Beautiful Knitting Patterns

If you are just getting started knitting or if you like making simple patterns out of creative yarns this is not the book for you but if you have been knitting for a long time and love adding your own touch to tried and true patterns you will love this. The book is just a book of knitting stitches with instructions for creating them --- no scarves, mittens, sweaters or anything else, just patterns. But the patterns are wonderful. Many I have never seen anywhere other than in this book. The photography is great and all the designs are charted which I love. Much as I appreciate Barbara Walker's books I much prefer reading charts to following line by line directions. I have a cardigan pattern that I love and have made many times through the years. Since buying this book I have made my tried and true pattern several times using new stitch designs from this book and every one of them is just lovely and completely unique. If you are not adventurous there are other books for you but this is an excellent book for the knitter with a sense of adventure.

As all knitters know, knitting is reported to consist of only two stitches. But what do you do when you've got thoses two down pat? The book Beautiful Knitting Patterns offers over 250 ways to put your skills to better use. Each two page spread has four to six patterns shown in a color photo sample and a chart with instructions. The photos are excellent quality; the charts are easily read and the instructions are clear. I recommend this for anyone who has already made a few scarves and is ready to try their hand at something more interesting than stockinette, rib or garter stitch. Hone your skills by making more interesting scarves or try your hand at a sampler afghan. For those who are already on to making sweaters, this book is a handy resource tailor made to be your muse. One final note: Anyone looking for a gift for any knitter- look no further.

I really love this book. When I bought it I already had a houseful of knitting books so I was surprised how much new and exciting there was in it. The photography is the best I've seen. I like the fonts and the layout of the book. I was particularly excited by the jacquard patterns. Elegant and sophisticated. The symbol system used in this book is dreadful. If you buy this book just go to Kinkos and make copies of the symbol explanation page because you are going to need it. The stitch explanations are clear enough but you'll need that copy otherwise you'll be flipping back every row.

I love knitting stitch pattern books and can never have enough. This collection is one of my favorites because of the many unusual ones not in my other books. Quite unusual are the patchwork patterns in lace, patterns using beads knitted in, patterns knitted into the stitch below and openwork patterns. I also found the author's system of symbols rather annoying. Too bad she didn't use either the Burda or the Japanese system which are the main ones in usage today.

I won't repeat the excellent detailed editorial reviews, but I'd like to add a couple of (hopefully) useful comments. One, the charts use different symbols than you may be used to (why does every author seem to use their own symbols??) and there are no line-by-line instructions. Two, the chapter introductions offer practical information on using the patterns. There are a lot of patterns here I've never seen before and many of them are stunning or subtly beautiful. If you are a collector of stitch pattern books as I am, this is definitely one you will want to have and use! The best new one I've seen in a long time and well worth the price.