Customer Reviews

Cable Confidence: A Guide to Textured Knitting

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There are 5 very nice aran sweaters all classic mode which usually means drop down shoulders. What is interesting to me is the beauty of the aran combinations which is not so easy to design and with a pullover you do have more scope to do just that. For example, I find the cover sweater to be very aesthetically pleasing. The final sweater in the book, Ciaran pullover, is another stunning aran with a beautiful central cable pattern set off by mirrored cables on the sides. The Fiona vest uses an allover cable plus zipper. The first two sweaters are aimed for beginners with simpler cables. There are 9 pullovers, one v-neck cardigan, one cardigan vest, 3 pillows, one scarf, one felted bag and one hat. Photos in color are good as are the charts and schematics. Sizes go from finished chest of 36" to 54" in some examples. Most yarns called for are worsted weight or #4 on the yarn system. All the sleeves are done drop down which was the standard method until about a year ago and this book was probably begun a few years back. The sleeves don't look very good on the models as they are longer than the models' arms and also appear to be too wide. Certainly the more advanced knitter can change the sleeves to fit more attractively. For anyone interested in aran and cabled sweaters, this is an excellent choice.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I have been knitting since I was a teen and am always looking for good patterns and good books. All the patterns in this book are beautiful with cable combinations that are visually striking, unique, and clever while still creating sweaters that have a "classic" look. I think this book can be enjoyed by new and experienced knitters alike. The pattern directions are much easier to follow and clearer than many printed patterns as the author at times "breaks out" separate directions for separate sizes, as opposed to the conventional technique of separating different size directions by parentheses. The author has a very helpful section on reading cable charts that will be useful for the beginner as well as a good refresher for more seasoned knitters. I picked up some valuable tips from it. I buy a lot of knitting books and patterns. This is my favorite buy of at least the past couple of years if not more. I can hardly wait to begin some of the sweaters in it. If you like the sweater shown on the cover, I think you will like the book as the the cover sweater is a good representation of the kinds of projects and the "look" of the designs that you will find inside.

Sara Louise Harper's CABLE CONFIDENCE: GUIDE TO TEXTURED KNITTING provides a range of cabling projects, teaching how to use stitch charts, cable needles, and more. From pillows to scarfs and sweaters, CABLE CONFIDENCE gives all beginners a boost and a fine introduction to textured knitting basics.

I waited anxiously for this book to arrive since I am an avid "cable" lover. If you like all-over cable patterns on your sweaters, this is the book for you. On the down side, all the patterns are very boxy looking and the necklines are extremely large. All the sweaters appear to "just hang" on the body (nothing fitted). All the patterns have the dropped sleeve which adds to the bulkiness of the garment. All in all, the patterns appear to be extremely bulky although they are not knitted in bulky yarn. The instructions for knitting the cables are extremely limited. Not for the novice knitter. All patterns are in chart form, which I like. "Cable Confidence" is a misleading title as you gain very little from the limited instructions.

Some of the cables shown are mildly interesting, but the projects themselves are not. For one thing, the sweaters are mostly pullovers. It's more difficult to design an Aran cardigan, with the cables nicely balanced across the fronts, than it is to design a pullover. It's also more difficult to provide body shaping and shaped sleeve caps than to let sweaters hang straight and sleeves drop straight from shoulders. There is nothing about these designs except the cables themselves that is interesting or challenging to knit, much less to wear.
Save your money for Lisa Lloyd's stunning book, a fine fleece. That will show you what can be done to give Aran designs a fresh--and never sloppy--look.

Start with simple cables and work up to more complex designs the book claims. The simplest cable of all is missed out - that done with needles alone and not with a cable needle. having said that, this does start with the simplest cable needle stitches and it sure does build into very complex designs, not ones for sitting watching TV whilst you knit (one of my favourite, yes I can do two tasks at the same time). I like the designs very much, although the shaping is perhaps a little dated. These are 'classic' styles. Knits for all the family and some accessories too. A great way to get to grips with cabling.

Excellent instructions, and can work these with ease. I made the cover cable and am so pleased with the result. This designer takes into account the knitter working on the patterns. Great job !!