Knitting The New Classics: 60 Exquisite Sweaters From The Studios Of Classic Elite (Paperback)

~ (Author) "KNITTING IS A creative art form that began thousands of years ago when an enterprising spinner took two sticks and began wrapping and looping yarn..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"Elite" refers to Classic Elite, a U.S. yarn company that first became known for its mohair yarns and today produces quality natural-fiber yarns that are well suited to their casual, sporty patterns. Included here are instructions for 60 such cardigan and pullover sweaters designed by a "who's who" of American sweater designers like Norah Gaughan, Deborah Newton, and Michele Rose. Designers emphasize cables, color work, and the use of mohair, wool, and cotton yarns. Sweaters are rated by level of technical difficulty from beginner to very challenging, and most are presented in a full range of sizes from small to extra large. Unisex and children's sweaters abound. Although the patterns call for Classic Elite yarns, ample information is given for alternative yarn choices. Libraries should seriously consider purchasing this title for even very small knitting collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

A U.S. company capable of producing European-like knitwear is rare, but Classic Elite, headquartered in an old textile center in Massachusetts, has wisely chosen to retain 11 designers with a broad range of styles and considerable flair. Well represented are Aran, Fair Isle, and multihued patterns for sweaters and coats that can be worn by men or women. Directions are clear, accompanied by color photographs and graphs or charts; level of difficulty is rated from "beginning" to "very challenging." Help in choosing an equivalent yarn is appended. Barbara Jacobs --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806931701
• ISBN-13: 978-0806931708
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars too many mistakes, September 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Knitting the New Classics: 60 Exquisite Sweaters from Classic Elite Yarns (Hardcover)

I certainly didn't like all of the sweaters in this book, but enough to make it worth buying. The best feature of this book is that there are patterns suitable for different skill levels as well as different tastes--mohair, instarsia, stranded colorwork, arans. The worst feature of this book is that that patterns do not appear to be have been proofread very carefully. I have noticed mistakes in many of them--most of the mistakes are in the stitch counts, so it's usually possible to figure out what should be happening, or to fudge something that will work. My other complaint is more personal--most of the sweaters are way too oversized for my taste and size (and current fashion).

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great photos, appealing patterns, but serious errors., December 31, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Knitting the New Classics: 60 Exquisite Sweaters from Classic Elite Yarns (Hardcover)

This book has beautifully photographed pictures of very appealing designs--but-- The one pattern I have tried has serious errors in the directions. For example, on page 69, "ZICKZACK" has moire rib at cuffs and bottom. 1) Directions say moire rib is "multiple of 6 + 2", then for small size directs to cast on 84 stitches. 2) Directions for Front and Back never say to change to larger needles. 3) Shape of shoulder directions assume (in all sizes) that there are an even number of stitches at shoulder. There are not.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great sweaters but beware the patterns!, August 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Knitting the New Classics: 60 Exquisite Sweaters from Classic Elite Yarns (Hardcover)

This is an exquisitely photographed, coffee-table quality book for the moderately experienced knitter. The contents range from color-work (both intarsia and fair isle) to intricate arans and can be knit by any intermediate knitter. The only drawback I could find was that the patterns were not proofed well enough prior to publishing. There are what appear to be editing errors where instructions and/or numbers are transposed. However, of the 3 sweaters I have knit from the book there was nothing that was not easily figured with the use of a piece of paper and a calculator. All-in-all, a winner