Customer Reviews

The Pleasures of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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!

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!

Very impressive work. I was especially enchanted by the fact that most of the designs were ones I could wear. Being more than a little on the large size, I find the line and bulk of sweaters an important factor in whether or not I can wear them. Almost all of these designs are ones I can wear and actually look well. Most of the sweaters feature vertical bands even in the cables. The back of the sweater featured on the cover of the book has a superbly slimming line. I am inspired; I might actually be able to knit this pattern and not look like a bus wearing it when it's finished!!! The poor boy sweater on p.27 is especially nice. Again the lines are vertical. The one piece construction means the sweater is easier to make. In my case, I would probably lengthen (rather than shorten as suggested) the sweater. I hate having my hips exposed; there's too much of them! The sweater illustrated on p. 42 shares the vertical format with the other patterns, but has a yoke and sleeve pattern that focuses the eye at the shoulders and bust rather than the waist, creating an illusion of height and length. A very attractive design for a larger woman. I am very pleased with this book.

If you buy only book this year, this should be the book. The only problem you'll have will be deciding which sweater to knit first. I've seen these sweaters and they are beautiful and ergonomic. They shape to your body like a glove to a hand. Plus, Ann provides A-Z tips on posture and hand care while knitting. The information will be really helpful for your body so you can knit easier and longer. I know because I too am a movement therapist and know the importance of good posture. A must have knitting book!---Mary Ann Foster, author of Somatic Patterning

the patterns are terrfic, feminine yet elegant and doable. Very classic so even after a long period, the patterns will still look good. Inspiring for beginners like me. However, it is a bit pricey (overseas), i wish there were more patterns in the book.

If you like high necklines on your sweaters then this is the book for you. 7 of the 13 patterns have high boatnecks, 2 patterns are turtlenecks and 2 cardigan patterns have high necklines. There is a nice V-neck twin set pattern, however, the largest size for the shell is a FINISHED 37"!!! The final pattern is a beautifully cabled V-neck pullover. Be aware that the largest FINISHED size in 4 of these patterns is 37, 37, 38 and 39".

Practical, comfortable and feminine: this book delivers delicious sweater patterns for all skill levels. There are tips from A to Z: how to care for ones sweaters and for ones body and how to get a beautiful finish. Tired of ordinary ribbing? Ms. Mc Cauley demonstrates many other options for edges. The graphics and the photographs are clear, support the text and provide visual feedback for the beautiful stitches and allow easy adjustment for a good fit. Each section of this book is worth the purchase price. It is the perfect gift for any knitter.

I found this book to be a wonderful addition to my Knitting Library.
There is a wide range of sweater styles and the patterns are easy
to understand. Any level of knitter will find a great pattern to work with.
The pictures display the sweaters in a natural way so you can
see what the sweater looks like on a person and also make
it easy to see the stitch patterns.

I think there are many good fairly fine-gauge sweaters in this book that I would knit, with a few exceptions (there isn't anything in this book thicker than worsted, so no quick knits here.) Many of them are highly textured, but sadly, there are no charts. And since I'm a _very_ visual person, it just makes it that much harder to get the get-up and do one of these timeless designs. I'm working on my own charts so I'll actually know what I'm doing where on the cover sweater, but... I feel like I shouldn't have to.
There are thirteen designs, and nine of them are highly textured, meaning to me, that I can't just put it down, go back later, look at it, and figure out where in the pattern I am. That, on more than a few sweaters, the design has no waist shaping, but it looks flattering on the models, showing curves nicely and disguising drop-shoulders. I don't go about with a clothespin in the middle of my back, and neither should the models. Gah.