Kaffe Fassett, perhaps the most celebrated textile artist in the world today, is known above all for his mastery of color. In his first book collaboration with Brandon Mably, his studio manager, Kaffe finds exciting inspiration in the textures, shapes, and patterns all around us--in nature and in everyday life--to create more than 30 vibrant, gorgeous knitting projects: scarves, gloves, leg warmers, pillows, afghans, all with the signature color flair that is the Kaffe Fassett trademark.
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About the Author
Kaffe Fassett has a tremendous following all over the world as the premier color knit/quilt/needlepoint designer. He has authored more than 30 books and his designs are instantly recognizable. A true pioneer, he was the first-ever living textile designer to have a show at the Victoria and Albert museum in London.
Brandon Mably tours the world conducting classes and seminars on knitting and the use of color in fashion. He has authored numerous books, including Knitting Color.
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More About the Author
Kaffe Fassett, an accomplished painter and designer of textiles, is widely acknowledged as a visionary in the use of color. In 1988 he was the first living textile designer to be given a one-person show at the V&A in London, where he lives. He is a fabric designer for Rowan Patchwork and Quilting and the primary knitwear designer for Rowan Yarns.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Kaffe Fassett is an extremely talented artist known for his exuberant use of color in such varied media as painting, needlepoint, quilting, mosaic and knitting. His studio partner, Brandon Mably, is also a talented designer of fabric and knitwear. Their latest book dubs them "the Color Guys," and with a book as packed with gorgeous photographs, lovely knitwear and other colorful inspiration, the name certainly fits.
This book contains tips and coaching from Fassett and Mably on how to use color, but relies on the individual knitter to seek out color and yarns she likes and be bold in using them in her knitting. While full patterns are included for the knitted items in the book -- throws, scarves, pillow covers, some hats, wristwarmers and legwarmers -- the point of this book isn't so much expecting the knitter to slavishly follow the pattern but rather use the patterns, color combinations and shapes as a jumping-off point for her own creativity. There are four sections, each divided by a color grouping (e.g. rich jewel tones, muted stonewashed hues) and all of the projects and photos in that section play off the color grouping. Some of the knitted items are shown in multiple colorways or in different sections knit up in different colors to enable the more conservative knitter to better gauge how a change in palette will affect the design as a whole.
The patterns are all knit in Rowan yarns, one of the top designer yarn companies, and the yarns range from fine (fingering weight)all the way through very chunky, helpful for using up bits of one's yarn stash. The techniques include stranded colorwork, intarsia and easier striping or colorblock methods. Newbies to Fasset's and Mably's work may be put off by the quantities of yarns called for in the individual patterns, but really, there is no reason why one has to purchase every skein for every project; you will have just as much fun using odds and ends from your own yarn closet, particularly smaller leftover balls for bits of colors or thin stripes.
Even if you aren't a knitter, you will find this book so packed full of color, gorgeous items (knitted and otherwise) and inspiration, that it may become a well-thumbed coffee table book, perfect for brightening a gray day with delicious bursts of color.
This book contains tips and coaching from Fassett and Mably on how to use color, but relies on the individual knitter to seek out color and yarns she likes and be bold in using them in her knitting. While full patterns are included for the knitted items in the book -- throws, scarves, pillow covers, some hats, wristwarmers and legwarmers -- the point of this book isn't so much expecting the knitter to slavishly follow the pattern but rather use the patterns, color combinations and shapes as a jumping-off point for her own creativity. There are four sections, each divided by a color grouping (e.g. rich jewel tones, muted stonewashed hues) and all of the projects and photos in that section play off the color grouping. Some of the knitted items are shown in multiple colorways or in different sections knit up in different colors to enable the more conservative knitter to better gauge how a change in palette will affect the design as a whole.
The patterns are all knit in Rowan yarns, one of the top designer yarn companies, and the yarns range from fine (fingering weight)all the way through very chunky, helpful for using up bits of one's yarn stash. The techniques include stranded colorwork, intarsia and easier striping or colorblock methods. Newbies to Fasset's and Mably's work may be put off by the quantities of yarns called for in the individual patterns, but really, there is no reason why one has to purchase every skein for every project; you will have just as much fun using odds and ends from your own yarn closet, particularly smaller leftover balls for bits of colors or thin stripes.
Even if you aren't a knitter, you will find this book so packed full of color, gorgeous items (knitted and otherwise) and inspiration, that it may become a well-thumbed coffee table book, perfect for brightening a gray day with delicious bursts of color.
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
5 stars if Fassett & Mably's work appeals to you or 2-3 stars if it doesn't!
February 28, 2012
Format:Hardcover
(Full disclosure: I received a free review copy, courtesy of Sixth & Spring Books.)
I first became aware of Kaffe Fassett when I was quilting. His colorful and creative quilting projects were always calling to me from the bookshelves. (Whenever I would look more closely at his books, I would realize how much work was involved with the projects, and immediately return the books to the shelves.) I only became aware of his knitting work in the last year or so. I wasn't very familiar with Brandon Mably's work until I picked up this book.
The concept:
Two masters take you on a journey into their creative process as it relates to color, with a focus on projects that are not garments. These projects are then artfully photographed at the lovely house of a friend "deep in the English countryside," along with colorful pictures of various inspirations (e.g., a bouquet of flowers, porcelain urns).
Organization:
Following individual introductions from Kaffe and Brandon, the book is organized into four color palettes: Soft Tones, Singing Color, Moody Hues, and Rich Shades. In each section, each project is described by the designer and photographed along with various inspiration pieces. The patterns follow the descriptions in each section. At the end of the book, there is a section called Useful Information, which includes brief descriptions of color knitting techniques (Intarsia and Fair Isle), duplicate stitch, and finishing methods, along with the standard pattern book information (yarn standards, pattern abbreviations, etc.).
