47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Uses for this book if you are not a beginner, February 9, 2002
This review is from: Simply Beautiful Sweaters: Tricoter (Paperback)
This book is an ideal first pattern book for a brand new knitter but what good is it to a more advanced knitter? Let me explain. (I have a year of knitting under my belt and three completed sweaters to show for it not including the one I am going to talk about)
I bought some very nice cotton worsted weight on a whim because it was on sale. I had no idea what I would do with it. Then, a special occasion came up. I had a dressy skirt but no top to go with it. Since the yarn was black, I knew it would match but I needed a FAST pattern to get my top done in time and the gauge was too thin for me to speed through. I chose the back button cardigan in this book and made it with doubled yarn. Lovely!
There you have it, this book is great for what I would call emergency knitting. You need a sweater pronto for a gift, an outfit, a wedding, whatever. Obviously, needle size 3 intarsia creations would be out when you only have a weeks notice.
In addition, the introduction is very informative and the troubleshooting tips are well illustrated. I agree, the yarn is rather pricey but then I feel that if I am going to invest my time in a garment, I should buy the best yarn I can afford. I have had a year of happy knitting as a result of this philosophy. And, the higher the quality of the yarn, the longer your garment will last in all likelihood. You're making heirlooms here! And, as noted earlier, it is easy to substitute yarns due to the format of the book. (I would not suggest a beginner going outside of the basic yarn "type", though. Cotton for cotton, wool for wool is best if you are not yet familiar with the results of changing materials.)
In my opinion, complaining about the simplicity of a book titled SIMPLY beautiful sweaters is like getting angry at a school course called BASIC English for being basic. There was no false advertising involved. The authors delivered what they promised.
This book has paid for itself in my eyes and I hope everyone will give it a fair chance. Remember, knitting doesn't have to be complicated to be beautiful. Happy knitting!
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colorful sweaters, simple designs, November 29, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Simply Beautiful Sweaters: Tricoter (Paperback)
This book is perhaps a lesson in color theory for sweaters. The sweater patterns are simple, as the title states, and classic. The interesting thing in the designs, however, is the use of color -- and not in ways that are so complex that they can be either intimidating or time-consuming. The photos of each sweater are marvelous -- the colors rich and vibrant. Everything is attractive. The book itself is of extremely high quality -- durable and glossy papers, although I think that being a paperback it is a tad overpriced. Some of the designs have a list of yarns used, and others do not, only suggesting the weight of yarn required, which can be frustrating if you, like me, tend to want to knit exactly what you see in a photo. I liked the write up on the shop owned by the authors and the colorful photos -- somehow it made the book more appealing, as if you knew the authors. The patterns are clearly laid out, and the instructions are meticulous. Also, the printface was large enough that it was comfortable to read (unlike some patterns that are squeezed onto a page so you sometimes lose your place while knitting/reading). This is really a fine book, and though at the moment I don't want to knit any of the sweaters (that may change as I browse through again and again), the book itself is an excellent lesson in the color possibilities for sweaters, which should make many of us more creative in our color choices. This is a very nice book and regardless of whether you like intricate or simple patterns for sweaters, an excellent addition to a knitter's library.
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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
finally, inspiration for the younger and hipper beginner, May 30, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Simply Beautiful Sweaters: Tricoter (Paperback)
As a woman under 31 who started knitting last year, I *devoured* this beautiful collection of colorful but simple sweaters that didn't remind me of my grandmother. I am grateful that the authors took the time to collect patterns that are attractive (not stodgy!) but accessible to the beginner. Finally I have a book I want to show my friends who ask why and what I knit (sorry, but most of the more popular publications -- not Vogue Knitting or Rowan -- look like absolute death to the young(er) and hip(per)).
I should note also that this book is behind my decision to invest in *really* nice yarns whenever I can. Even a simple pattern will showcase a great yarn (and vice versa). Besides, my time and the recipients of the sweater (me included) are worth the extra expense.
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