if you can only buy one knitting book, buy this one...
Written: May 20 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Clear drawing/diagrams; good photographs of techniques, classic designs for all ages
Cons: none, except the long wait between books in the series
The Bottom Line: Great book for knitters of all skill levels. Innovative patterns. If you are wondering what knitters are talking about when they murmur "that Einstein coat," this book is for you.
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| dkkpersonal's Full Review: Sally Melville - The Knitting Experience: The Knit... |
This book appeals to beginners (the photographs of techniques are excellent) as well as intermediate (know knit and purl and have made more than scarves) and advanced (some of the shaded items---but really they are simple too) knitters.
I have taught knitting to children as young as eight and seniors in their 70's and all groups respond favorably to this book.
I have made three items from its patterns ( a very unusual thing, as one or two is usually my boredom limit) and am still thinking about more.
What sets this book apart and ahead of the rest of the mountain of new knitter's books is the simple, beautiful executed works that result from her patterns. I have made several of them and have found the patterns to be well thought out, the line drawings are clear and measured properly, and Ms. Melville's asides and commentary are hilarious.
In book one of what will be a series of six or seven books, Ms. Melville has included ponchos (how did she know they were going to be the rage--with or without Martha), scarves with hoods that keep your head and neck warm at the same time (why didn't I think of that? I still have to knit one of these designs), and coats and jackets that have become must-do's even among knitters of 20 and 30 years of experience.
I have done her famous Einstein Coat in Lopi, as suggested, but I would love to do another one in cashmere---mmmm, wouldn't it be too luxurious! The day I brought my coat in, two members of my group went right next door to our local shop and bought the book at full price, despite my advice to wait for Internet pricing.
In fact, This book's appeal to a cross-section of knitters is the reason why it is destined to be one that will stay in print for a long time. (No online auction bidding to a frenzied height for Starmore books that Hiatt book (I have a copy of the latter--bought in innocence in 1988-- who knew?) No, everyone should and can have one or more of the books written by Ms. Melville. Democracy at last---if only among knitters.
Another plus is that fact that she writes her patterns with generic weight and yardage yarn information so that anyone can figure out yarn substitutions with confidence. Many knitting books show their patterns in one yarn and say ("use 8 skeins of blah..")and the new knitter doesn't have the experience to know what else might work just as well once "blah" is discontinued. This feature alone, shows what a pro Ms. Melville is.
In short, when I get off the couch to recommended anything to my knitting students, it has to be something special. This book surely is.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dkkpersonal
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Reviews written: 2
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