Customer Reviews

The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not given to superlatives in writing reviews, but this is the best overall book on color knitting techniques that I've seen. There are a lot of good books on various types of colorwork, and most general knitting references give basic instructions. But I haven't seen anything before that covers the range of color techniques as well as this one does. Basic color theory, Fair Isle (stranded) knitting, intarsia, stripes, slip stitch knitting, shadow knitting, entrelac, twined knitting,and more--it's all here, plus stitch patterns and even a few designs. Radcliffe's explanations are great, and the many illustrations make them even better.

But this technical information is only part of what makes "The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques" so good. Knowing how to combine color, yarn, and design does not come easily to all knitters--some, myself included, hardly know where to start. Radcliffe tries to demystify the process by showing the kinds of effects that can be achieved by using different stitches and different yarn combinations. She varies the yarns she uses throughout the book, but within each grouping she keeps them the same. This makes it very easy to see the interplay of color, yarn and stitch, and how changes in one changes the effect of the knitting. She provides an excellent discussion of the multicolor yarns that are currently popular, complete with pictures of how the same yarns look when worked up in different ways. The last sections of the book include information on how to work color into various kinds of edges and finishes and a general discussion of design.

Wow. This book was even better than I expected. I received a promo on it last summer and I've been eagerly awaiting it ever since.
To begin with, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques is an amazing reference on more types of knitting in color than I knew existed. I expected something on stranded (Fair Isle), Intarsia and Mosaic knitting because these were featured in the promo, and if they were all that were covered I would have been happy. But those techniques don't account for even half of what is packed into this book.
Margaret Radcliffe begins this hardback, beautifully photographed tome with a chapter on "Color Basics," a yarn-oriented color theory that I can't wait to investigate thoroughly. The next chapter addresses stripes: not just your humble stripe but patterns and approaches that open up a world of possibilities.
The third chapter features pattern stitches using more than one color, and the fourth focuses on the pleasures and challenges of using multicolor yarns. Margaret investigates and explains stranded knitting in Chapter Five and Intarsia in Chapter six. "Other Techniques,"(Chapter seven) deals with Helix, Shadow, Mosaic, Twined, Double, Modular, and Enterlac Knitting, each covered briefly but thoroughly and documented with lots of photos.
But, wait, we're not finished. In Chapter Eight, Margaret gives us a bounty of "Finishing Touches" including edging and I-cords techniques. Chapter Nine adds ideas on designing to start you off on your own creations, and the book is capped off with an appendix with a nice graphic glossary of techniques, tips on using charts, sizing guidelines, and something I always appreciate, a nice bibliography of further books to explore on each chapter.
As stated in the title, this is a technique book, but most chapters include a pattern or two with simple construction that allows the color technique to take center stage.
This book would be valuable to the beginner and advanced knitter alike. Packed with information, beautiful to look at, clearly and well written and a good value. What more can you want? Kudos to Margaret Radcliffe and to everyone who helped with this book.

This book is true to its title. I have rarely opened a knitting book that combines the basics in written and photographic form as clearly and completely as this book. Every time I thought, "I wonder if she covers this [thing]," that it was on a soon-following page. And not only are simple clothing patterns included using the color ideas and theory, but also the techniques clearly illustrated to effect them. This means: basics, color theory, stitch patterns, geometry, solid and multi-color yarns, flat and circular knitting (and implications), modular knitting and finishing. Even an overview of garment design, double knitting and embellishes. And she includes a deep bibliography, so if one thinks hers is a beginner course, she presents the keys to go deeper. [And right from the beginning she culls the theory-idea basics from among Itten to Melville and Menz.]

I recommend this book as a good addition to a knitting and design bookshelf.

In short--the content is great. I applaud the many step-by-step tutorials, and the broad yet fairly deep coverage. For instance, her information about utilizing handpainted yarns to good effect was more extensive than another single book now out on the subject. The book is ambitous and almost encyclopedic. It's clear, well-written, and inspiring.

Which made the production values in the book very disappointing, to me, as I was so excited to get it. It just seems cheap. I was fairly shocked, as I was expecting a 'normal' book for the price. This one has serious issues. The paper is *way* too thin for the content. Inks in very bright photos with lots of ink actually wrinkle it. As does general humidity. It feels very easy to tear, while you're trying to turn it. My pages wanted to show every crinkle from my fingers; I can see this looking worn and not holding up. Pages were stuck together along the edge, as if a not-sharp knife cut the stacks of pages, or they were so thin they curled into each other.

Photos are of varying quality; some look not so good. Possibly the paper--they sink in, but not evenly. Some of the photos seems a little amateurish and not really of crisp quality, even aside from the paper. Also, the paper is too thin and as you are reading, the text from one side ghosts thru to the other side. After an hour or so of reading it, it made my eyes hurt as it made the text on the side I was looking at seem faintly blurred. Choice of a bright neon red for a header color was not well-chosen.

I looked at the front to see the printer. I was bemused to see a somewhat pretentious mission statement from them. I'm all for green, but it's really a serious shame to see such fine content suffer from such unfortunate production value choices. I would've given this book five stars, but it only gets three from me; for a book that you want to refer to again and again as a reference, you really want the materials to last, and I have my doubts about this one.

This is my third knitting book on color theory and by far the best. The techniques are clear and the approach accessible to learners who are not all that visual (like me).

Their are several techniques demonstrated in this book such as intarsia, modular knitting, shadow knitting, two color knitting and Fair Isle. They are all shown in beautiful color and the directions/instructions are clear and easy to follow.

The color charts are great and the explanation of why certain colors complement one another is so helpful. This is by far the best book on color theory I own.

I highly recommend this book for any knitter who knits with more than one color in a project.

I really think this book covers just about everything there is to do with color knitting. It contains basic color theory, and then goes into all the various ways to knit with color. There are chapters on stripes, using variegated yarns (one of my favorites), stranded knitting, intarsia, and other lesser known methods (helix, shadow, mosaic and modular knitting.) She even includes a chapter of finishing touches, which is a prize in itself.

The pictures are beautiful. The book has a nice clean uncluttered look, with plenty of examples of what she is talking about. It even contains a handful of cute patterns to try out some of the methods she writes about.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in color or expanding their knitting skills.

Margaret Radcliffe offers a step-by-step guide to adding colour to your knitting. There is discussion of the colour wheel - what goes with what; what doesn't. There are tips on making your knitting look professional. Got colours which match but which are different ply? Not a problem. Learn how to use them together. And, while there are not a lot of garment or article patterns, they aren't needed since you can adapt the clear, concise instructions to whatever you plan to make. It's a well produced, hard cover book which I feel sure will be of use for a very long time.

I absolutely love this book. The clear pictures and text have helped me to learn things I've been unable to figure out how to do. The author gives more than stitch patterns, she tells you characteristics of how the knitted fabric will behave and ideas for where it would be useful. This author helps me to focus on what will actually work for a project I'm planning and inspires me to try new things with confidence. This one is a keeper!

This beautifully photographed, inspiring book contains much more than just color! There are imaginative I-cord techniques, and different bindoffs and cast-ons, and sweater construction tips. Of course, there is plenty of color - 3-color entrelac, and intarsia, and Fair Isle - the list goes on and on. Will excite all knitters from beginner to expert!

This book is a must for a knitter of any level. Very informative with many useful and clear illustrations, this guide is the one to keep in your library.