The Pleasures of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters [Paperback]

Ann McCauley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2005

Touchable textures, smooth shapes, classic styles—this beautiful collection of handknit sweaters will bring you back to the basic beauty of the craft! Instead of relying on today’s busier yarns, these projects feature rich pattern stitches worked in solid-colored fibers.

· Knit 14 gorgeous designs, each featured in a range of sizes

· Choose from a Mosaic Boat Neck sweater, a Flair Mock Cable pullover, a Triple Braided Diamonds turtleneck, and more

· Get expert advice on a wide range of topics, from ergonomic knitting to seaming, with a handy "Alphabet of Tips from A to Z" section

Editorial Reviews

Review

Characterized by classic beauty, McCauley's patterns have a sense of grace and movement in their simple lines and intricate patterns -- Interweave Knits, Summer 2005

Each of the thirteen sweater designs in The Pleasures Of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters are creative and beautiful. -- Dailyknitter.com

These are sweaters you will wear and wear and then wear some more . . . classic and elegant. -- Knit 'n Style, October 2005

From the Author

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

First-time author Ann McCauley has been knitting since childhood. She brings influences from her career as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer to her first pattern collection.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Martingale and Company; First edition (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564775666
• ISBN-13: 978-1564775665
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,016,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best knitting book I have had the pleasure of owning, February 23, 2005

By 

Leslie Hays (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pleasures of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters (Paperback)

This book is beautifully written and offers lovely sweaters for ALL skill levels. Some are advanced, but there are patterns in this book for beginners too. The patterns are vibrant and creative which I don't always find in knitting books. They truly are some of the loveliest patterns I have seen in a knitting book. It's definately worth buying, you will not be disappointed. There is a lot of really good technical information included from measuring properly to yarn weights and substitutions, seaming, lace stitches and more. The author has also shared her ideas about proper alignment of the body while knitting. I have never seen this in another knitting book and find this to be very valuable information. Knitting is meditative for me and I feel the author of this book taps into that aspect as well as having great skill at explaining techniques in knitting. Her descriptions are clear and concise and I am so happy to have found this book. It is written in a way that is very easy to understand. I love this book!

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWSOME book, March 27, 2006

By 

Dedicated Knitter - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pleasures of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters (Paperback)

What a surprise to find the diversity of responses to this book that exist on Amazon. I have never been inspired to write an Amazon review before, but this book motivates me to do so. Things I LOVE about this book include first and foremost the designs. I've never before purchased a knitting book or magazine that has so many patterns that I want to make. The information in the Alphabet of Tips is extraordinarily helpful and covers information I have never seen elsewhere. Specifically, the self-help hand care; the concepts introduced around using our bodies in a more comfortable manner while we knit; the way to decrease that eliminates the bumps in shaping curved surfaces such as necklines, sleeves, and shoulders; the information around gauge and blocking that has elevated the quality of my knitting and opened the door to getting better results when knitting with cotton; and the fact that this author offers yarn substitutions is greatly appreciated as much as the fact that reasonably priced yarns are utilized in the patterns. It does not appear to me that this book is petite oriented as most of the patterns go up to XL with finished bust measurements ranging from 40" to 48". These are sweaters I see myself loving and wearing for many years without having them appear dated. I've completed one and the fit is lovely. Not that it's a deterrent since I do not know of a knitting book or magazine without errata, but I am aware that there are a few pattern corrections available through the publisher's website. This is a lovely book that was anything but boring to me and I can only hope that we are so fortunate as to receive a new title from this author soon!

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want more pattern books like this..., December 13, 2005

By 

E. Mortensen "book addict" (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pleasures of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters (Paperback)

I love sweaters with texture. I am not into all of the new "novelty" yarns. If I am going to spend a good deal of money on yarn, it is going to be because of its content (i.e. wool, cotton, cashmere, etc.). The patterns in this book are absolutely beautiful and I wish I could find more patterns like these. I especially like the fact that most of these patterns do use lighter weight yarns. Living in Florida, we don't often need heavy sweaters.

Personally, I prefer to have patterns written out, as opposed to reading a chart. As much as I love this book and the patterns it contains, I will admit that it is not for those faint of heart. If you are looking for "quick knits" or patterns to use specialty yarns with, this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you like cables and do not want to be bored with repetative patterns, this is definitely for you!