Ethnic Knitting: Discovery: The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and The Andes (Paperback)

~ (Author), Joyce Mihran Turley (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Donna Druchunas presents traditional knitting designs and techniques from across the globe in step-by-step fashion. She begins with what ethnic knitting is, what you don't need to know, and color tips. For each location, she offers brief knitting-specific history, key techniques, and a handful of versatile patterns (texture or color). An introductory project lets the reader practice new skills, which are then applied to the knitting of individually designed pullover sweaters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Nomad Press (November 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966828933
• ISBN-13: 978-0966828931
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #248,157 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, February 24, 2008

By	L. H. Witherspoon "book-a-holic" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been knitting for 18 years, have read both Elizabeth Zimmerman and Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, not to mention Maggie Righetti and "The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns". I've done my own sweaters. So why, then am I so glad I picked up this book? And why will I happily buy her next volume in this series, which will introduce more sweater shapes and ethnic styles?

Well, for starters, the section on Andean knitting techniques (hard to find in the states) has vastly speeded up my knitting, which is important in getting things off the needles. But more to the point, as the publisher (Deb Robson) explains, this book is meant to be a good introduction (or reintroduction, and inspirational kick in the pants) for those of us who may want to get into/back into ethnic knitting. It's Ethnic Knitting DISCOVERY, not the grad-level course! The author has done a great job of pulling together the essentials of what you need to know to get started knitting folk style, doing it your own way. It does not replace such classics as PRiscilla Gibson Roberts "Knitting in the Old Way". But it makes it easier, even for someone like myself, to "catch" the mindset behind ethnic knitting. It's not just the math, it's the attitude that the author imparts, that is important.

Recently I realized that I'd fallen off the wagon on knitting, mainly due to lack of time to do my own patterns (I'm in naturopathic medical school). Furthermore, over the years of knitting, I'd gotten lost in the details... fifty kazillion ways to design a couture sweater. Most of which frankly require a background in fashion design. I was down to knitting things in pieces, from others' patterns, which usually never quite got through. I realized I had to begin again. If I had to go back and pull all my other books off the shelves to figure out how to get a sweater going again, ethnic style, it wouldn't happen (I've got more studying to do after I write this.) So yesterday I got this book, some new wool yarn, and got something back on the needles... and progressing. That fast.

After you read this, yes of course you'll want to check out "Knitting in the Old Way" and all the fabulous books out there on the history and details of ethnic styling, and maybe even start a tradition of your own. But start with this. You'll learn something. I did.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh new fun ideas!, October 11, 2007

By	K. Paige "llamamom" (Livermore, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is wonderful--great explanations of new techniques, some esoteric, some that have previously just been puzzling. The explanation of how to make the Puntas is wonderful--and it creates a great beginning edge!
The small projects are an incredible way to learn the techniques in the larger ones, and the presentation of 3 different ways to make each item <visual plan, planning worksheets, and step by step worksheets> allow all levels of knitters to accomplish the finished project beautifully. I've already done a hat, a headband, and that adorable tiny purse, and I'm working on one of the sweaters for a present. Did I mention I'm hooked on this book?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good way to learn pattern independence, January 1, 2008

By	Blandyna Williams (Lincoln, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is original to offer three ways to knit each pattern - using a visual plan (most basic), using planning worskeets (more detailed), or using step-by-step project sheets (most detailed. There are no complete instructions to knit any of the patterns. This might encourage the insecure knitter who follows patterns completely to eventually be able to knit without following a pattern (the more traditional/ethnic method of knitting, we are told). I could not get the book to lie flat, so it will have to be spiral-bound.