Customer Reviews

The Yarn Girls' Guide to Knits for All Seasons: Sweaters and Accessories for Men and Women

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

 

 

The concept behind the Yarn Girls' fifth book is pretty solid: knits for every season of the year. The book is arranged by season, and there are 40 patterns represented of different technical skill levels. The majority of projects are well-suited to beginning knitters who are ready to move into garment making. Intermediate and advanced knitters will appreciate the simplicity of the patterns, and can also use the basic constructions as a "jumping off point" to add colorwork, cables, shaping, or other embellishments.

The majority of the fibers and yarns used in the book's designs are easy to find, and are common weights and materials, able to be substituted easily. The fibers are natural, and there are also a few patterns that use vegan yarns and yarns from sustainable plant fibers (mainly linens and linen blends). My only complaint comes with the sizing: They are not quantified with sizes as many other knit patterns are (e.g. 34", 36", 40") but rather XS, S, M, L. Knitted measurements are provided in the pattern along with a schematic, so a XS corresponds with a finished width of 16", which would probably relate to about a size 32" or 33" (with ease). Sure, the information is there, but I am not sure why they choose to display it in this unconventional way; it could be confusing to a beginner.

The simplicity of the designs are what is so appealing - I like classic styles. If I am going to take the time and effort to knit something, I want it to be "in style" for years to come. These styles will undoubtedly stick around, and they will be fun to knit up in the process.

I am a Yarn Girls "groupie" so I immediately pre-ordered this book as soon as I found out it was coming out. In keeping with the Yarn Girls style, this book is chock full of fun and fashionable sweaters showing lots of great colors and yarns. There are also some men's sweaters included which are all classic styles. Like their last book, there are also normal people modeling the styles which is such a refreshing change. However, I would have thought that by book #5, they can get into some shaping for waists and shoulders. These are techniques I've picked up in my short knitting experience that really make a difference and was rather surprised to find it missing. There are some styles I'd like to make, and I know I have to spend some additional time calculating the waist shaping on my own. An example is the "For a good cause" basic tank (they've included this same pattern in each of their other books) which would benefit greatly with some shaping. Even the beautiful girl in the picture looks a bit frumpy with the poor fit. Of course, the men's patterns and some other shrugs/boxy cardigans don't require such shaping, so no further work is involved than picking your favorite shade of yarn and getting started. All in all this is still a book I'd recommend. Do look into the Yarn Girls other books, especially "Beyond the Basics".

The patterns in this book are lovely, classic patterns. The main problem is that the biggest sizes for women are about 38 to 40 inch finished bust size. I noticed that all the women models wore their garments skin tight so these patterns may be meant to have negative ease but it would be better to have a larger size range.The mens patterns were also nice but were worn much looser. Australian knitters could subsitute 12 ply and 8 ply yarns for many of the patterns.

I love the Yarn Girls books. I do wish however, they would include sz. 16-18. They have such great ideas, but would love to see larger sizes.

I liked this book a lot. It has patterns in it for every skill level, and the designs are very flattering and chic. Easy to understand and substitute the yarns as well.

I have always had good luck with projects from the previous Yarn Girls' books, and this one looks good, too. I haven't tried any of the projects yet, but there is a nice variety. Their instructions are always easy to follow, and the styles are fun to wear. I wish they would include a little more shaping, especially in the waist area, but overall, I think the patterns are great.

Hands down the best Yarn Girls' book yet. The patterns are stylish and classic, and there are quite a few men's patterns too. There are several sweaters that I can't wait to get started on!

I too, am a Yarn girls' groupie, but for me I was dissapointed in this book. I found the patterns to be an everyday run of the mill type that could be found in any other common knitting book. I loved their first two books and feel they are the experts for the "knitting impaired" like me. I was dissapointed there weren't any afghans or throws in the book. Maybe it was their colors and yarn choices I didn't like. I still love them, I still would have bought the book had I seen it in a store. Keep up the good work girls, but next time not so dowdy.