Pretty Knits: 30 Designs from Loop in London [Hardcover]

Susan Cropper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2007

From Susan Cropper, owner of the critically acclaimed and wildly popular yarn store Loop, in London, here is a confectionary collection of pretty knit projects from more than a dozen top designers. Using a variety of different stitches and techniques, Pretty Knits contains an endless array of fashionable and flirty ideas for garments and home decor.

The book is divided into four chapters–Flirty Fashionista, which includes super-glam garments; Divine Accessories, with pretty fashion pieces for every occasion; Beautiful Boudoirs, indulgent furnishings for seductive bedrooms; and Feminine Fripperies, gorgeous accessories for anywhere in the home.

You’ll also find a basic instruction section devoted entirely to stitches, perfect for picking up a new technique or solidifying an old skill, as well as embellishment ideas for almost every project, using sewing notions like beads, buttons, and ribbons.

With 30 fun and fabulous patterns, simple instructions, and lush color photographs, Pretty Knits is a fresh and inspiring guide to gorgeous, fashionable knit designs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Cropper is the owner of Loop, a critically acclaimed luxury yarn shop in London. She has worked as a designer and art director at many Condé Nast publications and at Elle Decoration. She lives in London with her husband and three children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (October 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307383156
• ISBN-13: 978-0307383150
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.7 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book filled with neat ideas, November 1, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretty Knits: 30 Designs from Loop in London (Hardcover)

Reviewed by Janelle Martin

For many years customers have been asking for patterns for the garments displayed in Loop, a hugely popular yarn store in London, England filled with more than 130 different yarns. Usually the clerks have had to disappoint customers, telling them that the designs came from independent designers and no pattern is available. With the publication of Pretty Knits: 30 designs from Loop in London. edited by Loop owner Susan Cropper, many of these coveted designs are available for knitters to enjoy.

The designs in Pretty Knits are divided into four chapters: Flirty Fashionista (garments); Divine Accessories; Beautiful Boudoirs (items for the bedroom); and Feminine Fripperies (accessories for the rest of your home).

Garments range from 30" to 44" (76cm to 112cm) with most falling in the 34" to 40" range (86cm to 102cm). Knitters from every skill level will find something in this volume. Beginners will be tempted by basic patterns with special extras such as the "Bliss" Empire-Line Top by Debbie Bliss which features silk ribbon threaded through eyelet ridge. More experienced knitters will be drawn to patterns such as Kristen Griffin-Grimes "Anisette" Wrap that uses three different lace patterns and highlights the beauty of luxurious Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Unusual and luxury yarns fill the pages of Pretty Knits. An evening out bag is made with Leigh Radford/Lantern Moon Silk Gelato (a Vietnamese silk cut into strips); bed socks created from Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere; or a runner from Be Sweet Bamboo all contribute to a decadent knitting experience. Yardage requirements are not provided in the instructions so knitters wishing to work these projects in more economical options will need to do a bit of investigation.

The final section of the book provides instructions in knitting techniques: three different cast-ons, knitting with beads, working cables, and various finishing methods. As many of these patterns use notions, Cropper has included sources for these as well as the yarns suggested in the patterns. While a trip to London and Loop is not in the cards for most knitters, "this book is a little extension of Loop and those who make it special."

Armchair Interviews says: Book that gives knitters some neat ideas.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book, fabulous yarns. fabulous patterns, February 5, 2008

By 

S. marshall "sher, running fanatic" (Pgh, Pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pretty Knits: 30 Designs from Loop in London (Hardcover)

I bought this book, first because I just love the cape on the front of the book, and when I found out that it was done with Louisa Harding's yarn, it made it even more appealing. After going through it and seeing more of Louisa's yarn used, I decided that I had to have it.
Now, I am a book lover. And I go into overkill when it comes to yarn pattern books. But I am picky and I go home and I go through the book very carefully and decide if it is worth keeping. This definitely is a keeper. Sometimes I keep a book just for the inspiration.
Not this one, I already have the beautiful cape started on the front cover and just love knitting with Louisa's yarns.
The instructions are easy to follow, I love looking at all of the pictures and Loop I doubt I will ever get to, I have plenty of yarn shops here in the US that i will spend my money on first. But having this pattern book is well worth it. It is a classic and I highly recommend this book to every knitter.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very pretty, November 15, 2007

By 

Elizabeth Pickup "Head in a book" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pretty Knits: 30 Designs from Loop in London (Hardcover)

I have just received this book and am delighted with it. It has beautiful projects, scrumptious yarns, nice photography and there are projects I want to make. The projects are just a bit different and you can get the yarn from the writers shop on-line if you find it difficult to source near you.

I am very happy with this book.