Simply Beautiful Sweaters: Tricoter

This books title says it all SIMPLY beautiful sweaters. It has 2 things that are essential to the new knitter. 1. Full sweater laid out so you can actually see the end result top to bottom, unlike many pattern books where you only see a small part of the sweater or the model is in a position so you don't get the full effect. 2. Actual pattern piece measured at each area, so no wondering about the final fit. This book has been a favorite of my new knitting friends because they are always pleased with the final product, no surprises and for first sweaters, the directions are very clear. I have been knitting for over 20 years and I use this book more than any other. I can take the basic pattern shapes, change a few things, add cables etc and design my own sweater that I am sure will fit when finished. By far some of the best basics availible...RECOMMENDED for all knitters.

This book is great for beginners to advanced. The patterns are written very clearly and the charts are excellent. The sweaters are knitted very quickly and easily. These are great when you do not feel like working on a more complicated design. Granted they do use "designer" type yarns. However, with the guage and yardage information they provide, another yarn of your choice is easily substituted as I have done with my projects. I highly recommend this book to anyone with the "knitting addiction!"

When this book came, I grabbed a coffee, my knitting chair, my glasses...and entered a bit of knitting heaven! It was everything the reviews I had read said it would be. This is not a technical book; no new ways to do Fair-Isle or delicate, complicated patterns. While the designs are quite simple, the choices of yarn and small stying details update classic patterning and gives this knitter some wonderful ideas for lots of knitting projects.The photographs are beautiful; clear and colorful. The yarn is scrumptious and the directions are easy to follow, complete with schematics. I found myself looking at my yarn stash, thinking of yarns I could combine to get the expensive, designer look of the samples!I would not call this book a "necessity" for a knitting library, but rather, a lovely addition:

As a woman under 31 who started knitting last year, I *devoured* this beautiful collection of colorful but simple sweaters that didn't remind me of my grandmother. I am grateful that the authors took the time to collect patterns that are attractive (not stodgy!) but accessible to the beginner. Finally I have a book I want to show my friends who ask why and what I knit (sorry, but most of the more popular publications -- not Vogue Knitting or Rowan -- look like absolute death to the young(er) and hip(per)).I should note also that this book is behind my decision to invest in *really* nice yarns whenever I can. Even a simple pattern will showcase a great yarn (and vice versa). Besides, my time and the recipients of the sweater (me included) are worth the extra expense.

This book is perhaps a lesson in color theory for sweaters. The sweater patterns are simple, as the title states, and classic. The interesting thing in the designs, however, is the use of color -- and not in ways that are so complex that they can be either intimidating or time-consuming. The photos of each sweater are marvelous -- the colors rich and vibrant. Everything is attractive. The book itself is of extremely high quality -- durable and glossy papers, although I think that being a paperback it is a tad overpriced. Some of the designs have a list of yarns used, and others do not, only suggesting the weight of yarn required, which can be frustrating if you, like me, tend to want to knit exactly what you see in a photo. I liked the write up on the shop owned by the authors and the colorful photos -- somehow it made the book more appealing, as if you knew the authors. The patterns are clearly laid out, and the instructions are meticulous. Also, the printface was large enough that it was comfortable to read (unlike some patterns that are squeezed onto a page so you sometimes lose your place while knitting/reading). This is really a fine book, and though at the moment I don't want to knit any of the sweaters (that may change as I browse through again and again), the book itself is an excellent lesson in the color possibilities for sweaters, which should make many of us more creative in our color choices. This is a very nice book and regardless of whether you like intricate or simple patterns for sweaters, an excellent addition to a knitter's library.