Sweaters Books

This is another typical book from Threads - a joy to own and read time and again. The instructions are not for the beginner, but the photos are wonderful and it is a great source of inspiration for your own designs.

In the same catgegory as Threads' sister anthologies "Colorful Knitwear Design", "Knitting Around the World" and "Hand-Knitting Techniques". My favorite chapters are on reversible knitting, entrelac on circular needles, corrugated knitting and knitting sideways. Other chapters are on: adding darts for shaping; dropped stitches for weaving; knitting in all directions without a guage; swatches; designed knitwear from sewing patterns; guide to patterns and proportions; custom knitting with geometric shapes; color shading for patterns knits; boucle yarn; spring/summer yarns; knitted cord embellishment; sweater shirttails; knitted hoods; and conquering tension and floats when combining varied yarns.

This is a true crime book by Dave and lynn Distel about Bruce Moilanen who killed his 35 year old wife Judy Blake Moilanen. Bruce almost got away with the murder and would have if it hadn't been for Sergeant Ball painstakingly gathering evidence against Bruce. This is an interesting read.

`Twas the season, in this part of the world, where an army clad in Blaze Orange goes forth into the woods in search of Bambi and his family and friends. Not a combatant, Judy Blake Moilanen wore black and fuchsia while going for a stroll with her dogs in the Northwoods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula during the 1992 season. The dogs came back. Judy would not come out alive. It looked like another hunting accident of the Cheney "Shoot Anything That Moves and Ask Questions Later" variety. But was this really an accident? Or was her now-widowed husband going to get away with a perfect crime that only looked like an accident, and live happily ever after with all the doubly indemnified life insurance proceeds on his overly-insured wife?

This mass market paperback is a "do-over" of the authors' "Sweater Letter" (trade paperback 2002). The good news is that there are pictures now. This reviewer is a frequent consumer of the genre and oft states that readers want/need to SEE the principals, locale and crime scene. I am just happier than a Bambi who escaped the headlights to see that we can now see them. The bad news is that, except for updated updates in the Epilogue, the text appears to be unchanged. So, still missing are the cogent, coherent background biographies of the principals found in the caliber of Rule, Olsen, Olsen and Pence. It is suggested to aspiring writers in the genre that if you are going to introduce a cast of thousands, or even a cast of many, please incorporate an index at the end so the reader is not head-scratching "Where have I heard this name before?" or having to add further details to the chart/bookmark described below.

The beginning of this book is a mess, and may dishearten the casual reader who doesn't want to have to create an identity chart/bookmark just to slog on through. Perseverance pays off, as the writing does smooth down and the tale it tells becomes a riveting read. All things considered,and my fondness for the region, I say 4 stars.

So, was it Open Season on Judy? Read this version and see!
Reviewed by TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

Hebrides isn't quite the Holy Grail of Starmore books (that honor belongs to the Scottish Collection--don't even *try* to find that one for sale!), but it's very close. The rarity of this title is puzzling, since it's not actually that old: Celtic Collection and Fishermen's Sweaters both predate Hebrides, and those books are still relatively easy to find.

Hebrides is a lovely book, but I don't think it's worth the massively inflated prices it fetches here and on eBay. The collection's strength is the diversity of the patterns within its covers: there are Arans, ganseys, lace scarves and wraps, Fair Isle and intarsia colorwork, rugged outdoor wear, and one very cute hat. Noteworthy designs include the Rona and Roscalie cardigans (Roscalie comes in two different colorways, both attractive), the Sheilavig vest, the Malin aran pullover, and, for kids, the adorable Reef. The one sour note in this medley is the Keava sweater, a Fair Isle design in a screaming chrome yellow; but in a substitute colorway, even this pullover might turn out well. I also don't think the Seaforth gansey is equal to other gansey patterns published by the Starmores; it's nice enough, but nothing really special.

Buy this book if you can find it for a hundred bucks or less, but don't spend your life savings on it.

Contrary to the above review, this is one of my favorites. I have knit most of the designs. The Roscalie vest/cardigan is based on the oldest piece of fairisle knitting, utilizing the available dyes: madder, indigo, goldenrod, natural black and natural white. While Keava is surprising - and I didn't care for it from the photograph - when I saw it made up, immediately bought the wool. I receive many compliments, I think it is because it is so contemporary, but agree it would be wonderful in softer colors. The historical commentary alone is worth obtaining the book.

Soon after knitting their first sweater, knitters often encounter a common problem. They find a pattern for the "almost-perfect" sweater, perfect except for some feature; perhaps it has the wrong neckline or is sleeveless or they'd rather it be in a different weight of yarn. For some knitters this leads easily into pattern alteration while others will spend years making sweaters for friends and family, dreaming of someday making that "perfect" sweater.

Melissa Matthay, owner of The Knitting Tree in Madison, Wisconsin, comes to knitters' rescue with her book Knits Three Ways: Mix and match design elements to create a custom-made sweater. After years helping customers alter "almost-perfect" sweater patterns, Matthay pulled together her experiences to create a simple, helpful guide.

