Customer Reviews

Slip-Stitch Knitting

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

 

 

This book takes the concept of slip stitch knitting and goes beyond it a little bit--hence lies the problem. It attempts to equate slip stitching knitting with traditional color knitting (or fair isle knitting), but fails to convince me why one should try its method over all the others. Moreover, this book does not show the intricate beauty of a mosaic pattern, such as those presented by Barbara Walker.

I knitted a couple of cute looking hats following the slip stitch patterns in this book. Then I knitted them again, using the traditional method but following the picture chart in the book. Slip stitch knitting of mosaic patterns, as presented in this book, offered little advantage. For those interested in slip stitch knitting, I suggest Barbara Walker's book on Mosaic knitting.

I've found this little book to be a great way to start exploring beyond the basics of mosaic knitting. The suggestions for experimenting, the nice color pictures demonstrating different possibilities, and the clear instructions were just what I wanted. Yes, the author takes liberties with the basic mosaic technique as I learned it -- but that's been a great way to encourage me to think outside the box. After reading the chapter on designing your own mosaic patterns, I've finally had the courage and knowledge to give it a try, which has been a real blast. I do think beginning mosaic knitters would benefit from a discussion of some basics, such as using edge stitches and a more conservative approach to slipping multiple stitches and alternating rows -- so I would recommend that those knitters read what Barbara Walker has to say about this kind of knitting, and work some of her patterns, before coming to this book.

I took this book out from the library to see if I might like to buy it. I love Barbara Walker's mosaic technique. I think it is immeasurably easier than fair isle because you work with only one strand at a time, and there are no problems with puckering or tangled yarn. I think this author has taken mosaic knitting in a great direction, but I just don't think there is enough content here to warrant a whole book. The crux of the book is to execute the mosaic designs with a varigated yarn. A beautiful technique. She does give great advice for creating your own mosaic designs, but I had already worked one out myself, and learned the pitfalls that way. Her garment patterns are very cute, but are too boxy for my taste. If you don't have Walker, this is a good book to have, but I just didn't think there was enough in this book to warrant its addition to my knitting library.

I thought the book had some very interesting patterns but having worked with Barbara Walker's Mosaic Knitting for some years, I found some crucial points missing. None of the charts have the edge stitches crucial to executing the patterns. You always have to knit the first and last stitch of the row to avoid slipped stitches on the edges and nowhere in the book does it mention this fact. I have the book for the garments but have to revise the working method.

This book is not as bad as some have made it out to be, but it is way overpriced (not unusual with Interweave Press).

I liked it because the author did show the effect of using different types of yarns together. There are quite a few close-up color pictures. The clothing patterns are not bad, but the mosaic patterns are simple enough that you may, as an earlier reviewer mentioned, wonder why to use slip stitches instead of fair isle. I guess it would be just a matter of personal preference--do you want to knit with both colors at once, or do you essentially want to knit each row twice?

I agree that more intricate patterns are in the Barbara Walker book, but those too could be knitted in fair isle if you didn't mind the long floats.

One thing nice about this book is that it actually has a section on how to design your own mosaic patterns which the Barbara Walker books do not have. Bartlett's patterns, however, seem more like motifs that you might look at knitting in intarsia rather than by mosaic or fair isle.

Not a "go out and buy right now" book, but a decent addition to any knitting library.

Slip stitch knitting can be very inventive and simple, and though this book does present the technique very well, I found the sweater patterns presented were unappealing. The book itself is way overpriced.

If you want to knit in colors but, don't want the hassle of having to deal with 2 yarns at a time like Fair Isle knitting, this technique is for you. This is good for knitting socks, mittens, etc... The book is showing the technique in a simple, straight forward matter.

Excellent introduction to a new-to-me method of knitting patterns without carrying strands of yarn that, if pulled, can distort the piece.

I've wanted to try color knitting for a while now, but have been intimidated just thinking about knitting with two colors at once. This book gives another option and shows you how to knit with one color at a time but make it look like you've been doing something more difficult. My next project will be with color!