Customer Reviews

Knitting Simple Sweaters from Luxurious Yarns

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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".

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.

I like this book, but not for the designs. The author uses the word design throughout the book and I'm just not all that impressed with making a couple of simple squares and some drop sleeves and calling it a "design". There's little to no shaping in the sweaters and I've noticed that most, if not all, of the sweaters sag at the seams and ride up at the center front and back. I, personally, think that the word "design" is used too loosely here, but I didn't have the wherewithal to write a book, so I can't be too critical.

OK, all that being said, I like the photography and the simplicity of the sweaters presented. If less is more for you, then this book will fill the bill, especially for beginners. The sweaters open up unlimited options for embellishing after the fact and for adding your own little touches. I'm a terrific mimic, so pictures are great imagination starters for me and this book offers that very, very well. I also like seeing models that look like real people and are still beautiful. (Oh, I get so tired of distracted, bone thin models with pale faces, bad hair and hollow eyes who look like there's a bad smell under their noses!)

I absolutely will not pay the outrageous prices for the yarns suggested, especially for "designs" like these, so I just substitute my own, since gauge isn't all that critical with boxy garments. With a few short rows across the front to accommodate the chest width , some slight decreases across the back to take out the bagginess, and one of Nicky Epstein's books of knitted embellishments, you could have your very own "designer" sweater. That's what makes this book a keeper for me. I picked it up at a clearance sale for just a few dollars, so I don't feel like I spent a lot of money for nothing. I wouldn't spend $15 for it, but maybe a beginner should, and then read Elizabeth Zimmerman's books on how to do it yourself.

This is a wonderful book. It contains several lovely sweater patterns that rely on beautiful yarn and not difficult stitches. I love to knit but I don't like spending hours grinding over complicated instructions. This book is great because the projects are basic and quick to knit up but very beautiful without any headaches and torn out work.

Marilyn Cohen's Simple Sweaters from Luxurous Yarns is a wonderful book for beginning knitters. Other knitting books don't feature these elegant designs complemented by beautiful yarns, and executed without complex stitches. These sweaters will be lovely additons to a personal wardrobe, but also will make wonderful, quickly crafted gifts for friends.

Ms. Cohen's book offers wonderful and unique sweater patterns to knitters who are looking to improve and further develop their knitting skills. Even a new knitter will be successful with the easy to understand directions. I received "rave reviews" when modeling my two new sweaters.

This book is perfect for beginner knitters who want to try out luxurious yarns. The designs are clearly written accompanied with diagrams. The sweaters are perfect for all season with its classic designs.

It's hard to see why this book was published in its present format. Essentially, it consists of a series of photographs of the same sweater, a long-sleeved boat neck pullover, knitted in different yarns. There are a few differences here and there - the addition of a hood or a turtleneck, for instance - but not enough to make a purchase worthwhile. Perhaps a beginner might find Simple Sweaters helpful in learning the basics - knit 4 rectangles in 2 sizes and sew them together. Otherwise, nicer patterns can be found for free on the internet.

I bought this book just based on the cover sweater alone. I think it's fantastic. It's high on my list of things to knit! There are several sweaters in this book that are lovely, elegant, and have just tried-and-true lines and fit.

I'm not sure why this book is getting reviewed badly here for reasons such as "uses ridiculously-priced yarn" or for "dull, boxy designs." Hey, folks, let's read the title again: Knitting SIMPLE sweaters from LUXURIOUS yarns. It's kind of a no-brainer to me.

Anyway, I don't intend on using anything luxurious to knit things in this book, as I don't own large enough quantities of anything luxurious. However, I found that yarn substitution is going to be very do-able because the patterns are quite easy to handle, even for beginning knitters for whom getting gauge might be an issue.