Customer Reviews

Classic Knits (Marianne Isager Collection)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marianne Isager is one of my favorite knitting designers. Her book, Knitting Out of Africa: Inspired Sweater Designs, is so beautiful that it makes me drool. This book is not quite as good but I think there is a little something it it for everyone. It is published by Interweave Knits, editor of my favorite knitting magazine. Interestingly, the book was first published in Denmark.

When I buy a knitting book I ask myself three questions.

Are there patterns in the book that I want to knit?

Can I follow the patterns easily?

Can I use the book as a resource?

The answer to all three questions is 'yes'. The patterns are clear and easy to follow. Most are relatively easy as well. I like the fact that the patterns call for yarn of a certain gauge rather than a specific yarn manufactured by a particular company. This leaves knitters with a wide choice of yarns to pick for each pattern.

I love the sweater pattern 'Sugar' but wish it was written in a larger size. Some of us out here need sweaters bigger than size 36. Maybe Danish women are thin and svelte. The one piece garment, 'Elf' for the little one in your life, is as adorable as they come. Ms. Isager shows different color patterns that can be used to knit this up and I plan to knit this shortly. I love 'Mie's Jacket' and hat for little girls. The hat is especially cute. I think my favorite piece in the book is the men's 'Newsprint Pullover'. I love the way the author shows different color combinations that would work with each pattern.

If there are special techniques for any pattern, there is a section with the pattern that goes into how to do that technique. Ms. Isager doe not disappoint. This book is a good resource for the advanced beginner through advanced knitter. You are sure to find something that piques your fancy. Enjoy!

I agree with everything the previous reviewer said, but I want to warn people that if they are buying the book on the basis of the cover photos, beware. The back cover has a picture of a woman sitting on a fence, wearing a navy/green knitted jacket. I bought this book specifically for this pattern--not for any others in the book--only to find that pattern was not inside the book! I contacted both the publisher ("oops, sorry", they said) and the author ("I'll ask the publisher to post the pattern"). The publisher has offered to refund my money, but since I didn't buy the book directly from them, I can't return it for "credit on my account." Further, despite the author asking them to technically edit and post the pattern for sale, they tell me they have no plans to do so. Sooo...buy the book for the patterns, but not if it's the jacket pattern on the back you really want.

This is an inspirational book, and a superb introduction to the more modern approach to knitting that has come to be called 'Danish knitting style.'

The sizes tend to be small, so one must adapt patterns if one is of 'rounder' build, but this is not difficult to do, as the pattern details are very clear, and changing yarn or needle size (along with some level-headed math calculations) is doable. It took me a whole morning to adapt the Monk for a larger build, but I'm satisfied with the results (only needed to tweak a bit in a couple of sections), and that is the point, really -- a pleasurable knitting experience and a result one can actually wear!

I would not recommend this book for anyone who wants a 'drive-through' experience. It is better suited for those who want to challenge themselves and try something a bit different. It's true (as one reviewer said) that the designer uses lace in multiple strands for the patterns, but such yarns are not difficult to find today (even in reasonably priced yarn alternatives -- think Elann or Webs). One can also use sock yarns double-stranded and end up with a gauge that matches well (or so I've found).

I am delighted with this book. It takes Scandinavian knitting into the modern day and allows me to achieve some wonderful effects with my needles that I never would have come up with on my own.

Highly recommended for adventurous and/or more experienced knitters looking for a new direction to take their knitting!

Classic yet innovative garments for men, women and children utilizing light weight yarns and non-conventional construction techniques. Clear, well written instructions. For the intermediate to advanced knitter.

Beautiful patterns that look detailed while using simple stitches. Love that each pattern comes with a swatch pattern so you work out any kinks and can adjust for guage before you begin the larger piece. I am an intermediate knitter, but feel confident about making garments that fit and are striking to look at.

Marianne Isager sweaters are treasures for most Danes. This book makes intricate knitting instructions available in Engish so that there is no confusion. Perfectly fitting garments for children and adults are the satisfying results.

I was introduced to Marianne Isager and her yarns at a Stitches conference. This book has a great collection of beautifully designed sweaters for both cool and warm weather. The designs are classic with innovative touches that make them extra special. This is definitely not a book of patterns where the designer tried to lump every technique they could think of into a design. Many of the designs use two yarns held together which I think gives the designs extra depth. This is also the first time that I have seen a book where you are given directions for a swatch that include all the techniques that are used in the sweater pattern. What a great idea! Even though some of the designs for cooler weather use wool and alpaca, the yarns are fine enough that the sweaters are not bulky. Most of the designs use smaller needles so they are not quick knits and might not be good for a first sweater project. I would love to knit every design in the book and would definitely recommend it for any knitter's library.

First, I adore all of Marianne Isager's books. Her designs are both subtle and sophisticated. (None look like enlarged potholders with sleeves.) Second, each successive garment builds on skills developed in the previous garment. My plan is to knit my way through this entire book.

I wonder if any of the reviewers have actually knit anything from this book since no one has mentioned the following: With one exception, all of the patterns call for two strands of yarn (mostly lace) to be knit and one pattern even calls for three strands to be used as one. The projects can be knit with a single strand of sport weight yarn but the resulting project will not have the same hand or look as the original. Speaking of looking like the originals most of the lace weight yarns are linen blends, and a suitable substitue, let alone the original yarn is hard to come by in the US. The patterns are innovative, lovely and moderately challenging. If you don't mind making a garment that differers quite a bit from the original and don't mind knitting full size garment with such a fine yarn, then the book is quite inspiring. However, for the typical American knitter, I can't recommend it.

This is a great book with many interesting choices to knit. The book arrived in good condition.