Offering mitten patterns from around the world, this introduction to folk knitting is followed by a generous section on the techniques of knitting mittens. Among topics covered are gauge, wool selection (including techniques for washing and felting wool), casting on, plait edging, ribbed and unribbed cuffs, and a long section on the ever-elusive thumb. Also detailed are techniques for hand-knit mitten cords, finishing, and sizing.
Folk Mittens (Folk Knitting series)
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Because mittens are useful, warmer than gloves, and fast to knit, the art of knitting them is highly developed and has resulted in many traditional patterns unique to a geographic region. In Latvia, a young woman would knit mittens for all the guests at her wedding; in colonial America, mittens often carried a knitted-in Bible verse or poem. Folk Mittens details these and other traditions of various countries. The basic shaping instructions are clearly written, and all color charts are shown in color. Although the few monochromatic knit-purl patterns have charts that are difficult to read, most knitters will be too thrilled by the marvelous color patterns to notice. If you don't knit yourself, this would be a wonderful gift to inspire your favorite knitter (especially if you need a new pair of mittens).
From Library Journal
Following a section on knitting techniques, including valuable information on the Eastern method of circular knitting and on working with double-pointed needles, Lewandowski launches into some 40 different projects for mittens based on the traditions of Europe, Asia, and North and South America. She includes full-color charts, graphs, and instructions, along with the history of each type of ethnic mitten. Although a beginning knitter could learn to knit mittens from this book, Robin Hansen's Sunny's Mittens (Down East, 1990) would be a better choice for those with no previous knitting experience. Highly recommended for all knitting collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By M. Thoresen
Format:Paperback
This book has lots and lots of nice patterns for mittens. There are fancy mittnes and plain mittens, many colored mittens and some textured mittens. There is also a "basic mitten" pattern, which is nice for people who either have never knit mittens before, or who wish to have a template from which to branch off in designing their own mittens. The informational sections preceding the patterns from each country, though not extensive, are interesting.
For sheer number and variety of mittnes, this book can't be beat. My personal favorites are a beautiful pair of cabled aran mittens and a fairly simple but elegant two-color pattern from the Faroe Islands. I do, however, have one criticism. The section on thumbs is, well, pathetic. The different kinds of thumbs are each given a short paragraph, but there are no diagrams or proper explanations as to how to go about knitting them. Thumbs are not terribly difficult, but as they are particular to mittens and gloves I do think that a book devoted entirely to the mitten should cover their construction clearly and thoroughly. A relatively new knitter, or even an experienced knitter who has never made mittens before, will likely need a step-by-step book with diagrams or a personal teacher to show them the thumb on their first attempt at mittens.
Thumb section aside, this book is very fine, with simple but clear photography that more than adequately shows what the mittens really look like. No specific yarns are listed for each pattern, but the weights and gauges used in ihe models are listed, so unless you want to make an exact copy of the model (and where is the fun, or for that matter the "folksiness" in that?), it should not be a problem. Overall, I highly recommend this book.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By T. Lewsey
Format:Paperback
I gave this book 5 stars because the mitten patterns and the history behind each mitten is awesome but....frankly her explaination on how to knit them, especially the thumbs is rather pathetic! I have been knitting for quite a few years and have knit many pairs of mittens, and knitting these mittens, or at least just the thumbs were rather difficult to figure out. At least I think so. If her explaination on how to knit the thumb gussets where better explained, I don't believe the mittens would be very difficult to knit. The graphs in the book are very good. Very easy and not confusing. Even with the thumbs being confusing...I think it's definately a book worth buying. You can always go to a local yarn store to get help on the thumbs if you need to. The finished mittens are beautiful and I know I'm glad I took the time to figure out the thumb gussets.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
OK, so I haven't really found that many mitten patterns at all, but I looked almost everywhere before I discovered this book. This book gave me a multitude of patterns ranging from the very complex to the very easy...I ended up knitting Halland mittens for myself and am going to make the Norwegian Selbu mittens too. The charts are easy to read but I was slightly confused by the description of thumb gussets (gores) and how to knit them. It seems that she slightly glossed over their descriptions, although you can extrapolate (to a degree) what she means. The patterns are nevertheless gorgeous and generally straightforward. Aesthetically, the photography is beautiful too. I like the fact that this is a collection of mittens from around the world, & doesn't just focus on one particular region so the selection is large.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Innteresting mittens
I found that the different and unusual patterns were quite challenging. The patterns are varied and interesting. Well worth purchasing the book.
Published 17 days ago by Carol Welch
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely
There are few that I would do (or have done already, like Greek and Lapland), and few I'll never even consider (Iceland, Albania, and Canada), but then again it's all the question... Read more
Published on September 5, 2010 by Vk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mittens for everyone
I love this book! The patterns are done from charts, which is great practice. I'm delighted to see how intricate and skilled the patterns are. Read more
Published on April 23, 2009 by annesailorgirl
3.0 out of 5 stars
mitten variety
Have it all.... lovely knitting patterns for the basic and energetic knitter. The added history of the patterns make the knitter and mitten receiver know more about the mitten... Read more
Published on January 30, 2009 by Janet T.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to follow patterns, good variety
This is a great book for seasoned folk knitters or beginners alike. The intro is very informative and helpful in demonstrating most of the techniques in the book. Read more
Published on June 24, 2008 by Angelica Kimball
5.0 out of 5 stars
good source book
This is a good source book for mittens and I'm looking forward to trying to convert some of the needle knitting patterns to a loom pattern and see what I can come up with. Read more
Published on March 22, 2008 by Catherine Shafer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great charts, so-so text
If you can knit from charts and don't need directions, this book is for you. While the pictures are pretty, the charts are tiny, and I found the explanatory text weak. Read more
Published on September 16, 2007 by Emma Antunes
2.0 out of 5 stars
A poor sequel to "Folk Socks"
I purchased this book hoping for something comparable to Nancy Bush's excellent "Folk Socks" and was very disappointed. Read more
Published on April 6, 2006 by EB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wide world of mittens
If you're looking for unusual, beautiful mittens to make, this is the book for you. The patterns are adaptations of traditional styles and designs from around the world, with... Read more
Published on May 17, 2005 by Linda Pagliuco
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent addition to the knitter's library
I love this book! This book is the best (only?) mitten book I have ever seen. The patterns were clear and easy to read, the color charts were easy to follow, and the stories behind... Read more
Published on December 29, 2003 by "u-p-dree"
