Sweaters Books

Jean Moss' SCULPTURED KNITS surveys 20th century decorative arts, considering the many designs of fabric artists working in everything from furniture and textiles to jewelry and fashion, and considering the growth of style, color and symmetry through the decades as expressed in different art movements. Full-page color photos of selected projects for all ages accompany step-by-step patterns and instructions.

I am an experienced knitter but haven't done anything in the past years - on one hand because I am too busy - on the other hand because I was searching for something challenging that also looked nice when finished. Well, I search no more. This book gives me all that I need: challenge, beautiful designs and a pretty result that I can wear, give away or have in my home and enjoy. You will not find the usual bulky sweater in this book and the designs are thought through and very artful. I am sure, I will keep knitting things from this book for the next few months and I will keep this book as a very special knitting design book. I have not seen such designs anywhere else yet and would love to see a sequence of sculptured knits soon.

I bought this book based on the positive reviews it received from other customers as well as the cover pattern. It was delivered today and I just finished printing out the return label from Amazon. While the bolero jacket on the cover does conatain an interesting texture and is attractive, it is the ONLY pattern in the book that, in my opinion, merits a positive review (and even that is a stretch for the "fitted" jacket as the sizing begins at 38" for a small, something that I, with a chest measurement of 32" could never wear without looking rediculous). The other patterns reminded me of 80's and early 90's knitting patterns. That is to say they are primarily shapeless, baggy, uninspiring, and out-dated (here under the guise of being themed after a specific design style, which I, having an art degree, could see no evidence of). They remind me of the free patterns that come with cheap craft store brand yarns (a few throws and pillows were of this nature).
If you do not like the kind of patterns I described, do not be fooled into thinking that there is anything unique or interesting in this book just because the cover pattern is promising. You will just end up wasting your money mailing it back. I suggest at least looking for it in the bookstore first to see what the rest of the book looks like, something I should have done as well.

Despite reading some prior negative reviews, I decided to give this book a try. The book was not up to par with my expectations on two major points:
(1) The title is misleading. Judging from the word "sculptured" and the garment on the cover, I assumed that the emphasis of the book is going to be on fitted patterns (i.e. "sculptured" to follow body lines, like a sculptor "sculpts" a body). Now, this is only my opinion, but I feel that "Textured knits" would probably more accurately reflect the patterns that follow. Except for the lone pattern featured on the cover, there is no spectacular body shaping techniques employed in the garments featured. In that sense, I completely concur with both power-surg's review and Eliza's.
(2) Even if one ignores the misleading title and chooses to approach the book with an open mind, the patterns featured are subpar in quality and design. The stitches and styles are quite dull and passe. Definitely nothing groundbreaking here. You are better off picking up any Rowan or Debbie Bliss book instead.
The bottom line? Don't waste your money on this one.

I am a 20-something professional looking for a unique way to build my career wardrobe. Out of 41 designs, about 3 met my search, and I feel like I had to "settle" for these. Numerous designs are throws (albeit beautiful), pillow covers, or children's clothes. Nearly all of the clothing designs are from the 80s or early 90s--shapeless/formless, definitely NOT sculptured (?sculptED?). Even the design on the cover needs shaped through the back, and I wouldn't call it a bolero. It wouldn't fit me anyhow, I'm 5"10 with a 34 in bust (a proper height/weight combination), and the small measures a whopping 38 in.

I do like the concept of the book. The subtitle is "Inspired by the decorative arts of the 20th century" . The cover bolero is inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec, another by Tiffany, another by the original watercolors in the Mother Goose books (an exquisite girl's dress, but not based in reality). Another chapter has designs inspired by Garbo, Astaire, Coco Chanel, and Valentino.

So--bottom line-- interesting concept, heavily textured but shapeless designs which I would not wear in public.

Saw this book in Barnes and Noble and ordered it from you but I evidently did not look at it closely enough. I am an experienced knitter but not one that can figure out yardage probably because I have never had to do it. My local knit shop could possibly help but I would much rather the amounts were listed in the pattern. Also Kitty looks like she is a size 4 and is used to designing sweaters for herself but come on give the rest of us a break. I am a size 8-10 but since these designs are made to fit exactly to buy expensive yarn combos and not know how much to buy is asking for trouble and a waste of good money.

