Customer Reviews

All New Homespun Handknit: 25 Small Projects to Knit with Handspun Yarn

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

 

 

I have the original Homespun Handknit book and I love it. It's hard to believe that the All New Homespun Handknit could come up to the quality and variety of the first book but it does. It's just wonderful!!!!!!!!!

There are many beautiful patterns in this book, all created with handspun yarns. I looked at this book several times to see which of the patterns attracted me the most and, amazingly, there are few patterns that I don't like. My favorites are the fair argyle cap which they have knit with a lovely blue as the primary color; the moth mittens are in orange and black; the Andean Alpaca Poncho for a child with llamas on the border; the Wisteria Lace Shawl; the Zipped Baby Hoodie which is knit in two beautiful intertwined shades of sport weight yarn and looks very easy to make except for the zipper; the Prairie Scarf knit with bison yarn and designed by Nancy Bush whose designs I generally like; Hannah's Autumn Jacket which is a lovely domino knit in shades of orange; Stained Glass Cap and Mittens in black with a stained glass-like border; Old Garden Scarf which is a lovely lace design; Child's Nordic Set in a classic Norwegian design; Indigo and Lichen Beret; and Sheepy Mittens knit in natural undyed yarns. I could go on. This is one of the nicest knitting books to come my way in a long while.

It is amazing to me that I would like to knit so many patterns from a book that has only 25 patterns in it. As the book states, "Knitters will find ideal projects for small amounts of very special yarn, ranging from simple items to knit in an afternoon to spectacular lace wraps to treasure".

The book offers substitutes for the handspun yarns which will help knitters a lot if they don't have access to the homespun yarns. There is a glossary, index and resource section included in the book. The only thing that I don't like is the charts. I'm not a chart person and some of the charts, such as the one for the Prairie Scarf, are quite difficult to decipher. I prefer patterns that offer line by line knitting instructions. Barring that, this is a wonderful book. There are many beautiful patterns, it is a great resource for homespun yarns and it is a beautiful book to just spend time looking through. The photographs of the finished projects are lovely.

I give it a '5' with no reservations.

The intriguing patterns were what sold me on this book, HOWEVER - & this is my fault - I did NOT realize that the book is for people who spin their own yarn, which I know nothing about. Since I don't spin my own yarn, I did find certain information provided for each pattern to be confusing. I'm an advanced enough knitter, that I can get the overall idea of the pattern & take things on my own, but this is NOT a book for beginning knitters, NOR for someone just past the beginner level. If I did spin my own yarns, I would find this book totally delightful! Patterns are beautiful, & I hope to make a few of them, when I get the time!

How often does a pattern book contain 6 or 7 patterns you can't WAIT to start knitting?!?! The patterns in this book are unique (such as the baby's hooded poncho) as well as varied (from lace shawls to Scandinavian mittens. Instructions and charts are very clear. It doesnt matter if you spin or not, but if you do, there are also suggestions for tailoring it to the pattern.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK. I just purchased yarn for the Spider Hat. I am a Soccer Grandma and always take small knitting projects to work on during halftime. I finished two "Square bags that Look Round" They were so easy, I really enjoyed making them. Other Soccer Moms are always checking to see what is on my needles at every game. So far, 3 of them want one. They are small enough for car keys, wallet, lipstick and water. Just perfect for the necessities every gal needs to carry with her. The projects in this book are photographed so that it leaves nothing to the imagination and the instructions could not be more clear. This book and its contents are absolutely fabulous. Every knitter should have one..

I saw this book at a Spinning Retreat. It was so exciting, I had to order it right away, and got an extra to give as a gift. Homespun has different qualities over commercially spun yarn, and this book gives great ideas on how to use handspun, especially small amounts of yarn used together. There are many cute projects in this book, especially the ones for children!

I bought the book sight unseen going by the earlier book years ago which was very useful for knitting small hats and things. This book is mainly for spinners as there are no commercial yarns. Only gauge and needle sizes are given. One pattern by the editor herself is very poor as she has done it for a particular child and it wouldn't fit most of them so she just suggests to go and design your own and reading that, I felt it should at least have been left out. There are 3 nice scarves or shawls, one by Nancy Bush and also a pair of entrelac socks that I would enjoy making. Frankly, I didn't care for the other things like baby soakers and one baby hoodie in which the baby looked like he was choking from the zipper behind his head. There are good charts where needed and the photos are lovely. A spinner might find this book very useful but as a knitter, it's just not for me.