Customer Reviews

Confessions of a Knitting Heretic

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Ms. Modesitt, a master knitter, writes a book from the perspective of a natural problem-solver with innate talent. Intermediate to advanced knitters will find a wealth of information in her book, from cabling without a cable needle, slip-stitch color knitting, and even knitting with wire. However, although Modesitt is adamant about not "dumbing down" her excellent and innovative material, beginning knitters or those who learn more slowly may need a bit more guidance than is offered in this book. Perhaps a later edition will provide more photos and explanations.

I felt as though I had made a new friend after reading this book. There are two aspects of this book that have helped me. One is the technical explanations, the other the essays.

I'm rather reclusive and knit quietly at home. I have lots of beautifully illustrated books to which I refer if, say, I want to knit a cable. The explanations are technical, precise, well illustrated. The explanation I'm going to remember, however, appears in the black & white pages of Modesitt's book wherein appear little faces on the stitches. Oh. I see, Annie. Knit the wallflower first!

There is no shortage of perfectionists in my family. Perfectionists and proud of it. I, on the other hand, leave a mistake in my knitting on the theory that "Pride goeth before a fall."

Modesitt's essay on valuing one's work yet not being a perfectionist put this conflict into perspective for me beautifully. After reading her book, I got out a Raggedy Ann doll I had made 40 years ago. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good. It certainly shows evidence of having been well loved.

Moreover, Modesitt's ideas came in very handy elsewhere: when visiting a hospitalized friend; when talking to members of a bereavement support group. We are none of us perfect.

I'm in debt to the experienced knitter who said she learned to purl better through reading this book.

If you like beautifully colored images to pop off a glossy page and grab your attention, you may be disappointed initially. It's a book to read quietly and savor. A book to pick up when you wonder about a new technique. A book to ponder.

Confessions Of A Knitting Heretic offers original tips, techniques, and projects for intermediate to advanced knitters. A quite unorthodox and self-proclaimed "knitting heathen", Annie Modesitt dares to break conventions in this spiral bound volume, which uses black-and-white photographs, diagrams combined with a clearly delineated text to expand the limits of imagination and creativity when crafting with threads. The guidelines and suggestions include row-by-row details for truly amazing creations. Confessions Of A Knitting Heretic is a superbly unique resource for anyone with enough experience in knitting to tire of the "same old, same old", and who yearns to try a dazzling, brand-new technique with their knitting projects and practices.

Annie has rocked my knitting world. I was and am inspired by her own knitting journey and moved to start knitting in, what was for me, a whole new way. I have never turned back. I now knit almost twice as fast as before, and I can enjoy my knitting more now that I can actually finish things at a pace that is encouraging. I have also abandoned my cable needles about 80% of the time. This might not be a book for beginners, but there are already literally dozens of beginning books. This is one of the rare books for people who have the basics down and want to improve their skills and challenge themselves. I do think this could be helpful to some who are just starting out, especially if they want to begin knitting "continental" rather than mastering "english" and trying to change later. Hopefully there will be more books like this.

Annie Modesitt is a truly gifted knitter who is doubly gifted by the ability to describe what her fingers are doing in a way that makes it clear to those reading the book. Probably not for someone who's never picked up knitting needles at all before, just about any knitter anywhere beyond this first step can get something from Ms. Modesitt's book, even if it's just inspiration. Her essays describe her own experiences with knitting, and show her sense of humor that just shines. The technical descriptions are clear, and the projects that she's done are so well explained, one feels as though she was right there teaching over one's shoulder.

Any knitter will learn a fascinating technique which blends the best of the two more known styles of knitting, and become a speedy, even, and most importantly, intuitive and creative knitter. The beginner will have sound foundation on which to develop skills, and learn to conquer knitting insecurities which may prevent project development. The intermediate knitter will appreciate Modesitt's contageous enthusiasm, and likely rediscover a passion for knitting that may have faded after doing one too many sweaters or pairs of socks in the same way. The advanced knitter will be find knitting time spent on knitting projects neverbefore dreamed of - an expanded range of hats, jewelry, and even FURNITURE!!!

As Modesitt says, we don't unlearn past knowlege, we build upon it, and whether this book is a basic foundation or one more brick in the wall reaching to the top, it is a strong and solid addition to the construction of a well-rounded knitter.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of taking a buttonhole workshop with Annie Modesitt at the Michigan Fiber Festival. She was a entertaining teacher with a strong knitting background, and red hair. I purchase the book thinking it would be as good as her workshop and was not disapoointed. I've knit for over twenty years but found a great deal of useful information on knitting with wire, felting a knited garment, and finishing techniques. Her button hole information, that I learned in class, was also included. The best part of the book had to be her essays on why we knit and dealing with Wooly bullies. I was sorry to see the book end and hope she'll write a knitting book containing only her thoughts and ideas on knitting without the instructions. It's reasonable priced and an asset to all knitters library.

Annie Modesitt is a truly gifted knitter who is doubly gifted by the ability to describe what her fingers are doing in a way that makes it clear to those reading the book. Probably not for someone who's never picked up knitting needles at all before, just about any knitter anywhere beyond this first step can get something from Ms. Modesitt's book, even if it's just inspiration. Her essays describe her own experiences with knitting, and show her sense of humor that just shines. The technical descriptions are clear, and the projects that she's done are so well explained, one feels as though she was right there teaching over one's shoulder.

Any knitter will learn a fascinating technique which blends the best of the two more known styles of knitting, and become a speedy, even, and most importantly, intuitive and creative knitter. The beginner will have sound foundation on which to develop skills, and learn to conquer knitting insecurities which may prevent project development. The intermediate knitter will appreciate Modesitt's contageous enthusiasm, and likely rediscover a passion for knitting that may have faded after doing one too many sweaters or pairs of socks in the same way. The advanced knitter will be find knitting time spent on knitting projects neverbefore dreamed of - an expanded range of hats, jewelry, and even FURNITURE!!!

As Modesitt says, we don't unlearn past knowlege, we build upon it, and whether this book is a basic foundation or one more brick in the wall reaching to the top, it is a strong and solid addition to the construction of a well-rounded knitter.

I like the written contents of this book. I am not a new knitter so I enjoyed reading and learning this method of knitting. Ever since I started knitting the "Heretics" way, my knitting has become much more beautiful and even.

On the down side, this book is self published and boy does it show. The paper is thin, many of the pictures and illustrations are so unclear they might as well not be there at all.

It was worth buying the book, but I wish it was better published and had a more professional polish.

First, to address some of the other reviewers, this book is self published. The pictures are black and white. The paper is not glossy.

But, if that first look dissuades you, look again. This is a wonderful book, with very clear instructions, and the pictures are pretty good as well. It has a wealth of knowledge in the book, and I honestly think that its a great book for folks who aren't quite beginners any longer, and want to jump up to the next level and go beyond scarves and hat and socks.

In my case, its a great book because I'm a self taught knitter (from a book). There are so many tricks and tips that I just don't know, and this book rounds out my knowledge wonderfully. It puts techniques into context. The projects, which I haen't studied a lot, are all very interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I saw Annie Modesitt demonstrate "combination knitting" on Knitty Gritty and almost passed out with joy! It seemed like something that had been created just for ME. This book does not disappoint. It's a grab-bag of priceless tips and tricks, all presented with a light-hearted style (my favorite lines: "a cable is simply a rib with high aspirations" and "sometimes it feels that you need a gynecological degree to pull your yarn from the center of a ball")While it is true that the illustrations are definitely not high-resolution, to me that adds to the "secret tricks of the trade" feel. The Combination Knitting overview is fascinating!