Customer Reviews

Folk Style (Style series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You know a knitting book is a winner when you keep picking it up for just one more journey through the sensory delight of its pages. This is one of those books.

Folk Style is a lavish collection of stunningly beautiful designs. Sometimes folk elements from more than one culture or era are married with beautiful results, such as in The Grand Tour Waistcoast by Di Gilpin, which weds Greek, French, and Spanish inspirations. I particularly love Gilpin's careful placement of asymmetrical intarsia motifs so that the imbalance appears to be a natural growth. I also love how she incorporated some texture and a cable into both the background of the front and into the central motif in the back - what a lovely and fresh juxtaposition of elements! Plus the back armhole shaping . . .

I'd love to make and use Gina Wilde's Appalachian Gathering Basket, with its unusual shape, nubbly texture, faded southwestern colors, and haunting Pima Native American motifs. It's hard to stop gazing at it and turn the page. And yes, it is the perfect shape for gathering something.

Annie Modesitt proves yet again what a magnificent designer she is with her Shanghai Surplice. I got to see the original at TNNA (the industry show) and admired it there. And yes, it's given in lots of sizes - bust circumference from 30.5 to 52.5" - yay! Just looking at it makes a knitter's heart sing, because the directionality of knitting is used so well. The upper left front, with its diagonal curve from neck to midriff , sends the knitting sideways with an upward tilt, drawing the eye in a gentle and arousing manner. I love the two different armhole treatments - and the colors. This is one design that is so perfect that I'd want to knit in the original yarn and colors, and fortunately Annie chose something easily available and reasonably priced, Brown Sheep Cotton Fine.

Lisa B. Evans' Tribal Baby Carrier would be an amazing baby gift - once again, you cannot bear to turn the page.

Mags Kandis's softly felted Shibori-Esque Neck Wrap made me pause a long time to wonder if I might widen my own fashion sense to include this. It's just a little more "modern" than I usually wear, with elegant lines that are simple and graceful. If nothing else, it makes me think about doing something similar, combining Shibori and felting and weaving an end through a slit.

And it is just this kind of wondering that the editorial staff of Interweave encourages. Like the rest of books in their Knitting Style series, they include a Design Notebook in the back to inspire and guide knitters who'd like to venture down their own path of creating Folk Style garments. Twelve pages of guidance suggest how to find inspiration and develop it into working design, and show that this publisher recognizes the intelligence, eagerness to learn, and growing independence that characterizes today's knitters.

For the modern knitter, this book provides a wealth of folk-inspired design that goes beyond the actual folk-style garment. For example, there is a Tribal Baby Carrier that has a Kilim pattern but looks hippy-chic and would make a beautiful gift for a young mom. There are color block scarves that look like abstract paintings based on Log Cabin quilts and some colorful socks. There is a Morroccan cap, but with big bright retro flowers.

Each design seems to apply traditional techniques you may have seen before but in a totally new way, so this is not a ho-hum, another Scandinavian or sock or bag or sweater book. For that alone, I give this book huge props. The trendy knitter is sure to find a wealth of ideas here to apply to other projects as well as plenty to do right from these patterns. The ideas incorporate applique and embroidery as well as colorwork and texture.

I liked best the Indian "silk" pillow and a simple lace pattern paisley inspired shawl as well as the bright Algonquin socks. There is something in here for any knitter and plenty to learn from. This could be a very valuable source book for a creative person.

This book is a creative inspiration! The color options are fresh and vibrant, and I can easily see making several of the small projects for my family without arousing that "Oh, no, where did Mom find this clunker?" response (I can see the Sunny Flowers Fez becoming an instant favorite with my granddaughter). Some of the body silhouettes are short trendy accent garments (patchwork jacket, Shanghai surplice) that would be easy to lengthen if coverage is an issue. The Algonquin socks and Bunad mukluks are adorable--just in time for winter!

I really like the suggested embellishments--embroidery touches, buttons, unexpected details--that add whimsy without overloading the designs. Mags Kandis has opened a window to fresh design and color choices.

I love the designs in this book. I am currently knitting the Modern Quilt Wrap and love it. If you are intending to

make the designs in the book exactly as designed including types and colors of yarn it can be difficult to find the yarn as some colors have been discontinued, but this just allows a chance for more creativity.

As with most knitting books, I find that some of the patterns are "must makes", some are too difficult/time consuming, and some are "huh?". But on balance I would say that there are more winners than losers in here, and the pictures are lovely - yay for knitting porn!

this is a fine book. i find that how i respond to these books have to do with the actual projects. this one has some nice projects, some may like more of the projects and some less. i happen to like fewer than expected. however, one can also translate techniques and ideas to other projects.

A great book with some unique patterns. These will also serve as very wearable items. Good for my knitting library.

I thought the book was very well presented with bright colourful photos, and the instructions were clear and easy to understand (and interpret for machine knitting!). Great book, well recommended.

This is another good knitting book to add to your collection. My favorite pattern is the log cabin scarf. It is gorgeous. One of the better features is the section on designing and inspiration. There are not a lot of really new, cutting edge patterns but it is an overall good book.

is what i love, but this beautiful book is so wonderful i want to learn to knit.its the funky and artsy,bohemian chic look that is usually found in a crochet piece all sweetly put together in a gorgeously photographed package of inspiration. now, i am off to ask my thirteen year old to teach me how to knit!