Customer Reviews

The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch, Becoming Intuitive

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Straight out of the gate I must say that I am a huge fan of Sally Melville's books. "Styles" remains my bible for ideas on stash reduction and I've told enough friends to buy "The Knit Stitch" that I could qualify for a referral fee. That being said, "The Purl Stitch" is a very good book overall.

The book is a terrific book for the advanced beginning knitter who's ready for some interesting looks but appreciates (and needs) a detailed pattern that doesn't assume much prior knowledge. This is the same as "The Knit Stitch." Where this book differs is in what it offers the advanced knitter. The earlier book may have all been garter but the designs were so spectacular (most notetably the "Einstein Coat")that it was a "must have" book for me and most of the veteran knitters I know. The designs in this book are still good, but because stockinette stitch and knit & purl patterns are so prevalent, the designs just seem a bit more familiar and a little less compelling.

For those of you who can't flip through the pages, here's a quick sense of the chapters:
1. 23 pages of basic skills including the purl stitch (both right and left handed versions); purling with the yarn around your neck; decrease stitches; reverse shaping; and seaming in stockinette.
2. Purling one row in six - a triangle shawl (with optional edging) and a boxy (but cute) v-necked cardigan/coat for both women and children. It concludes with a good piece on "reading your knitting" (i.e. knowing where you are by looking at your work).
3. Stockinette stitch - a shaped, fitted, rolled neck shell; an a-line jacket in bulky wool; and the turtleneck mini-dress (or top) from the front cover. The final section teaches ways of attaching new yarn and hiding the loose ends.
4. Reverse stockinette with five patterns--a serape; a set in sleeve, two toned top; a unisex zippered vest; an Asian inspired cross over vest/top (cute); and kangaroo pouch hooded sweat-shirt styled tops for adults and kids. The skill section teaches fulling (aka as felting or messing with wool and hot water).
5. Ribbing - four patterns-- a raglan, open necked 2x2 ribbed snug blouse (cute); a 3x1 rib sleeveless or long-sleeved turtleneck; a 3x1 ribbed masculine pullover; and a 3x2 v-necked collegiate style unisex cardigan. There are two many tips to list.
6. "A little of everything" - two mistake rib scarves; basic cuff-down socks; a round lacy scarf/miniskirt; gauntlets (sort of like fingerless gloves); and a Canadian weight hat and mitten set for adults or kids. The skill section is about grafting the toe stitches of socks.
7. Using charts for mixed knit & purl patterns - a collared wrap; several variations of a basketweave look for adults and kids (including the ritual "Touch Me" decadent yarn top).
8. The book finishes with more great advice on sizing, gauge, picking yarns and such.

Scattered through the book are "meditations" where Sally takes a step back from the technical stuff and muses on knitting things including a charming list of the 10 things she wishes she'd learned earlier.

It's a good for any knitter and should be super book for the wonderful group of folks who've taken up knitting during this latest popularity surge. Thanks Sally for another good one.

I love her previous book, "The Knit Stitch," which was my primary source of instruction when I learned to knit this past spring. I anxiously awaited this new book, and I was surprised at how many of the designs I am eager to make.

I am particularly pleased at the inclusion of less expensive yarns this time around, such as Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Chenille and Boucle. "The Knit Stitch" yarns ranged from fairly expensive to unbelievably pricey (the Muench "Touch Me" yarn that the previous reviewer mentioned--this yarn is included in this book as well, but I appreciate the balance of expensive and affordable yarns). Good quality yarn is important, and I love many of the more expensive yarns, but it's nice to find a pattern to fit a tighter budget.

"The Purl Stitch" includes more designs for children and men than the previous book, which concentrated more on women's designs. I was very glad to find such a variety of choices to knit for my two young children and my husband.

I highly recommend this book and the previous one for beginners or advanced beginners who don't have someone nearby to help out (I only have access to an experienced knitter once a month or so). The knitting instructions are excellent, and the patterns are detailed and well-written. I knit a couple sweaters from "25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the Brand New Knitter" and needed help to figure out the instructions. The experienced knitter who helps me out from time to time noted the significant difference between the two books' patterns--"The Knit Stitch" patterns are much clearer, while the "25 Gorgeous Sweaters" had many omissions and unclear instructions (for example, "reverse all shapings" with no clue as to how to do this--"The Purl Stitch" goes into this issue in detail). She felt that Sally Melville's book was truly appropriate for a beginner, whereas the "Gorgeous Sweater" book needs an interpreter for the beginner.

I have several knitting books, and the only one that has stayed in my knitting bag has been "The Knit Stitch." Now I'll have to make room for "The Purl Stitch" as well.

Knitter beware. Pages with MISTAKES 19, 23, 104, 137, 148, 158, 169....maybe more. I love the patterns in this book. So, I decided I'd knit my husband the Classic cardigan. I knit quite a bit, this was my first sweater and was glad to find a book with what seemed to be clear instructions.
I started to have problems with the front left I had to write the editor and this is how they responded...First, there is a mistake on page 104, Left Front, V-neck shaping, Row 5. It should read as follows: Work 3 x 1 rib to 2 sts before marker, etc...(they were very nice). Then I had a problem with the sleeves with the # of stitches the book said I would have to have on my needle after working the increase, the book had the same number as when I started. When I called the editor she read it and the said "congratulations-you win, you've found a mistake" I know she was trying to be funny but I was really frustrated. I don't want want to be right, I just wanted to knit the sweater. In all I had to contact the editor 3 times & one of the times they said the would have to contact Sally to get clarification. But they were very nice when I contacted them
It's funny that the tag line on this book is becoming intuitive, that is exactly what you need to be to get through a garment.
This book is an instructional book, it's supose a book for knitters to pick up and go. Beware it is not that way. If you don't know how things should work together you will have problems. If you want to see more corrections you can go to knitting univers for XRX books. Please read the corrections page before starting a project. Also realize your project may end up being the newest correction on the page after you are half way into it.
I am sad to see a book with so many corrections.
I rated this 2 stars rather than 1 b/c I do like the patterns in the book, I did use some of the tips and in the end my sweater did turn out. It was just an extremely frustrating process rather than a fun one.
Good luck and KNITTER BEWARE!!!!!

