Customer Reviews

The Northampton Wools Knitting Book: The Shop Patterns

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

 

 

I was very disappointed in this book. While it is not a "bad" knitting book, the patterns here are mostly very simple/basic and not very original. The book might appeal to the beginning knitter who does not have a pattern library, but there is not much here that would appeal to a more advanced knitter. Most of the sweaters are done in bulky and very bulky wools, making them unsuitable for a more temporate climate or for wearing indoors. If I had had a chance to leaf through this book before purchasing it, I would not have bought it.

I was excited to get this book because I had heard so much about author's sweaters for the movie Cider House Rules. Unfortunately, there are only a couple of patterns I would actually make. The other patterns remind me of the town where the book was written (I went to college in the next town over) - Northampton is great, but not the most fashion-forward place! Most have very boxy shapes and some also use a simple placement of cables or other stitch patterns.So, if you are looking for sturdy sweaters made with natural yarns, this might be a good book for you. If, on the other hand, you are looking for fashionable sweaters that are _not_ two sizes too big for you, I would skip this book.

Based on the other review I wouldn't have purchased this book; but lucky for me I ignored the other review and bought away. This is a simple, easy to follow book filled with useful knitting patterns. Will they bring world peace? No. But that is not what I bought it for. For pete's sake - buy this book; you won't be sorry. Opened the box 1 hour ago and I've already retrieved yarn for the two-color hat, bulky baby sweater and the mitered blanket. What more could you want. Thanks from a very experienced knitter of 40 years.

I'm a little prejudiced in favor of this, as Northampton Wools is one of my favorite yarn shops. My husband and I happily drive 2 hours each way to Northampton in order to visit.

That being said, this is nicely laid out, attractive, and full of many classic items. The selling point for me was the rubber ducky sweater, though I will probably revise the color chart a little (his bill looks more goosey than ducky). There is also a handsome zip-up man's cardigan, and a beautiful cable sweater. The trendy items escape me right now, but several are included.

It's also a nice coffee table book, made for comfortable browsing. The photography is excellent, and the little stories that accompany the patterns are charming. This book will stay in my knitting library; it's a permanant part of my knitting library stash.

After reading the reviews here I was hesitant but now that I have it, I am delighted. These are the kind of things that knitters knit and even while I can probably design most of them myself there are lots of good ideas and the pictures are a delight. I like the section on baby and children's sweaters the most especially the duck pullover. The mitered baby blanket is something I want to make and it can be made larger also. Another one to make is the swirly whirly scarf and the celtic plait pullover. I like the man's double cable pullover but would make it into a raglan (see J. Fee's book for that). The book also has a perfect size just right for my knitting bag.

Quintessential New England sweater patterns fill The Northampton Wools Knitting Book: the Shop Patterns by Linda A. Daniels. These thirty-four original patterns are customer favorites designed by Daniels during her 25 years of running Northampton Wools. Also included are several designs created for Charlize Theron to wear in the movie, The Cider House Rules. Modeling the designs are residents of Northampton, Massachusetts, many of whom are store patrons.

This book is the perfect collection of patterns for beginner and advance beginners. The patterns are divided into sections by skill level with the first two (Little Things and Simple Sweaters) containing projects perfect for the beginner looking for something more than a simple garter stitch scarf. The fourth section (Stitch Pattern) features challenging stitches that build on basic sweater construction for the knitter moving beyond the basic projects.

Scattered throughout are a few patterns sure to engage the imagination of the experienced knitter. The Reversible Cable Scarf features ingenious cables twisted in a way that looks the same on both sides of the scarf. The Fancy Watch Cap, designed by KeriAnne Shaw (an Northampton Wools employee), features many examples that highlight Shaw's love of getting every detail exactly right.

The final section features children's patterns from Northampton Wools, Too, the store opened in 2003 to expand Daniel's business. The patterns in this section cover designs for children infant to four years.

Armchair Interviews says: The Northampton Wools Knitting Book is a sure winner for the beginning or intermediate knitter on your Christmas list.

This is a sweet little book with several patterns I know I'll try. There is a wide variety and none look difficult- socks, wrist warmers, scarves, vests, sweaters, a darling ducky child's sweater, and a ruffled baby set. That one I have to knit. There are some cables, but no lace and very little color work. The Fancy Watch Cap is photographed in a dark yarn, and I cannot tell what it looks like. There is also a child's hat that goes with a sweater, and there is no picture of it. I like pictures. Pet Peeve. The other pictures are clear and beautiful. I haven't tried a sweater from the book yet, but I'll be sure to buy extra yarn when I do. The requirements seem off. 1044 yds for an Aran doesn't seem nearly enough. Overall, I like the book. I'm glad I bought it.

I am an intermediate beginner and found things for my level, in addition to projects that allow me to do something simple and then much more advanced. I LOVE the reversible cable scarf and the fingerless mittens. In the future I would love to try to make the Celtic Plait pullover on page 69--it is breathtaking! However, there is even a wonderful "simple sweaters" section that will fit my needs right now. I am so happy I bought this book!

THE NORTHAMPTON WOOLS KNITTING BOOK: THE SHOP PATTERNS offers knitters a pattern book of designs from the shop called Northampton Wools in Massachusetts, which has been the center of a community of knitters seeking creative knitting designs. Owner Linda Daniels' designs have earned a cult following in knitting communities across the country and here are accompanied by step-by-step instructions and color photos of completed projects. Any collection strong in knitting ideas will want this.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I agree that the majority of patterns in this book are rather ordinary. I do wish more publishers would preview the contents online. However, I was very interested in the Valerina Ballerina skirt. But, the very brief pattern directions did not match the skirt in the picture. I actually called the shop hoping to get pattern corrections. The author called me back and left a message that I could "make it longer" if I wanted (which was not the issue). I did make the skirt using the pattern and making changes according to the picture and was pleased with it. A less experienced knitter would follow the pattern and probably end up with an okay skirt but wonder why hers looks so different.