New England Knits: Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist [Paperback]

Cecily Glowik MacDonald (Author), Melissa LaBarre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2010

New England’s seasons call for plenty of warm knitwear, and New England Knits provides an irresistible collection of beautiful designs.

Inspired by autumn and winter in New England (where the savvy knitter is never far from a sweater between September and March), the book is divided into three themes: Walk in the Woods, Around the Town, and Along the coast. Within each section readers will find a variety of flattering, wearable sweaters and accessories (including hats, mittens, scarves, bags, and shawls). Projects by guest designers from Classic Elite, Berroco, and the Fiber Company provide round out the collection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Every July or August, there is a book that comes out that makes everyone wish it was fall already. This year it’s this book." — Knitty.com

"This book brings that New England feel to life and adds a few little touches to modernize each pattern." — KnitPurlGurl.com

"The sweaters are interesting in design and most have some sort of shaping so that they do not just hang off of the wearer like a box." — BellaOnline.com

"The clear, cookbook style instructions are augmented by full color photography, often with close-ups of the detail work and especially nice, are the schematic drawings which allow for easy alterations. The comprehensive glossary located at the back includes a broad collection of basic and not-so-basic techniques along with a list of yarn suppliers...the majority are nice, simple garments with just enough interest to engage the knitter and delight the wearer." — Monsters and Critics

"...a book worth buying. The sweaters have a lot of classic elements, but they were designed with today’s knitters in mind." — MyCentralJersey.com

"In the vast array of knitting books I own, there are only a handful of books that I turn to over and over again. Books that stand the test of time and continue to inspire every time I leaf through the pages. I suspect the newly published New England Knits, (Interweave Press, 2010) will fall into this category." — Classic Elite Yarns

"There are at least eight designs in here that I want to make, and it’s been a while since a new book had that many 'hits' for me...None of the designs are too fussy, none are too boring. They’re just cozy, appealing, and attractive...Really, I love this book." — KnittingScholar.com

"Pretty, fun stuff with interesting stitch patterns and stylish shaping. Two paws enthusiastically up for this one!" — Austin-American Statesman

"Here's a lovely book of timeless hand knitwear with a modern twist, which captures the spirit of New England. Inspired by the vivid seasons, where a sweater or cap is always at hand to chase off a breeze, this collection is by young North East designers. The book is filled with flattering, wearable sweaters and jackets plus hats, mittens, scarves, bags and shawls. Lushly photographed on the New England coastline, these up-and-coming designers present their fresh take on classic knitting. The size range is generous - typically up to 50 inch bust. Full blocking diagrams, measurements and charts are included for most of the designs, so the ideas can easily be transferred to charting devices for machine knitting." - Machine Knitting Monthly

"This collection of 25 designs has a decidedly feminine feel, with a focus on flattering shaping. Cables are designed to emphasise waists; pretty stitch patterns work to elongate the body; textured cuffs and hems add interest, while the shapes are classic and wearable. There's a great range of designs, from jumpers and cardigans to vests and accessories. Most are knitted in subtle colours, to showcase the shaping and stitch patterns, although colourwork fans will love the 'Whale Watch Hat'." - The Knitter

"A knitting book with a hint of travelogue, this is the work of first-time authors Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LeBarre. The subtitle 'Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist' tells you exactly what you're in for. Beautiful photos of the New England coastline set the tone, and the patterns by the authors plus four guest designers certainly do it justice. The patterns are divided into three evocative themes: Around the Town, Fall on the Farm, and Along the Coast, giving you a sense of the inspiration behind the designs. We love the 'Greenfield Cardigan' by Melissa LeBarre, with its pretty leaf detailing, and the versatile 'Windsor Warmer' in softest cashmere by Cecily Glowik MacDonald." - Simply Knitting

"If you're looking for timeless, wearable knits, this book's got you covered - um, literally. The book is filled with 25 patterns for cardigans, pullovers, hoodies, and accessories prompted by blustery seasons and seaside walks. Each project comes with generous photography (think multiple angles) to give you a clear idea of the finished piece." - Knitting Today(US)

“What do you think of when someone says ‘New England'? Myself, I think of storm swept beaches and rocks jutting out into the ocean, snowy landscapes, rolling hills in every color imaginable, big red barns and of course cozy fisherman sweaters. This book has all of that and more. And not just sweaters but vests, hats, bags and mittens too.” – CraftGossip.com