As an intermediate knitter, I found this, the second book of Sally's series, to be far more interesting than the first. That is not to say the first book wasn't great, but the addition of the purl stitch really expands the design possibilities of knitting. The projects in this book are still quite easy, but they are also more sophisticated, which isn't surprising. She offers projects that are more timeless than trendy. Five or ten years from now, you will still be able to knit and wear these projects, making this book a valuable addition to your knitting library.

For one who is just learning to knit, The Knit Stitch is the place to start, but for those who have some experience and who weren't interested in the projects of the first book (altho I, myself, did find items I wanted to knit), The Purl Stitch will be a pleasant surprise. As in the first book, the explanations, how-to photos, and the new skills offered are excellent. She introduces skills only as they are needed for a project. Although I'm an intermediate knitter, I still found a lot of information I hadn't come across before, and a lot that helped me in my own knitting. One example: When I put my knitting aside for a while, I have often struggled trying to figure out which row of a pattern I was on, or when to make the next increase. Sally made it much easier. She refers to this as reading your knitting and becoming a more intuitive knitter, and she really helps develop the necessary skills.

In conclusion, I just want to add that I loved the book. It's full of information and beautiful, classic patterns. I really hope the next in the series is published soon!

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As a new knitter, I bought Sally's first book based on the reviews, and I loved it. The instructions and illustrations were excellent, and the patterns that could be made with just the knit stitch were mostly very nice, and usable. Something I could see myself making and wearing.

So- I wasted no time in ordering books 2 and 3. Again, the instructions and illustrations are excellent. The patterns, on the other hand, were very boxy. There is no shaping in the designs at all. Just huge boxy sweaters that nobody I know would wear. I expected the patterns to become more complex, more shaped, as the books progressed, but the squares just got color, and got bigger.

If you are looking for a book that teaches you everything you need to know about the techniques this book is for you. If you are hoping to get some great patterns, unless you are square, or like looking as if you are, I suggest you look at other knitting books.

There are so many great patterns out that have better shaping and style. Hand knitting doesn't need to look like two big pot holders sewn together. In her first book she said she was rushing to get the books out as fast as she could, and it shows. Not in the lessons, they are excellent, but certainly in the designs of the garments.

If this was just a how to knit book, I'd give it a 5, but a large part of the book is the patterns, and that part is lacking.

The Purl Stitch is a beautifully illustrated, easy to follow guide to producing intricate-looking garments using simple techniques and readily available yarns. Having used the first volume in the series, The Knit Stitch, I was happy to find that this second book is just as valuable. One of its best features is the presentation of photos of the same garment done in different yarns and sizes. Patterns are accurate and adaptable, and I find that they stimulate my creativity and interest in customizing them. Though I've been knitting for more than twenty years, the simplicity is far from boring. The Purl Stitch is one of my most useful references, one that I return to time and again.

I feel a harmony with Sally while reading her books. As a man, there aren't many books written to men and knitting. The meditations are appropriate for this art. I especially love her second book, and feel that it has guided me to becoming an intermediate knitter. I very much hope, there is truth to the rumor, of a third book with a Greecian perspective toward knitting. I myself, a man, have evolved from a mediocre knitter to a "passionatepurl-stich ophile". Sally writes with a "Carpe Diem" sense that I absolutely love; I think if she wrote something as ordinary as "Creative Art with Muench Yarn", I would still feel the richness and passion of her writing style.

I cannot add a great deal to what other reviewers have said except that at least 2 veteran knitters have looked at her 2 books in this series and have our eyes opened at the brilliant uses of boring old knit and purl. Sally is a true inspiration who takes you back to the basic and makes you look at things in a completely new way.

This is Sally's second book in a planned series. Both are excellent, with superb photos, great descriptions and wearable projects. Having attended Sally's classes, she writes as she speaks: most clearly and with patience.

Sally is on a roll. She truly speaks to the beginning knitter (or purler in this case) as well as to the experienced person. The photos are excellent. I also appreciate her describing her thought process and all the 'whys' of each of her choices in the process. An example is the reasoning behind the use of bulky yarns and what to be aware of to have a successful garment.

ATTENTION KNITTERS: **VERY IMPORTANT!**

I am currently knitting from BOOK 2: THE PURL STITCH EXPERIENCE.
The pattern I am knitting is: To-The Cottage Pullovers (Pgs. 136 through 139). After spending LONG hours trying to get the 3-block pattern for 76 stitches, I realize after not being able to sleep through the night thinking about it, THERE IS AN ERROR IN HER INSTRUCTION. For those who will be knitting this pattern, on pages 137 * 148, 3-block pattern chart, CORRECTION IS:
rows 13, 15, 17, 19 (RS) K8, *P8, K8, repeat from * to 8 sts remaining, P8

There are a few sweater patterns using this 3-block plattern, so BEWARE AND READ CAREFULLY before you get frustrated like I did. Knitting a guage was no problem. The problem arised when I was acutally knitting the swetaer. The publisher should correct this and send me a new copy FREE OF CHARGE!

any questions relating to this 3-block pattern, write to graphicprd@sbcglobal.net

Thank you