Knitting Simple Sweaters from Luxurious Yarns [Hardcover]

Marilyn Saitz Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2003

Beginning and intermediate knitters who have little time and patience for complicated patterns, but who want to make something elegant and chic, will find just the thing in these 28 lavishly photographed sweaters. The designs are simple, but the wools are rich and sumptuous. Imagine snuggling into-and showing off-a handmade cozy white cardigan and matching scarf in a thick, chunky yarn; a black cashmere hooded design; or a buttery soft gray Merino wool cable sweater. If you love tweeds, a silk and mohair sweater in a classic crew neck is the one for you. Go graceful in a versatile ballet-neck style, while an evening out calls for a silvery sweater that makes you shine. There are lightweight spring and summer fashions, too.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Knitwear designer Cohen's first book is a stylish collection of 28 comfortable, sophisticated sweaters for women. Targeting advanced beginning knitters, Cohen uses distinctive yarns-mohair, linen, angora-to create simple tops for every season and occasion. Most of her designs feature the elementary drop shoulder, along with a variety of simple necklines and minimal shaping. Color pictures are shown for each sweater, and though there are a few clunkers (a nylon sweater for evening that's neither particularly dressy nor especially interesting), most are appealing, especially for knitters looking for subtle colors and shapes they might also find on machine-made sweaters in the J. Crew catalog. Cohen offers inventive stitches and cables that keep the sweaters from being too plain, with yarn suggestions that run the gamut from merino and cashmere to wool blends and ribbon. The specialty yarns add a unique-and pricey-touch to the sweaters, so it's disappointing that her suggestions on working with and caring for them are so minimal. A few designs for men and children, or plus sizes, would also make the book more appealing. The usual instructions on matching gauge and helpful piece measurements for each garment are provided; basic knitting instructions are not. By eschewing frilly edges and eye-popping patterns, Cohen's elegant designs ably fill a niche in the knitting book market.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (September 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579904238
• ISBN-13: 978-1579904234
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty pictures, gorgeous yarns, somewhat boring designs, February 13, 2006

By 

S. Gefen (Tel Aviv, Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knitting Simple Sweaters from Luxurious Yarns (Hardcover)

I just got this book for my birthday, and was excited about it, because at the first glance, the book looks nice, and the sweater designs seem sane and comfortable.

That is, until I actually looked at the patterns and instructions, and noticed a recurring theme in most of the designs.

In fact, many of the instructions in this book seem to more or less go like this:

1. Take 2km of hideously expensive yarn.
2. Cast on 120 stitches, using the biggest needles you can find
3. Knit two squares of garter/stockinette stitch.
4. Make two sleeves.
5. Sew together, leaving a small hole for your head.
6. wear your bulky shapeless sweater which only looks nice because the yarn is gorgeous.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Okay, could be better, May 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Knitting Simple Sweaters from Luxurious Yarns (Hardcover)

Two simple squares attached to two sleeves is not a bad choice for a new knitter's first sweater. But the drop shoulder style is limiting, and definitely favors slight women with boyish builds. It's pretty much the same pattern for each sweater in this book, with changes in the yarn and a few details. (Sleeves or sleeveless, stockinette or mock ribbing, round neck or squared neck.) Aspiring knitters should check out Melville's "The Knitting Experience" series, Debbie Bliss's "How to Knit", Phelps/Hiatt's "Simply Beautiful Sweaters" - and there are probably many more - for projects that begin with the basics but develop skills and don't 'dumb down'. A knitter who can appreciate style and fine yarn is probably going to feel constrained after the first few "box patterns".

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Patterns with Exquisite Results, October 2, 2004

By 

Donna (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knitting Simple Sweaters from Luxurious Yarns (Hardcover)

If you're a new knitter, ready to move on from scarves to sweaters, this book is for you! The sweaters in this book are indeed luxurious, as the title suggests. The instructions are clear and uncomplicated, with drawings of each pattern piece to help you stay on gauge for a perfect fit.

If you're an experienced knitter, you'll enjoy the soothing, repetitive motion of the simple stitches as the sumptuous yarns flow through your fingers.