Customer Reviews

Greetings from Knit Cafe

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I read the introduction to this book I couldn't help but think this is every knitter's fantasy. To be able to leave the corporate life behind and immerse myself in the yarn world in a beautiful little shop is my dream come true. To be tanned, beautiful and a size 2; what a lovely dream. And it takes less time to knit smaller sizes, what a wonderful world it would be. Unfortunaly I had to wake up, look in the mirror and come to grips with the fact that I'm a size 16 living in New England.

That being said, the book is a little bit like the fantasy. Great to look at but not really realistic in my world. I'm an average person who lives in a climate where it is cold most of the year and where people seem to carry a little extra body fat. The patterns seemed geared more for the California life style and that California body. While there is nothing wrong with that, most of the patterns that aren't another scarf, another sock or another baby sweater probably don't look as great on anyone over a size 4.

Some of the patterns are awfully pretty though and there are some nice basics included in the book for the beginning knitter. I might knit the cover skirt for my daughter and the bikini for my niece (they're still thin although not a size 4) but they probably won't be ready until next summer - my warm season being so short and all.

Anyway, I did enjoy my visit to the "Knit Cafe" and I'll probably come back. Just not that often.

Oh and just an comment to the book designer - when you do a cover, don't put the banner over the only knitted item in the picture in this case the skirt. The skirt is one of my favorite patterns in the book.

I have a huge knitting library and have been knitting for decades. While this is definitely not a book that will become your newest knitting bible, it has such a fresh and sunny disposition that it's hard not to love it. The patterns show a wide range, and although there are plenty I will never make, I enjoy just seeing things like a knitted silk evening gown! On the more practical end, while there is certainly nothing new about a simple knit hoodie (even with nice waist shaping), knitting it in the fiber suggested in the book makes both the knitting and the wearing a treat. To me, it is the kind of knitting experience you get when you go to your favorite yarn store, see something really cute that you never would have thought of on your own, and walk away with a really happy purchase and really happy knitting vibes.

What I like about "Greeting from Knit Cafe" is that Suzan Mischer is creating a aura of comfort while you are not only reading but also knitting to this book. I have read a lot of reviews saying that this book is geared towards the "Californian" asthetic, and that it has mostly patterns for thin people, but I would have to disagree. A lot of the patterns you see in this book are geared towards the younger knitting crowd who want to knit more than bulky philosopher's cardigans.

A list of the patterns include:
Architect scarf
beret
boxer shorts
hiking socks
Chanel-ish cardigan jacket
classic sweater for guys
comfy socks
computer keyboard cover
felted saddle blacket
baby blanket
messenger bag
huge shawl
baby sweater
pink dress
kid's club skirt
basic hat
lacy skirt with bows
lala scarf
love blanket
lush hoodiw
peace pillow
polo shirt
pompom awning
recycled scarf
red carpet gown
slouchy alpaca cardigan (my favorite)
terry bathrobe
weho bikini
yarmulke
yoga mat bag

So as you can see there is a huge variety in patterns. I know the reviewer before me said that the skirt she wants to knit is on the front cover and I do agree it's not a great picture of the said skirt. However there is TWO pictures of that same skirt in the book, one is full frontal of the whole entire skirt on a model and the other is the close up of the lace panels. I measured myself and even though I am a good medium sized girl (and trust me I AM), I qualified for the small in this skirt pattern.

Now you must know that this is a very contemporary knitting book, there are even a couple of baking recipes and other tid bits in here and I can understand how someone who is used to regular knitting books might not be used to a book like this. To some in the knitting world it could also be seen as a breath of fresh air.

This book is disappointing. It's beautiful with the bright colors and scrapbook style and the skirt on the front and the baby sweater handed down from someone's grandma is interesting. But that's it.
The story is very Fairytale. To start your own yarn cafe just cash in your stock, call old friends who happen to be known designers, and oh, yeah--the address on MELROSE doesn't hurt either. Bibbedy Bobbedy Boo, you have a yarn cafe.
This book was seemingly made by a california clique who have the cash and connections to make their own book.

Added 3/09: I'm eating crow (kinda). I've had this book for about a month now. My daughter landed on it so I was unable to return it. Determined to get my $25 worth out of it, I made the baby sweater. Actually I made 2 of them. I love the pattern. I'm a big fan of Debbie Bliss and Erika Knight, and this is one of the coolest baby sweaters I've ever made. Kudos to grandma.

The Architect Scarf is beautiful and masculine. Look closer at the chart in the background. Most of the men's patterns out there are either bulky or very feminine, aka: Metro Sexual. This scarf is perfect for the masculine man who appreciates art (or architecture).

The recipes and over-all idea of the book are helpful if you are starting a knitting group. Inspiring, if the author doesn't mind you copying her ideas. If that was the purpose of the book it would have helped for the author to say so.

