Hi there, I’m back.
I hit the library again yesterday, looking for Gorgeous Knitted Afghans. I didn’t find it, but I did find three others that looked promising. Hello, book reviews.
Note: Links take you to the Amazon site; please support your local bookstore.
BOOK #1
Knit So Fine: Designs with Skinny Yarn by Lisa R. Myers, Laura Grutzeck, and Carol Sulcoski. Published by Interweave Press.
Interweave has some excellent books out there, and this is no exception. After reading Julie’s Vogue Knitting reviews I started noticing what she noticed: that bulky yarn and bulky knits are being pushed forward as fashionable, when really they’re just unflattering. If you’re slender, you look dwarfed by the garment. If you’re plus-sized, you’ve just added extra width you don’t want or need. There are numerous other advantages to fine-gauge knitting as well, all outlined and detailed in the first few pages. After that: patterns. 21 of them, and every single one is extremely wearable.
The patterns are split up into four sections: Simplicity, Speed, Style, Shine – each one a perk of fine-gauge knitting. I want to make at least half of them, if not more. Which means this book is going on my list. (That’s a good thing.) The patterns also vary from scarves and hats to sweaters to a wrap dress. There’s even a pretty lace stole in there, which would be prettier if it wasn’t knit in Reactor Coolant Lime Green (not an actual colorway). The yarns are all appropriate for the projects, in terms of material and drape, so bonus points there. The instructions in the back are mercifully brief and specific to what is mentioned. (There’s even tips for picking up stitches and sewing in a zipper. Kudos!)
All in all, an excellent book, and one I hope to get soon.
Stardragon’s rating: 10 out of 10 butterscotch candies
BOOK #2
Luxury Knits: Simple and Stylish Projects for the Most Desirable Knitwear by Amanda Griffiths.
I’ll be honest. When I first saw the title, my reaction was “Uh huh.” Because, well. Luxury =/= simple, in my mind, and the whole thing just seemed too… Vogue Knitting-esque. But then I opened it up, and was pleasantly surprised.
The projects start off simple: drawstring bags, a pillow/blanket set, a hat and scarf set, bed socks. They then move up into cardis and sweaters with lovely details such as beads and lace that complement the yarn. All the patterns have multiple photos (including detail shots); the schematics are all put together in the back; and once again, the techniques included are mostly finishing techniques. Glancing at the patterns, I see that roughly half of them have some kind of waist shaping; but the lack thereof on the others easy enough to fix, if you’re an intermediate to skilled knitter.
Here’s the thing: these are all luxury yarns. “Luxury” generally is a knitter’s euphemism for “expensive” (cashmere, angora, mohair, silk, and blends thereof), and these projects are no exception. For instance, if you really want to make that lace sweater in Kidsilk Haze, it’ll put you out $203 for the smallest size. (And even if it is a silk-mohair blend, I have to wonder how warm a lace sweater would really be. And wouldn’t you have to wear something underneath because of the holes?)
So. Good patterns, for the most part; expensive fibers, but if you could substitute (or save up a lot, I guess), that’s okay too. Buy it? Yeah, probably.
Stardragon’s rating: 8.5 out of 10 butterscotch candies.
BOOK #3
Classic Knits: 15 Timeless Designs to Knit and Keep Forever by Erika Knight.
After scoring big time on the first one, I was hoping to get lucky again with this book. Well… Looks like my luck kinda ran out.
The introduction is surprisingly brief (but printed in size 32 font, so it takes up two pages). It claims that “classic is a contemporary collection… considered, crafted, and constructed to enhance and flatter the female form.” Okay, this I can work with. Makes sense, right? We want our clothes to be attractive, yes? This is the kind of stuff women are desperate to hear.
So, I beg of you, WTF is up with the patterns?
A casual sweater, knit in bulky-weight wool; 3 sts/inch. A wraparound jacket, knit in super-bulky wool; 2.25 sts/inch. A tank top, knit in super-bulky wool (???); 4.5 sts/inch using size 17 needles. A boatneck sweater, knit in super-bulky wool; 3.5 sts/inch. Did we not just discuss that bulky knits are not flattering to any figure and will approximately double your weight? Also (and this was gleaned from Knit So Fine), “classic” knits – the twinsets from the fifties, nipped and tucked sweaters from even earlier – achieve their delicate, classy look from fine gauge and shaping to flatter women’s bodies. There is no shaping whatsoever on these designs, and I fail to see how a superbulky jacket is at all “classic”.
Also, how in hell is a messenger bag knit out of kitchen twine “timeless”? Cotton or hemp, I could see; and that’s what I thought it was, when I saw the picture. But kitchen twine?! HUH?!
Another thing. 15 patterns; all but four use some kind of Rowan yarn. I’m not saying, I’m just saying. (And is it me, or does the model look like Kiera Knightly?) Also, there are no schematics for the garments. At all.
Don’t get me wrong; there are some wearable things in there. Lace camisoles, a cardi or two, and a cute little bolero. The scarf and gloves are okay, but you could find better on Knitty or Ravelry. All these are knit at appropriate, sane gauges and would look rather nice with a bit of effort and some good yarn. But buy the whole book for four or five patterns? Pass.
Stardragon’s rating: 5 out of 10 butterscotch candies.
That’s it for now. I should be back in a few days to post some FO’s.
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