Kitty Bartholomew's, "Designer Knitting," has wonderful pictures that
clearly allow you to appreciate the completed design. What is appalling
is that Bartholomew does not indicate the amount of yarn required for any of the many sweater options given. In addition, most of the patterns have a guage of 2.5-3 stitches with the yarn doubled. Completely frustrating! Bartholomew admits she isn't sure about the yarn because much of it was bought in the United States or abroad. Although the designs and use of color are pleasing - I think presenting a pattern book without giving a clue as to how to figure out how much yarn you need is irresponsible. This is the worse pattern book I have every purchased. In addition, she suggests finding someone and paying to have the sweater finished b/c she doesn't like sewing the seams.
E. LeFebvre

Kitty Bartholomew has put together a lovely collection of sweaters that will inspire just about everyone to want to knit at least one. Her designs are classic, guaranteed to work for every figure and every age group. I especially love her discussion of the type of yarns to consider and her encouragement that you can knit something that fits! I plan on knitting several of her designs, and can hardly wait to take her book with me to my local yarn shop and get started. I have purchased several pattern books recently, and this is one I keep coming back to again and again for inspiration.

I am so disapointed in this book when it came in the mail. This book is strictly eye candy. There is no functional good way to come up with yardage, and she supplies absolutely none. There are no charts, No graphs for assistance, unless you are an expert knitter, and even then you are left guessing. How can you name a book "Designer Knitting" when when there are no designs or graphs? I would not recommend this book, period.

This is a beautifully laid out book, and I loved Kitty's chioces of yarn combinations. However,I was quite surprised and disappointed to see that no yardage requirements were given. This is the first knitting book that I have purchased that omits these, and I own over a hundred of them.

This book is not what I expected. I rarely buy books as blindly as I did when I ordered this one. I wish I had had an opportunity to review the table of contents, or at least some representative pages -- such a review would have provided me with enough information to make an informed choice -- not to buy it!

I love this book so much, i got it one week and started knitting a sweater the next week, very easy to understand, i recommend this book yo all types of knitters.

Peggy

Not the best of knitting books for this method of knitting. Found items to short in body length and too long in sleeve length. Knitted two items but neither of them fitted properly particularly in the necklines. Wont use this method of knitting again.

I bought this book to learn to knit pullovers from cuff to cuff. I succeeded. The patterns cover sweatters for women, men, children, pullovers, and coat sweatters. The designs come in the following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL. The designs are simple and classic. They can't be easily dated to one decade. For people who want sweatters which can be worn a long time, who aren't worried about keeping on the cuttin edge of fashion, this designs are a good choice.

Good introductory material plus 12 sweaters more or less the same but each with some variations in neckline or sleeves or finishing. Includes one cable sweater, shrug that wraps, top, 2 children's sweaters. Some use variegated yarns. In addition each pattern has more information than usually given for a pattern which is quite helpful. Only complaint is that there are only 12 sweaters.

Knitting Sweaters from the Top Down: Fabulous Seamless Patterns to Suit Your Style
I had taken this book out at my local library before buying it, so I already knew it was something I wanted for my home library. The author clearly explains & illustrates the technique for creating several different types of sweaters in several different weights of yarn. The patterns are up-to-date and attractive. The technique is applicable to men's, women's or children's sweaters. The patterns give you a place to start working with the technique. A knitter of any expertise - even rank beginner - can work with this book.

This is a great top down quilting book. Not only does it supply patterns but includes enough information to go further than just the patterns included. I am well on my way to finishing my first quilt project in a very long time.

This is my favorite sweater knitting book, but if I was a beginning knitter I would be careful. I found SEVERAL errors in it that I had to catch or I would have messed up. Easy ones to catch if you know what you're doing, but not if you're a beginner. Wonderful sweaters though.

I'm only speaking from a quick flip through the book, looking at the
pictures of the sweaters, but boy they were not attractive or inspiring;
maybe to the taste of some, but I advise looking at the book in person
before you buy. I found it at the library and didn't even bother to
check it out.

This book appears to have been written to teach experienced knitters how to make seamless garments starting from the neck instead of the hem. It accomplishes that goal reasonably well, with good information about the basic anatomy of cardigans and pullovers in different yarn weights and gauges. Unfortunately, the sweaters chosen to illustrate top down techniques are heavy looking, done in unappealing colors and textures with minimal shaping. The emphasis on collars is also overdone. It would be nice to see a revision of this entire publication with more attractive, up to date sweater designs. Otherwise, it's difficult to find inspiration to try the practical top down approach. Too bad.....

