Customer Reviews

Twinkle's Town & Country Knits: 30 Designs for Sumptuous Living

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

 

 

I love wenlan's designs. why the one star? because when I wrote the company to have them explain a major directional problem in the patterns and got royally blown off by some flunky and told to obtain the errata (that doesn't exist) by "contacting Classic Elite". Ummmmm, did classic elite write the book???? oh, new to me. Maybe that's what she does, is draw a sweater and call classic elite to actually write the pattern.

This behavior is in stark contrast to the lovely and wonderful Teva Durham (Loop-d-Loop: More than 40 Novel Designs for Knitters) who personally talked to me on the phone when I found an stitch issue in one of her patterns. She explained to me why she had to condense her patterns and walked me through the error and profusely appologized (which I wasn't expecting) This is someone who really CARES about her patterns and reputation. What a wonderful person. But Wenlan's company??? after I asked for clarification of some very VAGUE instructions (mid pattern, she jumps off to a chart that makes no sense with columns that aren't properly labeled, and doesn't explain where to place decreases) and when you write back to ask for clarification (not errata) they never even respond. Too bad, cuz no more money for you, ms. chia. U need to do a little better than that. go on, u took my money and ran, oo oo ooo

In fairness, since I've only attempted one pattern so far, I give 2 stars. But, I've already found 3 errors in that first pattern and that doesn't bode well for rest of the book. I've tried to find an errata, but one doesn't seem to exist. Wenlan's designs are, for the most part, not appealing to me and not even flattering on the models, but there are five that I would consider making and two that I really love, so I bought the book.

If you do decide to buy this book for the Metropolitan Diary Skirt, as I did; here are my errata:

1) there is a minor error in the description of sssk in the back of the book: sssk (slip, slip, slip, knit), slip next 3 stitches one at a time knitwise, insert the left-hand needle into BOTH (this should read ALL THREE) stitches as if to knit, knit those three stitches together - creates a right leaning decrease.

2) there is a much more damaging error on page 57 describing the Dec Rnd. Each round is based on 2 bookended blocks of 6(7,7),5,4,5,6(7,7) stitches for a total of 48(56,56) stitches. The instructions for the Dec Rnd leave out instructions for the second set of 6(7,7) stitches bookending each block. Since these are merely knitted the first time, I assume they are to be knitted the second time as well since the pattern is symetrical.

3) the same error was made in the description on page 57 of the Bias Rnd. The final 6(7,7) stitches of the pattern should be knitted.

I will review again if I find more errors or, hopefully, no more errors in any other patterns I attempt.

I have had this book for about a year and finally purchased the $100 worth of yarn to do the black turtle neck sweater that adorns the cover. The pattern was poorly written (and I'm an experienced knitter) and the sizing was WAY off. I'm a typical size M but decided to make the L just in case and it BARELY fit around my mid section. Great patterns in style and theory but terribly written and sized. I wish I could return the book.

TG for Ravelry where you can browse to see what these very cute items look like on more average bodies. Most are done in super bulky yarns or yarns held several strands together and knit on very large needles. They knit up VERY fast!

I got the book in the mail yesterday - thinking chunky knit is not my thing. Got carried away I guess when the off cam this summer. That to the side - I like the book! It has trendy items, fast knitted and slightly different look than most fast, easy, chunky knitting. I will try some of these garments. There is a red dress you can start a week before you plan to wear it that will be my first project. [...]

The book is worth it if you like warm cosy knits that look a bit "fat". It's surprisingly stylish for easy fast knitting.

In addition to providing technical instructions and patterns, this book, like the author's prior books, helps bring out one's own creativity in design and personal styling.

I have not started any projects but they are all chic, knits that I would buy in a designer store. Lots of patterns, great photos and step by step instructions. Love Twinkle books.