Vogue Knitting: Designer Knits (Hardcover)

by Trisha Malcolm (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Since Vogue Knitting's rebirth in 1982, it's been not just a magazine for knitters, but a guide to the cutting edge of fashionable knitwear. Great design is timeless, and this collection of 45 sweaters from top designers is the cream of a 15-year crop. Most 90's knitters will go nuts for the elegant, understated designs of Adrienne Vittadini; the technically brilliant cables of Donna Karan (including her famous-among-knitters "Enchanted Forest" sweater); the rich colors and textures of Missoni; the sporty lines of Calvin Klein. There are sweaters for every style and skill level (including 8 "Very Easy Very Vogue" patterns that are perfect for beginning knitters), and directions are clear and complete, with updated yarn information. Rarely have so many appealing knit designs been concentrated in one book. --Barrie Trinkle

From Booklist
Vogue Knitting is the leading magazine for knitters, and here the editors have gathered together 45 sweater patterns that originally appeared in the magazine and present them in one volume. Among the designers represented are Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Adrienne Vittaddini, and Missoni, among others. The oversize book is both very attractive and user friendly. Beautiful color photos are matched with clear instructions and graphs. Unlike in many other knit books, the typeface is a good size and the pages are uncrowded, making it easy for knitters to read the instructions while working. Everything here looks fresh and modern, and each project is graded according to difficulty. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Butterick Publishing (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157389009X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573890090
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,145,792 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good collection from past Vogue issues, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

Some sporty styles, some classics -- all at varying skill levels, so anyone can find something in this book to knit. Most of the sweaters are from more recent (last 10 years) magazine issues, so you may have at least a few of these already. Others I haven't seen before, even though they look fairly current. If a yarn is no longer available, the author offers a substitute. As usual, the knitting instructions are clearly laid out, so knitting these sweaters should not be troublesome. For simpler designs, Malcolm has published a very easy, very vogue edition which also has a nice variety, mainly for a beginning or early intermediate knitter. But again, beginners or intermediates can find a lot for them in this volume as well.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beginners need not apply!, November 1, 2000

By	"hmcbr" (Greenwich, CT USA) - See all my reviews

The majority of the patterns in this book require to you be an "expert" or "experienced" knitter. As a beginner/intermediate, that left me with very little to choose from. I was also disappointed in the lack of true wearability of most of these patterns. That aside, I like classic, time tested, designs that are updated to look contemporary, and did not find these appealing. Each designer seemed to be trying to out do the other, and some are way over the top. If you're an expert knitter who's looking for gimmicky sweaters to "WOW" your friends- this book would come in handy; everyone else will likely be disappointed.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start w/the Bubble Sweater & work up to the Enchanted Forest, December 23, 2003

By	Song & story lover (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

I positively love this book. How can you go wrong with the patterns for the Enchanted Forest cardigan, the Bubble Sweater and the Counterpane Pullover all in one book? I am also fond of the handsome Missoni Man's (or women's) Cardigan with a doubled shawl collar (easily do-able, even for those with intermediate skills) and the Cropped Hooded Sweater from Joan Vass. I've made three of those -- it's easy to substitute yarns (just double-strand something pretty), there is little shaping and the result is fabulous.

The only problem I have with the Vogue knitting books is the lack of detail in the photographs. It would help to see close-ups of the knitted fabric, stitch designs, and even the yarn itself. Perhaps future Vogue collections will include at least photos of the yarn, much the same way as Vogue Knitting magazine does now.

I was a bit surprised by the other reviews -- I feel this collection is full of wearable designs (not just "mod gorgeous") for all skill levels. There are a number of handsome cabled designs, and the Missoni One-Piece Tee is quite stunning. The Bubble Sweater has been a great favorite with knitters for years and is flattering on anyone. Start with that -- and work up to the Enchanted Forest.

I recommend this book. I've knit about a third of the patterns, a couple of them more than once. I've found it easy to substitute yarns and even to vary the sizing on some of the patterns. My next project from this collection will be Perry Ellis' long Fair Isle Crew Neck. The designs are inspirational and a lot of fun to knit.