Customer Reviews

Pretty Knits: 30 Designs from Loop in London

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Well, I was really excited to get this book from the library after reading the reviews here, but after seeing the designs, I'm starting to wonder if they were written by people that know the author (especially since the first review listed is mostly quoted from the book)... the only project worth making might be the hot water bottle cover.

The designs seem very dated, and quite frankly unattractive. One of the tops in the 'flirty fashionista' section (by Debbie Bliss - love her kids designs) is far from 'flirty' or 'fashionable'. It's a blue short sleeved baby-doll top with a green ribbon. Wow. Fashionable ten years ago... I would give this book 1 star for the designs, but I did give it 2 stars because of the instructional section at the back of the book - always nice to have a visual refresher for stitches/techniques you haven't ever done or haven't done in a while.

My suggestion - try to find it at your local library and look it over before spending money on it. I checked it out yesterday, and after looking through it last night, it went right to my 'return' pile by the front door.

LOVE THIS BOOK, SOMETHING IN IT FOR ANYONE, ALSO HAS A GOSSAMER TYPE SHAWL / OR WRAP WHICH IS NICE, I THINK THEY DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS BOOK, IN THE BACK IS INSTRUCTION FOR SOMEONE NEWER TO KNITTING AS TO HOW TO DO THE STITCHES, NICE INFORMATION ABOUT CASTING ON AND THE BEST PHOTOS I HAVE SEEN ON IT.. VERY NICE, RECOMMENDED

There aren't a lot of clothes. The only thing I liked was the item on the cover. Louisa Hardings knitting accessories book had a lot more interesting and cute stuff than this one. I returned it after looking at the assortment of bizarre and mostly unattractive useless things. A cupcake teapot cozy? I was looking for more of the front cover and was definitely disappointed.

There are so many pretty things to make in this book, and my fingers are itching to start making them. I love the designs, and there are projects for many skill levels. Any of these would make a beautiful gift. The colors and textures are good, and there are lots of ideas for my projects.

I'm glad I got this book, and it will be a good addition to my collection of knitting books.

When I saw the cover I had to put it on my wish list. So glad my sister bought it for me. I intend to make the cover shawl but first I will make the sweater that reminds me of a bed jacket. I'm making it to fit as a bed jacket for my daughter when she's up with the baby.

Even if I wasn't going to knit from it, it's a wonderful book to just look through time after time.

LOVE IT!