Customer Reviews

The Art of Fair Isle Knitting

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ann Feitelson brings together, in great detail, everything you will ever need to know about Fair Isle. If you want to design your own or knit one of the many gorgeous designs she presents, or even just get to know the Shetland way of life, you must read this book. There may be other Fair Isle experts, but Ann is truly the master.

This book is a classic. Ms. Feitelson starts off by laying out the history of Fair Isle knitting and progresses to technique and color theory. The patterns that she provided are beautiful in terms of fit and silhouette, not to mention color choices and pattern designs. I have knitted a few Fair Isle articles and I wish I had bought this book first before knitting my caps and socks. This book is a must-have for anybody wishing to embark on the wonderful journey of Fair Isle and Shetland knitting.

At this time it looks as though the art of Fair Isle is making a huge comeback. Books that are out of print are selling for ten times the original price. Old magazines are being sought in every nook and cranny. Newer yarns are now colored to automatically create Fair Isle color patterns.

This particular book was written by Ann Feitelson who spent considerable time on the Shetland Islands and short of being a native is the closes you will get to the History, Technique, and Color & Patterns in the art of Fair Isle Knitting.

This book is more than just patterns; yet there are some classics of socks, gloves, mittens, scarves, and mostly swatters. The real worth that makes this book stand out from the others is the history with pictures in monochrome and color.

You may have to learn a few new terms:
Needles = Wires
Cast On = Lay on
Stitch = Loop

A few of the garments also have different names. But their purpose is unmistakable.

This book besides being practical is a great addition to any library.

The information on the use of color and pattern in fair isle is very useful; there are lots of color examples showing how the colors work in various ways. Good job on the history too with great illustrations. Only thing missing for me is charted designs to help design your own. Overall it's a great book and I'm using it already for a project.

This book gives you all of the information necessary to begin knitting Fair Isle patterns on your own. A wealth of information and a good read besides. Easy to follow instructions and suggestions.

I don't know how I missed this book in the past; a nice little book. Worth adding to knit-book stash. The book includes patterns, history, technique in colorful and clear presentation. (4/2006)

Revisitng 10/26/2007. A very nice book. Just glancing through two tips: in yarn changes, knot and leave to felt (69), which is what I did with a sweater-of-many-colors; decide which way to carry light and dark colors and stick with it (58)-who knew? Gotta get this book.

Well I bought this book and it is a very good addition just for tips on knitting in color even if I never make one of the actual sweaters. It's well organized and a great conpendium of practices I hadn't realized I just did and should actually mention to help other knitters.

Yes, this is a reprint of a 1996 or thereabouts book, but this is a good thing; knitting books go oop too often and are found at supernatural prices in scant quantities. So it's nice to see this book again, with beautiful photos of vests, cardigans, pullovers, hats and gloves.

There are a number of hats that you can use to practice your technique but I was raring to go, to knit a charcoal, pale grey, pale blue and cream vest that would suit my guy at home to a tee. Or over a tee. Well, over a shirt, anyway. And there are some really beautiful pullovers.

The book goes into color mixing (banding) for the backgrounds, steeks (the way to cut down the front of tubes knit in pattern in order to create a cardigan)--also much about tradition.

I did not find this disappointing at all, in fact, I like it as well as many of the other famous Fair Isle books out there and I can't wait to cast on that vest. Recommended for those who love color knitting.

When, as a naive young knitting-ingenue, I bought this book, I did not realize what a veritable corncopia of woollen joys awaited my delectation. Having opened that Pandora's Box, I now find myself unable to concentrate on my daily life. I eat, drink, breathe, and sleep, Fair Isle knitting patterns. Ah, Ann Feitelson, see what thou hast done to me! Thou hast verily unwoven the weft of my wool.

I'm fairly new to Fair Isle Knitting and this book is one I'm glad I purchased. The directions are easy to understand and the book is beautifully laid out and full of color suggestions.

More indepth information about the artistic development of the style than others. Good basic data about how to begin designing your own patterns. One of two essential books, I would think, for any seriouos knitter who is interested in learning these techniques.
Well written, easy to read.