Enchanted Knitting: Charted Motifs for Hand and Machine Knitting

This book is filled with gorgeous charted designs that include Day of the Dead, Pagan, Celtic, and other folk motifs. Unfortunately, the charts are terribly difficult to read, not marked with stitch and row counts, and most are too big to use on anything but cloaks, blankets, and suchlike. The project directions are geared towards very experienced knitters and seamstresses; they'd be darn near useless for beginners. A valuable resource in spite of some flaws.

The patterns in this book are many, and very nice, from all over the world. Not all of them are usable, but that's a matter of appeal. Most patterns are quite big to knit up, not for small projects. You have to copy and enlarge them first because they're printed very small.

If you want to make an Arabic cap (the pillbox style of ornamented patterned cap favored by men throughout the Middle East) or if you want a pattern for a cloak, it's in here! Surprising, as this looks to be a knitting pattern book for stitch pictures only. But there is a lot more here. In terms of knitting patterns, there are a lot of folk motifs like firebirds, and whole trees and antelopes. If you are a machine knitter, this is terrific. My favorite is a trio of howling wolves and the moon. Would look incredible on the back of a cloak. Recommended.

This ia a faboo book, but not for someone who wants to learn to knit. It is as the tiltle says, charted desgins. That's it. Oh it has pretty pictues and ideas for projects, but there's no how-to instructions. The patterns are wonderful! I love the celtic ones, and the little dancing skeletons. And the cover design which is a tattoo from a ice age mummy! (how cool is that??) The patterns are in black to white greyscales. They a rather easy to follow.Highly recommended if you want patterns that are not the usual!

All of the Cartwright-Jones knitting books are wonderful, and this one adds to the collection with amazing designs and motifs from all over the world, plus detailed directions for a pillbox-type hat, lavishly patterned kneesocks, a drawstring bag, and a hooded cloak/coat. These are a far cry from most knitting patterns available--they are ethnically or historically inspired and they allow the knitter to fit and style according to her needs and taste. The only reason I don't give five stars is that the charts are hard to read and for some reason don't give the stitch x row counts the way the Tap Dancing Lizard book did. A word of warning: these patterns are geared heavily toward machine knitters. Hand knitters will not be as happy.