Tudor Roses [Paperback]

Alice Starmore (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Distributed by Unicorn Books and Crafts (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962558680
• ISBN-13: 978-0962558689
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #825,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fanciful designs that recall the glories of the Tudors, January 31, 2003

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tudor Roses (Paperback)

The Tudor kings and queens had sumptuous clothing down to an art--gold embroidery, padding, slits, velvet, silks, jewels, lace. They had it all--and they wore it all at the same time. (They apparently did NOT have the fashion rule to look in the mirror and take ONE ornament away to avoid overdressing. No indeed. Their rule seemed to be to look in the mirror and make sure to add ONE MORE THING. Was there any other time in history when costume was so frankly over-the-top? I don't believe so.)

Alice Starmore and her apprentice, daughter Jade, created a number of sweater designs inspired by the Tudor royals. These are not recreations of Tudor clothing. Instead, these are wearable art that give an impression of richness. Of the designs, one of the most stunning is "Katherine Howard" done by Jade Starmore. She is especially good at dramatic shaping in knitwear--her trademark. The design is in "gold" and "silver" color wool that looks like metallic embroidery couching over a carnelian colored ground. While done in plain, matte wool colors, the impression of this sweater is of a richly embroidered coat with a peplum.

The "Margaret Tudor" is interesting in that it features textured knitting depicting thistles, with pewter buttons studding the cables to give the effect of jewelry. Wearable, but dramatic.

There is also a lot of colorwork done with Starmore's unique way to blend many, many subtle shades of yarn that creates a pearly effect. This is especially effective in the "Henry VIII" which uses golds and browns on a blue ground. The blended shades look like gold embroidery. Amazing.

The most interesting choice of design was the "Elizabeth I", which is NOT pounds of textured yarns and buttons like a heavily-jeweled tunic, but instead, virginal WHITE with a textured neck pattern taken from silk stockings. The shaping is that of a stomacher (lower in front, slanting down over the tummy.) It is a testament to the "Virgin Queen" image of Elizabeth while quoting amusingly from the famous design of the silk stockings she made popular. Think Glynis Paltrow or Cate Blanchett. If you have a pretty figure, this would look stunning.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Visually exquisite... and the patterns are gorgeous too., March 21, 2005

By 

Loves to Knit "BB" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tudor Roses (Paperback)

This book has exquisite photos, intricate patterns, and after reading it I think I could pass a course on the Tudor period of English history. Although many of the patterns may be quite challenging for those unfamiliar with Starmore's technique (and working with so many colors on tiny needles is not for the faint of heart), her lucid explanations give courage. Warning: Use Shetland wool for cutting steeks, you'll thank me later for the advice.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Beautiful Knitting Books I Have Ever Seen, March 1, 2009

By 

Bonnie Brody "Book Lover and Knitter" (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tudor Roses (Paperback)

This book is as much an art book and a history book as it is a knitting book. It goes through the history of Tudor fashion and has reproductions of artwork from this era throughout the book. The photographs of the Tudor landscape and castles are luscious. The knitting projects are to die for!

When I purchase a knitting book I ask myself three questions:

1) Are there projects in this book that I want to knit?

2) Are the patterns clearly written?

3) Is the book a good resource?

The answer to all three questions is 'yes'. I wish I could knit every pattern in this book.

This book uses charts and I prefer written instructions but I do know how to translate charts into line-by-line directions. The patterns are all for adults and are either Aran or Fair Isle. There is not an easy pattern in the book. All are for intermediate or advanced knitters. A beginning knitter might enjoy this book, however, just for its beauty and inspiration.

I give this book my highest recommendation.