Customer Reviews

Color Style (Style series)

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I just completed a series of classes where I learned Intarsia, Fair Isle, and slip stitch knitting. I love the patterns in this book because they are beautiful, easy to read, and are letting me apply my newly learned skills with projects I actually WANT to keep when I am finished. The patterns vary in skill level required, so there is something for everyone, regardless of skill level. The explanation of techniques at the end of the book is very well done, and easy to understand, especially for someone needing a little help getting started with the various techniques. The photos show off the projects beautifully, so you have a good idea of what you are getting into before you start. The projects are all appealing to a wide audience, unlike some color work pattern books I have come across. The patterns are all accurate as well, according to the publishers website, with no corrections posted. This is a great book of patterns for someone looking to try their hand at color work.

I just received this book and am pleasantly surprised. First, the patterns. There are several sweaters I would actually knit: the cover sweater with the slip stitch designs, the colorblock pullover, the Fair Isle sweater with bell sleeves, the yoke sweater with faux embroidery, the striped raglan, and the Harvest cardi. I also liked the pattern on the Andean pullover (on the back cover), but I didn't like the cropped style. I even liked the argyle vest and knee socks, though I am primarily a sweater knitter. There were a couple of patterns I didn't like - the scarf (Kristin Nicholas is just NOT my style) the pillow, and the flower mittens; however the great majority of the patterns appealed to me.

The book also has a small section which briefly goes over the different color techniques and gives references for more information. I found the tips in the section helpful, and didn't feel it was lacking. I have other reference books with Fair Isle techniques and history that are more in-depth. This being primarily a pattern book, I didn't expect a long section on how-to.

Overall I would say this is a great pattern book. It has contemporary takes on intarsia, stranded knitting, and stripes. I think it is easy for intarsia and stranded (Fair Isle type) sweaters to look dated, but I really found these patterns appealing.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. There are at least five patterns that I both like and could see myself actually knit. The instructions are clear, the pictures show off the patterns well and on the whole it's a really nice book to look at.