Inca Knits [Paperback]

Marianne Isager (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Incorporating the vibrant style of ancient Incan knitting with a nod to contemporary trends, this new collection of knitwear designs features 25 garments that bring the vibrant and geometric motifs of the South American tradition to the 21st century. By innovatively combining knit-and-purl techniques in lightweight yarns, the stunning colors, stripes, and zigzags of South American patterns are complemented by subtle textures. All the featured projects are suitable for any intermediate knitter, with instructions and charts for each pattern as well as a glossary to clarify various knitting techniques. Beyond its instructional role, this guide also directs knitters to find inspiration for their own designs by examining the landscape, wildlife, and pottery of the high Andes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I'm a fan of Marianne Isager's books. Her strong base in Scandinavian style combined with the inspiration of an entire country or continent makes for compelling sweater designs. Inca Knits is no exception." — Knitty.com

"15 vivid South-American inspired knits." — Yarn Market News

"This book isn't going to sit on the shelf...Color, stitch pattern, unusual forms of construction, and great attention to detail make each and every sweater and cap a masterpiece." — Knit 'N Style

"The patterns in this book are extremely detailed, some covering as many as 14 pages. I find the history fascinating along with the patterns. 5 out of 5 stars." — Knitting News

About the Author

Marianne Isager is the author of Classic Knits, Japanese Inspired Knits, and Knitting out of Africa. She is a textile artist whose knit garments are sold throughout Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. She has had numerous exhibitions of her work in Europe as well as in Japan and the United States and has taught at design and craft schools.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681160
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681163
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #723,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > History > Ancient > Incan

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winning Knitting Book from Interweave Press and Marianne Isager, October 9, 2009

By 

Bonnie Brody "Book Lover and Knitter" (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inca Knits (Paperback)

I am a fan of Marianne Isager's knitting books. I especially love her book, Knitting Out of Africa: Inspired Sweater Designs. I also like the books that Interweave Press chooses to print. Thus, it is no surprise to me that, between the author and the publisher, they have come up with another winning knitting book.

Inca Knits: Designs Inspired by South American Traditions has a lot of information about Peru, traditional tapestries and knits from that country as well as information about other art forms. There is instruction in intarsia, different knitting techniques and helpful notes throughout the book.

The best part of the book, however, are the patterns. So many beautiful patterns, so little time to knit. I was dazzled by the colors and know that I'll be knitting some of these projects soon. I especially love the colorful hats, all in traditional Peruvian style. I was smitten, too, with the Andes Sweater, a lovely intarsia pullover in wine, rose, blue and orange. The men's Fish Sweater is challenging yet beautiful in light and charcoal grey with red highlights. The Inca Child sweater is to die for. It is very colorful with rose, red, yellow, blue and white. Any little girl would love it. The Stars sweater is complex and reminded me of some patterns from Poetry in Stitches - Clothes You Can Knit. The Cats sweater, again in charcoal and light grey but this time with yellow highlights, would be a wonderful gift for any man in your life. The Rainbow sweater would make a lovely gift for a child. It's mainly white with some red, yellow and blue highlights with little braids decorating it. The Inca Jacket is zippered and a project I hope to get to soon. It is complex and not a sweater one can knit while watching television or talking. The men's Indiana sweater is a pullover with a short zipper at the top. In brown, dark blue, wine and cobalt blue, it has a lovely Peruvian motif on the sleeves and body.

I am very impressed with this book and am so glad I purchased it. I think other knitters who are in the intermediate or experienced level will also love it. Thank you Ms. Isager.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Candy, February 7, 2010

By 

K. Etherington - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inca Knits (Paperback)

These are truly stunning and beautiful sweaters! The designs are original, colorful, and beautifully presented and photographed. There are several I would love to make but I do find them a little intimidating even though I am an experienced knitter. Any of the projects would take real commitment to complete. But there is so much here that, even if I don't take on an entire project, I have learned a lot that I will use in other projects.

I do love this book. I think it is her best one yet.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book, November 4, 2009

By 

Diane Chen (Georgetown, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inca Knits (Paperback)

I have another Isager book and was thrilled to buy this one. Some of the patterns have been around for a while and, as a result, some of the yarn colors she uses are discontinued. But there are easily 5 sweaters that I plan on knitting. This isn't a book you buy to make just one sweater. This is a beautiful collection.