Customer Reviews

Knitting for Him: 27 Classic Projects to Keep Him Warm

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a man who knits (and has for 35 years) I am always interested in new patterns that I can make for myself or make for loved ones. This is a nicely laid out book and I enjoy reading it again and again, although the artsy, sparse, "on location" shots of many of the projects don't really allow for any clear, full views of the completed item, but rather partial sections which I found annoying and puzzling.

I have ordered the Scottish Tweed for the Argyll V-Neck and it was very expensive (even after several hours of online searching for the "best" price) and 2 of the colors were out of stock at every online source I tried. I finally found an online shop that claimed to have them in stock and I placed an order; they backordered twice and I now have 2 of the 3 colors in the mail and am looking forward to knitting this beautiful vest when and if I get the 3rd color. I hope it turns out well after laying out that huge amount of money for the wool.

What I am not so happy with are these issues: 1. all projects are piecework and must be sewn together -- no knitting in the round, which I sometimes prefer, especially with socks and caps. 2. The recommended yarns and colors are hard to come by where I live in the US, in my experience, and very expensive, especially since the projects require large amounts of wool since they are knit on small needles and I'm a big, tall guy. I'm going to try ordering for the next project straight from the UK. I don't like to have to search and search for a suitable substitute and wonder how the finished project will change and if it will look OK if I do have to substitute. 3. Almost everything is knit on small needles and with DK or Aran weight yarn. I like some things in this weight but I also like working with worsted weight and bulky wools. Nothing much for that. 4. I'm not tall and thin but rather tall and big so most of the projects in this book, although beautiful, were not designed with me in mind. My chest is 49", which puts me over the largest given size on every pattern. Take heed if you want to knit for bigger men. The slim-cut sweater designs just won't look right or feel good for most guys who aren't thin and lanky.

Having said all that, the stitch patterns are subtle and handsome, the color choices are great, the finishing techniques are lovely and well-done and most of the projects are well-written and carefully designed. Check out the projects before you buy and make sure they will fit and look good on your intended recipient and that you have a source for Rowan yarns or be prepared to substitute and probably get very different results.

I also appreciated that there was a bare minimum of the usual cliched "guys only like dull colors and plain patterns" offensively stereotypical sexist fluff that pollutes so many books written for women who don't "get" their men and can't figure out what to knit for them. My own knitting community (MenWhoKnit.com) is full of hundreds of male knitters, both gay and straight, who knit a wide variety of projects in an amazing array of colors for a plethora of people and that old Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus sterotype is just noxious nonsense that is not based in any reality I've experienced. This book just presents beautiful projects for men that should be workable by most knitters.

When Martin Storey and Wendy Baker were approached to design a book of men's patterns for Rowan, they "realized that most men prefer garments that are comfortable, and prefer colors that are not too `gaudy'." Yet the knitters making these sweaters want a project full of interesting stitches rather than miles of plain stockinette stitch in brown.

Storey and Baker found the middle ground in their new book Knitting for Him: 27 Classic Projects to Keep Him Warm - garments knitters are happy to undertake and the man in your life will be happy to wear. This volume contains have many of the "standard" garments knit for men: the argyle cardigan, the fisherman's guernsey, the tennis sweater and the classic ribbed cardigan. But this isn't Dick van Dyke's argyle sweater - the silhouette is elongated and relaxed, featuring a single panel of argyle on each side of the front and a single diamond on each sleeve. Edgings are in moss stitch and, rather than the standard deep v-neck, the sweater buttons all the way up and has a small, stand-up collar.

Storey's attention to detail is most clearly illustrated in the "Plain Guernsey." At first glance, this appears to be a very basic stockinette sweater; however, on closer inspection the interesting construction elements become clear. The front and back are basic squares with a garter stitch edging on three sides. Shaping is provided for the armhole and neck by using traditional gussets and sleeves have ribbing at top and bottom. Knit in a luxurious blend of cashmere and wool, the result is a garment that is fun to knit and a pleasure to wear.

All the sweaters in Knitting for Him are designed to fit chest sizes 40" to 48" (102 - 122 cm) and there are projects here for ever skill level. Patterns are also included for hats, scarves, mitts and socks, ensuring the man in your life is covered head-to-toe in hand-knitting.

Armchair Interviews says: Garments your man will want to wear.

I'm tiring of the many knitting books that continue to offer yet another trendy felted bag, leg warmers, capelet (*who* wears those anyway?), poncho (personally, I was happy never to see these again after 1976), iPod cover (really, does your iPod need a knitted garment?). You get the idea. This book offers beautiful, classical sweaters. Practical, elegant. Ten years from now they will continue to impress and you won't scratch your head pondering, "What was I thinking?"

This is a great book by Martin Storey and Wendy Baker. The designs are classic and will suit most men; they are not overly trendy and colorful, which can be a problem with knitting for men. I am about to start Wendy Baker's gorgeous herringbone jacket from page 69.

The designs range from the simple stockinette to fair isles and intarsia or both. The silhouettes range from slim and fitted to chunky and loose. There are nice uses of textures, slip stitches and colors. The only drawback to this book is the yarn, which are all Rowan's (this is after all, a Rowan book). Rowan yarns, as we know, are some of the priciest on the market; however, most of the yarns can be easily substituted. I am substituting a Peace Fleece worsted yarn for the more costly Rowan Scottish Tweed aran called for in the herringbone jacket.

This being said, I have no qualms about recommending this book. Get it; you won't be disappointed!

This patterns in this book cater for the more mature man. There are a number of jacket patterns, which are hard to find for men, as well as sweaters including one gansey and one guernsey, vests, three scarfs, and a pattern each for mittens, socks and beanie. Most of the patterns are classical in style; some use contemporary color schemes to make them appear more modern and to appeal to the younger man.

The only current book dedicated to men's knitted patterns I've found appealing, with lots of projects that I've added to my project queue. No silly 'accessories' like laptop cases or ipod covers, no 'I'm so hip' skull motifs, just classic, imaginative designs that don't look like you could have gotten the same sweater down at the local discount store. Unlike a previous reviewer, I find a good range of gauges.

Thank you, Martin Storey...there needs to be more books with men-specific knitting patterns included. Always innovative and detailed, the patterns are a must.

The designs are classic even for younger men in my opinion. Rowan yarns are expensive but I can easily order them from England, if they haven't changed their yarns again by the time I'll start one of the projects. I'll keep this one and knit from it for many years.

As a man I like alot of the items in this book. They are fairly classic and not overly contrived. The only pattern that put me off was the "cricket" sweater (which is the pattern I originally bought the book for) not a true cricket, but a simplified one. All in all a good source for mens patterns.

Love this book. Classic sweaters that work well. Excellent styling in the Rowan tradition. The patterns work up well. The yarns are expensive but the results are worth it.