Customer Reviews

Boutique Knits

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I've only started to learn how to knit so my skills weren't enough to complete any of the items from this book (knit, purl, bind off, cast on). Only trouble is, I've fallen in love with almost every item in this book (specially the hat on the cover like so many others) so it seems this have turned out to be the best motivator. I went ahead and made the purchase anyway and I've almost completed the hat from the cover and I'm so proud of myself:)
I've also purchased a few other knitting books to learn the missing techniqes so I'm learning as I'm doing the projects. Can't wait to cast on for the Sideways Grande Hat and the Softly Pleated Sleeves and the....(I'm pretty sure eventually I'll make everything from this book, there's not one pattern I don't like!) The accessories have a vintage feel to it but with a modern and a very original twist - they are wearable.

Projects:

*Pseudo shibori scarf (a modernish feather light version without felting, knitted on the bias)

*Fawn earflap hat (very cute and romantic version with ribbon and button on it)

*Best felted collar (medium weight 3 piece scarf attached with leather buttons)

*Softly pleated sleeves (I think there's a picture of it on amazon)

*Silky wool vest (a ribbed, no-shaping-needed vest, very cute/modern with a long row of black birdal buttons across ribcage area)

*Sunshine intarsia bag (a pear shaped bag with a big D-ring handle)

*Side slip cloche (cover photo)

*Alpaca silk bow scarf (there's a picture of it on amazon)

*Half-felted bag (a horizontal shape with a definite twist - chain shoulder strap, screws, soft leather ribbon, cord lock stop, d-rings, ect. for assembly)

*Sideways grande hat (see picture)

*Raglan wrap (large sleeves are made a bit shorter, high neck and asymmetrical faux button band hide large hidden snaps for closure)

*Argyle lace hat (fancy rib stitch with just a little bit of lace work and you choose the fabric to cover buttons which will be sewn on the side of hat underneath eachother in a row)

*Teak bittersweet gauntlets (see picture)

*Hoodie devoted (see picture)

*Heather headband (asymmetrical cabels and bobbles knitted then sewn on a preexisting plastic headband)

*Big brown bag (felted bag with plenty of hardware and adornments, vertical shape)

*Braided cable belt (with two small fasteners, applique technique, meant to sits high on the waist)

*Plain talk ruffled mittens (higher sleeves with ruffle on the side along with a row of buttons, suede palms and thumbs for steady grip)

*Whiskey felted cap (now this is definatelly different; a tall hat with a mini shild all these are felted, then there's an unfelted band attached around it with a big bow. There's even a custom label. This is the only item which I'm not sure I'd wear - would be fun to make though)

*Ruffled neck kerchief (see picture)

*Bamboo diamond shell (diamond pattern sweater with short sleeves)

*Pleated denim purse (mini purse with charms, hangs from wrist with a chain. Ther's a lining you need to sew in)

*Soft kid bubble (feather weight top, open lace panel on chest. Loose on the bottom and snug on top, no sleeves)

*Beaded fair isle hat (see picture)

..and I'm so very curious about the next book Laura Irwin comes out with, she's so talented! I hope this helped you some.

I bought this book just so I could make the hat on the cover. I used to knit when I was much younger. It was a lonely pursuit, I lacked focus, and I wasn't a very good knitter. Nothing looked the way it was supposed to look. Directions made me cringe. So, I gave up.

A little over two months ago, I needed a project to take on a trip to visit my oldest daughter in New Mexico, so I rediscovered knitting . . . and to my surprise, I loved it with a passion.

At first, I "passionately" went about shopping for cheap, discount store yarn, just as I did when I was young, and I "passionately" proceeded to knit a garter stitch scarf, a garter stitch shawl and a makeshift, make-it-up-as-I-go garter stitch doggie coat. They came out nice enough to keep me excited about having rediscovered knitting, but just call me Garter-Stitch Gertie -- I was afraid to try anything else.

I lacked confidence in rediscovering knitting because anything I ever made looked, well, amateur at best. BRING ON THOSE DISH CLOTHS!

I really needed something trendy to boost my confidence . . . and the hat on the cover of Boutique Knits did it for me.

While in New Mexico, my daughter casually mentioned that she wanted a "flapper hat," so when I saw the side slip cloche on the cover of Boutique Knits, I knew it was my destiny to give knitting it a try. It came out beautifully, and it fit perfectly.

I'm still glowing from the experience.

Side note: If you look under the cover photo of the book, you'll see that I posted photos of my daughter wearing the hat (the notated blue/gray hat on long-haired blond gal).

Note: Just as with all responsible knitting, DO knit a gauge swatch before knitting this hat. I had never done this until now. Here's how it happened: I decided to treat my daughter and myself to fine, imported yarn, so I drove a bit out of my way to a privately owned, local yarn shop (translation: Heaven).

Anyway, one of the ladies at the shop told me that if my gauge was off, I'd risk the hat not looking as beautiful as it does on the cover. Would you believe she invited me to sit and knit a swatch even before she would sell me the yarn and needles? I never knew this style of knitting support existed! It sure wasn't around when I was growing up.

