Inspired Cable Knits: 20 Creative Designs for Making Sweaters and Accessories (Hardcover)

by Fiona Ellis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Inspired Cables is a must-have for all those who knit with their hearts and minds, as well as with their hands." —Trisha Mlcolm, Vogue Knitting magazine

"Fiona Ellis’s fresh and imaginative take on traditional cable patterns will inspire novice knitters to master the simple process of crossing stitches and will give experienced knitters plenty of opportunity to fall in love, all over again, with this timeless technique. These sweaters are inspired indeed!" —Pam Allen, Interweave Knits magazine

Product Description
Internationally acclaimed knitwear designer Fiona Ellis shares the meditative power of “mindful” knitting in this collection of 20 stunning cable designs. Enriched by notes from the author about the spark behind her creative process, Inspired Cable Knits is ideal for intermediate and returning knitters looking for a new approach to a traditional technique.

Fascinated by nature’s wonderful variety of patterns and textures, Ellis offers new twists on cable knits. Inspired by the beauty of sand rippled by the tide, the grooves and ridges of tree bark, jagged lightning bolts, and yoga poses—these patterns are beautiful and unique. Ellis, whose designs have been acquired by many top names in the fashion industry, explains cable knitting thoroughly and offers step-by-step instruction and charts for each pattern.

In this collection of 20 original, inspired designs, Ellis combines her extensive fashion expertise with her own creative approach. This unique selection of cable patterns ventures out of the predictable realm of vertical columns and constant repetition and into the spontaneous territory of a variety of natural designs. Each pattern is combined with easy-to-follow instructions, diagrams, and Ellis’s own thought-provoking “mindfulness” pointers to keep the mind engaged while the fingers are knitting. The four themes of change, nature, energy, and time present a range of captivating styles for the entire family. From sweaters to tank tops, yoga bags to pillows, wraps to scarves, each of the 20 patterns offers an opportunity to tune into a mindful approach to knitting.


The book’s 20 unique patterns are grouped according to the four themes that have shaped Fiona’s design philosophy: change, nature, energy, and time. This book encourages knitters not only to create everything from sweaters to tank tops, yoga bags to pillows, and wraps to scarves, but also to experience and think about the artistic process. Unwind with Fiona Ellis’s Inspired Cable Knits.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400082714
• ISBN-13: 978-1400082711
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #260,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some beautiful sweaters, but yarn and gauge info is missing, July 21, 2006

By	LRM "LRM" (Ferndale, WA) - See all my reviews

While I like many of the sweaters in the book, even as a very experienced knitter I find the instructions problematic. First, I would like to see a picture of the WHOLE SWEATER, front & back. Artsy little pictures of a small section just don't interest me. Secondly, since I frequently substitute yarn, I would like yardage and gauge in stockinette stitch info. I don't want to have to knit 1/2 of a sweater's front or back to find out if my yarn will work. And, even when gauge in stockinette stitch is given for a few of the projects, I would never be able to achieve the designer's gauge. For a dk yarn that would normally knit at 22 stitches to 4 inches, this designer knits 30 stitches to 4 inches. This makes it impossible for me to estimate the correct gauge for any of the sweates and makes the instructions pretty useless. Very frustrating.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and Inspired, April 4, 2006

By	Maria Knops (Minnetonka, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Inspired designs, mostly classic with a twist or two (ouch, pun not intended). Beautiful and useful photography. At least two photos of every project. Features both charts AND written instructions for each project (very thoughtful). Author lends her meditative inspirations and suggestions for mindful focus topics while knitting each project. Includes: women's sweaters and tops (9), cardigans (1+ 1 hoodie), men's sweaters (3), child's sweater, baby sweater, a hat and scarf set, wrap, yoga bag, and stunning pillow.

I would be surprised if anyone who likes cables wouldn't find at least several designs that they want to knit NOW. But be warned that most of these designs would not be well-suited to a beginning knitter who was not quite brave.

If not for the extra credit gained by using both charts and written instructions, this fabulous book would be penalized one star due to a glaring omission. The author gives neither the complete information on the yarn used (no yardage), nor a stocking stitch gauge to aid in substituting yarn. I expect this with a yarn-company specific design book, but not in a book using yarns from a variety of sources (even if she does list the contacts for each source). Yarns can be discontinued at any time and an otherwise wonderful book with timeless patterns as these should make it easier to substitute. She does use the new numbered yarn weight system, but that is still too broad to make a solid guess.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Truly Inspiring, March 19, 2006

By	Knitting Beth (Howell, MI) - See all my reviews

I brought this book home because I liked a couple of the things I saw in it. After closer review at home I wanted to knit almost everything in it. Then I read it - cover to cover. This book is beautifully and soothingly written. The photgraphs are lovely. The designs are wonderful. This is definitely a keeper and I hope Ms Ellis will be publishing more books.