Customer Reviews

Romantic Hand Knits: 26 Flirtatious Designs That Flatter Your Figure

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Frankly, I'm one of those people you hangs around in book stores to determine if a knitting book is worth my investment (before I buy it on Amazon). Not so with this book, simply because Annie Modesitt is the author. I pre-ordered this book in April. So, after waiting SO patiently, I was literally jumping up and down when it arrived three days ago. For the last two nights it's been my 'bedtime story' and my excitement has not waned. My copy is full of stickynotes as I try to narrow down one pattern to begin with. SHE GETS IT. These designs are true to the title, romantic, flirtatious, flattering. Another one of things I especially love is that she gives you the usual information of what brand of yarn and how much to buy, BUT she recognizes her choice of yarn may not be yours and she therefore gives you THE YARDAGE NEEDED. No guessing if you choose to substitute, so helpful! [One day, in my lifetime, may we all start using WPI (wraps per inch). Food for thought for you next book Annie.] The designs are so beautiful, pretty, fashionable, fun, and feminine. Simply gorgeous. There is nice choice of tops, skirts, dresses, and accessories. There are a couple of patterns that are not me, but I'll knit more out of this book than any other I've purchased before. If you are a true Knitter you will not be disappointed with this book. Buy one for yourself and one for your best knitting buddy. Got to go knit. I hope this review is helpful.

This is an absolutely beautiful book!
As the title says, the designs are really figure flattering and so very feminine. The garments are beautifully photographed, highlighting the incredible detailing Annie Modesitt is known for.
I love the focus on romance. It's something most of us don't think about much, but can all use some of in our lives. As Annie says, it's not just in terms of falling in love with someone, it's about falling in love with life.
You'll never want to hide yourself in a boxy sweater again, when you see patterns like "Adam's Rib", a lovely tailored jacket or "Charade", a light and airy lacy wrap top.
"Romantic Hand Knits" is divided into the sections, "Above the Waist" (tanks,jackets, cardigans, corsets and pullovers), "Below the Waist" (featuring skirts and dresses) and "Accessories" (hats, scarves and more). There's also a "Resources" section to help with the details needed to make all of the garments.
This book is inspiring and I look forward to making some wonderful things for myself and gifts for friends and family.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. I've long admired Annie Modesitt's designs and was excited when I read about this book. The book itself is beautifully photographed and designed but the designs, frankly, are a very mixed bag.

To be fair there are some genuinely lovely pieces. My favorite is the top called "Casablanca" (all the designs are named for movies that the designer likes). And there are some very sexy long gloves and some utterly gorgeous stockings. I even liked the hats. But, for the most part about the only thing "romantic" in some of these designs is that they are snug in order to show off the figure underneath them --- which may be fine but says little for the designs themselves.

Some of the garments might actually be interesting to do in different colors --- the choice of colors and color combinations seem glaring and would be better suited to a book on "Knitting for Clowns". And some of the designs are just downright uninspired. An excellent example are the two scarves both of which are extremely plain and rely on the use of funky colorful yarns to make them interesting --- though far from romantic. I had hoped that a designer of Annie Modesitt's skill would have done more with interesting stitches and textures than just simple knits made with funky yarns.

The best advice would be to borrow this book from a friend or a library before you buy it. If you like unusual color combinations, are a beginning knitter, or define "romantic" dressing as being brightly colored, tight-fitting and funky you may well like the book. I'll probably make the gloves and maybe the Casablanca sweater but, considering the beautiful things Annie Modesitt features on her web site, I'm disappointed.

This is a lovely lovely book, full of stylish, original and sexy (but not vulgar) knits - most of which I want to make myself. I have bought huge amounts of knitting and crochet books and have recently started editing them - keeping on my shelves only the few really good, worthwhile books - like Lingerie Style, Fitted Knits, Loop d Loop and so on - and now, THIS - wow. Annie Modesitt is a knitting goddess. I cannot stand baggy shapeless knits. They are so ugly and unflattering. None of these fit that category - they are all beautifully shaped and styled, and there's stuff to suit all tastes. Annie M includes places in each pattern to lengthen too, so you can go from short to long sleeves, and short to long or vice versa skirts. The photography is beautiful with more than one photo of each item. There are schematics, graphs, charts, everything one needs to make life easier - including mini tutorials on lace knitting, crochet stitches, and even the finer points of millinery - because there are even a couple of adorable knitted hats.

