Customer Reviews

Feminine Knits

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got my copy of 'Feminine Knits' in the mail today from Amazon and I'm all excited. The book is published by Interweave Press, a very reputable knitting publisher, and also the publisher of my favorite knitting magazine, Interweave Knits.

The book is luscious and, as the title states, the patterns are feminine. I especially the Shawl with Leaf Lace - - simple to knit with a beautiful picot trim. The Aran Turtleneck is perfect for Alaskan winters. I love Aran knitting and this is indeed a beautiful pattern. I especially like that it is not knit with extra bulky yarn and that the sizing is for real women, not just teensie tinsie people. The Jacket for Everyone will probably be the first project I undertake. It is feminine and practical with fit-in sleeves which I like. The Blackberries and Ribbon Cardigan is enough to make you drool, so if you go to a bookstore or knitting shop to look at this book, bring a hankie with you. The Lapel Jacket is something you can literally wear anywhere and look polished and easy-going at the same time. I could go on and on.

Basically, though, when I evaluate a knitting book I ask myself three questions:

1) Does the book contain patterns that I want to knit?

2) Are the patterns easy to follow?

3) Will the book be a good resource?

The answer to all three of these questions is a resounding yes. I give this a total thumbs up and a hearty '5'.

If you purchase this book, be sure to read the instructions very carefully before beginning to knit and also check for corrections at Interweave Press. I just finished knitting Bolero, which is a charming pattern. Unfortunately, it has several significant errors. For example, if you follow the instructions, you will knit two left fronts. Before I knit another pattern in this book, I will be sure that the instructions all make sense, that the diagrams are correct, and that stitch and row counts are right after all increases and decreases have been made.

The sweater designs are beautiful, but let's hope that a technical editor reviews this book again before it is reprinted.

This is a really good book. I'm impressed with the quality of the patterns, I would make and wear most of them. Unlike several of other knitting books, this one has mostly garments and not a lot of accessories like hats and scarves. The patterns are up to date and elegant. Lots of possibilities here!

This is a wonderful knitting book full of gorgeous patterns to knit. I plan on making most of them. The instructions are clear with great schematics and sizing information. I consider this book in my top three of favorites!!!

I'm putting out a negative on this book for several reasons: the yarns are all Danish and except for Sandnesgarn which puts out Peer Gynt, all yarns have to be substitutes and they are given on p.126 being either Rowan, Louet or Garnstudio. Each pattern gives a number for the yarn such as light #3 but these categories of yarn are very loose which means for every sweater you have to really play with getting the exact gauge called for. Second reason: largest sizes come in around 43" finished bust. Third reason: tiny schematics. Postive note: there are good ideas here for redesigning your own take on these projects. I liked the famous lace circle sweater a nd might do the back and take it from there. The arans are ho-hum. There's a plain st st shawl with lace trim which isn't very interesting. I like the lace scarf which is a simple diamond pattern with a nice trim in different type yarn. Definitely look before purchase and suggest borrowing from library.

Don't judge this book by the cover! It's one of the best pattern books I've ever seen! Almost every design is feminine, as the title suggests, elegant and flattering, and totally wearable on a day to day basis! For any knitter out there, I would really have to recommend this book as a must have! I have tons of knitting books, and this is by far my favorite! It's really too bad they don't show the inside, as I think that keeps a lot of customers away. I saw this at a local yarn shop and then ordered it through amazon. If I hadn't seen it in person the lackluster cover would have kept me from purchasing it, -oh the perils of judging a book by it's cover, I've wasted so much money that way! - Anyway, this is not a waste of money! Buy it, you will love it, I promise!

As was suggested I checked the online corrections for this book and when I knit the Bolero, if I had done it as stated not only would I have had 2 left fronts (still) I think it had no right sleeve in the corrections. It seemed a big part of the pattern was left out. I've been knitting long enough so I was able to do my own corrections. But it makes me wonder about the rest of the patterns. Also the yarn substitutions are difficult to accurately predict. I ended up with more than 3 balls of yarn too much. This is not for a beginner

That is right; I did not buy this book for sweater patterns. The patterns are nice and with a little skill can be scalable. However, I actually bought this just for the knitting patterns themselves, not sweater patterns.

Not all books can be all things to all people and my main goal is to search for new ways to do things, new patterns and see how finished patterns mostly in scarves not sweaters can be accomplished. Skipping the page 107, you will see a lace scarf described as elegant and a study in contrasts. The book describes finished measurements needles, yarn, and gages. I already have all these and just needed the inspiration from the book. This project as with many of the book can be scalable however, I only wanted enough to do a simple test and see how it works.

As with all good technical books you will find in the back of Abbreviations, Patty do some basics in crochet embroidery knitting etc. there are affirmations on different types of yarns and yarn substitutions and it index.

I found the author, Lene Holme Sams'e to be more of the map-reader to us as fellow travelers.

I requested this book through interlibrary loan - and here I am putting it at the top of my list for my coming birthday! This is the only knitting book Ive wanted to own in years. The patterns are gorgeous and wearable, fashionable without being wildly arty and eccentric or having that '60's home ec look. The directions and charting seem quite clear. The only downside is deciding which to start first.

I was thrilled from one of the reviews that stated the patterns were not just for the tiny. Well, I do not know what they consider tiny, but if the largest bust size is 42, then, they either wear their garments very tight or are very tiny. Older women like their sweaters generous. Most women I know want the larger patterns, not a 42 as an XL.