Morehouse Farm Merino Knits: More than 40 Farm-Fresh Designs

This is an inspiring book, full of color and unconventional design. The photography is delightful, giving a feel of the farm where the yarn company is based, and there is remarkable variety in the patterns--everything from a felted blanket to the most delicate lace. The directions are very clear and easy to follow, even when somewhat unconventional. A very appealing book to fill even the most jaded knitter with excitement and remind them why they started knitting in the first place.

Inspiring, practical and original. This book gives a diverse, reachable variety of patterns. With delightful photography showing a climate I am unsed to this book is a true delight. I have dabbled in woollen crafts for some decades, not only knitting but formerly spinning, though I have done no dyeing this book positively starts the mind whirring and the fingers itching to get started on some of the many ideas. Delightful philosophy interspersus the descriptions of Morehouse Farm life with original knitting ideas including a man's sweater knitted from the neck down! Starting with knitted cushion covers, and covers the concept of felting. This book is an utter delight.

While I am compelled to agree with the reviewers who feel that this book is very basic, I can't help but love it for the simplicity of it's patterns. There are no fancy techniques required of the patterns in this book and there is no call for the inclusion of novelty yarns and trendy patterns; Merino Knits is a back-to-basics series of patterns for people who want to create useful and timeless knitted garments and items. The fact that the book features only Morehouse Farm merino yarns is a selling point for any knitter who has worked with, and fallen in love with, these dreamy, buttery yarns. The photography is elegant and the insider's glimpse into Morehouse Farm is a real treat. I adore this book because it reminded me of the beauty of simple knits, something which I needed after being inundated with countless uber-trendy books and patterns.

For me the book is worth having for the lace patterns alone. I've always loved lace yarn and have a lot of it, but do not have the time or patience to knit complicated patterns for lace shawls and scarves. This book has 5 shawl/scarf patterns plus a laceweight pouch pattern that look easy to do yet are more than just a simple garter stitch. Before I even finished looking through the book I cast on the Huck Lace Shawl. Besides the lace, there are some really cute kids designs - especially the mittens that look like little bugs. I'm really glad I bought this book.

Within ten minutes of opening it, I fell in love with this book; and having read it, I now know it's one I'll always cherish. Morehouse Farm produces some of the best yarn you'll find, and this book by farm founder Margrit Lohrer is a fitting, delightfully companionable complement to it. Yes, the focus here is on simpler, more repetitive designs--but that's a deliberate and gratifying choice for those of us who share the author's philosophy that the best knitting projects are "yards of scarves and acres of blankets. Stop-and-go projects bother me--stop and check, stop and read, stop and count--they don't give me time to think. . . . Life's meaning, for me, resides in the rhythm of knitting" (page 16). I read that and knew I'd found a knitting soulmate. This is therefore not a book to grab a couple of showy patterns out of and then lay aside. If you do that, you'll not only be disappointed; you'll also miss the unassuming pleasures scattered throughout, such as the endearing, family-album-style photos, or the list of good things you can do with unspun wool, tucked away near the back. There are plenty of intricate pattern books out there, but far fewer that combine techniques within the reach of most knitters with beautiful, fun things to make and the friendliness and well-earned wisdom you'd want from a dear and experienced companion in the knitter's art. This charming, homey, and gently personal book offers all that. Savor it as you would the company of a good friend.