Customer Reviews

Knitter's Lib: Learn to Knit, Crochet, and Free Yourself from Pattern Dependency

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

 

 

The inside of the book seems at odds with the outside; in other words, "freeing yourself from pattern dependency" seems a trifle odd when this is predominantly a pattern book. Of course knitting and crochet stitches are taught in the first half, and I give the book 2 stars for treating crochet equally, and also for showing continental or left-hand held kntting as the default style since this is very rare (and how I now think some people are better off learning).

There are other inconguencies. In a chart on page ix, there is a "what you will and won't find in the book" list and first under the "will" is "XL patterns because big is beautiful dammit". There are a lot of things wrong with this; XL is hardly plus sized for one thing, but more importantly, *no XL patterns actually appear in the book*. All garments are sized S (M,L). Period. On the other side of the cahrt, is what you will not find and that includes, "a D-cup bikini because its beyond the bounds of sanity and decency." Excuse me? In the crochet bikini pattern featured later in the book, this is again reiterated. How much "pattern liberation" is that? I would call that just plain offensive and ignorant. The author should check out Knitty, the free online knitting magazine as well as White Lies Designs who sell many patterns for women with D-cup and above, and all are sexy, sane and decent. In the techniques area we are introduced to a technique called "Intarisa" which is actually *stranded* knitting. Sigh. Keep in mind these are only the errors I found upon the first day of owning this book.

As far as the patterns go, most are accesssories and terribly underwhelming such as the same (inadvertantly) nipple-shaped hat over and over but called something else each time. Ponchos, bags, scarves etc. and crocheting around clogs. Nothing terribly new here. Many of the designs shown will inevitably end up on the blog, "You Knit What?"

The book gets kudos only for treating crochet as compatible with knitting, which it is and I would like to see more books and patterns which combine the two. It might be a book to learn to knit and crochet with since the stitches are shown in photographs which are quite clear. There is nothing here for the advanced knitter or crocheter, and maybe little if anything for the intermediate.

This book has instructions and patterns for both knitting and crochet, but it is much more crochet oriented. That's not exactly what I expected from a book called Knitter's Lib. It may be just the thing for people who are interested in both, but just be aware that the author seems much more into crochet.

The style of the patterns is very narrow, they're mostly for people who have a trendy, urban fashion sense. Some of the most memorable patterns are the knitted skater pants, a mesh skirt, and yet another bikini top pattern.

There is a short introduction to knitting and crochet and a technique chapter. Though a lot of techniques were given, I didn't find much that would really help me use them together and create my own patterns. That was a disappointment, because the book description sounds like it would have more design help.

I also dislike the very wordy way that the patterns are written out. It makes them hard to skim and all the extra text would be distracting when trying to work from them. The book says that they're written out that way to explain why certain things in the pattern are done, but it just seemed like a lot of unnecessary text to me. I'd think that all that extra stuff would confuse a new knitter or crocheter and frustrate a more advanced one.

I would not recommend this book for beginners. Some of the shortcuts and tips that the author gives are pretty bad advice, they encourage knitters and crocheters to cut corners and do some things in a quick, easy, and sloppy way. One thing that I really disliked was the suggestion to crochet seams instead of sewing them. Yes it's faster, and yes most of us hate finishing. But crocheted seams are much less flexible than knitted ones and they just don't look as nice. If you spend a lot of time knitting a beautiful project, wouldn't you want to put as much care into finishing and make it look as nice as possible?

If you're looking for a knitting book with instructions and hip patterns, check out Stitch 'N Bitch. I'm not a very good crocheter, so unfortunately I don't have a crochet book recommendation.

The author says that she avoids body hugging shapes because they're just not urban. OK. Fine. We'll ignore, for a moment, that more fitted pieces LOOK better (even on plus sized folks!) and boxy shapes make you look BOXY.

She also writes that she prefers to start with ALL the stitches and decrease down because increasing (in knitting) is just too darn hard. What?

She calls fair isle or stranded knitting "intarsia," which it's not.

For a "knitter's" book, there is a TON of crochet. And not just as accents or edging, but whole projects made with only crochet.

Skip this one. It seems to be a book written to cash in on the knitting frenzy (down to calling a mostly crochet book a knitting book) and it's got too many errors in it.

