Customer Reviews

Knitting Emporium

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At first glance, Jo Sharp's "Knitting Emporium" may seem rather unimaginative. The most eye-catching sweater is the colorful "Tashkent" sweater pictured on the front of the book. Some of the sweaters inside the book look somewhat like what one could purchase in a Walmart! That was decidedly NOT what I was hoping for. But then, when I took a second and third look throughout the book, I realized that the details of some of these sweaters are unusual but also very classic. There are some very good, wearable necklines (i.e. the "Antipodean" and the "Heather" patterns), and the shape of most of these sweaters are the kind that most body types could wear comfortably and attractively.

There are patterns for both men and women, most of which are extremely classic pullovers, vests, or cardigans. 5 of the 14 patterns are colorful (in the Kaffe Fassett manner), and 7 of the 14 patterns are monochromatic (4 of which have textural interest).

I would have been interested to know more about Jo Sharp's background, and a little about her method of design. Alice Starmore books give the reader something to read as well as patterns to knit, and I have always enjoyed that. But, as this is my first Jo Sharp book, she may have given this information in a prior book.

The book is worth buying if you are looking for basic sweaters that are beautifully designed in a classic manner.

Unless you have a chance to check this book out at a bookstore first, OR you're a beginning knitter, don't buy it online. The patterns couldn't be more ordinary, despite the use of color on several. Anyone looking for fun and interesting patterns will be extremely disappointed.