Customer Reviews

Men in Knits

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This book is innovative because it shows the knitter how to take the only successful approach when it comes to knitting for men- lots of planning and little impulse buying. So many of us choose a project we would like to knit, rather than one he would actually wear. Or we impulsively buy a fancy multi-colored yarn, or something on sale BEFORE we figure out what to make with it. Here are some helpful guidelines regarding style, fit, and individual preferences. There is also good marital advice!
The sweaters are stylish, timeless, and classic. Anyone knows that making a sweater that is too colorful or trendy won't stand the test of time, especially when it comes to men. There are some designs that you'll want to steal for yourself! The patterns are easy enough for a new knitter, but hold enough interest if you are more experienced. Most of the patterns can be finished quickly. I think any guy in your life would be lucky to receive a gift such as this. It may even inspire him to pick up some needles!

This book has great patterns to please men of all types and sizes. I was tired of all the men's sweater books with crazy colors, expensive yarns, and complicated patterns. This one turned out to be perfect for me and my husband. We took the quiz at the beginning of the book, and found 5 patterns that he liked, and I plan to give the quiz to my brother, father, father-in-law, and brother-in-laws as well. The sweaters are gorgeous, yet easy to knit, and very affordable. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed!

My husband fits the late 40 age group and he would wear every single one of these sweaters. I also have a son who is 22 who would wear them. There is even a pattern in there should I get a grandson some day. I am finishing a sweater now but one of these is next for my husband. They are extremely updated from the rest of the patterns out there. They actually are better than the ready made choices. A page showing where to find the yarns is in the back which will prove helpful. I hate knitting books that do not include that as the sweaters are designed for the yarn and substitutions rarely work. This is a keeper. I hope the binding holds up as I plan on knitting a lot of these! Why don't they ever make knitting books on spiral binding?

This book rather disappointed me. I loved the information at the beginning to help you find his style and designs that work well with certain body types. However the patterns left something to be desired. I am a young knitter with a young male to knit for and these patterns are more suitable for an older man. She also uses cables alot and the men I knit for prefer simple designs. She also has more vest and cardigan patterns than pullovers. I was hoping for a more overall male appealing book. However my dad would love some of the vests, so if that is his thing this book is for you. For younger guys though check out Simple Beautiful Sweaters for Men.

Ok - so flip past the insutling first chapters and get to the patterns. There really are sweaters he would wear and yes, several he wouldn't wear. For one the cover sweater is a definite yes - he loves the casual rolled edges with the masculine fisherman cable style. There is another cable pullover that we like, a cabled cardigan much like a favorite that he already owns, and the tre find - three button up vest styles he would wear. He loves vests and I love them on him - but most of the styles on the market are too "older accountant" for him (there are a couple of those yuppy pullovers in here too.) so - there are things he wouldn't wear and I didn't knit -but there are at least 5 patterns maybe 6 that I'll definitely be knitting. There are probably patterns in here that your man (or you if you are the man and the knitter) will wear too.
The patterns in here are so much more man friendly than the other "knitting for your man" or "men who knit" books I've seen out there. These patterns are mostly for your 25 to 50 something man, the demographic that has been sorely missing from knitting patterns. Most knit patterns for men are either for the young and overly hip emo band member - or the older accountant heading for retirement. These men deserve knits too -and they have them. This book however is for the rest of the guys - the man who has a career - hobbies - a family - who wants that sweater he can wear every Saturday until it wears out.

So why only 4 stars? For my taste they could have included more patterns and spent less time telling me how to decide which patterns to knit or what color to use. The answer? simple - ask him to pick the desing, or look at the style of his favorite sweater & make something similar. I found the first few chapters insulting telling you how to choose color, style etc. Please - I know my husband's style (I knew exactly which sweaters he would like - I know his favorite colors. If you don't know this much about a man - maybe it's too early in the relationship to be knititng for him.) Yes - I've heard of the boyfriend sweater curse - but see - I'm knitting a sweater and a vest for my husband becuase he's asked for both items and I know his style - but I sitll asked him to pick -and he picked the ones I thought he would.
I still recommend the book - becuase of how hard it is to find sweaters that my husband would want to wear. These are mostly classic stles that won't become dated - but some of them at least - and have stitch patterns that will make them interesting to knit and to wear.

I was so excited to get this book, as I love the sweaters featured in Interweave Knits. Every sweater in the book is beautiful, and I would be proud to finish them all as gifts for the wonderful men in my life.

The book has a checklist for "unsure knitters" to help them narrow down the sweater style appropriate for the recipient. About 1/3 of the sweaters I can see my 80 year old Grandfather wearing, the next third would be worn by my conservative 60 year old father in law (sweater vests, and Mr. Roger's cardigans), and the last third will be appropriate for my 35 year old husband (Aran sweaters, and more chunky loose fitting jeans sweaters).

My husband flipped through to select a pattern for me to make, and I was surprised to hear that he thought many of the Aran style patterns were too busy for his tastes. Oh. Maybe my guy just doesn't appreciate the art, but I will still make some toned down versions for him.

So, the key to Knit That He Will Wear is really knowing your target audience and selecting the best design for his personality.

Wonderful book, much better that I expected. I plan to make most of the sweaters and not all for him. I like them for me too.