I still have to say the rest of the patterns are not that great if you are buying this soley as a pattern book. If you are buying it for help starting a knitting group then you may want to try it.

Whether you spend the money or just check it out from the library, look through the book slowly, let the over-all ideas sink in. And definitely try the baby pattern.

Call me hypocrite, but I'd be an even bigger one if I didn't admit it publicly.

Let's face it, no book ever has a list of patterns that everyone will knit. We pick the ones we like from a book and enjoy it not only for the patterns, but also the looks and the readability. It's also true I probably wouldn't use nice yarn from Japan to make a horse blanket but I do like the blanket.

The photos are very well done in this book and the layout is excellent. It's a pleasure to re-read beyond studying the patterns. It also definitely fits the friendly, relaxed yet high class southern California life style (I grew up there).

I enjoy the extra tidbits, like recipes and ideas. If I want to get only a list of patterns, I look online. If I want a book to enjoy for many reasons, something like Greetings from Knit Cafe fits the bill.

I really like this book. Susan Mischer is a very nice woman, unlike some of the knitting store owners here in Los Angeles. What is up with expensive yarn and attitude? Anyway, I agree that they are mostly geared for California weather, but making bulky sweaters is boring anyway. I just buy those at the GAP. The patterns are on the simpler side (I'm an intermediate knitter), but they are very cute & wearable, i.e. hoodies, polo shirt, dresses, accessories. It is a basic book, written in a friendly tone and has lists for good music and easy baking recipes for you knitting club members. Patterns for men, kids, boys & home too. Corrections are available on website.

I love knitting books. It's somewhat of an obsession, along with yarn. I was very excited to buy this, but was let down with the reality of it. There are possibly 2 or 3 patterns I'd consider making, but none are in the "I can't wait to get started!" category. Many of the patterns require a perfect body to make it worth knitting (I'm a size 4 and wouldn't wear a lot of this stuff- it's completely unforgiving). The photos are great, and the patterns are... interesting, but for a practical book of patterns you'll really want to knit, unless you're knitting for Paris Hilton, or some other waif desperately in need of some meat on her bones, you may want to pass this one up, or check it out at the library before you commit to buy!

This is one of those recent knitting books that seeks to be more than just patterns. I would say it succeeds in creating a pleasant and unique atmosphere by providing not only patterns but a lot of miscellaney having to do with Knit Cafe (recipes, their top 10 CDs, popular events, the author/owner's dream of what this store would be and has become, etc.). Of the 30 patterns, only a few piqued my interest: baby shirt, women's shaped polo, La-La trianular shaped scarf. I would definitely never make the skirt on the cover, the boxer shorts, the evening dress or the bikini, just not my thing and I'm suspecting true for most knitters. If one were a beginner and didn't already have similar generic patterns, there is a basic long-sleeve roll neck pullover, a zip front hoodie, and a relaxed looking cardigan with stylish touches (flared sleeves & body and rolled edge finishing). For Amazon's current bargain price, this book would be a nice addition to one's knitting library.

This is the first time I have ever felt compelled enough to write a review about a book but I just LOVE this book! I just bought it from my LYS and I cannot get enough. I have looked through it four times just drooling over the beautiful patterns trying to figure out which one to start with. Some of the designs seem a little impractical, ( a knitted formal evening gown and a computer keyboard cover), but most of the projects are gorgeous! Probably not for the beginning knitter. There are no difficulty ratings or starter section. But if you are looking for an awesome knitting book and a sweet story I absolutely adore this book and Mason Dixon Knitting.

I ordered this book based on some of the reviews it got; however, after I ordered it, I saw it at a book store and wondered if it was too late to cancel my order. As soon as I saw another knitted bikini pattern, the feeling of doom came over me as I figured that this was another of "those" books -- the kind with no original knitting patterns in it.

I was wrong. There are about 3 original patterns.

My sister made shawls for each of her sisters and sisters-in-law from one of the patterns in the book. She saw the pattern and scribbled the directions on a receipt, the pattern was so easy. And she made 9 of them. It's a nice shawl, but not an original pattern -- nor is the ribbed scarf (how hard is a 1x1 rib scarf to make? The patterns for one of those are abundant, yet no pattern is necessary! You don't even need a receipt to scribble the pattern down on). There's also a pattern for a floor-length lace gown. Who's going to make that? Or knitted boxer shorts? That's at least more useful (you'd be able to wear them more than once a year, but why would you want a knitted rug between your legs and around your bottom?).

The photography is really nice, though. And it's nice to think that somewhere there's a cafe where knitting is encouraged. Go to the Knit Cafe Web site, though, and the things they sell are horrendously overpriced. But the photography is very nice.