Vogue Knitting American Collection

Vogue Knitting American Collection ($) will appeal to knitters with its collection of handknit patterns from top designers. Over forty garments are presented ranging from casual to dressy, each including color photos of finished products, a stitch overview, and step-by-step instructions perfect for those without prior knitting experience.

Even if you're a relatively inexperienced knitter, you should buy this book. While it is true that most of the projects are for more advanced knitters, you need something to work toward, to look forward to. As is true for all of Vogue Knitting's books, the pattern instructions are clearly written, and the photographs are dynamite. At some point, you will want to try something more challenging, and when you're ready, you'll have this book. Even so, I think several of these designs could be attempted after you have done a couple of more simple sweaters. Just go slow at first, and don't be afraid to ask for help.In addition to the beautiful designs in this book, there is a profile of each designer. This is a great feature. Each of the designers started out as beginners, just like us. It's interesting to see how each of them got their start. You might even be inspired to design something on your own.

Want a "best-of" collection from the top American knitwear designers, even if you'll never manage to complete half the patterns? This book is for you.Each chapter begins with a two-page profile of the designer and then features four or five of the most memorable patterns she ever did for the magazine. In total there are more than 40 garments from Pam Allen, Lily Chin, Nicky Epstein, Nora Gaughan, Kristin Nicholas, Debora Newton, Mari Lynn Patrick, Michele Rose, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Mag Swansen. As you'd expect from Vogue Knitting, the layout is exceptionally clear and well illustrated, and the patterns are easy to read. The book has just a few Very Easy Very Vogue patterns. The rest are definitely for intermediate to expert knitters.

If you have all or most of the 1990's issues of Vogue Knitting, you will already have all the sweaters in this book. Vogue always publishes a quality book, with large photos, diagrams, and good instructions, so purchasing the book is worthwhile if you have missed the 90's issues. As with Designer Knits and Very Easy Knits, both nice books, you get recommendations for updated yarns when the original is not available. Even so, I was disappointed. Those sweaters chosen for this collection are ones that I never considered all that appealing. A good many are weak attempts at avant garde sweaters and few for a more conservative, classic style are included. Many of these sweaters are also appropriate for very thin women, but normal bodies might not be complimented by the styling. One plus is that the tapestry afghan is included in case you missed it, and the author attempts to do something similar to Falick's Knitting Across America by including two page biographies of major American designers. This adds interest to the book but then those two pages could have been put to use to include more sweaters -- the usefulness if really up to you to decide. I was much happier with Designer Knits and Very Easy Knits.

As usual, Vogue has not let me down. The American Collection features a great sampling of some of the more popular designers' to appear in Vogue Knitting magazine. The biographies of each of the featured designers are a nice touch and make the book more than just a pattern book. It is interesting to learn how the designers began their careers and get their inspiration. The variety of patterns is very nice and the photos are exceptional. Most of the patterns are at the Intermediate to Expert Knitting Level, but there are a few Beginner patterns. This book would be a nice Christmas present for Beginner and Expert alike.