Meg Swansen's Knitting [Hardcover]

Meg Swansen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

American knitting guru Meg Swansen shares tips, tricks, techniques, and secrets she has learned and discovered during her long knitting and designing career. The introduction gives the reader a candid look into the knitting world of the daughter of America’s first famous knitter and author, Elizabeth Zimmerman. Full of original designs, this book includes instructions and charts for 22 sweaters, three vests, four fitted-arch socks, and three convertible-top mittens, each rendered in four-color fashion photography taken on-site at Meg’s home. A section on techniques includes a glossary of relevant knitting terms, the famous EZ Percentage System, and various ways to cast on, bind off, increase, and decrease.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When Swansen's mother, Elizabeth Zimmermann, died last November, knitters all over the world mourned the passing of an influential author and teacher who introduced the concept of the "thinking knitter" to a whole new generation. Swansen carries on her mother's delight in traditional styles knitted in wool with great attention to the construction details. Like her mother, she also turns a pretty phrase. In addition to 21 designs for pullovers, cardigans, vests, and stockings appropriate for experienced knitters, Swansen introduces readers to techniques rarely discussed in other knitting books--like crocheted steeks and knitting backwards. Highly recommended for public libraries and academic textile collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Meg Swansen runs Schoolhouse Press, a publishing company and mail order business, and Knitting Camp, an annual retreat for knitters. She is the author of Hand Knitting with Meg Swansen. She lives in Pittsville, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883010586
• ISBN-13: 978-1883010584
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #502,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concept, Clarity, Charm, and Color - the 4 Cs of Knitting, December 1, 1999

By 

Amy Detjen (Near Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meg Swansen's Knitting (Hardcover)

I'm biased about this book because I know Meg Swansen well, and am grateful to her for teaching me a great many things about knitting. That aside, I still must sing the praises of this amazing book.

There is no other work I know of that encompasses the techniques of the crocheted steek (a Mary Hounsell invention), jogless color changes in 2-color knitting (which Meg invented), the Purl-When-you-Can border (which Meg also invented), and knitting a tube (sleeve or sock) with 2 circular needles instead of double-pointed needles (a Joyce Williams invention). These are innovative techniques that have never been pulled into one place before, and if you're a "thinking knitter", you really should read this book! Meg is a collector of new techniques and variations, and in this book she shares freely the cream of the crop.

Meg's writing style is open and compelling, and she gives you glimpses into her life as Elizabeth Zimmermann's daughter and as a thinking knitter on her own.

You will love this book.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific wisdom and advice; gorgeous sweaters too!, November 19, 2000

By 

Carol Peterson Hennekens (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meg Swansen's Knitting (Hardcover)

This is a great book for the library of any intermediate or advanced knitter. Meg has designed clever and stunning sweaters. The Turkish pair are all but mesmorizing. Still, I may never knit any of the sweaters. They're beautiful but I've seen them in person and they are generally too heavy for my climate. All the same, they're photographed beautifully and are simply wonderful to drool over even if you live in warmer parts of the world.

Still, the quality that makes this book a keeper is the wonderful tricks and techniques section in the front of the book. Tired of bloops of underlying color when attaching i-cord; Meg offers a simple and totally effective solution. There are dozens of these tips which can transform your knitting from amateur to finished.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Patterns, Colors--an Adventure in Knitting!!, October 8, 1999

By 

Melissa Johnson "M.Johnson" (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meg Swansen's Knitting (Hardcover)

I just received this book yesterday and spent all last evening poring over the beautiful photographs and knitting patterns. Ever since I picked up Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop, I've been an avowed Knitter-in-the-Round, and this book of Meg's has some excellent designs. I can't wait to finish the gansey I'm working on now so I can start work on the Weeping Sun pullover or the Fairisle Cardigan. Looks like my knitting basket will be stuffed again with 3 or 4 concurrent projects! If you knit, get this book. If you don't knit--get it anyway and learn how!! I'd also recommend any of her mother Elizabeth Zimmerman's books (Especially Knitting Around) to get you started. If I can teach myself to knit(with help from books) anyone can!