Customer Reviews

Beyond Wool: 25 Knitted Projects Using Natural Fibers

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

 

 

This book is really two books in one- it's a collection of beautiful, classic knits for women, as well as a reference tool for information about all kinds of knitting fibers other than wool. The sweaters and accessories are elegant and wearable, while the background information on the fibers (including their advantages, potential problems, and care instructions) is useful to any knitter or designer looking to expand beyond wool.

I got this book as a gift. It has a really in depth discussion of fibers. I'm quite moved by the patterns...they are very classic. I can see myself wearing/making almost every one. Instructions and materials lists are excellent and clear.

As someone with a house full of mohair and angora "stash"....I'll be using this book quite a bit. Photography is first rate as well...no sweaters with "hidden angles" hiding design flaws!

The first thing I noticed is the cover has a built in bookmark and it is plasticized so water won't damage it. The introduction talks about Mohair and its meaning. While I think of Mohair as a type of yarn, the book says it means the finest or best fiber.

Then the book jumps right into projects of which there are 25 and all are knitted. Sweaters, scarves, mittens, hats and shawls are the items you can create with the instructions in this book. They are well written and include graphics to help complete the written words.

I believe this book to be for the intermediate to expert knitter as there aren't many projects that are "square" such as a scarf. You will need to be able to shape the items and know what type of stitches you are working with.

A page of abbreviations are provided just in case you are unsure what for example, SSP means. Several pages of techniques will help you recall how to do Wrap and Turn, Cable or increases/decreases, among other things. The final pages are about fiber care, resources and a bibliography.

BEYOND WOOL is the book one should own if you enjoy knitting. The time the author spent exploring those who have invested time and caring raising the animals that provide quality yarns, explain the whys and hows related to creating delightful garments, where to locate the providers, and BEST OF ALL, PATTERNS. Variety, variety, variety. This was what I choose to use as someone who knitted years ago, began to suffer from arthritis, was told I would never knit again, and voila, I am creating a beautiful shawl made from mohair that came from Buckwheat Bridge Angoras. Mohair, silk,wool, cashmere, llama, linen, cotton, AND QIVIUT. I must order and create the pattern from this book in QIVIUT. Never knew it existed. The mohair is magical. As for the patterns. They are such wonderful representations of the materials I want to make every one. Yes I am knitting again, with pleasure. I would urge one to go to the web sites that describe the people who provide the materials. All said this book is now on the top of my knitting books. Quality. Enjoy the pleasure of genuine quality. P.J. Today

This is a nice book with a lot of patterns. I personaly liked only 3 or 4 out of the twenty something. But over all a nice book.