Men in Knits [Paperback]

Tara Jon Manning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

This collection of men’s sweater projects presents classic designs and trendy fashion-forward pieces, forgoing the stereotypical Mr. Rogers and Bill Cosby variety of sweater. Offering tips for overcoming men’s reluctance to wear sweaters, this book provides the tools needed for making the right choices in fit, color, texture, and style to create beautiful, masculine knitted sweaters. Explored are how to understand his personal style and which colors and textures flatter particular physiques so that the sweater will be both enjoyable to knit and a favorite to wear. Patterns for Arans, Argyle, basket case, and cable rib are included for knitting cardigans, pullovers, V-necks, vests, and accessories such as scarves and gloves. Although intended for men, these sweaters have great unisex appeal and were developed for both new and seasoned knitters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lives up to its subtitle: sweaters to knit that he WILL wear."  —Knit Together

About the Author

Tara Jon Manning is a contributing designer to knitting magazines, books, and yarn companies. She owns and operates Tara Handknitting Designs, a web-based business offering original design patterns and handknitting kits, and she conducts workshops and classes from her Boulder, Colorado, studio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931499233
• ISBN-13: 978-1931499231
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ABOUT TARA

A knitter since age eight, Tara Jon Manning is author of five books and contributing designer and author to knitting magazines, books, and yarn companies. She has been exploring the use of knitting and handwork as a form of contemplative practice and the role of spirituality in art and craft in her own life and work. Tara holds a BFA with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting and a Masters Degree in Textile and Apparel Design with an emphasis in Fiber Arts. Tara is enjoying a reconnection with her love of painting, and currently delving into the world of music, playing her Fender Stratocaster whenever she can, and exploring the realm of singer/songwriter. She writes frequently for craft and lifestyle magazine. Tara and her family live in Boulder, Colorado.

Tara's published books include:

Nature Babies: Natural Knits and Organic Crafts for Moms, Babies and a Better World (Potter Craft) is Tara's most recent release focusing on integrating craft, organic, recycled and tactile materials into the lives of babies and those who love them.

Mindful Knitting (Tuttle Publishing)- and exploration of the links between handwork and mindfulness meditation, self exploration and generosity all through the work of our hands. One of the premier titles in the "knitting and spirituality" genre.

Compassionate Knitting (Tuttle Publishing) - more mindful knitting projects relating to the concept of "Heaven, Earth and Knitter." A beautiful collection and continuation of the themes found in Mindful Knitting.

Men in Knits (Interweave Press) - a perennial knitter's favorite, and possibly THE best book on knitting for men!

The Gift Knitter (Berkley Books)- innovative, cute and quick gift projects for babies with two legs (yup, puppies!) and babies (people puppies).

For more information about Tara, her books, knitting patterns, writing and annual Mindful Knitting Retreats, please visit:
Website: http://www.tarahandknitting.com
Blog: http://earthskyknitter.wordpress.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will men wear these? I think so..., October 8, 2003

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Men in Knits (Paperback)

Men are notoriously difficult to knit for--they want neutral or dull colors (hard to see when knitting) or those impossibly colorful Australian sweaters favored by Bill Cosby. What should you make your MAN (or even yourself, if you are a man who knits?) Most of the knitting magazines have few men's patterns per issue, so it's nice to have a collection of things that men probably will like.

Most of the sweaters are texture-stitch style (Aran knitting, cables) but there are a few simple argyle-banded pullovers, a fine gauge vest or two, and a few boys' models. There is a helpful table to match fitting issues (barrel chests, tall torsos, tapered physique, round shoulders) to the corresponding sweater that will suit the figure. That's a worthwhile feature, as you can apply the ideas to other sweaters you might dream up in future.

What you WON'T find here are many colorwork models, nor that shawl-collared jacket so many men like to wear at home and in the yard, nor other popular styles such as Cowichan style thick knits, Icelandic yokes and the most mysterious omission of all--the Mr. Rogers style, complete with zipper. Perhaps the designer Tara Jon Manning doesn't like zippers in knits (I don't either, for that matter; the zipper tape is not as elastic as the knit fabric and that is a nuisance when you sew it in) --but you can hardly offer to knit a sweater for a man and not get a request for a cardigan like the late Fred Rogers pulled on when he stepped into his foyer.

If you like texture knitting, and if you want to knit for men and boys, this book is a good choice, especially for the useful fitting guide. If you want colorwork or zippers, you will need another book instead.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, almost foolproof, and really fun, with gorgeous result, October 11, 2006

By 

J. Mullally "booklover4ever00" (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Men in Knits (Paperback)

I have not knit for 25 years, and certainly never did anything like arans in my whole life, but have been able to make the most fantastic pullovers and cardigans for my boyfriend as a result, ones he not only wears, but proudly brags about (and so he should, the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino I use does NOT come cheap!!)At the same time, though, if you are going to take the trouble to do these lovely designs, go for the best yet most practical yarn you can afford. The patterns like the one on the front of the book knit up really well and swiftly if you use your markers and good wool, and don't go for anything too fussy that a guy will balk at-the texture and pattern really does all the work for you to make it gorgeous. I have made sweaters in black, navy, mid blue, charcoal gray, regular gray, and the traditional Irish oatmeal since I bought the book last year. The cardigans and pullovers also are very similar in patterns, strategy, like the diamonds, so once you get the pattern into your head, don't stop, go for another sweater.
The fit is perfect, the instructions clear, for the most part, if you make sure you read the whole thing through before you start the pattern, and make notes to yourself as you go.
Also, I strongly recommend photocopying the pattern several times per panel of the sweater or sleeve, to use as scratch paper, because they are repeating patterns based over like 30 rows or so. With the copies, you can just cross off one row so you don't get lost in the pattern. For the more complicated aran and color work ones, you can even cross them off one stitch at a time if need be.
One other recommendation, if you are going to invest this kind of time and money to create a fab sweater like the ones in this book, if you can find a knit store that will help you finish off the garment professionally, by all means do so. It is really the difference between handmade and exquisite, or homemade and kind of silly.
The chart at the front, what is your guys style, and match it to the pattern, is really the best part of the book! Now I have to knit for my step-dad and brother, they have been so wowed by the sweaters they've seen me making! Enjoy!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He might just say "Ooooh! I would wear that.", January 26, 2004

By 

Donna Ancypa Holmes (Oberlin, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Men in Knits (Paperback)

Men in Knits has clearly written, well-photographed patterns that are up-to-date without sacrificing classic style - the sweater you make him won't be out-of-date before you're finished knitting it! The variety of textured knitting and other projects makes this a book that will continue to be valuable to a knitter as their skill level increases. Not only do *I* like nearly every pattern in this book, the Cabled Rib cardigan was the first pattern my husband saw out of all that I showed him (after saying "I want to knit you a sweater") that actually made him go "Ooooh! I would wear that." Very glad I have it in my library; it's a worthwhile investment.