The first chapter of the book takes knitters through construction basics: measuring, garment shaping, and yarn selection, followed by the basic sweater patterns. Matthay has created twelve foundation patterns and shown how simple choices such as yarn, stitch pattern, neckline shaping or sleeve length can dramatically alter the finished product. Although Matthay has provided three sample alternatives for each pattern to illustrate her concepts, the possibilities are endless.

The basic patterns range from staples such as the classic pullover, hoodied and v-neck cardigan to kimonos and shrugs. Matthay offers advice on using cables and lace to shape your garment or provide the illusion of shaping. She also includes some daring design options, such as her pattern for a classic shell with an open back, which adventurous knitters may opt to knit using a mohair/silk blend for a "barely-there" look.

Armchair Interviews says: Knits Three Ways makes a wonderful addition to any knitter's reference library, providing both inspiration and design advice for many years to come.

While there are some good ideas here, there really isn't anything new. This is not a book for the average knitter. It would be difficult to justify the time involved in knitting most of these patterns.

If you love the look of sweaters of the 40's and 50's, this classic by Marion Foale will be an essential part of your knitting library.

There are vests, long cardigans, short bust-hugging "jumpers", kids sets, tennis sweaters. All with that long line and subtle knit-purl engraved patterning typical of the restrained era of knit design. One sweater is beaded. I've seen sweaters like these in vintage knitting books from World War II.

This is a great work for costumers, and for fashion students who are looking for classic lines in design. Also fun for knitters who want to make vintage-looking knits. Beautiful book.

If you're anything like me, you see Marion Foale's extraordinary sweaters at stores like Barney's and think, "I could knit that $500 sweater, if only I had a pattern."

Well, this ISN'T the book for you. Perhaps the 1985 copyright date should have tipped me off, but these are true classics, not chic little body-hugging numbers with exquisite finish. Patterns include a couple of traditional cardigans, a sleeveless vest that's like a long tunic, and a number of pullovers. They have some of her terrific details -- for example, one of the pullovers has a garter stitch collar. But I wasn't looking for yarn-over eyelets in a diamond shape.

A nit: the book advertises something like 30 patterns, but many of them are variants -- ie, the same basic idea will be done as a cardi, a vest, and a v-neck pullover.

If Classics are your thing, you may like this book. If you're looking for fashion, pass.

PS -- if you find truly outstanding patterns for body-hugging sweaters that can take the place of jackets (rather than looking tarty) please let me know!

Covers Everything with Excellent pics, diagrams, and easy step-by-step instructions! Covered completely: Yarn definitions, How to knit, casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, binding off, picking up dropped stitches, picking up stitches, buttonholes, knitting on 4 needles, knitted patches, popular pattern stitches, ribbing patterns, fancy pattern stitches, edgings & borders, cable stitches, duplicate stitch, Designs For Knitting, ponchos plus (1 knitted, 1 crocheted), Cardigan & pullover knits, knitted stole, the modern miss, classic sweater set for kids and ladies, And more. Crochet: Basic stitches, chain stitch, single crochet, double, designs, afghans, ponchos, bathroom sets, filet crochet, foundation chain, edgings, washing, blocks & spaces, and so much more. If this book is out of print, you might find it at The Bunnies auctions at eBay. ;)

I bought this mostly to have in my collection. Someday may work a sweater based on a pattern from the booklet.

The patterns in this book are distinctly Aboriginal, and may have limited appeal in other parts of the world. What is especially appealing about this book is its direct ties to Aboriginal art and story-telling. Knitting designs are presented with an example of the art which inspired the design, and a brief aboriginal tale about the subject of the design (followed by a brief explanation). This is the charm of the book, much as in "Folk Socks", "Folk Shawls", etc.

The knitter who is interested in creating her own designs could use this book as a springboard for incorporating other primitive art into her knitting.

One would need to be experienced in intarsia knitting to execute the patterns, as this is not a "how-to" book.

It's a fun read, an interesting peek into another culture, and a creative "nudge" to move beyond the traditional northern-European motifs.

I think it has too many history pages..practically half the book is on history of knitwear with lots of pictures ...I guess that what you pay for since the book is rather pricy. Overall an excellent book with clear explaination and description.

This book is really neat, with beautiful photos of the sweaters. Lots of colorwork, so you can use up your stash.

My only complaint is that there are no squares of the colors used near the patterns, so that it makes it difficult to match colors--you have to use the photos if you can't afford to buy the yarn used in the book, and yarn companies are always adding and dropping colors so color squares would help a great deal.

The sweaters have lots of colors in each row, so if you can knit backwards it is a big help. There are also designs for babies in here, as well as one mens' sweater.

This book needs to be in print again--even if you don't feel like doing an entire sweater, worked in worsted weight yarns you could make some nice pillows or afghan squares with these designs.