Customer Reviews

Together or Separate: Knitting the New Twinset

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Ann McCauley has done it again! I thought her last book was great so I was excited to see she had written another one. It is really good. This time she has incorporated twin sets which gives the knitter many style options. The styles are very modern and the skill levels vary in this book from easy to experienced. Everything in here is really cute. She has included helpful information in the front on attentiveness, breath and knitting, buttonholes, design, joining shoulders, necklines, pressing, and more. This information is very helpful so that the knitter can achieve the same finished product the author has shown in the picture. She even has a dress in this book which I love as well as a couple of skirt sets and a sweater with matching socks. It is really cute! Check this book out, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with its content. She is good at clearly explaining all steps needed to finish the design correctly. This is not something I find in all of my knitting books, but this one is a good one to purchase.

I was fortunate enough to take a yarn shop class with this author and it has enhanced many aspects and levels of my knitting. I was also fortunate to see the trunk show of all the garments from Together or Separate: Knitting the New Twinset. Every knitter present seemed to quickly find way more than one garment from the book that she wanted to knit. These sweaters are even more beautiful in person than they are on the pages! This book is not to be missed! Long live the twinset in its broadened interpretation. These designs certainly stand out worn alone or together. Fun knitting and great information as well.

Together or Separate: Knitting the New Twinset is a wonderful knitting book. There is a wide variety of patterns and styles. The patterns are well written and easy to knit from. Ann McCauley has a wonderful design style that makes her sweater patterns unique. There is something for everyone in this book from Sweaters, Skirts, Shells, Vests, etc. This book would be a great addition to your knitting library.

The "old" sweater set has come back into its own. My daughter gave me one a couple of years ago and I wear it all the time. In today's age of air conditioning and with the changes in weather, I never know if I will be hot or cold so the sweater set is perfect.

Get your needles out and make yourself your own version of this old classic. TOGETHER OR SEPARATE is the new twist on what they are now calling Twinsets. Whatever they are called, here is a book that will help you make on just for you.

Another thing I have never seen is a knitting book and an exercise book combined together. TOGETHER OR SEPARATE does just that. The author makes suggestions of exercises to do in her ALPHABET OF MUSINGS section right along with definitions and how-to's.

Each pattern, of which there are nine, has a skill level, size, finished measurements, gauge and a materials list to start the pattern off. The knitting directions are clearly written and the book has a "built-in book mark" so you won't lose your page when you have to put your knitting down to fix supper.

You say, only nine patterns! Remember, this is Twinsets so you get 18 patterns. The plasticized cover is nice so cookie brownie crumbs will wipe right off. And don't forget the reference pages. Abbreviations, glossary and basic knitting steps are given here. A yarn weight chart, skill level definitions and metric conversions are on one page and resources on another. The very back "book mark" has a mini-bio of the author.

If you need something to keep your hands busy and need a new Twinset, grab TOGHETERH OR SEPARATE and you will be all set.

The designs are doable, instructions are clear, and the look is updated and modern. I think what I liked best is that the designs are feminine and modern at the same time. Very wearable. I have enjoyed just looking through the book many times. The beautiful pictures of the knitted samples are large and welldone, allowing the reader to see the details of the sweaters, skirt, pair of socks, and a headband clearly, and with no background distractions. The author uses some interesting fiber choices in her yarns, with several containing cotton, which gives a sweater a longer life throughout the year. I liked this book so much that I bought three more copies and gave them to friends!

Ann McCauley's TOGETHER OR SEPARATE: KNITTING THE NEW TWINSET tells how to explore designs using solid colors and different textures, with projects ranging from skirts to headbands to sweaters. Knitters will find the classic twinset goes far beyond the usual shell-and-cardigan combination to incorporate a range of possibilities.

This is truly a knitter's knitting book. The love of the craft shines through in these designs. The attention to detail is most appreciated. There is something for everyone here and these designs will stand the test of time. Your toughest decision will be what to make first. May this lead to many more titles from this author.

If I had to describe this knitting book in one word, it would be - elegance. The designs in Together or Separate depend on simple, but beautiful patterning for their stylish looks.

The book begins with what the author calls "Alphabet of Musings", which is really a miscellaneous discussion of the knitter and techniques. It includes instructions on buttonholes, increases and general knitting techniques, but it also includes health issues for the knitter. "Breath and Knitting" which has breathing exercises to practice while knitting, with other sections on eyes, back and hand issues that knitters face after long episodes of knitting.

The patterns included in this book are: a striped sweater with a separate matching cowl, a very classy mock pleat and rib turtleneck and skirt, several shell/cardigan sets, (my favorite is the eyelet and ruffle cardigan and shell on p. 27), a turtleneck/ headband/vest set, a cardigan and socks set, and much more.

The skill level of the patterns is a good mix from easy to experienced, and some of the shells are a good starting point before moving on to the cardigan.

These are beautiful and timeless designs and I am pleased to have this book by Ann McCauley on my permanent book shelf.

From the moment I took this book from the shelf I knew that I wanted it. As I was turning pages of Together or Separate, I felt like I am at the chic and high-end boutique. All of the knitted samples are made and photographed beautifully. There is a variety of patterns for every "knitterly" taste: socks, headbands, skirts, tank tops, cardigans, sweaters, and even a dress. Some are complicated and some are not. Ann McCauley takes the idea of a twinset and offers it with a new twist. A twinset in her book is not always what you expect. It could be a cardigan coupled up with socks or a pullover with wristlets. There are plenty of projects to keep your interest no matter how experienced you are. Instructions are very clear. I love her Alphabet of Musings on pages 10-15. You will find many good tips that are either directly related to knitting or make you feel fit to knit. Very clever and useful.
This book is a must for your knitting library!

Somehow I missed this one but browsing one day on Amazon, I read all the 5 star reviews so ordered it. I have her earlier book. This one is much better for me. In the first one a lot of the necklines were very high up for someone with a long neck but here that problem almost doesn't come up. Also, I am pleased with her yarn choices because they are established American yarns that are easy to find or to find substutes for and also many of them use cotton. Her patterns are designed so they are not sloppy but well fitting classic items which will be always timely. This is especially nice for someone living in a warmer climate.My two favorites are both on the back cover: arrowhead lace and chain and double cable. You can order this one sight unseen and you won't go wrong.