Customer Reviews

220 Aran Stitches and Patterns: Volume 5 (The Harmony Guides)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book provides a brief history of Aran knitting, an overview and how to explanation of aran knitting techniques, explanation of how to design an Aran Isle sweater, and written as well as chart instructions on 220 patterns. What I found most helpful was the grouping of patterns according to row repeats, from 2 row patterns to 48 row patterns. There were 14 1/2 page examples of Aran combinations with tables showing the row and stich number for each pattern used. These combination examples illustrate how the Aran designs of different length and with can be group to create unique designs.

This book is ideal for someone familiar with Aran Isle knitting who wants the freedom to design their own creations. A book most useful to intermediate to advance knitters, it covers the basics so well it would also be helpful to beginners with an interest in design.

This is a wonderful book for beginners and experts alike.

Easy clear directions and loads of patterns to choose from.

I am useing this book, at the moment, to create an original jumper/sweater using combination sets of cables and moss stitches.

One of the most useful pattern books I have ever read.

This book has some great stitches (I especially love the bobbles)! They range from relatively easy, to super complicated. Each stitch also has a picture next to it of what a completed swatch looks like, which is great for visual people like me! Another great thing is the grouping by number of rows in the pattern, which makes designing your own Aran creations easy. My biggest complaint: it's not spiral bound, so the pages start to come out after use.

A wonderful book with wonderful stitch patterns. As an expert knitter, I found the beginning pages a good review and learned a few things as well. My only bone to pick: I don't like the way the charts for the return even numbered rows are coded to appear as the work looks from the front. When you actually have to pearl, the chart will indicate a knit stitch. Somewhat confusing at times, but if you know what you're doing, this can be overcome. The row by row written instructions don't do this, but that is no help to me, as I find chart instruction much easier to follow and don't even read the written instructions. All in all though, I would highly recommend this book

I must have gotten one of the first of these, and I read it like a novel for the first week I had it. I love the history and maps and photos at the front. I prefer the charting style to what is in a lot of patterns, because I almost always end up using circular needles. I prefer to do top-down in the round knitting whenever I can. I love the photos and the combinations. I think I've used at least something out of this book on at least 10 projects (that actually got finished!)

Only complaint: Yes, the binding on my copy came apart fairly early on. So, I punched holes in the sheets and put it all in a 3 ring binder with pages that I print off the internet and little clips of yarns and stuff. The binder has one of those clear plastic covers that I slipped the covers of the book into.
rubyintherough.blogspot.com

Whenever I decide to design a sweater with cables, I turn to this book. It's easy to use and the charts are great. It's a wonderful asset for any knitters library.

I usually like Harmony Guides knitting stitch Patterns books however, this one really didn't do anything for me. It had a lot of nice, but safe Aran cable patterns and only a handful of interesting cables that you normally don't see on an Aran sweater. The best section in the book is titled COMBINATIONS. This gives a person a good idea about how to combine the various patterns for an Aran project (be it a sweater, pillow, purse, scarf, etc.).

I would recommend Barbara G. Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns 1, 2, 3 and 4 over this book if you are an experienced knitter. If you are just starting out, this book would be a nice basic addition to your knitting book collection.

If you are collecting knitting books, this is a must in your library. You won't be disapointed. Great stitches!

I looked at a lot of Aran sweater patterns, but I just couldn't find the perfect one. I bought this book after I checked it out from my local libary, because it's an essential for any knitting bookshelf. It has every stitch you could want, plus many combinations of stitches. It helps you put together your own unique combinations by organizing the stitch pattterns by the number of rows for each repeat. For each stitch you get a clear color photo, row-by-row directions, and chart directions. It also has comparison photos of common cables and bobbles by size, and how to read the charts and abbreviations.

I enjoy knitting Aran patterns as it makes one concentrate but Aran patterns are sometimes hard to find and I have many books of them. However this book has all the patterns one would want or need. They are written out plus also have the diagrams for each one. Save your money and just buy this one.