Customer Reviews

Favorite Mittens

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Oh, this book was worth the wait! This is not just a reprint of the most popular patterns from Robin Hansen's first two books on mitten knitting. The patterns have been completely revamped into a format which makes them easier to follow. New pictures have been added, as well. She has also added to the narratives about the origins of the patterns and how they fit into the folk traditions of the areas where she found them.
I did not think it possible to improve on Fox and Geese and Fences or Flying Geese and Partridge Feet, which are out of print, but Ms. Hansen HAS done the impossible. If you are a mitten knitter or someone interested in the history of knitting, this book is an essential addition to your library. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This book started me on a mitten knitting kick, and I have yet to find a better one. Great explanations, interesting stories about traditional knitting, and lots of information on mitten construction. It explains stranded knitting and the subtle color differences you get in the result just by carrying a color forward or back - something I'd never been aware of. The patterns include sizes from child to adult, and the directions are clear and easy to follow. While the photos are mostly black and white, there is a color spread in the middle. The charts are clear and easy to read. I highly recommend this book, both for beginners and more advanced knitters. It's an excellent resource, and one I keep coming back to.

I taught myself how to knit mittens using this book. Very good details and pictures to help you understand. Novice or experienced knitters will enjoy this book.

Knitters with an interest in the traditional won't be able to resist this updated favorite. I owned and loved both earlier titles years ago, so when I returned to knitting, I was delighted to see that the patterns were still available in this new, improved volume. With her first book, Robin Hansen turned knitting from a hobby into a passion for me. When I sat down, wool in hand, to make that first pair of tiny stranded mittens for my then 2-year-old son, I felt myself intimately connected to generations of women who sat by the fire and made these same mittens for their own families. These patterns evolved to meet a need, and they work. The mittens are warm and practically waterproof.

The updated patterns are clearer, brighter and much easier to follow, while the text retains the folksy charm and connection to tradition that made the original books such treasured gems. The center spread of color photos is a welcome addition. No knitting library is complete without this book. It's a little bit of knitting education that reminds us why we knit.

I received this as a gift. I enjoyed reading the folklore behind the mittens (and hats, and wristwarmers) as much as the photos. A great gift for your favorite knitter. I know my friend is hoping to get some mittens out of the deal.

Robin Hansen has done it again...this book is better than her previos two books that led up to this one... This book is packed with many designs and even more info pertaining to making different size mittens, gloves, etc. in easy to follow charts!

This is a nice selection of good warm mittens that we had when we were kids. My Mom made these mittens and donated several pairs to the church bizarre every year where they sold out usually before they landed on the table.There is a nice bit about the wool for these mittens in the book but over time, Mom started making them with regular 4ply acrylic so they were machine washable, toasty warm and unlike anything you can but in a department store, I hope with the detail in this book I may learn to make them nearly as well as my Mother did.

This is an excellent book written by a woman who knows mittens and writes patterns that are thoroughly understandable with no questions about what you are supposed to be doing next. It is an excellent book for anyone who wishes to have her mitten patterns as her originals are out of print I would give this an all her other books 5 stars and more if they had them.

FAVORITE MITTENS is my go-to book for mittens. My first copy was so well used that I was happy to find a second copy for back-up at a used book sale! ;) Excellent info on fitting and proportion. The mitten directions are well laid out with easy-to-read charts, good photos and illustrations on techniques.

Highly recommended!

Favorite mittens is a classic basic mitten book. You can start with this book and embellish your projects to make them your own. It is also nice to know the history behind the mitten designs shown in the book.