About the Author

Cecily Glowik MacDonald has published more than 180 designs in books, magazines, yarn company collections and through her own self publishing. She has designed for Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Quince and Co. Yarns, Knit.1, Knit Simple, Vogue Knitting, Cast On, Classic Elite Yarns, and Creative Knitting. Her designs have appeared in Interweave's Color Style, Simple Style, and Knitted Gifts as well as Vogue's Knitting on the Go series. She lives in Portland, ME and blogs at cecilyam.wordpress.com (Winged Knits). Melissa LaBarre has published patterns in Vogue Knitting, Knit.1, Quince and Co. Yarns and Classic Elite Yarns Webletters and design collections. She lives in western Massachusetts and blogs at knittingschooldropout.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681802
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681804
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Book of New England Knitting Patterns July 20, 2010

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Interweave Press has published another winner. Despite it being summer, I can picture a beautiful fall day in New England when I look through this book. The patterns are tantalizing and most of them are, indeed, timeless. The book is divided into three sections: Around the Town, Fall on the Farm and Along the Coast. There is a short introductory section about New England.

My favorite patterns are:

The Hampton Cardigan is made from super-soft wool and yak, "suitable for more than one season". The sweater is knit in one piece and is primarily garter stitch and lace. It's sized from 36" to 51".

Northampton Neckerchief is a square shawl shape worked on a smaller scale. It has a lace edging and is in three fall colors: wine, purple, and bronze. Finished size is about 30" square. It is delicate and beautiful, knit with superfine yarn on a size 5 needle.

Brattleboro Hat is unique and interesting to the eye. It is knit in 2 directions: "a ribbed band is worked from side to side to create the brim, and stitches are picked up along oner side for the moss stitch crown. A button tab at the side gives this simple hat a twist." It is knit with a worsted weight yarn.

The Augusta Cardigan is lovely, with cables down the front and sleeves, and stockinette stitching for the back. It can be knit for a man or a woman and "waist shaping is omitted to flatter a variety of figures." It is sized from 32" to 56". The yarn called for is Classic Elite Montera knit with size 8 needles.

The Windsor Warmer is "a long scarf knitted side to side with buttons and buttonholes along the edges, offering a variety of options for wear". It can be used as a neck warmer, a traditional scarf, or as a cowl. It is knit in a lovely lace pattern using cashmere yarn. Yummy!

This book definitely reminds me of New England and there are plenty of luscious patterns to spur the fancy of most every knitter. I plan on knitting the Augusta Cardigan first but I hope to get to several of the projects in this book.

As always I ask myself these three questions:

Does the book contain patterns that I'd knit?

Are the instructions clear?

Is the book a good resource?

The answer to all three questions is 'yes'.

Bonnie Brody 7/20/2010

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Staple for any Knitters library July 24, 2010

By Rachel

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A Staple For Ever Knitters Library.
I take pride in the fact that i seek out the cutest/wearable knitting patterns.Friends of mine(Im 26)have asked me to teach them to knit after looking through my knitting pattern books and seeing what i make from them.I love seeing my friends and people from my generation pick up the craft,And patterns like these help peak that interest.This Is an amazing book.Depending on the number of patterns in a book or pattern booklet,I have to like a certain # of the patterns to get the book(unless there are a couple designs in there that are so amazing that only liking 2 of 15 patterns makes it somehow worth it).
This is NOT one of those books.But, of course how can I be surprised as it is a Cecily Glowik Macdonald collaberation.
I love this entire book.With exception to maybe 1 or 2 patterns I will be knitting my way through this entire book.
With 25 wearable flattering designs i cant wait to get started.I pre-ordered this book and i dont do that often.It just arrived this morning(A Saturday,last delivery day of the week.Yay!),and Iam so excited about it i just had to get online to leave a glowing and exstatic review for all who have yet to get this book to see.
This runs the gammut of patterns to choose from:

Cardigans:A couple of my faves,The Greenfield Cardigan looks comfy and pretty as well as the Ashfield and Hampton Cardigans!
Sweaters both light-weight and heavy cozy ones to choose from,like the Middlefield Pullover(Cover)
Cabled fabric lined shoulder bag:The Groveland Satchel.
Colorwork Whale Watch Hat.
vests:The Airy Lace backed Montague Vest.
Jackets:The Salem Hooded Jacket or Melrose Peacoat.And much more...

Go ahead and get this book.I know its hard to know if it's any good online since you can't thumb through the pages,but you wont be dissapointed.If you are on Ravelry you can always take a peak at the patterns there.
5 Stars.Loved it.I really think you will as well.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Collection of Knits July 21, 2010

By K. Carroll

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I haven't been this taken with a knitting book's overall aesthetic since "A Fine Fleece". The accessories are equally lovely, but the stand-outs to me are the sweaters and cardigans. The basic shapes are familiar, but the constructions and details are innovative and eye-catching, and they're all extremely wearable. I usually consider a knitting book worth purchasing if it has at least 4 "must-knit" patterns in it -- there must be at least 15 that I want to knit here. :)