Customer Reviews

Big Fish, Little Fish: QuickKnits for Kids and Grown-Ups (A MinnowKnits Book)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this book sight unseen because I got so much out of Jil Eaton's previous two books. I assumed this would be more of the same, but I have to say that I felt it was a bit of a stretch and it doesn't quite measure up to the previous books in terms of the patterns offered. While there are still some very nice patterns in here (most of which are VERY easy to make), I felt there was less variety here than in the other two books both in style and knitting techniques. This book is mostly garter and stockinette stitch (which is just fabulous for beginners who want easy to knit projects that look great!).

I also was a bit disappointed in adult patterns. (I couldn't find any that I want to knit.) They are larger versions of the children's items but just don't look like they work as well on adults.

There are still nice items to be knit in here, and if this is your first Jil Eaton purchase, you'll surely be pleased, but if you're looking for more of the same from the previous books, you might find (as I did), that this book falls short. I didn't see a single item in this book that made me want to grab my knitting bag, although I'm still working on items from the previous books that I've just "gotta knit."

I'm a big fan of Jil Eaton's two Minnowknits books and have made many of her patterns for my son and other children of whom I'm fond. So I was absolutely delighted to see that her latest book includes two sets of sizes: one for kids and one for adults. As usual, the patterns are simple, use larger needles and yarns (no 7 st per inch gauges here!)and are fun, fun, fun. Bright colors, hip but not too trendy styles, interesting yarns (including, for example, chenille, Wensleydale longwool, and some of the new microfiber yarns) and fast knits. I made one of the patterns already and had no trouble following the directions - they are simple and clear. Experienced knitters might find these patterns a bit too simple if they are looking for a challenge or like complicated colorwork or patterned stitchwork, but these patterns are perfect for the beginner, those who haven't knitted in years, or the time-crunched. More, Ms. Eaton, more!

I own all of Jil Eaton's books. I consider this one a particularly good collection for those looking for basic children's and adult pattterns, such as socks, mitterns, (fabulous) hats, neck warmers, vests (v-neck or zippered), or plain crew neck sweaters. Plus, most (maybe all) of the patterns can be done in worsted weight yarn. Unlike Minnies, which uses many expensive designer yarn (to be dry-clean no less) for baby outfits, Big Fish Little Fish patterns can be done with any worsted yarn. So while I enjoyed making outfits from Jil Eaton's previous Minnowknits books, I like Big Fish Little Fish for its "wholesomeness". After you buy this book, you no longer need to buy individual patterns for socks, mitterns, basic sweaters and vests. I highly recommend this book.

This is a lovely book! Well done in every regard. Yes, without a doubt the patterns are simple, but sometimes "less IS more." And in this case, that saying truly does hold true. The true genius of these patterns is that, while any beginner can knit these up in a flash, they are stylish and cute! And let's face it -- little ones don't like fussy clothes with too much detail and nonsense. They don't really like wearing sweaters and jackets in the first place (I have 5-year-old twin nieces whom I babysit weekly, so I'm familiar with this struggle). How many times must you remind your little ones to "put on your sweater" before they go outside to play? Well, I knitted up the cardigan with the little peplum, and they LOVE them! They want to wear them all the time! The neckline is generous (they hate anything "bumping" their necks!) and the sweater is just plain cute, a match for jeans or jumpers. And they've made their choices for the NEXT sweater their Auntie will knit them!

Don't judge the book through YOUR adult eyes (though I did, and I still love the patterns!) Judge it by the eye appeal it will have for your little ones, who like things simple.

I give it a THUMBS UP!

Big Fish, Little Fish starts with basic How-to-Knit instructions, moves on to some well-designed basic sweaters, adds some specialty designs with things like peplums and assymetrical necklines, and finishes up with hats, socks, and mittens. The yarns suggested are specialty yarns, but the gauges are fairly standard so you can easily substitute (assuming you understand how to use gauge information). All the patterns are designed with simple basic shapes, so there is limited shaping, but there are clever little details that make the designs a little more stylish.
There are good patterns for men, women, and children. I have made several without any difficulties, and been pleased by the fit and the ease of working. Since they are simple, changing a cable or adding a pattern stitch is easy. While I have a number of knitting pattern books, I didn't find that there was too much overlap. For example, the sock pattern is done with bulky yarn, while most of the sock patterns you already have are probably made with fine yarns. Mittens with a cable, a fleecy zippered vest, and a hat with an unusual crown design are more examples of traditional patterns with a twist.

A wonderful book of child and adult knitting patterns. Most of them knit up quickly and easily even while dodging a rambunctious toddler, or knitting with a sleeping baby in my lap. Now there's something rare, a book of kids knitwear you can knit while you still have kids! Lots of good patterns for beginners, and some slightly more complicated ones for those who get bored with straight stockingnet or garter stitch. I can't say enough good things about this book.

I chose this as my first knitting book because the patterns look stylish yet quick and easy enough for a beginner. I did find it difficult to gauge stitches based on the information in the book. (The needle sizes seemed to be off for me.)

Most of the patterns in the book are of sweaters. There are also several of mittens, a hat, socks, and a chin warmer. One of the things I liked was that there are a couple of patterns suitable for guys -- simple, non-fussy things that even my husband said he wouldn't mind wearing!

Eaton does include how to knit some basic stitches and laundering information; however, if you're a beginner, you definitely need to get another how-to book. Something that describes how to fix dropped stitches or other problems that inevitably creep up.

Although I imagine one could probably find such easy patterns elsewhere, I think that the appeal of this book is that it has great color pictures of finished products that inspire rather than intimidate the beginner.

This book looks very easy at first glance, but the many inaccuracies make it maddening. I am in the midst of the first project (furry cardigan for a child) and so far it took 4 tries to get the right gauge (she says size 13, I ended up on a 10.5 even though on all other projects I've done my gauge is accurate), and she specifically states that the pattern done with Furz won't curl, which it definitely is doing. Aargh!!!! I'm ready to throw it out the window.

Jil Eaton has a way of making knitting seem even more fun. She is, without a doubt, a sensible knitter for people running on a time deficit. How often do you see a lovely aran knit sweater and see hour after hour ticking away when you know you need to grocery shop, bathe the kids, pay bills? Well, then Jil Eaton is an answer to your prayers. Her projecst truly are QuickKnits.

Big Fish, Little Fish is chock full of attractive sweaters and accessories that won't suck all your time away. Cable knit sweaters and vests, cardigans, pull-overs, hats, mittens, socks, it has it all. I found several items to knit in the book (and did so with no problems pattern-wise). And, the huge size range really makes this book worth the money.

She gives you measurements for peices and yardage so you can use just about any fiber and weight you want if you're willing to do a little math.

It's not for a true beginner as she doesn't give specific directions for the details (decreasing for necklines, picking up and knitting stitches, seaming). But, used in conjunctions with a "knitting bible" it's a great way to whip up some really nice sweaters traditionally designed, made better by interesting color combinations and notions.

This book has some really great patterns that are quick and relatively easy. There is a cabled mitten pattern that I absolutely love, and I'm using it to make gifts for my friends and family next Christmas. A must have for the new-ish knitter.