Knitting in the Old Way: Designs and Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Knitting In The Old Way is a "hot-to" book of instruction and example of the fine tradition of knitting without recourse to a line-by-line printed pattern. Knitting In The Old Way shares the simple fundamentals of design and construction allowing the knitter to draft their own styles, chart their own patterns, create their own heirlooms. Brilliant multi-colored patterns of the Scandinavian countries, intriguing motifs of the Shetland Islands, and rich sculptural knits of northern Europe are covered in detail -- th history as well as the how-to. Profuse and illustrative photos and drawings guide the knitter through the basic steps and special tricks of the trade that knitters all over the world have developed down through the years. Pricilla Gibson-Roberts' own interpretations of classic styles are shown in full color, as well. Knitting In The Old Way is an essential addition to any personal or community library's needlecraft collection! -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

A wonderful resource for old and new who like to knit.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Nomad Press; Expanded edition (February 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966828925
• ISBN-13: 978-0966828924
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #654,856 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic knitting book, October 19, 2002

By	Rosemary Brock (Los Gatos, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Knitting in the Old Way (Paperback)

For years and years I've returned to my copy of Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. It's a terrific book and explains how to knit the sweater _you_ want as opposed to a cookbook approach to replicate the sweater in a magazine.

Priscilla explains how to modify your pattern for the yarn you have, how to make it fit _you_, and then teaches you the tricks you need to successfully knit the sweater. She teaches you how to make sweaters from all over the world: Irish fisherman sweaters, Fair Isles, Norwegian, ... As a hand spinner, I love that she often works with handspun yarn, but her sweaters work just fine with commercial yarns too.

So, the bad news is that this wonderful, marvelous book is out-of-print. The really good news is that she's currently working with Deb Menz (previous editor of Interweave Press's SpinOff magazine) to revamp the book and will release it in the Spring'03. I understand that they're adding new bits and it looks quite exciting.

This means that I'll be able to get a copy to loan to friends and won't have to worry about my copy disappearing.

64 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bibliomanic who loves to Knit!, February 18, 2004

By A Customer

"And it's amazing what YOU can do with a loop of yarn, if you take one loop, one idea, one technique at a time. Start where you are--beginner of adept--and add one new possibility at a time." This is a quote from the beginning of "Knitting in the Old Way."

Regardless of a knitters experience or expertise, this book has a lot to offer. I have been knitting for 59 years and am thrilled to find authors who teach from the standpoint of common sense. No "Knitting Bullies" here but rather a validation of all that I have learned, along with scores of methods and techniques to make my knitting even better. The organization of material is outstanding!

I really feel that the authors' approach takes all of the "mystery and scariness" out of knitting. One can plan and knit any kind of sweater whether it is very basic or adorned with beautiful color stranding, intarsia, or any number of classic ethnic designs, without being overwhelmed by complicated Patterns. You determine the size, the shape, the style, the texture and become your own designer.

It's the way my mother and grandmothers learned to knit; it's the way they taught me to knit; it's the way I teach others to knit. This book deserves a special place in every knitters reference library.

Having said all of that I will share one more quote from this wonderful "tome." This one is credited to a 'Nineteenth-century rhyme.'

"Life is a stocking," grandma says,"And yours has just begun. But I am knitting the toe of mine, And my work is almost done."

Every knitter deserves to have this book!

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Edition for "Old Way", March 19, 2004

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Priscilla Gibson-Roberts is a top-notch knitter, spinner and scholar as well. Her classic spiral-bound volume "Knitting in the Old Way" was a coveted book on knitters' shelves.

Thankfully, it's been reissued and revised in print so that new generations of knitters can take advantage of her knowledge and skill. Here is where you can learn all about the traditional method of Norwegian knitting, where you knit a multicolor tube and essentially cut and sew, and then knit in sleeves and neck finishing. Traditional Scandinavian patterns and Eastern European techniques are featured but there is a lot more. If you like the craft of knitting mixed with ethnic history and lore, this is unparalleled. Fun to read, and yet useful as a guide to designing and knitting your own garments.