Customer Reviews

Knitting Counterpanes: Traditional Coverlet Patterns for Contemporary Knitters

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Knitting counterpanes is a deceptive title; Ms. Phillips has made it possible to learn stitches and patterns that look difficult, but are simple with her charting system. No one needs to knit entire coverlets; the project size is up to the reader. The pattern diversity, with the accompanying historical text (which is fascinating in and of itself), makes for a lot of pleasurable reading/planning. I recommend this book for any knitter who wants to knit new patterns that are stunning.

I haven't started one yet, but I have every intention of knitting a counterpane from this book that I can pass on to my children and grandchildren. Yes, I have every intention of knitting an heirloom. This book is inspiring, and there is no other word for it.

The patterns in this book are beautiful, easy to follow (I haven't started my counterpane, but I have knitted singles of a few of these patterns), and full of tradition. And, really, you don't have to knit an entire counterpane. Knit six or eight and have a placemat, or just knit different ones to learn traditonal and beautiful stitches. This book can be fun too, as well as inspiring!

Don't think this book is just for knitting bedspreads in white cotton like Grandmom had on her bed in Topeka. No indeed, though you'd be lucky to own such a heirloom and be even more lucky to decide to make one.

You can use these squares and edgings for so much more. For example, the squares can be made into frons of sweaters and tunics for very original textured effects. Of course they also make good afghans from thicker wool. Or pillows. You choose, there are so many options.

I like looking at the squares just for the inventiveness and incredible variety. This is one of my all-time favorite knitting books for getting design inspiration.

Engaging and throughly researched, this is a favorite in my Knitting library. The photographs are beautiful and the patterns are very easy to follow whatever your level of expertise. I recommend to any one considering knitting a blanket or throw. With this book you will create an heirloom.

Want to knit some beautiful things? Only want some unusual edgings? This is your book. The patterns aren't difficult, either. This book makes me dream of the day I can retire and fool around with knitting patterns all the time.

I bought this book a number of years ago. I have knit many patterns and projects from this book, to the point of having the book fall apart on me. :) It is a must have for every knitters book shelf.

I recently purchased the knitting book heirloom knits by Judith McLeod-Odel. Upon trying to knit the a coverlet from the pattern "the garden plot" from the instructions in this book, and finding that the instructions were badly flawed and unable to be used without rewriting them, I was very upset. I couldn't locate any help from the website listed in the back of the book, as the author has since died and the website is inactive and of no help. So, I searched for something similar in style on amazon and came across this book. I wasn't sure what kind of format the instructions would be in, line by line written instructions, or charted instructions. And I also wasn't sure from the discription , just what I would find in the book in the way of a counterpane similar to the one I was trying to knit. Well I just received this book in the mail and went through it page by page. Here is what I found. The book is a treasure trove of design and if you love the beautiful old patterns and are looking for more than the rustic "knit it up in a weekend" pattern, and want to knit something that will really become an heirloom, this book is for you. If you like line by line written instructions, this book is for you. I personally prefer this format. And low and behold, if you too are one of those knitters who, like myself got the other book I referred to and are very mad about not being able to complete a project, well this book has the heirloom bedspread pattern, "the garden plot" and has several variations of this counterpane and all are more attractive than the one in the other book. It is full of counterpane choices and lace edgings and panels to knit if you want to go that way. It is in the same league as the Barbara Walker treasury of knitting patterns Vol 1 and 2. These are the books I would save if someone told me I had to give up all of my shelf of knitting books except for 2. Now I would have to add this book to that list. Also, another word about the instructions and patterns in this book. If you have learned how to do yarn overs, and purl two together and slip stitches which are all very simple procedures to follow you will find many if not all of the patterns in this book to be possible to knit. They are far more tricky looking than they actually are to knit, and well worth your effort. I am absolutely delighted with this book. Yes, it was a little expensive, but I have paid more recently at the knitting store, for contemporary books and upon getting them home and looking at what I paid $30 or more for, I have returned some because they are uninspiring dumbed down versions of a fine old art. Many of the contemporary knitting books are written with the young impatient learner who is either without the patience or simply without the ambition to really learn the art of knitting. But if you are looking for more than what you see in the store, then you may want to go for this book. You won't be sorry. I have not knit from the book yet as I just today received it, however judging from the information in this book and the fact that I have found other books of this vintage to be accurate, I am confident this will be a reliable source for instruction. It was first released in 1989. Second printing in May 1990. I hope you give it a try if you are thinking about it, and happy knitting.

I had a chance to review the book from my knitting class so that I was familiar with it's contents. It is a collection of traditional patterns with interesting historical notes about the patterns. The author gives accounts of how and where she obtained each one. Also included is a list of places to buy the required yarn and a list of museums were some of the samples as well as others may be found .