The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jordana Jacobs (Author) "Has it been a long time since you picked up a pair of knitting needles?..." (more)
Key Phrases: other row bind, purl row, knit row, Neck Width, Chest Width, Neck Depth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This stylish and straightforward guide to knitting comes just in time for chilly autumn nights. Geared toward novices and "rusty" knitters alike, the book covers the basics (how to cast on, how to purl) before going on to offer klutz-proof sweater patterns as well as simple stand-bys such as hats, scarves and throws. Co-owners of a Manhattan yarn studio, Carles and Jacobs sprinkle the book with encouragement and tales of knitting success. Every few pages, a little bubble cautions the reader on potential pitfalls (think Pop-Up Knitting); "some advice may seem obvious," these chipper ladies write, "but in the end, they will save you from knitting a sweater that would fit the Jolly Green Giant or, worse, one with armhole shaping only in the back!" Each pattern is illustrated from different angles in well-styled photographs, and personal anecdotes introduce each pattern, resulting in an instructive book that's also an unusually engaging read. Color photographs and illustrations throughout.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Knitting has long forsaken its grandma-in-glasses rep, as everyone from glamazons to A-list celebrities is toting homemade handiwork to photo shoots and movie sets. Further proof of its hipness quotient? The surging numbers of trendy urbanites who are making the trek uptown to the Yarn Company.” —New York magazine


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; 1 edition (September 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609608800
• ISBN-13: 978-0609608807
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #356,396 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy, stylish and versatile patterns. What's not to like?!, October 16, 2002

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

The title of this knitting book is accurate; you'll find thirty simple, straight lined knitting patterns for sweaters, tops, cardigans, jackets, hats and throws. Most of them are done in the trendy bulky wools that have become a hot item with the young and fashionable. If you are one of those "young and fashionable" who longs to learn knitting and make a trendy outfit to wear, you are going to like this book a lot.

The initial chapter illustrates basic knitting instruction with good drawings. However, if you are a brand-spankin' new knitter, it's probably a good idea to supplement this with a video or lessons from a knitting friend.

The rest of the book is devoted to various styles of clothing, including the popular funnel-neck pullovers and their kissin' cousin the turtleneck. There are sexy tank tops, from slim and summery to more season-crossing sleeveless tops that could go under a jacket in fall or even winter. There is a long jacket that is particularly nice and a poncho or ruana based on rectangles that looks elegant. There are quite a few models even I would knit, and I am not particularly a fan of the bulky yarn trend (and I certainly am not young and fashionable.) The back of the book lists the yarn sources, for those who want to replicate the models in identical wools.

If you don't like the bulky style, however, this book really isn't for you. There isn't a lot of fine detail work, color work, or other fancy technique. As the title says, this is simple. If you are a new young and trendy knitter, this book will probably become your designing bible-that is, until the styles change. And when they do, you can adapt these classic shapes to new yarns and new trends. Meanwhile, you can learn knitting from these patterns, as it is far easier to begin with straight lines and big yarns.

Recommended highly for new knitters and young knitters especially.

Joanna Daneman

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute projects, but a word of warning:, January 12, 2005

By	anon-new-yorker (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Although there are stylish, simple projects in this book, the sizes tend to run much smaller than normal. The size small of the easy buttoned cardigan measures only 18 inches long, which must be a size 0-2. A beginner would not necessarily realize this; experts could make their own adjustments, but the book is written for those who have a bit less experience.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, November 28, 2002

By A Customer

Like the book and format. It has written directions overall for each sweater and step by step instructions for shaping the necklines and shoulders.
However, I wished that for the true beginner's sake,they have more details on shaping of sleeves and more instructions on the 'anatomy' of cardigan fronts. Altho there is some step by step instructions, it does not explain to the beginner that the front left and right side shaping should starts at different side (right and wrong side), it just states reverse shaping. It should may be explain to the beginner why sometimes a 1 knit bind off is used but at other times, just knit 2 together.

The yarn use is also expensive type and uses alot of balls because the patterns usually asked for knitting with 2 or even 3 strands of yarn at the same time. For those who cannot tell the difference btw knit and purl, asking them to knit with 2 strands is quite difficult. They may miss a strand or accidentally increased into one of the 2 strands.

Patterns may not appeal to those who do not like bulky items.

There are also drawings to demonstrate stitches but are small and could not really tell the difference in the yarn and needle directions in the drawings.

However this book is good for those who alrady know how to knit and purl. The projects (mostly bulky yarn used) allows quick and easy items to be completed in just a few days.