Customer Reviews

Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a fan of the Blue Blog (the author's knitting blog) as well as an avid Harry Potter fan, I was looking forward to this book with great anticipation. A book linking Harry Potter and knitting had to happen sooner or later--knitting pops up all over the books, and is featured in the movies as well. This book is a "best of" of Harry Potter knits featuring designs by Alison Hansel as well as a number of other Harry Potter knit designers. Some are copied from movie scenes, and others are inspired by the books. You can dress from head to toe in your house colors!

Pattern instructions are clear and detailed, and each is accompanied by color photos. Yarn selections range in price, with a number of more affordable yarns like Cascade 220, some Knit Picks yarns and Lion Brand Wool Ease. Details on substituting yarns are also included. Difficulty levels include "First Year," "O.W.L." and "N.E.W.T." (beginning, intermediate and advanced), and there is truly something for everyone here. I have already knit four of these patterns and have been very pleased with the results.

This is a very eclectic group of patterns, ranging from classic sweater designs (such as Harry's red cableknit pullover from the first movie and the gray v-neck house sweaters with house color accents) to more unusual fare, such as Molly Weasley's "technicolor housecoat" cardigan design and a stuffed "Errol" owl. This fits right in with the series. In the wizarding world, there are bound to be some "out there" designs, after all.

The book design is fun and very nicely done. It is an enjoyable read for any HP knitting fan anxiously waiting for the release of the final book! Get ready for those midnight book-release parties, and start knitting yourself a house colors wardrobe with this wonderful book!

I know that many of these projects are available for free online (in fact I have already knitted more than one of them!) but I wanted them all in one place, and I could now throw away all the tattered pieces of printer paper I have roaming around my knitting bag :) Plus, there were a few I didn't have and I was happy to get! I think the reviewers complaining about the fact that they could get these patterns free online are being a bit insulting. I'm happy to be able to put a couple of pennies in the pockets of these ladies who took the time to create and share these patterns with the public. It's so sad that in our society of instant gratification that we all seem to think that we are entitled to anything we want and heaven forbid we have to pay for it. I recommend this book for any fans of the potterverse.

I'm a Muggle with a Potterhead 14 year-old daughter and four members of my sister's family, all certifiably batty over the Harry Potter books.

Lots of good, fun knits in this book. Big projects, medium project, little projects - they're all here. Most of them run the size gamut from Toddler to Adult XXL - good show, Alison Hansel. The Invisibility Shawl in pale gray laceweight cashmere is gorgeous. The little house scarves as bookmarks are adorable. 90% of the garments and accessories are very wearable.

Minus 1 star for the fit of Molly's Amazing Technicolor Housecoat on the pretty (and brave - bravo to her!) model.

For all of you who have searched the net looking for H.P. knitting patterns, this book is for you! It covers beginner, intermediate, and experienced. There are lots of great projects including, sweaters, robes, socks, scarves, hats, mittens, wand cozies, an owl, a robe, afghan, invisiblity shawl,etc. This will likely be one of those pattern books that everyone will be wishing they had bought when it goes out-of-print, and is next to impossible to find.

I've tried two patterns so far, and BOTH had errors. I got on a live chat with the publisher, Wiley, and even they are unaware that there are problems. I find this hard to believe, since the book came out in May, and I cannot be the first person to knit anything. Charles P. said they are going to submit this to the author for review. That's nice, but it doesn't help those of us who are having problems NOW. So if anyone has a fix for Errol on page 24, please send it to coolg985(at) aol (dot) com.

Thanks!

I was really delighted with this book as it exceeded my expectations. I would like to make Molly's amazing housecoat with the overlarge crocheted sleeves and probably the shawl. The patterns seem to be nicely written with lots of helpful hints and this is a book to keep along with all my Harry Potter books.

I am utterly "charmed" by this beautiful book of knitting designs for fans of Harry Potter . . . and friends. There are plenty of scarves, hats, mittens and socks -- with recommended colors for the signature "house colors" seen in the films. And there are three hats for little "house-elves." Really, it's amazing to realize how rich with knitting Harry's life is! You will be amazed by the Wizard Cap and Robe as well as by Errol, the Weasleys' old owl! Add to that ensemble Wand Cozies!! I wish I could knit ALL these items for my grandchildren, longtime fans. There are lovely sweaters, like Harry's classic red cable, Ron's Ragg Raglan, and House Sweaters with suggested colors for Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. There's even an Invisibility Shawl! And, for stocking stuffers, knit up bookmarks in all 4 House Colors. Within these pages lie well-written, easy-to-read patterns marrying stitchcraft and wizardy -- productive fun for all!

I'll be honest: I was much more excited by the IDEA of this book than the actual book itself. Although I typically crochet, I often look to knitting books for inspiration. True there are some very good patterns which, along with Alison Hansel's fun comments and obvious adoration for Harry Potter, do make this a worthwhile purchase, yet I really wanted something more, well, magical. The styles are pretty basic (striped scarves and whatnot)...I don't know, maybe I just wanted to see more kitschy "fun" items befitting the Harry Potter world. There are a golden snitch ornament (without wings) and an Errol stuffed toy, but mostly it's sweaters and scarves...and nary an intarsia house logo in sight. Maybe because the book is not really sanctioned by JK Rowling some things couldn't be included?

All in all, I do like the concept of the book, and it does seem to be well written. It's just more practical than magical.

I'm afraid I have to reluctantly concur with the other individuals who gave this book an unfavorable review. I didn't want to be disappointed but I really was when it arrived. With so many fans of the books and films the expectation bar is set pretty, perhaps even unrealistically high. So if you're expecting dramatic, colorful and ornate projects inspired by the movies' costumes, you will be sorely disappointed. The author's admitted penchant ("About the Author") for the Weasley twins' sweaters becomes patently obvious as you flip through the book. (While much can be said for the admirable qualities of the Weasleys, their attire would probably not be listed among them.) A few patterns are indeed fanciful and brightly-colored, an effort was definitely made to use House Colors in others but above all magic itself seems to be lacking. Case in point the wingless, dull sepia "Golden Snitch Ball" ornament might make a dung beetle drool but it doesn't come anywhere close to evoking the dynamism of an "actual" Snitch. Some metallic yarn would take it from static to enchanted, that fast. Unfortunately the vast majority of projects in "Charmed Knits" are essentially generic patterns given Harry Potterfied names. A head's up about the author's humbler ambitions would have prevented those of us guilty of magical thinking from having been so disappointed.

I received this book as a gift from a friend, and I have been extremely pleased with it.

The three best things about this book:

1. Huge compilation of Harry Potter-related projects--perfect for any fan (and many are perfect even for non-fans!)

2. Nice variety of projects for knitters of all skill levels. As a beginning knitter, I was very happy to see how many patterns were earmarked as "First-Year" (i.e., beginner). As a knitter who wants to improve, I was happy to see other projects that will challenge me as I get better (O.W.L. and N.E.W.T, for intermediate and expert, respectively).

3. One beef I often have with knitting patterns is that they recommend a particular brand of yarn. "Charmed Knits" does this too, but they also offer substitution suggestions, such as "Or any worsted weight 100% wool or wool-blend, X yds." These annotations make it easy to find a substitute yarn in case you either can't find the recommended yarn or can't afford it.

I have already completed one project from the book and am currently knitting another. The projects in this book make terrific gifts for other Harry Potter fans--I especially like the adorable bookscarves and Christmas ornaments for this reason.

"Charmed Knits" is a must-have for any Harry Potter fan who loves to knit!