Customer Reviews

America Knits

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

 

 

WARNING!!! This book is a reprint of the 1996 Knitting in America. You'll notice the description of the book doesn't state this. If you already have Knitting in America, do not order America Knits. I am very upset because I thought this was a new Melanie Falick book (i.e., a follow-up to Knitting in America); now I have to return it.

If, on the other hand, you do not already have a copy of Knitting in America, then do buy this book--it is fabulous! The photographs alone will inspire you for years. The stories of the knitters are terrific and the book is also like a travelogue of America. There are great patterns too but most of them are for more experienced knitters.

This is an entertaining and beautiful book, featuring the work and stories of 38 artists. Each artist is given 2 to 6 pages of pictures and write up. In my oppinion only 6 or 7 artists are showing innovative work and they are deffinetly worth seeing. The rest is bulky sweaters and shawls and a few children's designs. If you love oversized sweaters, this is the book for you. A few of the photos are "artfully out of focus" not good for seeing the work. Check it out at the library first or buy a used copy if this interests you. 26 Patterns are at the rear of the book. The patterns are for advanced knitters.

After hearing Falick on a podcast and hearing the "story behind the book," I picked this up at the local yarn store to leaf through it -- and quickly remembered why I hand't bought it the first five times I'd looked at it.

I find the concept of this book somewhat garbled -- is it a pattern book? If so, there aren't enough interesting patterns to make it worth the investment (most are very dated). Is it a profile book? If so, there really isn't enough in-depth info about either the yarn stores or the store owners to make it entertaining.

The photography, however, is gorgeous. So I've finally categorized this book as a "collectible." If you're looking for knitting patterns, don't bother. But if you want something pretty to set on your coffee table -- or if you own every other knitting book out there and need this one to complete your library -- then go for it. Otherwise, leaf through it at the store, admire the pictures, then put it gently back on the shelf and walk away.

Author and knitter Melanie Falick spent years searching through knitting books, finding the most beautiful ones came from England with the idea Britain held more talented knitters than America. America Knits: 30 Projects For The Whole Family To Knit And Wear From The Country's Leading Artisans seeks to correct this idea, packing in patterns and artisan profiles with gorgeous color photos by Chris Hartlove of notable creations. This isn't another pattern book: it's a celebration of American knitting traditions and styles, packed with biographies, artist accounts of knitting, and regional color.

I agree with Lois, this is not a pattern book, although there are patterns in it.

The book is divided up into regions, such as Southwest, Northwest, etc. and each shows locale-themed knitwear and outdoorsy knitters/spinners doing their thing outside in the fresh air... usually with some sort of pet or livestock in the back/foreground. There are lots of full-page, color, glossy pic sthat are very beautiful. Oh, and what patterns there are are tucked in the back.

Primarily this book is a dialog on various artists around the country and their work. I haven't examined every picture, but it looks like not a single one was taken indoors. And that's the feel for the patterns as well. Lots of sweaters and wraps and jackets and blankets, all brightly colored and intricately designed. No easy stuff in this book, it all appears to be fairly challenging.

I kept checking this book out of my local library. Even though some things about the format are now pretty dated (tiny black-and-white instructions crammed into the back of the book along with blindingly-small graphs for the charts, for example) I still love feasting my eyes on the photos.

Lots of my favorite designers are represented. To name a few: Norah Gaughan, Barbara Walker, Meg Swansen, Kristin Nicholas, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Michele Rose-Orne, Nicky Epstein, Nancy Bush, and Lizbeth Upitis. My favorite patterns include:
Mother-Daughter Harvest Fruit Pullovers
Leaf Kimono/Pullover
Spice Market Wrap
Deborah Newton's Unisex Cabled Raglan Pullover
Colorado Cashmere Wimple (hood/cowl)

There are lots more that I really love, plus the profiles on the designers, of course. I don't mind about the styling being dated on the sweaters. This was 1996, which means it's just about time for the fashions to shift back again. I've already seen a lot of oversized, boxy, wearable-with-leggings-stuff out there.


So, to sum up, for me it was worth adding to my library. If you're a new knitter and would like detailed directions, wait until you're "Intermediate". Remember to check out Ravelry.com for a complete list of projects and photos from this book.

Melanie Falick has once again created an amazing knitting book! This one differs from some of her previous titles in that it focuses on many of the talented knitters in America. When I ran across this book, I knew it was something I must have. The patterns are very inspiring, and the techniques outlined will prove to be a good learning tool for even the most skilled knitter.

This book is more of a coffee table book. Has beautiful pictures of the artist and their knitted creations. It's a great book if you want to READ about knitting even tho it does have patterns in the back of the book. You get the best of both worlds.

A beautiful book. But why buy it? The information about people is just enough to wet one's interest. The patterns aren't anything special. It is simply a beautiful book to look at and dream.