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74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Third Volume isn't the Best of the Three, December 22, 2006
This review is from: Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs And Collars, Necklines, Hems, Closures- The Essential Collection of Decorative Finishes (Hardcover)
Nicky Epstein is a knitting genius. I think we call all agree on this simple statement.
This is another volume of embellishments for knitting amazing garments. I love the other two volumes, and so was surprised that this one isn't as attractive to me. The collars are just not the type of thing I would ever put on a garment. They are very reminiscent of clown and jester collars and I don't care for that look. The cuffs may be helpful in the future, but at this moment, they remind me of something I've seen in fairy tale books on the princess' dresses. The neckline section strikes me nearly the same. There are several nice designs there, they are not much different than what I've worked with in my mother's old Work Basket magazines.
The corners and edges section is very nice and I appreciate Ms. Epstein taking the time to walk the reader through turning a perfect corner in pattern. The edgings are good as well. Many are adaptations of what you'll find in Barbara Walker's books.
I thought the closures section majored more on using unique buttons than unique techniques. Most of what I saw in this section was covered in some form in the previous two books.
OK, all that being said, I think this is a helpful book and can be inspiring for some knitters. Once again, the photography is amazing and the projects offered are amazing, although slightly intimidating for me--I've been knitting for many years. As I said above, I'm disappointed that it wasn't as fabulous as the first two books, although there is a short, but very good section on altering necklines, fitting a neckline into a pattern and altering patterns.
I am still giving this book four stars because the positive outweighs the negative by far. Because a certain look doesn't appeal to me, doesn't mean it won't prove to be terrific for another knitter. Perhaps I'm just on knitting overload...
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nice to look at, January 15, 2007
This review is from: Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs And Collars, Necklines, Hems, Closures- The Essential Collection of Decorative Finishes (Hardcover)
I was disappointed with this book. It is nice to look at and beautifully presented, but for me, the majority of finishes represented here are too fussy, frilly, and over the top for everyday wear. I'm just not a frills and flounces kind of person, so apart from one or two sleeve finishes, I don't think I will ever use the patterns in the book. This is a very personal thing though. Just because I'm not into frills and high necklines, doesn't mean that someone else won't adore every single one of the patterns here. But, if you sound like me when it comes to style tastes, I'd recommend avoiding this one.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Following in Epstein's style, March 3, 2007
This review is from: Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs And Collars, Necklines, Hems, Closures- The Essential Collection of Decorative Finishes (Hardcover)
In the previous two volumes in this series, Nicky Epstein looked at decorative finishes "On" and "Over" the edge of garments. The new volume Knitting Beyond the Edge, the perfect topic to complete a knitting reference collection.
Designed with her trademark style, the more than 150 designs for decorative finishes will help knitters move their sweaters to the next level. Knitters are no longer limited to using the cuff or collar design provided with a purchased pattern, for Epstein has provided enough variations to please even the most finicky knitter. In the final pages of the volume, Epstein includes information on adjusting patterns and necklines to utilize these finishes.
The main part of the volume is divided into four sections, one for each type of finish. The swatches are knit up as they would be used (cuffs, collars, etc.) and in many cases shown incorporated into a garment. Each section is assigned its own color range and all swatches are shown in a yarn from that range: cuffs and collars in purple, necklines in pink, hems in green and closures in blue. The same color is then used to mark the outer edge of the pages, enabling knitters to quickly find the appropriate section of the volume.
The finishes cover every level of knitting from novice to expert. The photos are a decent size and show details clearly. By having each section limited to a single color range, the eye isn't distracted by the yarn and is able to focus on the design. The only complaint I have is that patterns are provided only as text. While for most of the designs this isn't an issue, it may limit knitters who prefer to work cable and lace from charts.
Nicky Epstein has also included five patterns for garments modeled in the volume. The Belle Epoque jacket shown on the front cover is a true masterpiece and something to which novice knitters can aspire.
Armchair Interviews says: Another book for the knitter.
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