Customer Reviews

Beautiful Knitting Patterns

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

 

 

I won't repeat the excellent detailed editorial reviews, but I'd like to add a couple of (hopefully) useful comments. One, the charts use different symbols than you may be used to (why does every author seem to use their own symbols??) and there are no line-by-line instructions. Two, the chapter introductions offer practical information on using the patterns.

There are a lot of patterns here I've never seen before and many of them are stunning or subtly beautiful. If you are a collector of stitch pattern books as I am, this is definitely one you will want to have and use! The best new one I've seen in a long time and well worth the price.

I really love this book. When I bought it I already had a houseful of knitting books so I was surprised how much new and exciting there was in it. The photography is the best I've seen. I like the fonts and the layout of the book. I was particularly excited by the jacquard patterns. Elegant and sophisticated.

The symbol system used in this book is dreadful. If you buy this book just go to Kinkos and make copies of the symbol explanation page because you are going to need it. The stitch explanations are clear enough but you'll need that copy otherwise you'll be flipping back every row.

I love knitting stitch pattern books and can never have enough. This collection is one of my favorites because of the many unusual ones not in my other books. Quite unusual are the patchwork patterns in lace, patterns using beads knitted in, patterns knitted into the stitch below and openwork patterns. I also found the author's system of symbols rather annoying. Too bad she didn't use either the Burda or the Japanese system which are the main ones in usage today.

As all knitters know, knitting is reported to consist of only two stitches. But what do you do when you've got thoses two down pat? The book Beautiful Knitting Patterns offers over 250 ways to put your skills to better use. Each two page spread has four to six patterns shown in a color photo sample and a chart with instructions. The photos are excellent quality; the charts are easily read and the instructions are clear.

I recommend this for anyone who has already made a few scarves and is ready to try their hand at something more interesting than stockinette, rib or garter stitch. Hone your skills by making more interesting scarves or try your hand at a sampler afghan. For those who are already on to making sweaters, this book is a handy resource tailor made to be your muse.

One final note: Anyone looking for a gift for any knitter- look no further.

Another one for my collection of stitch dictionaries. This book features lots of lovely stitches. The only thing that bothered me was the use of unusual symbols in the charts. I much prefer the more standard symbols used in most charts these days, so it took me a few minutes to get used to the ones in this book. Still, a nice collection.

If you are just getting started knitting or if you like making simple patterns out of creative yarns this is not the book for you but if you have been knitting for a long time and love adding your own touch to tried and true patterns you will love this. The book is just a book of knitting stitches with instructions for creating them --- no scarves, mittens, sweaters or anything else, just patterns. But the patterns are wonderful. Many I have never seen anywhere other than in this book.

The photography is great and all the designs are charted which I love. Much as I appreciate Barbara Walker's books I much prefer reading charts to following line by line directions.

I have a cardigan pattern that I love and have made many times through the years. Since buying this book I have made my tried and true pattern several times using new stitch designs from this book and every one of them is just lovely and completely unique. If you are not adventurous there are other books for you but this is an excellent book for the knitter with a sense of adventure.

Have been knitting for just a few months and as an artist I wanted a book to spur my imagination. I checked this book out at the library and decided to purchase mainly because of the photos. The instructions included with each pattern are presented with just a chart, so I have been cross-referencing with Barbara Walker's Treasury books. Also, the sections on lace and openwork are FABULOUS! But, it may take some time for me to figure them out as the charts are confusing (remember I'm new to knitting).

I just purchased this book and have been pouring over the stitch patterns all day. They are quite lovely and many are unique. The symbols are strange, but maybe it is because the book is translated from German. The book includes the following pattern categories: rib, brioche, cable, lace, openwork, jacquard, mini, slip-stitch, knitting into stitches below, alpine region, aran isle, lace trimming & patchwork. As you can imagine there is something for anyone who loves stitches. While this is not necessarily a book for a beginner, there are easy, intermediate and more difficult stitch patterns. I will be using it to design scarves, sweater inserts or edging, fingerless gloves, hats, washcloths and more.

This is not the biggest or the most encyclopedic of pattern books, but it is one of the best. Beautiful stitch patterns in every major sub-division: lace, cables, dropped stitch, texture, brioche and color work are present. Only the most beautiful and the most useful patterns have made the grade here and that makes this book one that I constantly reach for, even though I have bigger stitch encyclopedias. I have designed one scarf and one sweater using the patterns in this book. This is stitch patterns only; you provide the project.

The charts use mainly European symbols but they are fairly intuitive and the book provides a great symbol glossary in the front that covers all symbols and stitches used with good written instructions for those stitches. Other than that, the patterns are completely charted rather than written. The stitches are photographed in various fibers and weights which is useful as well. What more can I say? One of my favortie stitch pattern books and a recommended purchase for the creative knitter.

I obviously did not read the description very well as I thought I'd be getting patterns of things to make, not just stitch samples. I think this book is more for a knitter who modifies existing patterns or who makes up their own designs.