Speaking of yarn shops: If you are a Garter-Stitch Gertie like me -- if you have trouble figuring out even fairly simple instructions, find yourself a yarn shop (a REAL yarn shop with great yarns and great staff), buy the yarn there and ask for guidance from someone who works there. Or maybe join a knitting guild -- whatever.

I did the yarn shop thing, and just knowing there would be someone willing to answer questions and look at my work gave me the confidence to try.

Now, mind you, this is NOT a particularly difficult hat to make. (I'm knitting my second one now; it is a fun hat to knit.) However, as a beginner, it helped to have someone help me understand the pattern as I went along.

As it turned out, a few days after starting the project, I returned to the shop to ask for a suggestion on how to join the hat and later on another trip, how to finish the very top of it . . . it was nothing that I probably couldn't have figured out on my own, had I had the patience and confidence for it. For a newbie, I was doing a fairly respectable job.

But here's the thing: I had never knit in the round, never finished anything with double pointed needles, never took the time to understand pattern instructions and how they work. Never really "counted" anything from a pattern. Confession: an acrylic seed stitch scarf, uneven, ugly, and knit in 1969 -- THIS had been my most challenging project to date.

So, as you might imagine, knowing there would be someone at the yarn shop -- someone who cared -- made all the difference for me.

Oh my gosh, the hat came out as perfect as the hat on the cover! I have confidence! I have talent! I have something that isn't Gertie garb!

I adore this book and will remain forever grateful for it -- it not only restored my faith in knitting, it inspired me to learn about the wonderful knitting community that's out there. I'm hooked.

I do hope to try another pattern or two from it, but frankly, I could care less if I do. That hat on the cover was worth a million to me.

The whole point of this long story is to demonstrate how, at least from my experience, I can confidently say that if you knit the hat responsibly with the right gauge, right size needles, and the right yarn, then the cover photo is a very accurate representation of how the hat will look and fit when it is done.

The best part: My daughter is a hip gal in her 20's. She went gaga over the hat.

Bye-bye, Gertie.

I was at first disappointed with this book because the patterns do seem more dreamy presentation than substance. I told my LYS that I did not really know how I felt about this book but it was definitely unique with a take on the patterns I have not seen anywhere else. Then something strange happened. I started making a few of the projects and became addicted. In fact, I have made a higher percentage of projects from this book than any other. Maybe it is because accessories are an easy victory but this book has definitely grown on me to be one of my favorites. And, btw, I literally have hundreds of knitting and needlecraft books. Interestingly, the cover model here is wearing the hat backwards from the author's intent. You can also see Laura Irwin's formal boot bag on the cover of Bag Style.

I love this book. So many patterns I plan on making. I am on my second project and both are very easy to follow. Feminine and modern looks with a handmade not homemade look. I would recommend this to a beginner who wants to go past the cap and scarf and to the more experienced knitter.

Hats were a real hit for Christmas gifts this year!! The pre-teens and teens alike felt like fashion divas!! Slightly more difficult than fast and easy projects........but so much more worth it!

I have fallen in love with knitting and wanted something more adventurous. The problem though is too many books feature large, bulky hats and sweaters in patterns my 90 year old grandmother would like. I knit her stuff from those books too often and although she loves it all, I would not want to wear it myself. I was looking for a book that would have fashions suitable for a twentysomething like myself and that would knit up fairly quickly. That's where knitting accessories is such a joy - they finish up before you can become bored and your off to the next project.

I checked this book out of the local library because the title "Boutique Knits" intrigued me. I really recommend checking books out of the library - great way to see if you would actually want to purchase a book. This book is now the star of my knitting library. I love just about every pattern in here. I've made the side slip cloche (cover hat) and it came out gorgeous. It looks great when made in an off-white yarn with gold sparkle. I'm working on the Argyle Lace Hat and it's knitting up fairly fast. I've already bought yarn for the teak bittersweet gauntlets (going to use Debbie Bliss Cashmerino). I'm using substitute yarns for each project and I haven't had any problems. Ask your local yarn shop to recommend a substitute if you can't find the correct yarn. The braided cable belt is truly gorgeous - just be prepared to alter the width of the straps - I couldn't find buckles in the size stated so I am altering the project to fit the buckles I did find.

I really love this book - it's feminine without being lacy (no lacy shawls here!). The items make great gifts too.

First of all I have to say I love this book. It is very rare that I pick up a book that 90% of the patterns I will actually want to wear! I think the hats are great and there are two designs for purses that I cannot wait to make.
A previous post had expressed disappointment in this book because of the high end yarn used, but I did not find substituting yarn a problem for the hat I am making so far, and it is looking great! I plan on making a few more hats for my great grandmother, since she loves the retro look of them.
One thing that I did find very cute in the book is that it explains how to make your own private silk labels to go in your knits. I think this would be so cute to have my personal label on a gift.