Customer Reviews:
 Classic, versatile May 11, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Beautiful patterns, juxtapositioning of commercial and handspun yarns is a unique format. It's very useful to the knitter, or the knitter/spinner in taking the next step to designing yarns to knit more complex patterns.
 gorgeous patterns April 28, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this book because of the spinning angle, but I also really love it for the patterns. I've already picked out three sweaters I want to knit, and that's just for starters. I found the photos to be OK as far as they go, but would have appreciated multiple views of more of the sweaters.
essential for knitters April 28, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I love this book although I will never become a spinner. Just for the 6 arans alone, the book is essential. But add to that one, 6 textured sweaters, 3 cabled sweaters,3 lace scarves, 1 pair of socks, 1 stole, 3 cabled scarves, 2 cabled sock patterns, 1 cabled cap, 3 cabled vests and 2 lace sweaters. Each pattern has skill level, schematic and charts plus author's lengthy intro to each one. As others have commented, the photos are poor being fuzzy and not showing the whole item clearly. The commercial yarns are easy to find or to substitute. Sizes cover a broad range and if I have the time, I'd like to knit them all. Essential purchase for every knitter. This is one of the best books I own.
Lovely, but... April 18, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I completely agree with Susan's review on the artsy photographs. There are several shots that just don't show the details or the entire view of the knitted pieces. The patterns seem to be well-written, and as a whole it is a lovely book, but I was left with a feeling that I'd have done it very differently. I also would have loved to see a little more variety for the patterns -- I don't think I'd be spinning enough of a kind to do a sweater, so more smaller pieces or ideas on combining several kinds of yarn would have been nice.
Not *just* for spinners, but... April 16, 2008
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
This book might be geared towards spinners who are looking for beyond-the-basics use for his or her handspun (and provides tons of great information for those that do), but even if you've never spun a foot of yarn in your life, you can get something out of this book.
The patterns included are *fabulous*. Beyond fabulous. They're rich and intricate and have a nice mix between smaller things and to-die-for sweaters. The photography is amazing and inspiring, and for a closer look at each garment, there are diagrams and stitch charts provided for every wearable. (One of the previous reviewers commented that the photos weren't clear -- not all of them, no. But the charts make up for that, plus some. And the photos are inspirational, so it's all good with me.)
Each pattern gives you not just the required amount/wpi of the handspun yarn needed, but also gives a commercially-spun equivelent AND shows the knitted item in BOTH variations (hand/commercially-spun), so you can see how the handspun aspect changes the nature of the fabric (if it does)...it's an amazing extra that the author gives us.
Speaking of extras -- the sizing on these patterns ROCK. Being one of the Large Chest Brigade, it's often hard to find books that go beyond the 32 - 34 - 38 sizing for miniature people and get into the sizes more realistic for my...uh...front additions. Not a problem here. I think the smallest size I've seen has been 48", and that RULES. I loved the author just a little bit more than I did before after noticing that little (big?) detail.
I've been paring down my Stuff lately. Getting rid of a lot of the extraneous posessions I've been hoarding. Knitting books are included in that. And I can say, without even a hint of hesitation, that this book would be one of the five I'd keep, no matter what. It's got EVERYTHING I look for in a knitting book, plus one. I'm so glad I picked it up, and I can't wait to start knitting a wardrobe-full of handspun, handknit sweaters just for me.
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