Sweaters Books

I have wanted to knit something for my labrador for awhile now, but was confused as to properly measure her and the adjust patterns. While this book does not have alot of different patterns, the patterns in here are totally open to creativity and adjustment. The best part of the book was the "how to" when it comes to dogs. My lab is not the full knitted sweater type, but she will use the coats. I had to laugh at the "pillbox" hat and have been threatening to make her the ensemble for next October. This book was definitely worth every penny to me.

It's so hard to find good knitting patterns for men's sweaters. I bought this book over 20 years ago and have found it indispensable. There are 29 classic designs from 1934 to 1980 so you are bound to find something you'd like to give your husband, boyfriend, father, son or brother.

Thanks! This magazine was hard to find it arrived quickly and in the condition promised.

Melissa Leapman's design principles are inspiring, logical and perfection. She is an excellent designer, an excellent instructor and her books are excellent value. One concept Ms Leapman utilizes is to design patterns where all finishing is completed WHILE KNITTING. Her (and our) knitting time is precious and "finishing" a project while knitting rather than "sewing" or picking up edging stitches later is exhibited in at least one V-neck cable tunic sweater pattern in this book. Her patterns are equally suited for beginning to advanced knitters. Her collection of knits will appeal to persons of all ages and tastes, ranging from the business conservative to very modern and chic. Watch for her new book "Hot Knits" coming out in June for a wonderful collection of diverse styles and designs. I saw a proof and can't wait for it to arrive!

Former Cowichan sweater shop operator Sylvia Olsen presents Yetsa's Sweater, a children's picturebook tribute to the tradition of knitting sweaters on Coast Salish (on the Tsartlip Reserve near Victoria, British Columbia) and the bonds between mothers, grandmothers, and granddaughters that highlight the creation of knitted sweaters. Impeccably illustrated by award-winning artist Joan Larson, Yetsa's Sweater follows the entire process of creating a Cowichan sweater through the eyes of a young girl, from harvesting and spinning the fleece to the actual knitting. The final two pages offer a more concise history of Coast Salish knitted sweaters. Highly recommended as an educational and multicultural celebration of family love.

After reading in one day, I gave it to my wife and then she gave it to some friends. Everyone who has read it loves it.

We purchased "The Christmas Sweater" as a gift for my husband's Boss, and he read the book in one day. Was very impressed , says everyone should read the book.

This book reminded me of some things that happened in my early life, I grew up on a farm. I just finished reading where it got very sad. I had to stop reading for a while, too many tears! I can't wait to finish it, Glenn said there would be a more cheery area. It is so much like what real life really is about.

Altough the book was certainly entertaining, I wonder whether those experiences should have had a different effect on Mr. Beck, maybe grow up a little more open minded? a little less rascist? but then again... maybe the novel is not based on his experiences at all, and in that case I give it one more star!

I was very moved when I read The Christmas Sweater.
I listen to Glenn Beck on the radio,on my way to the YMCA on most week days.That is when I heard of the book that he had written.
I don't really know if the book is about him, I do suspect that it is though.
It was the perfect read for the holidays,as it really brings you to the bare basic meaning of the holiday.

The knitters companion was given to me by a friend when I first started knitting, it has been invaluable to me and I have since purchased many more for gifts.

I have had five copies of this wonderful little book, because I give them to friends who run in to problems when knitting. Every knitter needs one of these little gems in their work bag. It contains the answer to any question you might have when working on a knitting project, no matter how difficult the pattern.

I've been knitting for years, but some of the hints in this book are new to me and are great for making the finished product look really good. The section on joining pieces was particularly valuable for me. I also like the spiral binding, which allows you to refer to it while both hands are busy holding knitting needles. The illustrations are also very clear.

Great book for every ability level. Useful suggestions, easy to understand, covers anything I have ever needed help with so far. Spiral bound so it lays flat & is small enough to carry in your knitting bag.

Just as the title says..this little book is a constant source of reference for the knitter..the size is perfect for stashing in the knitting bag..I even bought another one for my daughter!

Lots of scarf patterns and none of them that I liked. In fact, I did not find a single pattern in this book that interested me. I'll probably try to sell it on ebay.

So far, I've made two sweaters from the patterns included in this book. The skill level is easier than indicated and the patterns themselves are easy to follow. I like that the author makes comments on several of the patterns - one being to make it in a color you might not choose, to stretch your comfort zone. Overall a good resource for patterns in a wide range of sizes.

This is a great book - clear instructions and some great funky accessories and beautiful clothes - I love the tangerine top. I'm so glad I got this book - the only problem is I just don't want to put it down! Any crocheter would be happy with this book.

This is a great book - clear instructions and some great funky accessories and beautiful clothes - I love the tangerine top. I'm so glad I got this book - the only problem is I just don't want to put it down! Any crocheter would be happy with this book.

This book has some of the most wonderful patterns and most are super easy!!
Most are actually useable.
Brenda

I have tons of knitting books, and like most knitters, I want to begin a project and get it done. I hate swatches! They are necessary if you want your garment to fit, but I hate taking the time to do them. This book is great! It is done for you. Multiple patterns with multiple sizes using stitch gauges already done for you. I like this book alot.

The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & GaugesThis is a book I would like to have found 40 years ago when I started knitting. Sizing of the garment is so important to the fit and this book tackles that problem for all ages, male and female. I use it to check the accuracies of other written pattern numbers because it gives stitch gauges and the number of stitches to cast on for that gauge and follows through with all the numbers for sleeve & neck shaping. The major sweater styles: fitted, drop shoulder, raglan, etc sleeve styles are given with their numbers. It is a great knitting asset.

