Stitch 'n Bitch Nation

I just received "Nation" the other day, and it has me wanting to forget about finals week! The instructions for altering patterns are straight forward and easy to understand, and very valuable for someone like me who has to adjust sizes. Now I can finally make my mom a sweater that won't stretch over her boobs so bad she looks like Pam Anderson, while having a saggy midsection. I'm one of those who like the patterns, especially the goofy slippers and the lovely fair isle cardigan. I'm not too excited about the men's patterns though, they seem a bit too "grunge" for the mainstream feller, and my fiance would kill me if I made him a sweater with flames. All in all though I would love to quit life for a while and make almost every single pattern in the book. Hooray!

I was hesitant to buy this book because I thought it would be one of those books that promises alot, but is really disguised as a basic knitting book. I was pleasantly surprised at the content though. The patterns are fresh, and the written content is entertaining and there is even a pattern for little dolls of The Ramones (for those of us who remember them).There were two patterns that my teen sons said they would actually wear, and a few things that I would make for myself, or as gifts. I am about to finish the Mud Flap girl tank to give as a gift. The instructions were very clear and I was able to make it through without losing interest (it took less than 10 days, which was my deadline). I didn't show my hubby the picture of what I was making, but when I showed him the almost finished tank he said "that looks like the girl on the trucks." I said "great!", that's exactly what it is. So, yeah for patterns that actually deliver something other than the home-made look.

After reading this book I would have to say "Yes!" This book includes some great patterns (I love the butterfly scarf) and a few that I will never make (can you say "leg warmers") but are fun to look at!!! The level of this book is just above beginner, but if you are new there are descriptions and explanation in he back. I have also found this website helps a lot www.knittinghelp.com if you are still stuck on something. I would definitely say this book is worth buying!!!

This is just the book I was waiting for! Stoller continues to delight with her witty, fun approach to knitting. The fifty patterns are enticing...I cannot wait until my finals are over this week to get started! Much appreciated in this book is the beginning section on how to alter existing patters. There have been sweaters I want to alter, using different yarn guages but haven't had a clear idea of exactly how to do that. I can't wait to get started on playing with patterns to come up with my own creations. There are some excellent, quick projects in this book that can be knit up quick for gifts, and, in my opinion, handmade gifts are more personal and meaningful thangift cards. An improvement in this book is the fact that the color pictures are with the patterns, so you no longer have to flip back and forth between picture and pattern.

A very solid book. Enjoyable to read, better organized than the first and a large variety of projects. True, it might not be THE book for the beginner, however it is perfect for anyone with any experience or an enthusiastic beginner as the tone is so up beat - "anyone can do this stuff!" I've purchased many, many knitting books and the Stitch n Bitch books are two of the three that I keep and refer to often. This one is different than the original, as it should be - and its logical follow-up.