Customer Reviews

Aran Knitting: New and Expanded Edition (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ah, the original! Commands breath-taking prices on Amazon and other sites. Knitters everywhere cheered when they heard this precious volume would be reprinted. Not just re-printed, republished in a new edition. Many if not most of the sweaters were re-photographed- and once again, the photos are gorgeous. The beginning part on the history of Aran knitting has a retrospective that may, or may not, add to your knitting experience. The one additional project is a decidedly non-Aran cardigan with set-in sleeves and waist shaping. It is lovely and I may make it for myself.
That's not to say the book is perfect. What I didn't like about it (why I gave it 4 in place of 5) stars:
1) the new introduction is a bit too smug for me. Not only that, the author lays claim to an anchor cable pattern- and criticizes others for using it. Yet I found the same cable pattern in a much older (predating the first edition of Aran Knitting) stitch dictionary.
2) the format is smaller than the original, so the charts are smaller too. The binding makes me afraid to lay it flat enough to enlarge the charts. The hard-bound book with sewn pages can lie flat enough to scan or photocopy.
3) the most beautiful sweater, the new one, comes in the most limited sizes. The largest size would fit my size 4 daughter. Most knitters will look, sigh, and knit elsewhere.

Summary: if you are a knitter, you need this book on your shelf.

This eagerly-awaited paperback edition of Alice Starmore's beautifully photographed, definitive work on the history and techniques of Aran knitting includes all of the text, charts, and patterns of the original 1997 hardcover book, and nearly all of the original photos (a few swatch photos have been replaced by new garment photos). The revised and expanded edition also contains a brand-new Preface, and one entirely new pattern (Eala Bahn) that incorporates Celtic knotwork motifs into a cardigan with precise body shaping.

The new Preface (The Infinite Line) discusses how well the author has succeeded in demolishing the myths surrounding Aran knitting, which was her reason for writing and publishing the original Aran Knitting. The Preface also talks about the author's three modern contributions to the recognized motifs of "Aran knitting": the anchor, the heart, and the knotwork motif from her Sigil design (included in this book). All three of these personally designed motifs use the author's unique technique for knitting the unbroken, continuous line that characterizes all interwoven Celtic knotwork patterns.

The extremely popular St. Brigid pullover design, with all its complex cables and knotwork, has shed its fringe, been rephotographed, and been rewritten for a slimmer small (32-34") figure, as well as the previous medium (36-38") and large (40-42") figures. Aranmor is now written in four sizes (32-35", 36-39", 40-44", 45-48"); Na Craga, in five sizes (32-34", 35-37", 38-40", 41-44", 45-48"); Irish Moss, in four sizes (32-34", 36-38", 40-42", 44-46"); and Boudicca's Braid, in two sizes (32-36", 38-44"). All of the patterns call for Alice Starmore yarns, which are available from the author's online yarn shop.

Knitters who already own the Interweave Press hardcover edition of ARAN KNITTING will want to purchase this Dover paperback edition if they (1) collect Alice Starmore books and patterns, (2) are interested in the author's latest thoughts about the origins and continuing popularity of Aran knitting, (3) would like to knit the original designs in smaller sizes, or (4) are adventurous enough to want to try their hand at knitting an Aran sweater with body shaping.

The reprint of this book is a lovely as the original! At first glace, the content appears to be essentially the same as the original with some wonderful changes:
* Some of the men's sweaters have been sized down for women.
* Gorgeous new photos in addition to some of the original photos.
* A beautiful new women's sweater that has set-in sleeves and waist shaping. I cannot wait to make one for myself.

A must for every knitter's library!

Beautiful designs, knitting history, clear charts, and eye-candy photos. Ahhhh. I love this book! I've wanted a copy for a while but the original editions were priced like gold bricks. I am perfectly happy with the updated version of the book and the price made it impossible to pass up.

The only thing I found annoying was Alice Starmore's shameless promotion of herself and her yarn. (There are no guides for yarn substitutes.) She often refers to "my yarn" and touts the greatness and timeless popularity of her patterns. It seemed inappropriate. The work speaks for itself.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Aran knitting and in owning some of the loveliest patterns out there. I am sure these sweaters, shawls, and hats can be knitted up beautifully in any number of yarns...but if you want "my yarn" by Alice, there is an ad that will direct you to the exclusive online dealer. HAPPY KNITTING!

