Customer Reviews

440 More Knitting Stitches: Volume 3 (The Harmony Guides)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stitch directories are wonderful tools for the knitter who wants to venture away from strict pattern following. Even advanced beginners can fall in love with a yarn and want to make a scarf or another non-fitted garment with a stitch (or several) that make the work the knitter's own design.

So where does this book fit in? If you're just starting a knitting library, you're probably better off buying one of the "big" knitting how to books (such as Vogue Knitting) which has a section on stitches. The next step, IMHO, is one (or all three) of Barbara Walker's wonderful stitch treasuries. The photos are black and white but the instructions are clear. (And, we just heard on the knit list that a fourth treasury is in the works!). This book (and it's companion volumes) are a logical next step. I enjoy them primarily for the excellent color photography. There are some patterns that are simply much more appealing in color.

As for comparing this book with volumes 2 and 4.... This book is strong on unusual cables and lace patterns. It also has many pages of slip-stitch and color work. For shawl and afgan fans, there's a solid section of edgings.

Bottom line: A good reference for knitters looking for the second dozen books in their libraries, but not a must.

440 More KNITTING STITCHES, Volume 3 of the Harmony knitting guides contains intermediate material about making knitting stitches. I found this volume useful for further explaining the `feather and fan' pattern I am using to make a scarf from another book. The illustrations are beautiful, and the directions for making them take the knitter beyond the Dummies book. Although this guide includes some limited information about first steps it is not designed to get the beginning knitter off the ground. Volume 3 includes a good deal of material on ribs, cables, and lace patterns. You might say Vol. 3 is more about texture and color than the previous volumes, but Vol. 2 also includes many colorful swatches.

Vol. 3 includes much useful information about making edging patterns, which provide beautiful finishing touches to some garments and household items. Heretofore I have made edging using a crochet needle (some very similar patterns are shown). Knitting an edging makes a smoother bit of lace.

I find the Harmony Guides useful reference tools, and I have used the patterns in this book to make test swatches that help me decide whether or not a yarn is suitable for the project at hand, as well as practice making various patterns. I am collecting the series.

I purchased Vols. 2, 3, & 4 at the same time through Amazon, and had purchased Vol. 5 (Aran Stitches and Patterns) at my local yarn store. While these books are not meant to give you complete patterns, like for an entire sweater, they provide seemingly endless ideas for patterned stitches, including cables, knit/purl combos, slip stitch mosaics, texture & color stitch techniques, and even lace patterns. I'm so thrilled with these books that I hardly know where to start with the experimentation, but I would definitely recommend the entire collection to anyone serious about knitting or designing their own knitted items.

I have all the Harmony guides and use them often, especially if I am stuck on a pattern or want to create/design a pattern of my own. For me they are an invaluable resource and everyone of them is a must have for any serious knitter.

The Harmony Guide allows a knitter with intermediate skills to take a basic sweater pattern and, using combinations of stitches, turn it into a one-of-a-kind designer original! The book is sturdy, which is a good thing, because you will use it again and again. There is a clear color photo of a knitted sample for each stitch, along with row by row instructions. There's a how-to section and explanations of all knitting abbreviations used.

Has some great knitting stitches in it, however, there is not enough dialog about the stitch and there are not enough lace stitches.

Am AGAIN thoroughly pleased with Volume 3 as I was with Volume 2 - both of
which are Harmony Guides!!! These two editions offer soooo much to choose
from and soooo many new stitches to try. If teaching yourself to knit OR
just learning, I would DEFINITELY CHOOSE these two books first!!! I have not found anything in our area that remotely comes close to these two
guides....so, again, Amazon.com came through!!!!

The Harmony Guide Series with color pictures and written instructions work the best for me to try new stitches without committing to a full patterned piece. The knitted samplers can then be turned into a sampler afghan. I just received volumes 2 and 3 and love the latter for its interesting cables and lace patterns. I knit in spurts and need sampler inspirations to encourage me to complete a knitted, wearable piece. I am considered to be a 'tween knitter [beginner to intermediate]: love cables and getting the hang of lace patterns. Love the fact that I can read the abbreviated directions in this series. Have not had success in correctly reading cable or lace charts and am very daunted by Barbara Walker's charts.

I have been looking for this for sometime and decided to go online and
check for availability. Unable to get it through my nornal Craft Shop. This is a great book for anyone who would like a change from just plain stocking stitch knitting. Thanks for the quick service once again you delivered

These Harmony Guides are great. They give easy to follow instructions for each pattern. I have other guides that quite honestly I can't figure out but not so with Harmony Guides. A great book to own even for beginner knitters who are ready to take on more of a challenge.