BUY THIS INSTEAD: Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. I didn't buy it at first because I had plenty of books, but time and time again, I find something super useful and lovely in it.

I looked up Simple Knits with a Twist because I wanted to sell my copy and wanted to see what the reviews looked like. I am surprised to see how many people commented that the book was attractive, but had impractical projects.

I disagree. I think the images are a little flat. I find good photography to be inspiring in itself, and good projects as well, especially with attractive materials. I find that the book lacks both of these things.

Some of the projects are kinda cute. There's a dog sweater with a bar code pattern, and knitting combined with woven fabric for a throw, and a knitted wire fruit basket, but these still failed to inspire.

I think that better photography, better styling, and fewer close up photos of balls of yarn (instead of more close-up technique images) would serve this book well.

If this were a more practical OR attractive book, I might not be so eager to unload it.

This unusual knitting book has many funky ideas like knitting with strips of plastic bags or metallic wires. The projects are beautifully-photographed in the book and the ideas are very refreshing. However, due to the high quality (or cost) of the yarn that's used in most of the patterns, the projects may not be realistic for the average knitter. Overall, this book is the "Fifth Avenue" of knitting books: beautiful and chic at an unrealistic cost.

For anyone who likes unusual and fine accesories this is the book! Well written and fabulous illustrations for the many inspiring projects. Beautiful in itself as a gift.

i'm a total sucker for beautiful books, and this is certainly beautiful. i was hoping to make the ribbon slippers featured on the cover, but can't find 1/2" ribbon anywhere - and i live in a major metropolitan area! and even if i did, the 100 yards of ribbon would probably cost about $70. i doubt i'll ever make a single pattern from this one. wish i could return it.

This book has some truly unique and beautiful project. I particulary love the pink satin ribbon ballet like slippers, I had never thought of knitting with ribbon before I got this book and it makes a truly lovely medium. Not all of the projects in this book are usuable, but it is worth it for the unique ones that stand out.

The experienced knitters said it all. It's a very beautiful book, but some of the pieces are kind of abstracted. I used to work in a yarn shop, and had trouble helping people pick substitute yarns, as mentioned. However, I'm probably going to have to make the hoodie in there someday... it's a nice combination of modern, simple design and form-flattering placement of cables. Plus, any publication that inspires knitters to knit cables is a good one, in my estimation, especially through such lovely photography.

i have always liked to do cables. so when i saw a sweater knitted from this book i decided to purchase it. i have started one of the patterns and have found it challanging which is what i was looking for. i plan to make several of the patterns in this book.

If you want aran knitting, buy "Aran Sweater Design" by Janet Szabo, "The Best of Knitter's Aran & Celtics" or"Aran Knitting" by Alice Starmore, those are excellent books, this book lack originality and good information. The 'one star' is for the photographer.

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.

I love working any type of cables and celtic or aran designs, but LOVE CABLES MOSTLY! The more Intricate the Better! I found these designs to be very easy to follow, especially from the charts, and the Beautiful, Up Close, photos were very helpful for the visualization part. You definetely should have some knitting years behind you, this is not for your average novice knitter(unless you are a very determined one, like I was). I have already made the one shell design, which turned better, than the Photo actually!! I will definetely be making and returning to this book for more beautiful Cable Inspiration and wonderful hours of Knitting Pleasure to come in the months and years ahead! THANK-YOU! FOR SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL COLLECTION OF CABLE DESIGNS, I COULDN'T BE MORE PLEASED!!!

I have yet to knit anything from this book of sweaters, but like to have many to choose from, when deciding what to knit next. It is a good book to have in the 'library' of the knitter.

I love this book! As a fairly new knitter, I like the simple designs. However, I'm making my first project from this book, and found what I believe is a mistake. In the garter stitch side-to-side solid jacket, when dividing each side for front and back, it says to place 4 sts on a holder, then place the rest on another holder. It never does say what to do with those 4 stitches. If anyone knows, please do tell!! (BTW, I did check extensively on the pattern corrections page of the publisher, to no avail.)

