Customer Reviews

Magnificent Mittens

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I resisted buying this book at first, even though I admire Anna Zilboorg's work a lot. (see her books Fine and Fanciful Hats, Fancy Feet and Socks for Clogs and Sandals to see more of her creative, colorful designs.) BUT...was I ever pleased with this book when I got it.

Turns out the value is not just for the mittens, which are in every sense magnificent, but also for the techniques she uses to embellish the cuffs, and for the color patterns and colorways.

The mittens themselves have HUGE deep gauntlet cuffs that make them suitable wear for dress coats. Could be good with a cape for dramatic evening wear if you are going out somewhere COLD. The cuffs are further enriched with fringe, embroidery, duplicate stitch, and other edgings. A method is given for lining the mittens with angora if you choose, to make them extremely comfortable and very warm to wear.

The patterns are based on Turkish color knitting, eye-teasing repeating patterns that are quite different than Fairisle or Norwegian knitting. These are related to Islamic art, where repeating, interlocking geometrics are used since Islamic art forbids the representation of anything from nature. The colors are rich and exciting. In addition to the color and embellishment, Anna Zilboorg provides several ways of attaching the mitten thumb (on the palm or side "sore thumb sticking out" methods.)

BUT...even if you don't want to knit a single mitten, the techniques for fringe and edgings, plus the color patterns are useful for pillows, sweaters, hats, socks, and more. Either way, this book is a visual treat (wonderfully photographed and printed by XRX press) and a treasure to own for any knitter.

Beautiful mittens are these, all of which demand competence with colorwork, up to seven colors in some cases (some of her color choices are pure genius, some are alarming). The pattern charts are derived from many sources (a lot of geometric designs from weaving), mostly Turkish, but include a couple of Fair Isle charts, too. Except for two children's patterns and one for a man's hand, the mittens are all the same size: they seem all meant to fit Ms Zilboorg herself. The mittens knit up to 25 stitches across the back and the palm each, with a border around the edge of either 2 or 3 stitches. The total circumference of the hand is therefore about 54 stitches (give or take a few, depending on the pattern), at a tension (gauge) of 6 to 6 ½ stitches to the inch. Most have a large flared gauntlet that can be pulled over the cuff of the wearer's coat or jacket.

They are knitted from tip to cuff, not in the other direction. This is opposite to the mitten design that most Western knitters are familiar with, and instructions for the cast on technique are extensive, detailed, and are both illustrated and photographed. Ms Zilboorg prefers a peasant thumb with no gore (which she ingeniously calculates to fool the eye into disappearing by using the same patterning as the hand itself; she calls it an "invisible thumb"), but also includes some designs with a thumb gusset attached at the side of the mitten, instead.

The biggest drawback to this book's approach is its unswerving adherence to one basic mitten design structure. An unvarying knitting gauge is unhelpful for those who prefer yarns of different weights, or for a mitten wearer whose hand is a very different size (especially bigger). Many traditional Latvian mittens, for example are knitted with a circumference of at least 88 stitches, which would produce a small potholder with Ms Zilboorg's gauge. She advises simply changing yarn weight and needle size to produce a larger or smaller mitten. (Marcia Lewandowski's FOLK MITTENS, by comparison, presents an equally varied selection of mittens, but in many yarn weights and gauges and construction plans.)

Ms Zilboorg is, by cheerful admission, an "opinionated knitter" in the tradition of the late Elizabeth Zimmermann, to whom she tips her cap in warm tribute. Although she frequently invites the reader to modify the patterns to suit him- or herself, this does presume both the ability and the willingness to spend the time to do so. She presents her opinions with the certainty of conviction and experience, but can adopt a gently patronizing tone that some readers have found lightly offensive: "...mittens should be made in wool. People who are allergic to wool should do without knitted mittens." For heaven's sake, one can knit mittens in any fibre one pleases. And one chooses to glove one's hand for many reasons, not solely to trek through Arctic tundra.

