are many various styles of sweaters, sweater coats, children sweaters, Norwegian Sweaters, and even cardigan borders in detail, or knitting without patterns at all, and even knitting your own color picture graph without any difficulty. Color blending so easy, you will find it hard to believe that you can do it as quickly as you do.
   Also included, Embellished Children's Sweaters, an elephant, a ghost, a dinosaur and believe it or not, a "cute" snake.
   
   Also included, a great section on Charting Lace, picturing Alice Starmore's design "Flying Birds", and how to accomplish the task of charting lace.
   
   Terrific chapter by Nancy Marchant teaching the three basic techniques of Intarsia knitting, including wonderful photos and diagrams showing how to do perform this amazing art.
   
   Ribbing that holds it shape, hems and pockets, and much,, much more.
   This is a wonderful knitting book that should be in every knitter's library. This one is a keeper.



2. Since it is an inspirational book full of colors and techniques, my mind relaxed into a creative mode.



3. This knitting book is unlike any of the others that I own. This one deals with color combinations. There is a beautiful coat sweater they show but do not give the direction on making it which I wish they had. Just seeing that made me want to make one in the future my own way. Its a beautiful book.



4. Beeeeautiful, Wonderful, easily read and Understood....and at my age that's not always done. Arrived in great condition...just wish they could tell me how to make time to do everything it's got clicking in my brain.



5. It's a spectacular collection of articles, and if color is your main interest in knitwear, you'll love it. That the articles are dated is of no real importance compared to the dazzle of the techniques and ideas... exactly what we expect from Threads books. I wouldn't let it out of my sight. Only the Tone Takle books even come close for inspiration and appeal, in my opinion. Get it. Get it. : )

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 Handknits for Kids: 25 Original Designs for Girls and Boys.

1. I have to admit that I don't really knit for little kids, but I really do enjoy making stuffed toys, so my review is mainly about the toy patterns. The cat and dog are my favorite - when I first heard of the book, it was because I saw the finished cat in a yarn store and asked about the pattern. Long story short, it was my first project with increases/decreases, seaming and colorwork, but the pattern was clear and easy to follow - not daunting at all. I sat down all day when I finally got my hands on the book and was finished by evening. I say all this to say that several of the patterns are really great even for people who don't knit baby things (but you do need to like toys) and there's no need to worry about hard-to-follow patterns.



2. This book contains very basic patterns (lots of sweatshirts, some hats and toys)with neat designs and colors knit in. The clothes are cute and probably very appropriate for the older children (5-8) that the patterns are knit for. However, I don't foresee using this book much at all, and probably wouldn't have purchased it if I had been able to flip through it first.



3. I have tried two patterns from the book, and sampled several more. Both sweaters have turned out much too wide and large, even with smaller yarn and needles than she recommends. I'm an experienced knitter, although I depend on patterns and don't make many changes. Even the swatches I have tried have turned out about a third again as large as they should be.
   Has anybody else had this problem?



4. Another wonderful children's knitting book from Lucinda Guy. Beautiful patterns for clothing and toys. Well illustrated.



5. I purchased both of Lucinda Guy's books, this one as well as AND SO TO BED. Both have some very sweet little items and toys, but overall are not worth the $$ each one cost. The clothing is simply out-dated, seemingly from another time and era and way of life. I have kept the books because they are just quaint, but primarily for the toy patterns.