The Urban Knitter [Paperback]

Lily M. Chin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2002

It's not just Grandma who loves knitting nowadays. Young urban professionals and Hollywood celebrities are turning a centuries-old pastime into a hip, stress-relieving hobby. No one knows this better than Lily M. Chin, named "Master Knitter" by Vogue Knitting and cited in major media for her chic designs. In this book she profiles the most inventive, diverse, and inspiring young knitters in the country who are giving the craft a fresh new look.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lily M. Chin is the "On Design" columnist for Knitter's magazine who has worked with everyone from Isaac Mizrahi to the Gap. She travels the U.S. and Canada giving workshops and seminars, and has her own web site.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (February 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425183289
• ISBN-13: 978-0425183281
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LILY CHIN was named a "Master Knitter" by Vogue Knitting International and has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for more than 25 years. She has worked alongside several of the world's most accomplished fashion designers. She is the author of four previous books. Visit her online at lilychinsignaturecollection.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No pot holders here! Great little portfolio of projects., February 12, 2002

By 

Telemark "Skibetty" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Urban Knitter (Paperback)

A knit-book junkie, I recently picked up a copy of this little number for my collection. I enjoyed the really interesting mix of projects for beginning and intermediate knitters. I consider myself to be a seasoned knitter who can handle projects with varying difficulties, but I appreciated that the easier patterns weren't just pot-holders and long scarves. I confess that all of the projects didn't jump right out at me, but let's face it, what knitting book can claim that? Besides, there is something more to appreciate about Lily's book than first meets the eye: the incredible attention to detail that goes into every pattern.

I selected the men's raglan sweater to knit up -- chose a cool silk yarn. The pattern itself was easy enough, but what was completely impressive were the way the pieces fit together perfectly, right down to the matching seams. Of note, Lily added this fabulous decrease "tuck" at the shoulder that really made it look professional and downright cool. If you're from the Elizabeth Zimmerman school of knitting, this sort of pattern detail is lost on you (don't get me wrong, Lizzie's my idol). On the other hand, if your idea of a perfect evening is s flawless seam or a perfectly graduated arm, don't overlook this book.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Nice Designs @ A Great Price, February 18, 2002

By 

Valerie clark (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Urban Knitter (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book aimed at young,fashion conscious knitters. There are 20 projects in the book. I am 40 & have been knitting since 1968 but found plenty of designs I'd like to make--the unisex garter-striped diagonal vest, the cardijacket and the evening cardijacket preeminent among them. I can't imagine wanting to knit shoes or a sports bra, but it's nice to have patterns available should I change my mind. She has designs for garments, socks, household items, stoles, and purses. The designs vary widely in skill required and there is something for everyone, including men. There is a short article about the knitters for whom Chin created the items,with accompanying photograph. And I hope the low price of the book sets a trend!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A workshop with Lily Chin at a bargain price., August 22, 2004

By 

T. Donovan (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Urban Knitter (Paperback)

This book is like taking a workshop class with Lily Chin, except the price is a bargain and you get to keep a set of detailed notes that Lily herself wrote for you!

As a busy mom, I don't have time to write reviews, but I had to write this one because I don't feel that the reviews written do this book justice.

Reading this book, you learn a lot about how to match a yarn to a project, what to consider during the design process, some special Lily Chin techniques that have worked for her, how to ustom shape a knitted item to your own shape, and many other useful tips and concepts for knitting.

Everytime I read this book over, I learn something new. I have read it several times, and even purchased a second copy just in case my first copy gets damaged or lost.

I would say that this book is similar to reading one of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books, where there is lots of talk about knitting and few fancy looking pictures or garments.

The book was not well marketed in that it seems to be a book aimed at hip knitters looking for hip designs -- in which case, they should have put more money into photography, models, graphics and layout to create a hip look. Instead, they tried to make the production of the book as affordable as possible, so the price would be affordable. But the end result is that the book and the garments don't look snazzy at all.

The patterns included in the book are all well designed basics that we could all use. I think that they would probably much more attractove looking if they were on models or mannekins. I have to say that I haven't had time to knit any of the patterns yet, but I want to do several.