Customer Reviews

Never Knit Your Man a Sweater (Unless You've Got the Ring)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I haven't knit any of the articles in this book, so I don't know if they knit up as beautiful as they look. But I want to encourage any woman who has a man in her life (or any male knitter who has a man in his life) to overlook the cute but somewhat overdone theme of what to knit for a guy after the first date, first dinner-date, first sleep-over, moving in, engagement, etc. That's a cute concept, but it could limit the audience for the book unnecessarily.

There are maybe 20 patterns for men in here, and almost every one looks like something a man would actually want to wear (I'm not so sure about one sweater in a mango sort of color.) And the instructions look well laid out. Because the patterns increase in commitment level, they also increase in complexity and time and money commitment. So even if you're knitting for your Dad, you can gauge whether a headband, pair of mittens, pair of gloves (to die for gorgeous gloves), vest or Aran sweater is what you're prepared to knit. And if you're a guy who is learning to knit, you could follow the same progression. Just ignore the narrative.

If you have a father, husband, brother, uncle, friend, or ok, boyfriend who you want to knit for, take a look at this book.

Yes, the sweater myth is kind of cloying, but since it is used as a device to take a knitter through more advanced shapes and techniques, I was able to quickly get over that. Very little space is actually devoted to the myth anyway.

The book starts out with garter stitch coasters and works the reader up to an Aran cardigan, introducing a new technique with each project. Most every point on technique that I could think of for these projects is covered in the asides.

The photography in this book is great, as it is not just for inspiration, but also for details in the projects, for those that the written instructions may not be enough. (Everyone learns differently.)

The projects are great (with one notable exception.) Initially, I was put off by the coasters and laptop covers, thinking of them as the modern equivalent of the tea cozy; but then I remembered back to when I was a 10 year old knitting, these would be the kind of projects I would probably make. (Not that this book is aimed at 10 year olds.)

The only project that I do not see any man wearing (and if they did, it would truly be a sign of love) is the square neck vest. It just seems so dated to me, but that could just be my opinion. Everything else in the book is something that any man could wear.

The only other caution I would make with this book is the sizing. Most patterns are sized for small, medium, and large. No extra large. Just be aware of that beforehand.

I love this book, both for its patterns and its inspiration. I think it would be a great book for any guy that wanted to learn to knit. Just make sure you cover up the title.

I bought this book a while ago when I was looking for some new inspiration. The title is what caught my attention. As I flipped through it, I noticed that the writers took the patterns and presented them step by step. They probably did this on purpose so someone who has wanted to knit something but wasn't sure how to could do it.

I made one of the projects for myself (in girlie colors of course) and the patterns are pretty easy to follow. Even if you're just starting out, this book is definitely worth having a look at.

I bought this book last summer and really enjoyed it. I have to admit that I don't think I will ever make the coasters or other small gadgety items, but I did make the lovely scarf for my guy and - oh, by the way - I did get the ring! Now happily married, I think I will make him the sweater! I thought it was a cute idea for a book and great for progressing someone from small easy projects to the big ones. I still think most of the patterns are really nice. Plus I really enjoyed giggling about the title and hiding it from him while I was knitting it. It made me smile and him too!

This book is my absolute favorite! I haven't found any other that does knits for men as well. They are just what I am looking for when I want to knit for my 23 year old boyfriend, but they are very versatile and pretty easy. You're going to love it!

While I haven't made anything to date from this book, I picked it up for patterns to make things for my (aready) hubby. He was impressed with many of the patterns in this book including the diamond headband, ski hat, diamond mittens, and socks, but especially the half-zip pullover. :) He's a pretty picky guy (in his mid-30's) and his approval says a lot! There are a few "older" male looking items (such as the sweater vests), but - as some reviewers pointed out - those would be great for uncles, dad's, etc. I'm a little concerned about the sizing issue (since I don't know any "small" males) but I'm sure the sizes could be easily adjusted based on the layout of the patterns (which are in columns based on size).

I love love love this book. It can be hard to find stylish man friendly patterns and the diamond mittens are the best with the flip over flap. My husband loves his mittens and I feel like a better wife for making them. :)

Plenty of knitting guides provide sweater patterns: but how many key knitting projects to relationship-appropriate levels? When is it time to knit a mean a sweater, and when should one give a Movie Scarf? Warm up the relationship with a series of appropriately timed knitting projects to be gleaned from Never Knit Your Man a Sweater Unless You've Got the Ring! Both home knitters and collections catering to knitters will find the different approach pairs well with the book's 22 projects for all levels of commitment, casual to wedded.

Have you ever read a knitting book that was actually funny? The commentary is great. Although I haven't tried the projects yet, I love the range of small to large projects for the men in your life, whether boyfriend or family. Great job. Can't wait to get started.

This book is not my favorite knitting book, but the patterns are nice and and do match up with different levels of commitment. The cliche about not knitting your man a sweater till you get the ring is a bit dated (at least for this younger knitter). But it's nice to have another resource for knitting cool things for guys.