Customer Reviews

Nicky Epstein's Knitting on Top of the World: The Global Guide to Traditions, Techniques and Design

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Since I am a purist when it comes to folk knitting, it was hard for me to appreciate these fashion forward designs (ie. a cape based on two giant Fair Isle tams). It looks like the author/designer really enjoyed making these unique designs and they are beautifully photographed. Most of the colorwork patterns are very simple, some paired with very simple designs - which seemed out of place in the book when compared with the more sophisticated designs. Alternatively, some of the more sophisticated garments incorporated very simplistic color work patterning that detracted rather than enhanced the overall design. Out of all the folk knitting inspired designs, there were only two that I felt combined the best of both worlds, Nicky Epstein's unique, inventive and whimsical flourishes blended with a hint of tradition from the past: the "Tyrolean Leg Warmers" (they didn't look like they were inspired by traditional Tyrolean knitting at all except perhaps the cuffs but the Victorian inspired boot buttons running up the side of the leg look beautiful (very vintage inspired); and the Londonderry Rose Coat based on a cable pattern that is reminiscent of a gentleman's waist coat with a flourish of roses around the collar. There are a few unique designs here that I enjoyed the most that have all the signature features of Nicky Epstein designs which turned out to be designs that were not influenced by Folk Knitting at all - I think these designs showcase the designer's best efforts in this collection: La Belle Cardigan (think Knitting Beyond the Edge, Knitted Flowers etc. etc. all coming together in one gorgeous, feminine and elegant sweater...also keep in mind that the cost of the yarn to make this will be extremely expensive if you use the yarn in the sample), the "Mongolian Warrior Pullover" (honestly there is nothing Ethnic about this sweater, very unique design construction of woven strips of fabric reminiscent of a knitted rug made out of woven knitted strips of yarn), and the "Parisian Entrelac Wrap" which is a wrap and sweater in one, very unique and beautiful. Hai-Riyo, the fire breathing dragon, is also really cute and well done, classic Nicky Epstein. All in all, if you love Nicky Epstein, you'll probably love this book, but if you are looking for traditional Fair Isle or Norwegian/Northern European and Brittish designs, you won't find them here.

I own all of Nicky Epstein's books and am a total fan..HOWEVER, the designs in this book certainly do not live up to her prior ones...She is beginning to recycle old designs and that is NOT ok with me...or publish absurd ones like shrugs with no back, etc...so sad...

Glad I looked at this book in the local bookstore instead of buying it sight unseen. While the cover photo is a fairly attractive design, the rest of the designs are not. I think the book should have been titled Knitting from Other Planets: the Outer Space Guide to Traditions, Techniques and Designs as who on earth would wear these.

How sad for all the work that must have gone into the knitting and the book.

I love Nicky's work and own almost all of it. I usually buy sight unseen. I saw this in a bookstore and sat down to review it. Nothing spoke to me. Some of the items looked oddly amateurish. But the capper was the Big-Tams-as-a-Breastplate. Holy smokes, who dreamt that up? I'm still laughing. But not buying.

I read the negatives here on Amazon, and bought the book anyway. I love all things Nicky Epstein -- until now. Her designs are often over the top - that's signature Nicky. But there's not a single design in this book that I'd want to knit. Most of them are just plain silly. I've learned my lesson. Now I check books out of my local library before buying.

I peeked into this one at my local library because I wanted to see what Epstein did with supposedly traditional inspiration. I liked the first 'edge' book but the 2nd and 3rd ones were full of stuff an ordinary person with an ordinary life wouldn't wear. Well, the same goes for this book. Designs are too eccentric for a regular person to want to make and wear. I heard a podcaster reviewing this book say, "How come there are so many designs with no backs?" which gives you an idea of how useful they are. I am a pretty square knitter, I like items I can wear and use. This is not that.

Imagine a creamy, shaped, silk, Aran bodice with large pearls replacing the bobbles and a boa portrait neckline- a fisherman sweater transformed into elegant evening wear (and jaw-droppingly beautiful)! Nicky Epstein has amazing vision. This book has a wealth of gorgeous designs plus tons of background notes and history. This woman continues to top herself and impress. This book is easily worth the money for the patterns, the photography, the history, and the inspiration.
I am updating my review after reading some others. Yes, many of the designs are clearly Nicky Epstein. I see that as her signature, not as unoriginal. The designs are inspired by tradition rather than blindly following it. Not every design is a favorite of mine but many are. I personally took delight in the book. It is extremely well styled and presented. The designs can be used for inspiration or you can actually create them as shown. I love to see handknitting elevated to wearable art. And, I believe there is a place for a showstopper in everyone's wardrobe. The book is eye candy!

Chic or outlandish? I'm not sure, but I'm very sure half of these are not the patterns for me. Not only are half of the patterns so high fashion as to be more art than wearable (by the average person), they are also the kind of garments that you have to be a model to wear well. A plus size gal like myself would look ridiculous in a good number of these patterns. Some of them have proportions that are wild and very avante-garde, some are just plain curious, and a few are very lovely. I really wish I'd flipped through it before buying.

As an art book or coffee table conversation starter the book is full of things to discover and talk about. But for someone not ready to jump off the edge of the map into such adventurous realms... I'm going to have to destash or return the book. However, if you're the kind of knitter who loves to be inspired by flamboyant creativity, you may just love this book.

This book is simply awful. Well, okay, to be fair the book itself is very nice, gorgeous pictures, plenty of patterns divided into regional sections.

But the patterns are just atrocious. I would pass these off as the sort of awkwardly-shaped things you might see on a Milan runway, but they're even far too frumpy and absurd for runway models. I can't think of a single occasion in which I bought a knitting book or magazine and didn't find at least one pattern that I liked, but not only are there no patterns in here that I would want to knit, but I can't even begin to think of creative ways that I might alter these patterns to make them at least tolerable. A truly absurd and bizarre collection of string.

I can't imagine spending valuable time and money making any of these designs. The only person that would have a time or place to wear any of these "things" would be a paid professional model on a set. I guess this must be eye candy for fashion designers, so why bother with knitting instructions? The Fair Isle Tam Caplet looks like an obscene Mae West joke. My husband thought they were shields.