There was nothing new or different regarding this book. The author did not provide any significant information that would help a beginner or slightly intermediate crocheter or knitter to get beyond the use of a pattern. I was hoping to get guidance to learn how to create one's own patterns; didn't get that.

As one of the reviewers had put it, the title and contents doesn't match out, as the bk is more crochet oriented and the instructions for fair isle is a bit confusing to a novice.
But the book does have some interesting points with instructions on how to crochet flowers on to clogs and making a half sock on to the opening of a clog. Readable but otherwise don't think I wil get it.

This book fails to deliver on its promise, as stated in the title. Upon picking up this book, I was expecting to learn the magic of knitting garments without the servitude of following a pattern. Instead, I was given a lesson on how to crochet (as well as how to knit) and advised to make everything big and oversized. I detest big and bulky. I find it to be the most unflattering, even when "worn in the city," whatever that means. The "humorous" parts seemed more demented to me, invoking more "ehs?" and "ewwwws" than "ha, has." At times, I find the tone to be admonishing, almost impatient with the reader if one has not followed her instructions verbatim earlier in a recipe (which is in direct conflict with the book's title again, and I can see why she's not a math teacher anymore....) The math parts that don't make any sense that are carelessly thrown in are hard to understand and slow things down with confusion and many rereadings.

There are a few cute things to crochet in here, however this book is in desperate need of a new title and an edit job to get rid of the too many "I's." I certainly didn't feel very liberated after reading this book.

It's too bad about the knitting title on this book, because I think a lot of knitters will be unsatisfied with it and a lot of crocheters will miss it. As a beginning crocheter, I skipped all the knitting stuff but learned a ton from the crochet parts. She explains the theory of how things are formed in crochet (stitch size, proportions, shaping things like that), which I found very helpful. She also explains how to get different effects, in a general way so that they can be applied to anything. And she goes through a few patterns and explains WHY things are done a certain way. I found this very informative. I don't have the attention span to actually make something from a pattern, so being able to apply the concepts in this book to wing it when I make my own stuff is extremely valuable to me. Don't know about the knitting part, but I definitely recommend this one for crocheters.

You will not have to buy a pattern for everything. You will still buy patterns for things. Not just every little thing. This book is VERY helpful; you just have to PUT IT TO USE (and keep it handy)don't loan it out...buy your friends their own copy.

While I agree with the other reviewers that the book's message--"free yourself from pattern dependency"--is incongruent with the many patterns in the book (the author does address design elements in one of the chapters) and that this is mostly a crochet pattern book--I count 10 crochet, 8 knit/crochet (crocheted edgings, necks and waistbands mostly), and 2 knit patterns--the book is not without its merits!

First of, the patterns are lovely! Most are pretty, happy and colorful (not garish), and simple enough to tackle especially for a knitter like me who is just learning to crochet and would like to learn how to incorporate crochet and knitting together. The author teaches you--through doing her patterns--how, why, and where to add crochet when it is part of knitting. Second, the author walks you through each pattern and explains why and what you are doing. She writes well and gives you clear step-by-step directions.

Her patterns are in the spirit of Stitch 'n Bitch though her patterns and color choices are prettier. Her designs remind me also of Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Yes, the patterns are simple and happy, mostly accessories, which I love! For a beginner crocheter, this is exactly what I need to start on--something small yet beautiful enough to inspire me. Some of my favorite patterns are: the Beach Bandanna, 1920's Cloche Hat (pretty), Kremlin Beret (original), Fargo-with-a-Kiss-Hat (fun), Bow-Wow Cowl, Hippie Bikini Top, Lara's Muff, All-Organic Tote Bag, and His and Her Clogs. (I'm not too crazy about the scarfs--they are not very pretty or original in my opinion.)
So while the title may not be the best one for this book, I give Knitter's Lib 5 stars for its lovely crochet/knit and crochet patterns.

This is the book I have been looking for for years! Not only does it provide a comprehensive lesson on basic knitting and crocheting stitches but it explains the reasons why stitches are used. This witty author takes a realistic approach to creating while also being unique! Thankyou!
Vikki Drummond
PS - The Sub-title of the book had me half sold!