Highly recommended......

The patterns in this book are so beautiful and wonderfully girly taht I had to get it the day it came out. I have already made 2 of the skirts,An Affair to Remember & Now,Voyager. I have also made the long gloves and am in the mide of the dress titled "The Bishoops Wife". when I got this book I was wondering if I was ever going to make any of the beautiful things in it because they seemed so hard. But after sitting down and reading the patterns I realized that they were really very easy to make. I am not very girly when it comes to my clothing,but I made a exception in the case of this book and would glady do so again. On of my faves to date!!

I just received this book for Christmas and I cannot put it down. As a young person, it can be hard to find patterns that aren't too frumpy! However, all of the designs in this book are classic with just the right edge of sexiness that the knitter/wearer could rock these on a night out or at the office. I am so in love with this book that I am considering purchasing Modesitt's other texts.

Included are several great one-page lessons on embroidery, crochet and the basics of lace knitting for beginners and advanced knitters alike.

Several of the lovliest patterns are lacey, so if you don't like knitting lace, peruse it carefully before purchasing.

Almost all patterns require you to read from charts.

Harkening back to Hollywood's golden era, Romantic Hand Knits: 26 flirtatious designs that flatter your figure evokes images of a time when sexy didn't mean skimpy clothing. Figure-hugging silhouettes and feminine styles are sure to turn heads, while satisfying even the most demanding fashionista.

Divided into three categories-Above the Waist; Below the Waist; and Accessories-Annie Modesitt's designs cover all skill levels and incorporate many different knitting techniques. Beginning knitters are provided several simple patterns that incorporate interesting details; the "West Side Story" skirt with its flirty ruffled layers or the sultry "Some Like It Hot" elbow-length lace gloves. Experienced knitters have the option to explore new construction techniques in the stunning tulip skirt "An Affair to Remember" (featured on the book's cover) or face the challenge of the complex "Notorious" corset sweater. Truly adventurous knitters may wish to try knitted millinery, a specialty of Modeseitt, either with the cloche hat "High Society" or the wide-brimmed "Gone with the Wind" (for more on knitted hats, check out Modesitt's earlier book Knitting Millinery).

As well as covering all skill levels, Romantic Hand Knits covers a full spectrum of sizes. Finished chest measurements range from 26.5" (67.5 cm) to 57" (145 cm), with the average falling between 30 and 48" (76 to 122 cm).

While taking their style cues from vintage fashion, and the films after which they are named, what makes these designs resoundingly modern is Modesitt's understanding of fit. Her designs create fabric which drapes to flatter a woman's curves and uses details such as an interesting yoke or ruffle to draw the eye away from problem areas. Most importantly, she encourages knitters to pull out their tape measures and knit for the body they have, rather than the one of their dreams. As she states: "When we wear clothes that fit us, we look better...Clothes that skim the body, not hug it, tend to be the most flattering."

Armchair Interview says: Wonderful connection between vintage films and knitting.

I just received this book in the mail the first of the week and I'm already in love with it. The beautiful full color pages are full of graceful shapely knits. It has a section of tops, skirts and luxurious accessories. The shapes are graceful and feminine and harken back to the elegant designs of the 20's 30's as well as earlier eras.

However the nicest thing about this book is that they include sizing for larger women, bust sizes up to 48 & 52 inches, and similarly sized skirts. The patterns as well have sections that instruct on how to customize lengths so the garment becomes truly yours.

The yarn choices are luxurious, with one design inspired by Cleopatra calling for skeins and skeins of gorgeous silk. However there are notes in the introduction and on the author's webpage, and the book's ravelry page that discuss making changes and suggest new yarns for ones that have been discontinued. This is not uncommon for any knitting pattern as it seems that publishing a pattern seems to call for the immediate discontinuation of the yarns mentioned.

Overall I'd recommend this book to any who have an interest in "romantic" style clothing.

This book is beautiful with several appealing patterns. There are just too many errors in the patterns. Check out the errata before purchasing.

This book is wonderful. So far it has been one of the only knitting pattern books that I personally bought for myself. I have other books, but this books rates at my highest level of "gotta have" The patterns are easy to read and understand. Annie Modesitt has broke my "I can't follow other people's patterns" mindset. Annie knows that we are not built a like or boxy. The fits are flatterning and feminine.
I got my book yesterday and have already picked out 5 patterns that must be knit. I am sure there will be more that need to be knit. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Raquel

Raquel