Customer Reviews

Shadow Knitting

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Vivian Hoxbro, a Danish knit designer, has uncovered a type of knitting using simple garter stitch that reveals eye-teasing pattern and color when you use several shades of yarns. Yet you only use one color at a time--no color changing per row.

As you knit the alternating rows of dark and light yarns, you produce a pattern that is almost an optical illusion--depending on the angle you look at the knit piece, it may appear strongly patterned--or absolutely single toned. The yarns used are shetland-weight in wonderful colors. You can find these yarns in the US, as Mrs. Hoxbro has contracted with an American manufacturer to make them for her. Sources of these yarns, and substitutes to be found in Europe are included in the back of the book.


The rules of Shadow Knitting are:

1. You always use at least 2 colors of yarn.
2. Only one color is used at a time
3. You alternate two rows of dark knitting with 2 rows of light knitting.
4. You use knit and purl stitches only
5. Wrong side rows use the same color as the previous row. The stitches are knitted or purled as per a chart.

There are a lot of good illustrations and of course projects including shawls, pullovers, Hoxbro's favorite dolman sleeve tops, jackets, vest, kids' wear, bags and decor items like pillows.

"Domino Knitting" was Hoxbro's previous book about a modular knitting technique. When "Dominos" was translated from Danish to English, the publisher put it into a small format. This time, "Shadow Knitting" is published in a bigger sized book--meaning the pictures and diagrams are large and easier to read. This is IMPORTANT--the diagrams of where to change from knit to purl are vital to the design and you want to see this clearly in the chart. But as before, you can enjoy Mrs. Hoxbro's fabulous sense of color. You should swatch some of the designs as they live and breath as no picture can portray in a book.

Still puzzled by "Shadow Knitting" after trying it out? Ms. Hoxbro does give workshops in the US from time to time--her website is viv.dk which will give you access to a newsletter of her schedule and bright examples of her knitting designs from the books.

If you're looking to get into shadow/illusion knitting, this is, as far as I know, the most comprehensive book out there, and worth the price. Other books only offer very short "instruction" on it, which tends to eliminate necessary things like gauge, yarn content & needle selection.

This book is also chock full of beautiful colour photographs. And most (although, unfortunately not all) of them include shots from at least two angles, enabling the reader/knitter to see how the pattern should look from both angles, which can make the knitting of the item easier.

On the other hand, there is ZERO information on how to create your own patterns. Also, Høxbro has a tiring predilection for very geometric patterns, and this technique lends itself to so much more elaborate patterns than that. Annoyingly, everything seems to be in a "four row" pattern, and there are other options, which is given almost no mention.

While I'm glad I bought the book, and it's currently the most comprehensive widely available book, for the "expert" on the craft to issue such a woefully incomplete reference, especially after such a long delay, is terribly disappointing.

The adult sweater patterns in this book are completely disappointing. I agree completely with the reviewer who referred to "Cosby sweaters". The styles are so 80s, I had to check the copyright date on the book to convince myself it had been published recently. All of the garments are in big, boxy styles with large geometric shapes. The narrow striping needed to create the illusion makes all of the patterns very busy. As an adult woman who prefers simple, classic, and slightly fitted designs, I would never wear any of the sweaters from this book. Or carry either of the bags, for that matter. However, there are two children's sweater patterns in the book that look cute.

I've never bought any other book by this author so I'm not sure if the disappointing designs are due to the limitations of the technique (e.g. does shadow knitting work best if you're knitting something rectangular?) or the knitwear designers.

The shawls/scarf and the pillows seem to come closest to finding a balance between showing off the technique and making something pretty. I wish there had been something more along the lines of the Alien Illusion Scarf in Stitch n' Bitch. Not all shadow knitting needs to be done with geometric shapes!

The section on how to produce the shadow knitting effect is pretty clear. I feel like I can go ahead and chart my own illusion design, even if there are no explicit instructions on how you might do that. I really don't know if buying the whole book was worth it in the end though.

As you may know, the expected publication date for Shadow Knitting was delayed but the result is definitely worth the wait. The physical size of the book is larger than that of Domino Knitting, by the same author, and the numerous color photographs do a very good job of capturing this intriguing now-you-see-it, now-you-don't technique. The designs are simple and timeless, making them suitable for both less experienced and seasoned knitters alike. Even if you decide you do not care for this particular type of color work, the designs alone, like Kimono and Wing Shawl to name only two, are worth the price of the book.There are patterns for the home, children, men and women. For newer knitters who are only familiar knit and purl stitches, the author has included a technique section including illustrations explaining the increases and decreases and other necessary information needed to complete the projects. If you have wanted to do color work but have been intimidated by fairisle and intarsia, Shadow Knitting is an excellent place to start.

I ordered this book online b/c I have been wanting to try out shadow knitting and couldn't find it in any local bookstores. Once I got the book home I realized it just wasn't for me. There are lots of patterns for sweaters, vests etc., but nothing that I would ever make or wear. I was hoping for more info on the tech. and charting your own patterns. My brother commented that it was a big book full of "Cosby Sweaters." I'd advise looking though the book before purchasing.

I made the mistake of buying this book without looking through it. I wish I had. I would never make a single pattern in this book. All of the sweater designs are completely unflattering: oversized and boxy. And all of the illusion designs are simple geometric shapes. Nothing is different or interesting.

But worst of all: there is no clear section on how to make your own illusion patterns! Luckily I have since found a website that has a tutorial. This book was a complete waste of money.

Add color to a knitting project and make the most of highlighting and shadows with Shadow Knitting, which demonstrates how to use alternating rows of light and dark yarn to produce subtle patterns. Prior knitting experience and experience reading patterns will assist in the use of an excellent survey which includes everything from the charts and counting needed to produce special effects to color photos of complete projects and step-by-step directions.

This book explores a process of creating patterns by knitting parts of some rows and purling parts of other row,changing colors only at the end of rows. The results are a subtle patterning. I tried a couple of small projects and found it easier to do, and will try more. Well charted, well explained.
Ms Hoxbro is very interesting, I met her a couple of years ago in Copenhagen and learned she learned English, largely self-taught, well enough to write in it. I have several of her books and go back to them for ideas over and over.

I was rather disappointed with this book. I had done shadow knitting once before, and was really excited wondering what this book had to teach me. Alas, the answer was "not much." Ms. Hoxbro has taken what is really a very simple technique and makes it seem difficult with all her "must do this" instructions. I did modify a jacket pattern to make a scarf, but other than that am unlikely to make any of the projects. As others have mentioned, they are all just too geometric and, well, boring really. The photos do not best show off the illusions, either.

I am overly enchanted with this book, who would of thought that a little switch here and there would create a stunning result. Learn how to not only create a work of art, but a conversation piece that will have alot of people saying "how did you do that" (get the book so you can learn how).