Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified: Philosopher's Wool [With Book Comes W/Flaps]

This book is well worth the investment, no question! I never thought I could knit a fair isle sweater------never!! Guess what, I mastered their technique of weaving rather than stranding and I am now on my second sleeve of the "Garden Patch" pattern done in pastels. I found the book so informative and the story about how Ann and Eugene started out was so much fun to read. I recently had the pleasure of meeting both of them at a yarn show, and they are truly wonderful people, always ready to give a helpful hand in any way they can. Their book is chock full of info, to say nothing of the many pictures and patterns that are incuded. Five stars aren't enough for this one!

This is an all around great book. First off, the stranding technique the Bourgeois' teach is worth the price alone. I have several fairisle books, and I have never seen this technique in any of them and IT WORKS. No weird pulling effect, and with a little practice, it is easy. On top of that, the patterns are gorgeous and the story of the start of the Philosopher's Wool company is entertaining. If you like fairisle, but were afraid to try it, or were frustrated with it like me, this book is for you! I am adding an addendum 6 years after my original review. This is in response to the knitter afraid of steeks who dinged this book because of them. Steeks are an integral part of making fairisle sweaters. Not only do the Bourgeois' sweaters use them, so does Alice Starmore, Meg Swansen, Elizabeth Zimmerman--this list goes on. I am currently knitting a Starmore vest and have just cut the steek. There is NOTHING to be afraid of. It DOES NOT RAVEL. This is my second fairisle with steeks. So steek away knitters--it's OK!!

I had been meaning to attend one of Ann & Eugene's seminars, if I ever got the chance, when a friend bought this book for me. It is delightful--fun reading, beautifully presented, and so far (halfway up the body tube of my first real sweater, with a completed doll cardigan to show that I could indeed do this) the instructions have been exceptionally clear and easy to follow. For all the beauty of the sweaters presented, I think the book would be appropriate for a near-beginning knitter (I'm not a pro myself), as they present a very simple method for knitting a basic sweater, letting the simple fair-isle technique and the colors do all the work. I was a little (OK, a lot) fumbly at first, as they promised, but sure enough, within a few evenings I had it down. For those that have read the book and wondered, as I did, if Eugene ever did get to grow those mushrooms...I had the opportunity to ask in person, and the answer is no, the township wouldn't allow it. So the book's one loose end has now been "woven in," so to speak.

I just received my copy of the Bourgeois' book "Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified." It is truly wonderful. I had taken a seminar from Ann Bourgeois this spring and am a convert to their method of two handed fair isle. It makes so much sense, is much faster that anything else I've seen and has revolutionized the way I knit.The photography is this book is supurb as is the quality of the paper and printing. The designs are incredible; I want to make every one of them! I can't recommend a book more highly.

This is a well ilustrated book on multiple color knitting for the novice as well as skilled knitter. The approach used in their video tape "The Original Philospher's Two-Handed Fair Isle and Other Stories is shown here in sequential steps which should make it very easy for someone to learn to weave and carry one color in each hand. Photographs demonstrate how their eleven color families can be used in various designs to completely change the appearance of a sweater. Simple instructions are presented for knitting in the round and steeking to make the tubular construction into cardigans.Patterns are not just limited to the traditional Fair Isle but extend into geometric shapes and color shifting forms seen in the Fin and Feather design. This is one of the best books to come on the market in reference to technique and color.