Customer Reviews

Knit 2 Together: Patterns and Stories for Serious Knitting Fun

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

"Knit 2 Together" is not another celebrity knitting book. Tracey Ullman is there not only as a celebrity name, but to encourage the shy wanna-be knitter to give it a try. The fabulous and fun patterns are the creations of co-author Mel Clark, who has designed and created knitwear for films such as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas".

The book features the usual hats and sweaters, but also offers some fun patterns for sock-like legwarmers, shrugs, pants, and toy mice with personalized outfits. The patters range from classic to a moderately avant-garde, with something for every age group.

Even though this book seems to be aimed at convincing those who are knitting-phobic to pick up some needles, the patterns range from simple to advanced. To someone who is an extremely novice knitter, I'd suggest first reading Debbie Stoller's Stitch and Bitch, which has become my knitting how-to bible. Once you conquer a few of those patterns, you'll be ready to conquer "Knit 2 Together". Enjoy!

I love "Knit 2 Together". It's a wonderful combination of Mel Clark's beautiful patterns and advice and Tracey Ullman's sense of humor.
The photography is also gorgeous and will make you want to run out and get yarn right away to get started.

This is NOT a "celebrity" knitting book. Tracey is a passionate knitter and wanted to help spread the joy of knitting by encouraging Mel to come up with patterns for a book. Mel is an accomplished designer, with decades of experience and I applaud her for coming up with a selection of patterns much different than the usual scarf and iPod cozies you see in every other new book.

I was lucky enough to meet Tracey at a book signing and by speaking with her, it's obvious how much she loves to knit.

I'm starting off with the doctor bag and then the felted slippers.
Go get this book! You will love it!

This is a fun book, with lovely photos and lots of neat little stories. The "Knitting Basics" section has plenty of clear photos and handy tips (including pointers for left-handed people), but doesn't leave you feeling that you wasted half the book if you are already a skillful knitter. There are 32 knitting patterns, with written directions and schematic diagrams.
The designs include clothing, accessories, toys, and household goods. There are pretty cardigans, a classic suit, and a very snazzy handbag.
But the book also includes a ruffled tea cozy, knitted shorts, a sweater for two (shown on the cover), slippers that will look great on the floor but not be practical for walking in, and an apron which they freely admit cannot actually be worn in the kitchen.
The handbag -- and I do like it, I am even making it, though with modifications -- is the size of a suitcase. Some patterns are in only one size (though most with sizing range from about 32" to 40" bust -- the usual range). Knitted picture frames and a messenger bag with multi-hued spines may not be the most lasting designs.
There are also problems with the patterns. For example, the Dcotor's Bag has a handsome herringbone stitch pattern. There are 16 rows in the pattern, but it includes things like "Row 16: Repeat Row 12" where Row 12 is "Repeat Row 4." It is not sensible to have people refer to multiple lines in a pattern. There is also no indication in the pattern of where you are starting any pieces (that is, at the side or the top of the piece), which makes it difficult to connect the schematics with the written pattern.
I'm glad I bought this book, and I look forward to using my Doctor's Bag (much smaller) once I complete the rather irritating process of following the pattern. But this ought to be a fun addition to an already sufficient knitting library, not a basic go-to book.

How did they do it?! This beautiful, warm, funny book is engaging and inviting, offering enough simple patterns for novices to dive right in, and at the same time plenty of challenges to keep accomplished knitters' needles happily clicking.

Although the book is gorgeously laid out and beautifully photographed, this is no boutiquey piece of knitting-trend fluff. The patterns are the stars here, and they are clearly written, logical, mistake-free, and adaptable to a wide range of sizes. To have all this, along with loads of great knitting tips, reference materials, AND a fantastic sense of fun -- well, our knitting bag truly runneth over.

My only complaint is that I want to knit absolutely everything in this book, and can't decide what to start with. If I could give it ten stars, I would!

I agree with the other reviewers. It is a great book with great patterns. However I only gave it four stars as I wanted to allert potential purchasers that most of the nicest patterns are only in fairly small sizes, eg cardigan measures 101.6 cm bust maximum, skirt measures 101.6 cm hips, dress measures 95.3 cm bust, britches measure 81.3 cm waist, pants 86.4 cm waist etc.

This knitting book reminded me of the Mason-Dixon book or the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Rules. It is fun stories with some decent patterns thrown in. There are a few I will definately be doing soon like the lacey table runner in linen. It is not a "learn to knit book" but once you have the basics it would work for beginners to intermediate. Tracy Ulmann will have you laughing and relating to her yarn obsession.

This book has GREAT, groovy designs, and they're all beautifully photographed, too!! There are patterns for every level of knitter, and the book somehow has all the charm one would expect from the amazing Tracey Ullman. What a great combination she makes with Mel Clark. Excuse me, I have to go get some yarn!

This is a JUICY volume of projects you're going to ADORE. Whoever decided to match Ullman's warmth and wit with Clark's design prowess deserves a standing ovation. Clark's designs are fresh and wonderful. Whether you're a novice knitter or an intrepid expert you'll be delighted with this inspired collection. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!! MORE, BRING US MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ullman and Clark are a match made in knitting heaven!!!!!!!!!

I got this book as a birthday present. I enjoyed the narrative by Tracey and Mel and am in the process of making my third project from the book. The Lady Detective Hat is fabulous (although I left off the buckle thing), although it was annoying that it required the second skein of yarn. However, I would recommend adding 2 more rounds of knitting to the hat top, because it was way too narrow as written (I knitted down to the brim, tried it on, found the top too narrow and ripped it all out and started over).
My next project was the Santa Cruz hoodie for my 5-year old son (made it all in one color with Tessin Superwash wool/cotton yarn) I am happy to say that the 6-year old sizing fits exactly like it should. The hood is a bit loose and baggy, though; if I ever do another, I'll reduce the number of added stitches on the back of the hood and make it a little shorter (I may end up making a matching one for Daddy...). I'm now working on Daphne's baby cape. Looks cute, but boy is it boring to knit! Best done when watching TV or a video.
If you are a beginner (like me) be sure to have a techniques book handy for things like knitting in the round w/double-pointed needles and a visual depiction of some of the techniques in the back like the kitchener stitch (the pictures in Vogue knitting were worth much more than the many words in the back).
The book is about equally divided between cute, wearable or functional patterns and others in the "why on earth would anyone want to do that?!" category. There are patterns for a wide range of skill levels, but the ones I've tried were pretty straightforward and easy to follow.

I had this in my wishlist and bought it from Amazon on sale. I had read the mixed reviews and they worried me a little, but I like Tracey Ullman's humour, and Mel Clark is a Kiwi (like me) - and we tend to be fairly practical. I am not disappointed - the book arrived today and there are definitely things in here that I will knit. Sure, there are also things that I wouldn't, but I have never come across a knitting book yet that I would knit / wear everything in (well maybe Alice Starmore's Celtic Collection, if I ever had time!). A lot of the patterns are very practical, a few are just delightful fun, and most are fairly straight forward to knit. It is a book I am pleased to have in my collection and will enjoy looking through and knitting from.