Customer Reviews

Cables, Diamonds, & Herringbone: Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters

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

 

 

I ordered this book several years ago from Amazon.de in the original German version and was not disappointed. It contains several very attractive(and wearable) gansey type sweater patterns for men and women, and also features many gansey stitch patterns (and combinations of patterns),enabling the knitter to design her own gansey. This is one of my favorite knitting books, along with the author's previous gansey knitting book, "Pullover fuer Wind and Wetter" (sweaters for wind and weather) which, unfortunately, is no longer available. This is a very small price to pay for a wonderful book that will result in many beautiful and classic sweaters.

I own this author's earlier work in German on this subject plus several other books no longer available. She begins with a short history followed by information on gussets and shaped armholes. The information on how to begin a sweater is well illustrated. The first two sweaters are easy ones followed by 5 more very beautiful sweaters all of which have charts and schematics. The last half of the book is devoted to the various patterns also well illustrated and with charts. Finally initials are charted out and yarn sources and a short bibliography. The only problem I can see is that the sweaters in the book are knit with German yarns which might be hard to find so the author has suggested American and English yarns which she says will work in these patterns. In general the yarns used are special for these sweaters. They are generally dk weight but they are knit up tighter on smaller needles so the knitter has to get her gauge first in order to make them properly. However, the yarns made in England are the traditional ones so hopefully there won't be any problems. There are two other books on Amazon on this topic: Knitting ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel and Gladys Thompson Patterns for guernseys, jerseys and arans. While both of them are very good this one seems easier for the beginner to this topic so I highly recommend it. The book is very well printed with nice color photos throughout.

This is an adequate book on fisherman's sweaters. The patterns included are attractive. However, for a comprehensive book on fisherman's sweaters and designing, there are better choices. Beth Brown Reinsel 's book and Gladys Thompson's book are more in depth and still available for a reasonable price.

This is a really great instructional book for cables and such. The pictures are well done and the patterns are easy to follow. This is a great book for anyone as crazy about knitting as I am.

Just paging through the book for the first time and already I am planning projects - it's fabulous! Well laid out and easy to understand. Great information and the patterns are wonderful. A classic!

I use this to knit scarves in lace and small cables. It's too hot here, and the winter season here is too short for big heavy sweaters. These stitch patterns make wonderful scarves and evening stoles.

The book was received promptly and in excellent condition. Great design ideas and technical information.