Color Style (Style series) [Paperback]

Pam Allen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Style series | Publication Date: September 1, 2008

From simple stripes to intricate Fair Isle patterns, this resource provides a solid foundation and numerous examples of the best ways to bring knits to life. Full of gorgeous patterns and clear instructions, 15 top knitwear designers—including Véronik Avery, Mags Kandis, Deborah Newton, Kristin Nicholas, and Shirley Paden—provide inspiration and practical projects for the beginning and experienced knitter alike. From an easy-to-knit pullover that alternates narrow stripes of solid and variegated yarns to a multicolored Fair Isle cardigan worked with steeks, this guidebook is filled with projects that take advantage of the countless ways in which knits can be enriched with color.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This great new book shows easy ways to achieve colorful effects in your knitting. If previously you have been afraid to work with more than one color, read this book and get inspired."  —Knitting News

"A classic Interweave Press aesthetic—updated classics, great photo styling and creative accessories. The contributor list reads like a 'best of.'"  —knotions online magazine

"Gorgeous patterns and clear instructions."  —monstersandcritics.com

"I liked this book."  —KnittingScholar.com

"A friendly guide to using color in knitting, with some great examples of how color can add to the adventures of knitting."  —Knit Together

"Both beginner and experienced knitters can benefit from the techniques and patterns featured in the book. From blocks and strips to houndstooth check and argyle designs, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to incorporate color."  —Detroit News

"All, and I mean ALL, of the bases are covered here from Fair Isle and intarsia to slip stitch and mosaic . . . The surprising way these techniques are used or combined will make experienced knitters like me want this book as a 'must have' addition to their library."  —Knitty.com

About the Author

Pam Allen is the creative director for Classic Elite Yarns and is the former editor in chief of Interweave Knits. She is the author of Knitting for Dummies, Lace Style, Scarf Style, and Wrap Style, and her designs have been published in many magazines and featured in Knitting in America. She lives in Portland, Maine. Ann Budd is a book editor and the former senior editor of Interweave Knits. She is the author of Getting Started Knitting Socks, The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, and The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. In 2000, she received the Master Knitter certificate from the Knitting Guild of America. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680628
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680623
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but not a must-have, October 20, 2008

By 

Jacquelyn E. Alberta "Knitwit" (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Color Style (Style series) (Paperback)

I ordered this book sight unseen as a prepub discount, because I LOVE color in my knits and loved the other Style books from Interweave. Once it came in the mail, however, I wished I'd seen the book before I purchased it. It's not nearly as strong as the previous Style books (Lace Style, Scarf Style, Wrap Style), with a few patterns that seem almost dated, and worst of all some are ... drab. There are also a few patterns that are almost too color-saturated, and would need to be toned down for most knitters. Plus, the sweater I loved the most was actually published in an issue of Interweave Knits (I believe the Winter issue) already as a promotional pattern for the book, which I found disappointing.
The one part I do really love about the book is the Designer section at the back, which shows you how to design and knit your own color-coordinated projects, and shows the different techinques for each. This is where the style books excell, and I see myself referring to this section in the future when I work on my own designs.
Overall: if you like fair isle/ski-type sweaters and a more traditional look to your knits, you may love this book. Otherwise, I recommend looking at it before you buy to make sure you're happy with your purchase.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not earth-shattering patterns, but a lot on technique, December 13, 2008

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Color Style (Style series) (Paperback)

Ths book is more about various techniques employing color in knitting rather than about some exciting designs to knit. While there are some attractive patterns, especially for the cover mosaic-knit yoke pattern pullover with elongated color cuffs, most of the patterns are more remarkable for the way they are knitted than what is knitted.

There are 17 patterns, including fair isle, intarsia, mosaic knitting, argyle, bohus style (socks), and slip stitch. There is a design notebook in the back with swatches and discussion of the techniques.

If you are new to color knitting, this is a good sampler of methods.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Color Style, October 29, 2010

By 

Marge (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Color Style (Style series) (Paperback)

Color Style: Innovative to Traditional, 17 Inspired Designs to Knit (Style series) by Pam Allen and Ann Budd, published by Interweave Press in 2008 is part of the Style Series. The Style series has books on folk, scarf, lace, bags and simple knitting. The books have a collection of new designs by several different designers followed by a glossary of techniques and terms.

Many knitters, when faced with knitting in color, will use the many hand-painted or variegated yarns available. The designers of those yarns have already chosen pleasing color combinations so the knitter cannot really go wrong. Instead of using multicolored yarns Color Style has a section called design notebook which discusses the many ways to use more than one color in your knitting. This one section demystifies intarsia, slip-stitch or mosaic, and Fairisle knitting. It clearly states the differences and similarities and examines how to create stripes, squares and other patterns to get the result you desire.

Finally, the book includes 17 patterns which put the different methods of color knitting to work. The patterns are a mix of classic and traditional and include sweaters, accessories and items for the home. Only you can tell if you need this book in your personal library, but it definitely deserves a look.

Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.