Customer Reviews

Handknitting With Meg Swansen

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

 

 

Knitting is not just a matter of color or cable texture stitches. There are many interesting architectural techniques that can make for creative and comfortable garments. If you like to knit and want to learn more about the craft of knitting, you will enjoy this book. Each pattern can be used to learn new techniques, and many can be adapted to make unique knits of your own. I use these patterns over and over for many things. Compared to the average knitting book that just displays some nice designs, this is practically a reference volume.

I heard that Meg Swansen had a pattern for knitting gloves using I-cords.

That is the original reason I bought the book. When I opened the book and saw the first project: "Puzzle Pillow blanket" I thought wow, that is so cool. It is a blanket throw, made of diagonals, and folds up into a convenient pocket and becomes a pillow. How charming, yet functional. The book is paperback with black and white photos, but the photos are actually so instructional, and the way Meg writes, you can tell she is a great knitting teacher. I must have been living under a rock, but I soon learned that Elizabeth Zimmerman was her mother. I don't yet own a Zimmerman book. I am anxious to try the I-cord gloves, and plan to use this book also as a knitting reference book, because of Megs excellent instruction skills.

Garter stitch, but with a puzzling twist. Spiralling sweaters & shawl collared vests. Lace ponchos, manana, & gloves made of...idiot cord? Find a fascinating way to avoid that irritating jog in color patterning. Wanna go round-the-bend with a jacket? Get this book, 'cause you can't borrow mine!

For those knitters that want to just follow "row by row" directions and end up with a sweater like the "one in the picture" - this book is not for you. Go check one of the myriad offerings by Leisure Arts; those patterns will suit you much better. If you want a custom-fitted beautiful sweater - buy this book! Yes, math is involved and I really enjoy how Meg (and EZ before her) "chats" throughout the book; it's more like knitting with a very knowledgeable friend than picking up any old pattern book. Just so's you know - I don't currently own this book (mine has disappeared somehow) but I am quite familiar with it and will re-purchase it at some point in the future.

I love it, I love it, I love it.

Every thing is clear and full of instruction to make beautifull project with a lot of interesting techniques.

The glove start by the fingers, Fair Isle double hat in the round with the technique how to make the change of colour, round-the-bend jacket with no sewing . . . all the patterns are perfect.

Wish I could meet Meg Swansen and give her a BIG hug.

Françoise Y. Beauchamp

I think this book is a wonderful book full of beautiful patterns and good tips. I am a beginner/intermediate knitter and I don't fear these patterns. I bought it originally to make the collared vest and although I haven't begun the project, I feel confident that I can handle it. Sometimes you see a pattern and you don't even want to begin because it appears too complicated. This book is not like that.

If you are a serious knitter, you will love this book. Meg Swansen is the daughter of Elizabeth Zimmerman, a truly gifted person with knitting needles. Meg is also like her Mother and gives you lots of great hints, neat ideas and techniques. This is a must have to complete your knitting library!

For the person who wrote it's hard to follow the percentage system of making a sweater - she's just not thought it through well yet. This is the system that set me free for knitting great sweaters without all the fussy patterns out there. Try again !!

This is a great addition to my knitting library. I learn something new from it every time I pick it up!

This is a very well written book in the style of Elizabeth Zimmermann by her daughter, Meg. There are some wonderful techniques in here to boggle the mind. It is worth the price of the book for the I-Cord Finger Gloves alone.