The instructions for the green sweater on the cover are WRONG! Row 1 says knit the whole row - it should say purl. My 80-year-old mother couldn't figure out why her sweater didn't look like the picture. Guess not if she knit a row that should have been purled. The pattern is only two simple rows. If the author can't get such a simple sweater right, I shudder to think about more complicated patterns. Sheesh!

One of the best books for basic women's sweater patterns ever. I've made three of the patterns thus far and found the sizing is true, the instructions accurate and easy to understand. I've been knitting for over 40 yrs and I learned some good, new techniques. I wish Ms. Marquart would publish a pattern book for men and/or children also.

The author has indeed achieved her goal of "easy to knit, easy to wear" as stated in this book's subtitle. Her idea for these sweaters would be ones that could be worked somewhat mindlessly in times of stress, and don't we all have periods like that, when we don't want to be doing a complicated fair isle, lace or cable pattern or a close-fitting sweater with equally close attention needed for body shaping.
But even though these sweaters are simple, they are all attractive and ones that I would wear. This is somewhat unusual, generally there are always a few designs in a collection that scream who could/would wear this! Also the author has a knack for making good yarn choices for each of the stitch patterns. For example, hand-painted and variegated yarns are done in some variation of garter rib, or in one case, a basket weave which helps to counter the pooling or stacking of colors. In contrast, a couple tweed yarns are done just in plain stockinette, the better to see the beautiful nubs.
The photography as usual with Martingale books is high quality and excellent, with some close-ups of stitch patterns, that make you want to get out your knitting needles and search your stash for a sweater candidate.
I'm giving the book 4 stars instead of the highest rating because all the sleeves styles are simple drop shoulder, which makes them not look as fashionable as they could be. But this is a minor point, given the ease of adapting this to one's own favorite armhole shaping, and the overall good taste that these sweaters show.

this book, found as others in the sales stack has been one of the best pickups of the last year.

A good, and interesting read.

I got about halfway through this book before realizing that I was just trying to get back some of my time investment. I hoped that it would become spellbinding and hilarious any second. I kept hoping and hoping, until my next requested library book became available and I realized that it was more appealing than the book (this one) that I had already started.

The author really did seem to be just listing all the ways he got around writing a book about these nearly extinct deer. I don't know if he did this to stretch the book by a few hundred pages, but I found it dull. Too bad, too, because his tone was enjoyable to read.

An unoriginal attempt of authoring a novel based on fractured accounts through the masculine line of the Twigger family tree. The book reminds me of a Simon Winchester styled writer who is too preoccupied with glorify his own accomplishments. I have read three Twigger books and so far they are lacking in story but not autobiography.

I also picked this up on the bargain rack. I was expecting a sort of research text on the deer. It actually is much more than that--it's part travelogue and part personal journey on the part of the author as well. He relates to us strange stories of bizarre people he meets in his research, thoughts on reading, various bits and pieces of history, and an ongoing story about trying to find a secondhand bookstore in Cairo. As I read it, I was enjoying it, but it felt rather fractured...up until the last few pages where he brings all the threads into the book together into one common theme, making me shake my head at the control he had over the various stories all along.

I picked this book up on the bargain rack of my local bookstore. I don't like to pass up a chance for a low-priced hardcover, and am I ever glad I didn't.

Everyone will tell you this book is about deer. Not just any deer. Rare deer. But it's about so much more than that. Whether you see it as fact or fiction, or 'mostly true', the book is captivating. While seemingly hare-brained and madcap in its construction, the text flows together in a surreal way. Twigger penned the words perfectly, and it's a book not only for deer-lovers, but for writers, too.

Because much of the book is about writing another book and finding book stores and raiding libraries and the like, anyone who loves books should also love it. I suppose I must have gotten lucky, liking both books and deer, with a slight bent for villains like the Major.

It's hard to do the text justice. You'll just have to go read it yourself, I suppose.

For several years I've been told by friends that I ought to lay hands on a copy of this book, before it goes out of print. When I finally found one and spent an evening reading it, I discovered why there is such a buzz about the book.

Although you may be drawn to the colorful pages and designs (which are only a small part of the volume), what lies at the heart of this book are its sensible, clear, illuminating explanations of how those loops operate as they slide across your needles, leaning this way and that. Anna admits that it was not particularly appealing to her to so thoroughly describe the characteristics of stitches, but she seems to have dedicated herself to the task and succeeded very well. In fact, her explanations are really quite engaging, because they are so illuminating.