After drooling over the original Aran Knitting (and moaning over the price) for years, I now have the New and Expanded Edition happily in my clutches! The patterns are absolutely lovely!

About forty pages are dedicated to the history of aran knitting, and the next 50 pages to aran designs that acts almost like a stitch dictionary or design workshop, with thorough explanations and stitch manipulation tips and clear diagrams (very important!). The pattern collection follows: fifteen absolutely breathtaking designs. The patterns are by nature somewhat boxy in shape (but a clever knitter could easily add shaping to nip in the waist, if desired) and suitable for men and women, some are designed for children. There are also a pair of wraps. The cables themselves appear are complex, but her workshop really demystifies them and makes them less daunting.

The pattern section is followed by a six-page "how-to" section on making your own design. This portion was perhaps a bit brief compared with the other sections, but with all of the sweaters incorporating these techniques, it is more of a tool to help us step back and recognize the details that make an aran sweater just that.

My only grump about the book is very minor: the sweaters are all knit in the Alice Starmore yarn collection. I'd prefer to see some variation.

All in all, I am still holding the book on my lap and keeping it near my chair to peruse to my hearts content. This is the first book in some time to really make my day. I'm not sure if it will ever make my knitting shelf, as it will likely stay next to my chair. Great job, Alice Starmore! And, thank you very much!

More than I expected - by far. A big section all about Aran sweaters, their history, etc. Then a sections with Aran stitch pattern charts. Then the gorgeous Aran sweater patterns in many sizes. Can't wait to actually read the book and knit something with the yarn I dragged back from Inishmore. But first I'm going to take it to Kinko's and have a spiral binding put on it so it will open all the way and I'll then be able to scan the patterns and even enlarge the charts. The margins are plenty wide enough to do this and I've done this with other soft cover pattern books. It costs about $5. Don't know why paperback pattern books don't come this way. They should!

The sweaters are lovely. The pictures, great. The history, interesting. The book is set up nicely which makes it very easy to use when designing your own sweater. Beware, however! Test the patterns carefully before knitting. Some of them are reversed and will not produce the desired look if followed as is.

Alice Starmore is back with this beautifully presented and photographed excellent new and expanded resource. The first few chapters exploring the historical background of Aran knitting are as informative as they are readable, then we get into the nitty gritty of how to twist your own cables to tell your own story. Clear charts are used throughout rather than written stitch by stitch instruction; this is a bonus for the chart reader, but those who prefer written instruction may need spend a little time learning how charts work. Starmore explains her visual approach as part of her design ethic in hope that we will be inspired (and freed!) to design our own work. Included are 9 beautiful Aran and 6 stunning Celtic designs in various sizes. Concluding this book is a primer on Aran Design for those so inclined after being inspired by the glorious photography used throughout. Perhaps geared toward the intermediate to advanced knitter, if you're a beginner do not be discouraged. This is beautiful enough to be a coffee table book, and its text, charts and illustrations should be on every knitter's shelf to provide if not merely instruction, then inspiration!

This book is definitely a collector for avid knitters. I am hoping to be able to make a project or 2 from this, though the charts are quite intimidating when they are first reviewed. Like some other reviewers mentioned, I was a little turned off by Ms. Starmore's ego. I enjoyed some of the history at the beginning, but found I could not read all of it because of her frequent egotistical comments about how she is right about everything and so many others are just plain wrong. I understand she made great strides in knitting and researching Aran, Scottish, and gansey knitting, but she is not the only one and I think other's contributions should also be given some credit. The yarns used were beautiful, but I have not looked on line yet to see the cost. I would imagine they are quite expensive. Overall, the photography and completed projects are beautiful and I would recommend this book to other knitters for their collection.

This book is very detailed and challenging. Go slow when you knit it and stop the minute you are tired. Note: The yarn prescribed is hard to get. An order I put in with Virtual Yarns, the seller notified me they were out of the color and didn't know when they would get some. HOwever, I will find a suitable substitute, and it is interesting about how the whole Aran knitting world got started.