The projects:
Pattern difficulty
Beginner: 1; Easy: 10; Intermediate: 10; Experienced: 12
Project types
Scarves/Stoles: 12
Cushions: 8
Blankets/Throws: 6
Fingerless gloves/armwarmers: 2
Legwarmers: 2
Hat: 1
Most patterns use some form of color chart, although 7 use written pattern directions only. Fourteen of the patterns make a suggestion for the colorwork technique to use (9 for Intarsia, 5 for Fair Isle) and the others include no specific instruction.
Summary
The book has a lot of interesting visual inspiration and more discussion of the design process than is the norm. There are some instructions, but the authors expect you to know how to knit and how to decide what color work technique to use when they haven't recommended one.
I found the home decor items striking and could see how even one such piece could definitely "make a room." Some of the wearables are lovely, but my New Yorker sensibilities were overwhelmed by the two coordinated sets.
The verdict
This is one of those books that you will probably love or hate, depending on your general response to the work of Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. In addition to the patterns, the book can be used as a design inspiration book/mood board or a coffee table book. If you are drawn to these projects, bring your skills or expect to learn the techniques elsewhere.
I first became aware of Kaffe Fassett when I was quilting. His colorful and creative quilting projects were always calling to me from the bookshelves. (Whenever I would look more closely at his books, I would realize how much work was involved with the projects, and immediately return the books to the shelves.) I only became aware of his knitting work in the last year or so. I wasn't very familiar with Brandon Mably's work until I picked up this book.
The concept:
Two masters take you on a journey into their creative process as it relates to color, with a focus on projects that are not garments. These projects are then artfully photographed at the lovely house of a friend "deep in the English countryside," along with colorful pictures of various inspirations (e.g., a bouquet of flowers, porcelain urns).
Organization:
Following individual introductions from Kaffe and Brandon, the book is organized into four color palettes: Soft Tones, Singing Color, Moody Hues, and Rich Shades. In each section, each project is described by the designer and photographed along with various inspiration pieces. The patterns follow the descriptions in each section. At the end of the book, there is a section called Useful Information, which includes brief descriptions of color knitting techniques (Intarsia and Fair Isle), duplicate stitch, and finishing methods, along with the standard pattern book information (yarn standards, pattern abbreviations, etc.).
The projects:
Pattern difficulty
Beginner: 1; Easy: 10; Intermediate: 10; Experienced: 12
Project types
Scarves/Stoles: 12
Cushions: 8
Blankets/Throws: 6
Fingerless gloves/armwarmers: 2
Legwarmers: 2
Hat: 1
Most patterns use some form of color chart, although 7 use written pattern directions only. Fourteen of the patterns make a suggestion for the colorwork technique to use (9 for Intarsia, 5 for Fair Isle) and the others include no specific instruction.
Summary
The book has a lot of interesting visual inspiration and more discussion of the design process than is the norm. There are some instructions, but the authors expect you to know how to knit and how to decide what color work technique to use when they haven't recommended one.
I found the home decor items striking and could see how even one such piece could definitely "make a room." Some of the wearables are lovely, but my New Yorker sensibilities were overwhelmed by the two coordinated sets.
The verdict
This is one of those books that you will probably love or hate, depending on your general response to the work of Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. In addition to the patterns, the book can be used as a design inspiration book/mood board or a coffee table book. If you are drawn to these projects, bring your skills or expect to learn the techniques elsewhere.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Lexx
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am really sick and tired of authors publishing new books and putting the same material from their previous books in their so-called NEW books! Kaffe has a book of patterns which I also own, and most of the projects in this book are made with those same patterns! These authors are making a killing off of these book sales and not putting in work to show us something we haven't seen already in one of their other books!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
I LOVE the colors patterns and ideas. A book about Kaffe himself is now on my wish list. If you love to knit and live life in color, you'll these creations and patterns.
Published 1 month ago by PatinVT
5.0 out of 5 stars
Knitting with The Color Guys
You can't get any better than these guys! The designs and colors are what one expects from the Fassett company. I like that there were a number of small to large projects.
Published 2 months ago by millie58
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for the not too faint of heart!
if you're a skilled knitter looking for a challenge and would delight in a book providing unique and colorful designs, this is one for you! Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Quint
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exactly What I Expected
You either like Kaffe or you don't. No one can mix pattern, color and texture like that guy and his partner Brandon. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MSW
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colorful Knitting
This book arrived on time and in excellent condition. This is a book that I really enjoyed reading. Read more
Published 6 months ago by KitBunBun
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book
So happy i ordered this book. Can't wait to get creative. Beautiful designsl love the colors. Are there more books
Published 9 months ago by Maris Bergeron-prost
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous!
I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it! I wish i had time to create one of everything that is suggested in this book. It is fabulous! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sandy Edstrom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really interesting, fun "unnecessary" knitting book
This is the thrid or fourth knitting book by Kaffee Fassett that I have purchased through the years, and I've loved reading every one of them, including this one. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Susan G. Good
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ho Hum
I was disappointed in this book. If I had been able to look through it before ordering I wouldn't have bought it. There was nothing new or exciting. I've already given it away.
Published 14 months ago by Gramma B
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mostly blankets and scarves and pillows, but very inspiring
This book made me really happy! I've never found a blanket pattern that I liked so much that I just had to knit it. I've found a few in here. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Haley Mathiot
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