Once you take the time to read through her pages, studying her illustrations, you will never again knit without understanding what your stitches are doing. Basically, Anna has taken the time to open her eyes to the movements of stitches, and articulated and illustrated it well enough for the rest of us to benefit from her examination. If this sounds hopelessly abstract, it isn't - it's liberating and right before you.

Now that I've read the book myself, I have begun to recommend it in all the workshops I teach. It answers one question I hear several times every workshop, which is: "Why does this stitch lean the wrong way/what should I do about it?" This question will never mystify you again, and the concept of a wrong way will vanish.

Cat Bordhi, author of Socks Soar on two Circular Needles, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, and A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.

The biblical and creator references in this book are overwhelming. I thought I was buying a book about knitting, but found the references too distracting to be able to focus on her knitting instructions.

There are a surprising number of rules and opinions laid down in a book advocating knitting anarchy. I found it sort of preachy and self-important.

I did not buy this book for the designs---nobody should, and they are not the point of the book anyhow. I bought it to review the technical information for my knitting classes, which according to some other knitting teachers, was first rate and unbiased, in this book.
Instead, on page 24, this supposedly hyper-tolerant and unbiased author lets creep in a definite intolerance towards Continental Purling, saying "it takes quite a contortion" and refers to "being blocked by the difficult maneuver". While she does say in boldface everyone should knit however they want, just a few pages earlier, why then include the various slams against Continental purlers? It is simply another way to knit, and I am not the only one who does not find it contortious or difficult, at all.
The other reason I do not give more stars to this book, is that the information given is really nothing new---Elizabeth Zimmermann's several offerings include all of the technical information of this tome, including the now-sacrosanct discussion of how the stitch is mounted (leading leg/edge, whatever you wanna call it these days) and have some truly beautiful classic designs to boot. If you're looking for good coverage of knitting technique, you'll do much better with any of the Zimmermann classics.

I only just picked up a copy of this book the other day, but already it's having a profound effect on the way I look at my knitting.

It's not a pattern book, and it won't make you hip, but it will explain how knitting actually works, and how knitters can make that work for them. Zilboorg's book is a real eye opener, and equips those of us who do our stitches a little differently with the knowledge and ability to deflect purists, stitch nazis, and other fiber arts authoritarians when they tell us we're doing it wrong, and show them that our stitches are perfect regardless of whether we knit Continental or English, leading leg in front or back, or if we wrap clockwise or counterclockwise.

I love this book. A lot of kids' crochet books focus on styles for little girls -- but this one has several real winners for little boys. The designs are unique and really cool. They're cute without being "cutesy." Your children will not be ridiculed by their classmates when they show up in the outfits you made them from this book. They're not "dated" -- if you bought this to make things for your kids, you'll probably still be able to use it for your grandkids. Beautiful pictures show every detail, which is important if you're like me -- I rely more on the pictures to tell me what to do than the instructions/patterns.

I read the reviews for this book and checked it out at my local library. Personally, I found there to be some great patterns in it, and I am now putting it on my wish list for future purchase. It is true that there aren't many boy patterns in it, but that is hard to find anywhere. The patterns in this book are very cute and I can't wait to try them out!

This should be really called Crochet for Girls, although the patterns for the girls are really cute I thought there would be more boy patterns, there are only few in this book.

This book includes sweaters that *look* like you made them. Almost every pattern has sleeves that are very visably attached to the blocky body of a sweater. The designs are outdated and the finished products don't even look that great in the book.

Two or three boy patterns? Nonsense. There may be only four patterns with obviously male models, but many of the baby patterns are on models of indeterminate gender, and if you add in patterns that are either obviously unisex or could be made so with an altered color scheme, there are about an even dozen that can be boys' clothes. Twelve out of 22 might not sound like a lot, but crochet patterns tend to be skewed towards females to begin with. Many of the patterns are quite unique, in a sweet-old-fashioned sort of way (who can't love a crocheted coonskin cap?). The only complaint I have is that some of the patterns are needlessly complicated. There's a lovely dress, for instance, that calls for a D hook & has you making the sleeves separately and then sewing them on. Using the included schematics, I was able to make a lookalike dress with a G hook and crocheted-in-place sleeves. Overall, though, it is very worth the price if you're looking for something different. And don't let the title fool you, there is much more to the book than just sweaters.