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Aran Knitting [Hardcover]

Alice Starmore
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)


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Book Description

1997
Packed with color and design, this significant book presents a complete Alice Starmore workshop in Aran Knitting.Step-by-step instructions, photos and drawings lead readers through 60 charted patterns that progress from the basic concepts of using a cable needle to the myriad variations of Aran technique.It includes 14 original Alice Starmore designs, and celtic knotwork.


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Alice Starmore's definitive explanation of an Irish Aran sweater and its development is surprising and fascinating. Arans are not ancient, and--contrary to popular legend--they were not developed as fishermen's garments. Starmore offers fairly convincing evidence that "true" Aran sweaters were adapted in this century from Scottish fishing ganseys. They are unarguably warm, practical, and beautiful, and here they are gorgeously photographed. Starmore, one of the knitting world's living treasures, includes specific cable patterns, patterns for 14 garments (both Aran and Celtic-style), and a clear, sensible guide to designing original Aran sweaters.

From Library Journal

A native of the Hebrides, Starmore is known internationally as a knitwear designer, teacher, and the author of a number of critically acclaimed knitting books. Here she sets off to examine aran knitting, its origins and history, and the techniques used to produce the richly cabled sweaters that are enjoying a renewed popularity among today's knitters. This book can be enjoyed on three levels: as a history of aran knitting, as a complete 14-lesson workshop on knitting aran patterns from charts, or as a collection of Starmore's original sweater, cap, and shawl designs, including full instructions and charted patterns. The garments, photographed on location in the Aran Islands, are inspirational fare for all knitters, while Starmore's designs will be of special interest to the more experienced. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Interweave Press; 1st edition (1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1883010330
  • ISBN-13: 978-1883010331
  • Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,046,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(27)
4.7 out of 5 stars
I just picked up a copy of this book at my library for free! southernskies  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
This is a beautiful book. Scottish Gypsy  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Aran Knitting November 30, 2005
Format:Hardcover
This is a beautiful book. It's "COFFEE TABLE" beautiful. The history of Aran knitting, and the photographt are gorgeous.

The sweaters that Alice Starmore designed are wonderful. The mens sweaters are timeless, but the women's sweaters are a bit dated. This could be easily remidied by adjusting the fit of the sweater while using the stitches that are part of the original design.

Alice Starmore has a number of nice stitch patterns in the book that are also listed in numerous other knitting stitch books (The Big Book of Knitting, The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches Vol. 1 and 2, Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting, Charted Knitting Designs by Barbara G. Walker, The Complete Book of Knitting by Barbara Abbey, to name a few). There are a couple of Celtic cable patterns that are more intriguing, but is it worth buying the book for $100+ just to have access to those few stitches?

So, to sum it up. I would definitely give this book 5 stars on overall first impression, even on the sweater patterns and charts, but as far as the stitches within the book - about 4 stars, there are many other books out there with more comprehensive patterns. Buy the book if you want the history, the sweater patterns, but if you're looking for a good book on Aran Knit Stitches, try a stitch encyclopedia book and come up with your own designs.
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good patterns, good ideas April 8, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
So far, I've found that I enjoy Starmore's work in general (I also have the Celtic Collection), though I'm only working on my second Starmore project. The pictures are great (of course, the color doesn't match perfectly, but that's to be expected), and the section on basic Aran stiches is wonderful. I'm looking forward to trying to design a sweater myself with some of those stiches, once I feel comfortable enough to buy that much yarn for such an iffy project. *grin* One warning--I've found Starmore's gauging to be a little odd. I think she pulls her yarn just a *little* tighter than most knitters.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars In a class by itself June 29, 2001
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I've been knitting since I was 8 years old and I've never seen anything like this. It's almost 3 books in one - an overview of the mythology and reality of Aran knitwear, plus a detailed description of Aran sweaters in the National Museum in Ireland; a gallery of stitch patterns with instructions; and a collection of Starmore's own designs, also with instructions. Her designs are beautiful - her starting point was when she recognized that traditional Aran knits use braids and twists but ancient Celtic art uses continuous lines - so she made up knitting designs using the continuous lines of Celtic knotwork. Her charting method is wonderfully easy to read. I love this and I want to make everything in it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
This is Starmore at her best. Some great works and I look forward to working on a few of them
Published 1 month ago by Ann McDonald
2.0 out of 5 stars Get it from the library first
I thought, before investing in another knitting book, I'd preview this one from the library, and I'm glad I did. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Moving Sale Books
5.0 out of 5 stars Aran Knitting Alice Starmore
I FINALLY have my own copy of this wonderful book !!!
Despite the fact that Dover is going to release a second edition of this book sometime this fall
I am pleased to... Read more
Published on March 21, 2010 by Christiann Luddington
5.0 out of 5 stars Alice's Aran book is indeed going to be republished by Dover
The following is a direct quote from a senior staff member of Alice Starmore's online shop "Virtual Yarns":
"Alice's Aran book is indeed going to be republished by Dover, and... Read more
Published on January 13, 2010 by J. Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars Reprint Scheduled for 2010 (Autumn)
The word in the Starmore Junkies group in Ravelry is that a reprint of this book is due out within the year. Just an FYI.
Published on January 6, 2010 by loveswildflowers
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Beautiful Knitting Books
I love Alice Starmore's books. This one is no exceptiion. It is filled with absolutely beautiful photographs of places, stitches, and projects. Read more
Published on March 2, 2009 by Bonnie Brody
5.0 out of 5 stars Check your local library
I just picked up a copy of this book at my library for free!
Published on February 16, 2007 by southernskies
5.0 out of 5 stars The ONLY Book You Need for Aran Knitting
Not only are the photographs and the settings breathtaking, but Alice Starmore designs are classics. Read more
Published on February 9, 2007 by Right Minded
5.0 out of 5 stars Can anyone help me?
Wow, I would like to order the Hebridean yarn from Alice Starmore for the following project, but she says that one needs a copy of Aran Knitting for the instructions. Read more
Published on November 16, 2006 by Paris
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !! 10 stars!!
Excellent in every way!! The crown jewel of aran knitting books!!
Published on May 9, 2006 by L. Cousins
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Not worth $300
I picked up a copy of this on the bargain shelf at my local bookstore for 75% off the cover price. The dustjacket was slightly ripped. Every time I see it on e-bay or amazon I marvel at the prices being asked. Yes, the book is lovely, but not worth that price!
Feb 9, 2007 by A. Creech |  See all 4 posts
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