Review by Booklist Review
Names that any long-term knitter recognizes versus newcomers in the industry, and tough, challenging projects versus simply ready-to-customize sweaters--all this adds up to crafters in the ever-growing field of knitting facing choices, whether they are beginners, economizers, experienced knitters, or professional ones. Her first knitted sweater having earned her a Brownie badge, Scottish-born Ham debuts with a charming book intended for novices as well as the jaded amateur. The emphasis here is on make-it-your-own, with basic shapes and variations explained in detail. The cardigans and jackets chapter, for instance, includes ideas for turning a short sweater into a coat or embellishing pockets by different placement of buttons, stitches, beads, and tassels. Each pattern features drawn schematics and a broad enough range of materials to allow customization. She winds up by focusing on adornment and showing a variety of ways to decorate a purchased knit or repair a much-loved sweater. Vogue Knitting editor-in-chief Trisha Malcolm selects patterns from the top 10 American designers featured in the magazine. There's a mother-and-daughter publishing team, a Maine native with no formal design background, a Yale grad who majored in fine arts and economics--and no one who would give up knitting as a hobby or as a career. Except for 2 patterns, all of the more than 50 of them are targeted to the intermediate or experienced knitter. Yet even rank beginners can imagine a multifloral tapestry shawl, gauntlet cabled gloves and hat, and a dragonfly pullover. Biographies of each woman artist help inspire reader, as do the full-color photographs. --Babara Jacobs
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This is a book of patterns for the beginning knitter who has already learned to cast on, to knit, and to purl. Moving from that point, Ham guides the new knitter through a variety of sweaters, vests, jackets, and cardigansDall designed to ease the beginner into mastery of the craft. Several of the garments have no set patterns. Instead, the author explains how to create patterns by measuring a favorite sweater. All-important schematics are included, as are hints for design variations and embellishments. Experienced knitters will be drawn to the patchwork jacket and many other designs employing interesting specialty yarns. Enthusiastically recommended for knitting collections. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
