Essentially Feminine Knits: 25 Must-Have Chic Designs [Paperback]

Lene Samsoe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2012

Essentially Feminine Knits features a collection of 25 must-have garments and accessories for every occasion, casual to dressy. Designer and author Lene Holme Samsøe’s patterns express her joy in knitting and embody a sometimes delicate, but always fashionably ladylike approach while relaying her inspiration—the sea that borders her home and it’s subtle, simplistic colors.

Focusing on Samsøe’s signature botanical lace motifs, this collection offers designs with a variety of beautiful effects. Inside you’ll find original sweaters, tops, jackets, hats, scarves, and mittens. Each pattern reveals elegant detailing, a flattering silhouette, and classic style, all of which are combined with a playful and modern sensibility.

The projects featured in this book range from simple and quick to more in-depth—with the use of unique pattern instructions. Samsøe’s unique style guarantees boldness and authenticity, and the patterns from Essentially Feminine Knits will keep you refined, chic, and simply feminine.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Lene Holme Samsoe's previous title, Feminine Knits:

"5 out of 5 stars. The feminine and romantic designs showcase both contemporary and vintage ideas for fashion." — Knitting News

"Samsoe's girly show, 22 items of spiced sugar—but not sticky-sweet—niceness. Lace is the headliner throughout, with openwork making appearances as both star (floral-motif jackets, a tiered skirt, a beribboned bolero) and supporting player (tinging the edges of a triangle shawl, supplying a saucy central inset to a square-neck tank). Bobbles, pompoms, jacquard and cables add even more romantic lyricism to already alluring pieces." — Yarn Market News

"A gorgeous collection . . . Samsoe's patterns are very well written and clearly presented. I found a pattern for nearly every women in my life in this book." — KnitPurlGurl.com

"Delicate details. Attractive shapes. Pretty . . . All the designs (and they're mostly all sweaters) are what they claim to be—feminine knits." - KnittingScholar.com

"This volume is newly translated into English and features beautiful sweater, scarf and jacket patterns perfect for intermediate to advanced knitters." - American-Statesman

"Captivating designs with flattering silhouettes." — Quick & Easy Crochet

"The designs are interesting shapes, as are the uses of stitch patterns, such as the bobble and leaf cable at the centre of an Aran." — Slipknot: The Journal of the Knitting & Crochet Guild (UK)

About the Author

Lene Holme Samsøe has worked as a knitting designer since 1988. She is the author of seven books including Feminine Knits (Interweave). Today she is a full-time knitwear designer for Danish and foreign yarn companies, magazines, and periodicals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (June 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596687843
• ISBN-13: 978-1596687844
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Some pretty patterns, but just OK. September 19, 2012

By Tearose

Format:Paperback

There are few patterns in here that are beautiful--the lace pattern called "Cecelia," for instance--but overall, I've bought magazines that had as many pretty patterns and cost much less. I advise you to go to a local store, and see the book first hand. You want to see all the patterns before you decide to purchase.

Amazon, you need to start showing us thumbnails of each pattern. I don't need to know the table of contents, or what the "how to knit" chapter looks like. I want to see the patterns because that's what I'm buying books like this one for.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice patterns - could be better June 17, 2012

By Embrlynn

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved the patterns that were in the book they are all beautiful in their own way. I would have liked more commentary on the patterns though - other than a quick blurb and a short note (very short) note on the yarn. I would have also enjoyed more variety on the fibers as everything seemed to be based in wool - with some exception to a couple in alpaca. I would still recommend this item however if you had looked at the book beforehand and knew what the patterns were. I know I will be using this book for a while.

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Feminine Knits June 15, 2012

By Elizabeth T. Paskiewicz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a pre-purchase item. There are several sweaters I am likely to knit. I haven't had the time to really review the book. The pictures are not really helpful. I wish the pictures showed the garments from several angles. I also wish the garments came in multiple sizes including plus size.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Special January 1, 2013

By Tobi O'Neil

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found only one one pattern I especially liked and am doing that one now. I do wish that the photos were better. All the knitters I know wish that photos of the garments should show the front, back and sides without having long hair or poses where the garments are not fully shown. I also think that most of the models in this book were wearing terrible clothes with the sweaters!
I don't rank this as a "Must-have" book.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Knitting Book July 5, 2012

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Essentially Feminine Knits is a better than average knitting book with some stand-out patterns. I especially like Rosita, a Long Garter Stitch Sweater with ribs going longitudinally all around. Lily, The Softest Leaf, is also a nice pattern that I'd like to give a try. It comes with a nice matching hat. I really like Gerda, a Feminine Guernsey. The pattern is interesting and looks like fun knitting. Smilla, a lovely cardigan, is described as sweet and nostalgic and that is accurate. I can't wait to try this one. Amanda, Classic Cable Sweater is a winner and just the kind of thing I love to knit. I will certainly be giving this one a try.

Despite the several good patterns in this book, the photography leaves something to be desired. It is hard, with several of the patterns, to get a good feel for what they actually look like when finished. Overall, I rate this book a '4'. It has several patterns I'd like to knit, is a good resource and the pattern instructions appear clear.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful designs, but pattern errors October 11, 2012

By James C. Dixon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I want to knit every pattern in this book. Each is truely feminine and lovingly designed. But the technical editor appears to have been asleep on the job based on errors in some patterns. Even worse, the publisher -- Interweave -- has failed to post any corrections to date. I'd still recommend the book and this designer...just proceed with caution. by TJ Dixon

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving it so far June 21, 2012

By Theresa

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just got this in the mail yesterday and am really excited about nearly every pattern. (There's always one or two patterns that make me scratch my head and ask why the editor(s) put it in a book with such wonderful patterns.) I just bought yarn to do the "Cecilia," so hopefully all goes well. At first review, the patterns all seem to be written fairly clearly, and there are mentions of difficulty at the beginning of the patterns. Most patterns are accompanied by charts, but not all, so it just depends on the type of pattern you prefer to follow. I usually transcribe all patterns into my own shorthand in any case, so this doesn't phase me much.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Fashions, lots of diverse patterns August 25, 2012

By Joy L. Getha

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book because I "had to have" the lacy circle sweater that is the featured design in several Interweave magazines. I'm still knitting it, and so far the pattern is easy to understand and not too difficult. There are only one or two other designs in this book that I find attractive, and I certainly would not have called most of the designs "feminine." However, I'll admit I'm a 50-something "old lady" that still finds visible bra-straps in public unnerving! Most of my knitting friends who have looked at the designs in this book love most of them, and would like to own the book as well.
A caution mentioned by another reviewer: most of the designs are not offered in "plus sizes." If you need bigger than a size 16, unless you can do the pattern math yourself, you'd best keep looking.