As noted in other reviews, the book suffers dearly from lacking an index. Instructions and techniques are copious and detailed; no one should be without them! But when she refers to a technique in the text that accompanies a specific mitten, without a photographic memory the reference will not be easily found. This forced me simply to read the book from cover to cover one afternoon, and create my own index on a sheet of paper.

As an avid knitter who almost always modifies a pattern, I found this book to be right up my alley. Given my preferred knitting tension and the yarns available to me, there is not a pattern here that I have not needed to adjust, sometimes greatly. I did, however, buy this book expecting to do just that: fuss and tweak. Those who prefer mitten patterns already worked out in several sizes will be frustrated. This is a book mostly for at least a confident intermediate, although I know some exuberantly gung-ho novices who have had great success through a combination of enthusiasm, a cool head, and a good sense of humor. Beginners beware: the learning curve is steep.

I bought this title during a late-night Amazon splurge, admired the pictures, and shelved it for several months. Then, prompted by I don't know what, I pulled it out, bought yarn for a pair of mittens for my son, and plunged in. Yes, you do have to actually READ the instructions, which can be kind of tough on experienced knitters who are not used to having to pay that much attention to cast-on techniques, for example. However, it is really not that hard and is SO SO rewarding. I am absolutely hooked on knitting these mittens -- they are in my briefcase for every business trip and I have had the nicest (and most amazing) conversations with people sitting next to me. (Quite a change from the usual business flights where we all pretend that the people around us aren't really there.) A good sportweight yarn (Dale of Norway's Falk, for example, with Tahki's Sable as the angora blend lining in wonderful colors) works nicely for these mittens, or you can splurge on the really lovely, hand-dyed stuff through Carolina Homespun. (I'm saving that for the grown-up mittens.) Either way, it's a really gratifying project and I highly recommend it to anyone getting just a little burned out on sweaters.

Indeed, this is a lovely and inspiring volume. My only criticism is that the book lacks an index. I am a beginning knitter and made my very first pair of mittens from this book. It was extremely frustrating to page back and forth every time I needed to review instructions for constructing the thumb, the cuff, etc. An index at the back of the book would have helped immensely since the author's comments and instructions were scattered in rather extensive narrative throughout the book.

I had a chance to take a class with Anna Zilboorg and was absolutely enchanted! She has a brilliant, mathematical mind which allows her to explore all the facets of knitting and then teach them to others. It took me several weeks to process all of the techniques she presented...try the cast-on in the beginning of the book...it is brilliant! I can't wait to make all the mittens in the book...they will make wonderful Christmas presents if I can bear to part with them!

I loved the illustrations, instructions and all of the color. So far, three pairs of these marvelously cuffed mittens have been produced and are awaiting delivery to their respective homes. The cast on was fun, and knitting from the finger tips interesting. I am sure I will wear the binding of this book out.

I wanted to rate it 4 and 1/2 stars.

I like this book. It has lots of patterns good for other small items like hats and socks. It has a good explanation of the "toe-up" (or I should say, "top down") method of knitting, much better, in fact than the explanation in her sock book. Her other directions are fairly clear as well.

The only real drawback to this book is that you will have to make a copy of the basic instructions (which appear only at the front of the book, not with each pattern), and a copy of the chart for the particular pattern you're knitting because this is too big a book to comfortably carry around with you.

This is the most clearly written knitting book I've ever read. Anna Zilboorg is also an inspiring writer and the pictures are just as inspiring and beautiful as the writing. The mittens that are the end product are terrific. Even if you've never wanted to knit mittens before, you'll love this book.

This book was beautiful and inspiring. The cast on was challenging, but well worth the effort. Just looking at this book makes you feel good, dying to get you hands on some colorfully dyed wool.

A gorgeous knitting book that is well explained and I echo all the other reviews. According to information on the publisher's website, the book is being reissued in November of 2009 in softcover with additional information on knitting socks too. You don't have to pay high reseller prices if you are willing to wait.