I agree with the other reviewers that the actual patterns in the book are unattractive. I have a wonderful, very old book of knitting stitch designs for added interest to a garment, which I use frequently. This book gives me the missing piece, which is how to calculate the amount of yarn I'll need for a project--not easy information to get hold of. Since it provides information for a basic knit sweater with standard neckline, shoulder style, and overall length information, it's easy to calculate yarn requirements for whatever changes you want to make to the basic design. The lie-flat book design and included marker are extremely helpful.

If you want to make your own sweater design, this book provides great charts and references on how to go beyond the stockinette stitch. Pictures of the sweaters also complement the instructions. You can make sweaters for everyone - babies, children, men, and women. Instructions are included on how to measure gauge, calculating yarn, sweater measurements, etc. Six different types of sweaters are included - drop shoulder, modified drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, saddle shoulder, raglan and seamless yoke. Personal touches are also included such as different neck finishes. I am a beginning knitter but I know this is one book that I can use as I expand my skills. Also, adjusting body or sleeve length, adding stitch or color patterns, and adjusting for different gauges are included. A great basic reference!

I love this book. I have designed and knit four sweaters for myself using the basic patterns here. I have a 'nonstandard' figure, and the charts of sizes let me modify a pattern so that the sleeves are long enough, the bust is big enough and the shoulder seams don't drip down my upper arms!
I also love the flexibility of gauges so that I'm not tied to one type of yarn. I seem to never like the type of yarn featured in a commercial pattern. So the pattern I like is written for worsted and I want to knit it in aran weight - no problem- determine your gauge and follow the chart.
Great book for a serious sweater knitter, beginner or experienced.

Loved the book - use it with her videos and without -- find it easy to understand compared to most other patterns available today. This book will never leave my library. Her teaching method allows me to design my own patterns without a lot of fuss. Writes in a way that makes me feel like she is sitting in the living room helping out. She simplifies everything she can and makes knitting friendly again. --And that doesnt mean she is making simple sweaters - it just means she is making beautiful sweaters easy to knit. Full price would be a bargain for this book! Happy Knitting!

I love knitted garments that draw from the designs of the Turkish, Russian, and Scandanavian cultures. The colors and textures used in this book are timeless. The construction techniques illustrated are indispensible. Needless to say, I am an avid fan of circular knitting and look specifically for books which cover this particular type of knitting whenever and wherever I can. As with any art, it takes time and effort to master technique. And really no one book is the best book for everyone to learn from. That's why it's wonderful that there's a demand for knitters to share their ideas and publish their designs. I applaud Mrs. Swansen for yet another winner. I use her books as a benchmark. If I can master the techniques in her books, I know I'm on the right track.

P.S. A word to the wise...please remember to knit a swatch in the ROUND first before attempting any circular knitting project. Tension is different in the round vs. knitting back and forth on straight needles.

I have to say that I was a little bit disappointed of the patterns. Nothing new, nothing exciting. Sure, the pattern seem to be "authentic", but I can find them in other books as well.
But the "how to" area is very well written and helpful even for an intermediate or advanced knitter.

I've had this book for over a year, and I browse through it from time to time. There are a few sweaters that I happen to like, although I have found that the knitting instructions are very, very chatty rather than precise (Swansen's personality is more important to her than the knitting). The yarns used -- I ordered
some from Schoolhouse Press -- are the cheaper, lower grade wools, almost suitable for rugs rather than knitwear. Some of these sweaters have promise if you are willing to convert them into much higher quality (and not much more expensive!) yarns. It's is difficult to convert, however, since Meg does us the favor of not including diagrams or measurements in the patterns, ultimately thinking we'd all make them in the same yarns and get the same stitch gauge, which is surprising from a woman who is supposed to be a knitting expert. But, yes, some of the sweaters are quite nice and photographed well, though I did get tired of seeing the author in most of the photos, reading the author's rather dull autobiography and reading the author's overly-personalized text -- rather like this is a book about Swansen with the sweaters incidental. The sweaters themselves are presented nicely, but the color of the yarns used, for the most part, are awful. Either the colors are too bland, blending into each other, or they are horribly garish. Swansen needs to take a class in color theory for garments. Shudder. Swansen presents only sweaters for adults, and another surprise is how effeminate are the sweaters for men. I guess the men where Swansen is from (is it Minnesota or something?) are much, much sillier than those here on the east coast. I also found the book way overpriced. This was a big bestseller when it first came out, owing to Meg's friends who posted gushing reviews. Knitters are always hungry for new books, and I don't begrudge having this one added to my library. I would recommend, as I think another reviewer did, that you look at this in a store before purchasing -- the garishness and roughness of the sweaters, combined with the chatty and often unhelpful instructions may be a caution on whether or not you want to invest.

I've flipped through this book countless times while browsing my local library's knitting section and I'm always turned off by the boring and frequently ugly designs and color schemes. This author apparently has never met an earth tone she didn't like. How about adding a little sparkle to some of those muddier colors with some jewel tones? I can't speak for technique having never used the book. My advise is to browse through it at the library or book store before purchasing it here. Put it this way--it never inspires me enough to check it out of the library---for free! Of course, I'm not a big fan of her mother's book, Knitting Without Tears (I can imagine the gasps of outrage since she seems to be a knitting godess) and wish I'd spent my money on something less boring. I've had Knitting Without Tears for nearly four years now and have yet to use it for anything. It's just wasting space on my shelf. Since this book is a much bigger investment be wise and borrow a copy before buying.