Arans & Celtics: The Best of Knitter's Magazine (Best of Knitter's Magazine series) (Paperback)

~ Rick Mondragon (Editor), (Editor), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

After more than 18 years of quality publishing and numerous sold-out issues, Knitter's Magazine has compiled the best Aran and Celtic projects to meet the demands of their readers. The sweaters, jackets, and vests included in this book are designed by a group of the best-known designers in the knitting field. Knitters are introduced to cable techniques with clearly illustrated patterns for knitting updated versions of traditional Aran and Celtic designs. Women's, men's, children's, and unisex sizing and styles are included. These fabulous pieces are made in a variety of fibers including soft wools, cotton blends, shiny ribbons, and luxury threads.

About the Author

Rick Mondragon is the editor of Knitter's Magazine. He also teaches specialized knitting techniques across the country. Elaine Rowley is the former editor of Knitter's Magazine and is the current managing editor for XRX Books. They both live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Alexis Xenakis lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Xrx Books (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189376205X
• ISBN-13: 978-1893762053
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,176 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

136 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great classic looks collected under one cover, January 30, 2004

By	Carol Peterson Hennekens (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

The decision for many buyers on whether to buy this lovely trade paperback may well rest on how long you've subscribed to Knitters Magazine and just organized you are. This book is another in their series of "best of" books and it includes over 30 beautiful sweaters. However, they only took patterns out of eight issues (16, 40,44,46,48,51,56,and 60). So, if you've subscribed since the mid-90's (as I have) you probably own most of the patterns already. Still, I plan to keep my copy for the sheer convenience of having so many patterns in one place and the knowledge that all the quirks should be fixed for these often complex patterns.

If redundancy isn't an issue for you, A&C is a very appealing collection of patterns. The format is similiar to the magazine including charts rather than line by line written instructions. There are numerous sidebars with very handy instructions. The look of the sweaters is essentially equally divided between the traditional and modern takes on traditional techniques.

While probably half the sweaters are basically unisex, the breakdown based on the gender of the models is as follows: women - 2 turtlenecks, 8 crew necks, 7 cardigans, 2 vests and 2 looks I can only describe as "other." Men are featured in 3 crewnecks and 3 vests. Children's looks are 3 crewnecks, 1 cardigan and 1 vest.

This isn't a book for beginners. Only 1 pattern is described as "easy+." The vast majority are described as intermediate with 5 advanced/expert sweaters.

21 sweaters call for medium weight (worsted) yarns with 7 light weight yarn sweaters and 6 bulky yarn sweaters. Needle sizes reflect this distribution with all but 4 of the sweaters being knit on needles within the US size 4 to 8 range.

Bottom line: Not a must have book for every knitter, but a worthy addition to your shelf if you like cables and texture knitting

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for a Challenge and Something Different, February 2, 2004

By	C. Stanford "ckstan" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This is a well made book with great photos and challenging patterns. Be warned though, if you do not like cables and designs requiring concentration, you will not be well served by purchasing this book. If you are looking for something a little different, you will be delighted. There are some stitch techniques used which may be unfamiliar, they are briefly explained in the back of the book. The design ratings are accurate and the patterns fun. Overall, it is a great value and well worth the price.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, a collection from the back issues of Knitters, March 18, 2004

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

These patterns were so popular that back issues of "Knitters Magazine" were going for quite high sums on Ebay. Now, after a lot of begging on the part of knitters around the world, Knitters Magazine and XRX Press have collected patterns by type from those hot issues and released them in book form. THANK YOU! Now I don't have to sift through back issues or beg copies of friends to find certain patterns I like.

There are a number of children's sweaters in the thickly-knit Aran style that are especially appealing, and many other knits including for MEN, who are sadly neglected in many other publications. If you longed to get your hands on some of the back issues for the Aran style knitting, this is a great resource. Note: Aran knitting is by nature complex though not impossible. This is probably best for middling-experienced knitters who have tried patterns with crossed, cabled and twisted patterns before. But not impossible even for a beginner who is determined. Hint: Swatches of the patterns help, and it helps to visualize the layout of the different stitches from a "top down" viewpoint as well as row-by-row.