Boutique Knits [Paperback]

Laura Irwin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

Encouraging knitters to think beyond traditional patterns, this guide offers ways to construct and embellish work with smart and quirky personal touches that combine imaginative trims with hardware accents. Covering a wide variety of knitting techniques such as felting, intarsia, Fair Isle, lacework, and cables, the unique examples in this resource include buckles and bolts to close an intricately cabled belt, a chain handle to finish a felted bag, and grommets to complete a half-felted handbag. This collection of modern, stylish patterns will inspire beginning and intermediate knitters with its uncommon techniques and materials, dressing up quick and easy projects with head-turning flair.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Named one of the Best Knitting Books of 2009 by Whipup.net

"The patterns in this book are all quite unique with high fashion characteristics...Full of great accessories to go with every outfit. The designs are for the woman who pays attention to all the details of her wardrobe." - Knitting News

"Some creative and truly innovative techniques...The photography perfectly captures the dreamy, romantic yet urban feel of Irwin's designs." — knotions online magazine

"Unique, pretty, clever. There's a reason that—even though I rarely make accessories—I felt compelled to buy this book out of all the many new knitting books." — KnittingScholar.com

"The patterns in this book are really cute and have a classic feel with a modern look. A project from this book (or the book itself) would be great for any woman who likes to keep up with fashion." — About.com Guide to Knitting

"The clever, pretty patterns in Laura's book are full of interesting twists." — The Oregonian

About the Author

Laura Irwin has had a handknit ready-to-wear line for five years and is a featured designer at Seaplane, an independent designer boutique in Portland, Oregon. In January 2007, she was featured on HGTV's That's Clever, and she has had projects featured in Knitscene and Interweave Knits. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680733
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680739
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 2002 Laura Irwin started a handknit ready to wear line under the label Precious, and has been carried in Boutiques in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.
Since then her patterns and collaborative art installations have been featured in Venus Zine, Knitscene, Interweave Knits, and in the book Bag Style, published by Interweave Press. In January 2007, she was featured on HGTV's That's Clever. Boutique Knits, Irwin's first book of knitting patterns was released Fall 2008. Along with designers Holly Stalder and Rachael Donaldson, in July 2010, Irwin opened Haunt, a showroom/retail studio in Portland, Oregon, where her work is available for purchase.

To view Laura Irwin's work see
laurairwin.blogspot.com and
hauntstudio.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, but nothing eye-dropping, October 25, 2008

By 

Seven Kitties "7kitties" (Blue Point, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Boutique Knits (Paperback)

I liked this book, but nothing screamed at me to take it home and order yarn and wait by the door gnashing my teeth til the mailman came with a box of yarn.

The photographs are fabulous--showcasing each item very well, but using, alas, the typical stick thin model in baggy flowery dress. Since most of these items are accessories, having the right figure isn't essential, but it did make me wonder how much 'image' as opposed to 'product' was being sold in those pictures. I can wear a cute hat, but I'll never be that cute.

The book focuses on a vintage romantic look, and features mostly hats, a few bags and scarves and shrugs and a pair of fingerless mitts--the usual accessories range. They have impeccable tailoring and designer features that elevate them above 'home made' into 'quite chic.' This means that 1) these projects are not for beginning knitters. Some of them feature quite difficult tailoring and assembly work. 2) the fibers used to get the desired results are high end and high cost. This is great if you're looking to give a luxury gift that will be recognized as high end and classy, but if you're budget strapped, substitution may be challenging.

In all, though, I wasn't as droolly over this book as I'd expected to be. I just got the Luxury One-Skein Wonders book as well which featured many of the same kinds of accessories (many, though, without the uber-designer detailing) with greater 'substitute-ability' by yarn weight, and without the dreamy photography.

The patterns are lovely and if you're up for a knitting challenge combined with luxurious yarns and results, this book is a good buy for you. If you aren't up for those, you might find other accessories books better fits.

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful designs!, October 24, 2008

By 

H. Fox (Willow Grove PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boutique Knits (Paperback)

When I first saw this book advertised I was immediatley taken with the hat on the cover. I love hats, and I also like vintage and one of a kind clothing. I was very happy when I was able to see the other patterns in it. There are so many great hats and so much more, The Argyle Lace hat,Teak bittersweet gauntlets and big brown bag and of course the side slip Cloche(cover picture) are my favorites.
These patterns are fresh,fun and beautiful,definately not your everyday knits.
If you are not the type of person who is comfortable wearing accesories that are outside the "norm" you may want to review all the patterns before you buy. If you are comfortable with vintage,retro or boutique type clothing, this is a must have for any knitter.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful accessories- edgy and fun, October 26, 2008

By 

Mimi E. Forbes "Knit nut" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boutique Knits (Paperback)

Great book! These projects are edgy and new looking. The finish for each is spectacular and professional. I have owned the book for less than a week and have already made three of the projects. Directions are well explained and (so far) error free. I would recommend this book in a hearbeat to anyone who loves new and interesting knitting.