In Viking Patterns for Knitting, ancient Nordic ornamentation has been translated into an exquisite array of designs for knitters. Featuring 14 projects, clear instructions and charts, inspiring color photos, and 60 Viking motifs.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Lavold is a Swedish knitwear designer who combines her interest in archaeology of the Viking period with her delight in patterned, structured knitting to produce the 14 projects in this book, including jackets, cardigans, pullovers, caps, socks, and mittens. More than simply a pattern book, this work provides valuable insight into the mind and methods of a master designer as she analyzes Viking artifacts and adapts their essence to knitting. For each pattern, photographs and charts of knitted motifs are shown adjacent to line drawings and photos of the Viking designs that inspired them. This is a "high-end" knitting-pattern book of classic garments that will appeal to experienced knitters looking for projects at once challenging and fascinating. Highly recommended for large public libraries and academic textile collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Elsbeth Lavold is a Swedish knitting designer.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 101 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love this book, and have made several projects using the patterns. But it is not a book for every knitter, and certainly not for the new or casual knitter. For one thing, much of the book is taken up with archaeological discussion -- interesting, but those who buy the book just for the patterns may not feel they're getting their money's worth. Second, you really have to learn new skills to use it. I am a very experienced knitter, and can use both charts and traditionally-written directions, but it took me a while to grasp this new system (I wrote the code for the charts onto the page of each chart I used, and that helped). And, third, the sweaters themselves are not adaptable, simple, sized for everyone, or even necessarily suited for daily wear. All are very special, unusual designs -- the ball gowns of the sweater world -- and friends will say "Oh, you're wearing your Viking sweater!" every time you do.
That said, let me also say that I submerged myself in Viking knitting for months after buying this book. The stitch patterns are like Aran cables, but they do not go from the top to the bottom in the usual way. Lavold has figured out how to get cables to twine all over the place -- even into medallion-ish closed shapes. I practiced the techniques and designs on slippers and hats and other small projects before attempting a sweater, and found them very usable for alll kinds of projects. If you knit enough to adapt patterns, you will find that the Viking designs will add interest to many other projects and patterns. And if you are a medium-sized person with dramatic tastes, you will love the sweaters, too.... Read more ›
That said, let me also say that I submerged myself in Viking knitting for months after buying this book. The stitch patterns are like Aran cables, but they do not go from the top to the bottom in the usual way. Lavold has figured out how to get cables to twine all over the place -- even into medallion-ish closed shapes. I practiced the techniques and designs on slippers and hats and other small projects before attempting a sweater, and found them very usable for alll kinds of projects. If you knit enough to adapt patterns, you will find that the Viking designs will add interest to many other projects and patterns. And if you are a medium-sized person with dramatic tastes, you will love the sweaters, too.... Read more ›
60 of 61 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Viking Patterns for Knitting is a beautiful, inspiring book that should engage both hand-knitters and other artisans interested in Viking design work. The sweaters Lavold has designed are, for the most part, glorious -- attractive and challenging even for an accomplished knitter -- and she shares the artifacts that inspired her designs. She also gives charts for variations on the different cabling patterns to lead the reader to design her own sweaters or to amend Lavold's.
Unfortunately, the book often gives away the fact that it's the first translation from Lavold's native Swedish. The text could definitely have used a more detail-oriented editor both for the descriptions or the projects and the background on the Viking designs as well as for the directions for the sweaters -- in my first perusal, I found one mistake in a pattern.
If you're interested in knitting cabled works of art, this book will appeal to you immediately -- I can't wait to get started on several of the sweaters -- but be prepared to spend some time deciphering the directions. The pattern directions are terse and often require a lot of interpretation by the knitter, which may mean that this book is intended for someone with advanced skills. That said, the ambitious new knitter shouldn't be turned off, as long as she's game for some trial and error as she figures out how to make all of the cable charts work together.
I heartily recommend this impressive book.
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
By Sara Benson
Format:Hardcover
In "Viking Patterns for Knitting", author Elsebeth Lavold presents 54 unique cable patterns she created based on extensive research into Viking ornamentation. While the Viking were not knitters, the patterns the Vikings created in metal bear a strong resemblance to Aran patterns and other cabling patterns. Lavold has chosen patterns that could be adapted for knitting, and has devised several techniques to enable smooth transitions between cabled and non-cabled areas.
Many of the Viking patterns are incorporated into 14 sweaters, primarily for women. Directions are presented in standard knitting notation, with charts for all patterns. Photos of all sweaters are in color. Examples of Viking artifacts and cable patterns are in black and white.
The strength of this book is in the cable patterns themselves, providing a foundation for the designer to create unique textural pieces. The information on the cable patterns is interspersed with the sweater directions, without clear indications of where the directions end and the history and patterns start. A good index of the patterns and a solid table of contents help minimize the confusion.
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By "knitwhit"
Format:Hardcover
Eslebeth Lavold has done extensive research on Viking designs and it shows in this book. The patterns in the book look much more complicated than they really are. Her technique for increasing and decreasing for cabled designs are simple and give excellent results. I condsider myself to be an intermediate skilled knitter and found the patterns quick and easy to execute. I stronly recommend this book to any knitter looking to expand their skills, or to anyone you likes cabled designs. Some of the yarns used for the sweaters in the book may be hard to locate,but substitute yarns are readily available. Eslebeth Lavold's designs rival the work of Alice Starmore although they are much easier to knit.This book belongs in your knitting library.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects
The patterns and directions were not what I expected. It will be difficult to make items from these pattern because of the instructions and the presentation.
Published 5 months ago by MarySue Occhiuzzo
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Fan!
This is my first look at the author's knitting patterns. I had always been intimidated by cables but now I am so inspired by her lovely designs and simple explanations; I have... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jomamaln
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful cables!
Love this book...have used it as a launching point for many, many pattern ideas. The technique the author uses to start and stop cables works like a charm.
Published 22 months ago by Rachelium
5.0 out of 5 stars
A labor of love
I bought this patten book not knowing the level of knitting skill I would need. And when I recieved it, it was a bit daunting, as I had only been knitting for 6 months! Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Brasher
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sigh
I've been knitting for 30 years. I've created Aran knit sweaters, I design and knit ornately cabled kilt hose. I make socks--fancy fancy socks. I also do lace work. Read more
Published on May 8, 2011 by K. Cubero
5.0 out of 5 stars
Viking Patterns for Knitting
This book contains far more than I expected in terms of creating knit stitch patterns and knitting projects incorporating these patterns ... Read more
Published on June 13, 2010 by Marilyn R. Elston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scandinavian knitting
This book came in perfect condition, better than advertised. For price and delivery time, I have no complaints.
Published on September 24, 2009 by Alexandra
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, but a little difficult
I purchased this for my wife.
She said that the patterns are given in an unfamiliar way and that the yarns used aren't readily available in the United States. Read more
She said that the patterns are given in an unfamiliar way and that the yarns used aren't readily available in the United States. Read more
Published on June 14, 2009 by FjordHammer
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing patterns
I was disappointed in this book. Upon looking through the book, I decided that by far the most attractive pattern was the one on the cover. Read more
Published on August 2, 2008 by Poison Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
For lovers of cables and Celtic knotwork
This is not a beginner's book, unless you buy it for inspiration and something to aim for. It's a great coffee table book, even if you don't intend to knit anything. Read more
Published on May 8, 2008 by Johann Mitchell
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