Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting [Hardcover]

Alice Starmore (Author), Christine Timmons (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1988

Scotland's Fair Isle has long been known for its distinctive, stranded-color knitting. A designer from the region, Alice Starmore explores the history and techniques of the art and provides instructions for over 15 of her own knitwear designs. 100 color photos.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (October 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918804973
• ISBN-13: 978-0918804976
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding fair isle primer, May 19, 2000

By 

Joanne "Reader" (NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Hardcover)

This book will lead you through the history of fair isle knitting, designing, pattern and color selection, knitting with two or more colors, steeks, and finishing. Fair isle is magnificent and quite unlike anything else I'd done before. The concept of intricate color patterns done seamlessly with Shetland wool was and is quite appealing. I was able, with this book to become proficient in this marvelous style of knitting, creating a masterpiece my first go-round (pun unintended!). It also includes outstanding patterns. I literally wore out my first copy, the pages finally came loose from the binding and I am now on copy #2. I own quite a few books on knitting but consider this my fair isle reference.

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Reference, July 5, 2003

By 

Karen (ATLANTA, Gabon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Hardcover)

This stellar book manages to answer every question I ever had about Fair Isles Knitting, as well as a whole host of questions I hadn't even realized I should have been asking. Profusely illustrated with breathtaking color photographs, this book fills me with the mad inspiration to create every single time I open it. The charted designs are abundant and varied, the technical information is incomparable, and Starmore does an excellent job of making this highly detailed and specialized form of knitting accessible to beginners and experienced knitters alike. If you want to expand your knowledge of stranded multicolor knitting, this book is a MUST HAVE.

86 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, July 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Hardcover)

This one of my favorite knitting books, period. I have been knitting (self-taught) for about 20 years, and I seldom use a any kind of written pattern. I decide on yarn and wearer and just begin making the sweater. So here is were this book comes in: instructions on planning or designing a sweater (wouldnt even have to be one done in Fair Isle style); page after page of Fair Isle design elements arranged by SIZE; and beautiful photo of incredible Shetland yarn color combinations. There are printed project patterns, a nice selection too--I just do that sort of thing. And I also enjoyed the history of Fair Isle style and the possible origin of design elements. I keep returning to this book for the charted Fair Isle elements and color inspiration.