Do you have (opinions on) these knitting books?

[firecat]

punkmom cleverly suggested that I ask my knitting friends if y'all have any of the books I was ranting about not being able to see online. Here is my current list and if you have opinions on any of these, or if you are local and have a copy that I could look at, please let me know:

Wrap Style: Innovative to Traditional, 24 Inspirational Shawls, Ponchos, and Capelets to Knit and Crochet by Pam Allen, Ann Budd

I like this wrap from it and either don't like or can't tell whether I like (Green Sleeves) the other wraps shown on the Interweave site (here and here). I like this but it's available for free. I want to know if there are any others I like, because I would rather not pay $22 for one pattern.

I find myself wanting to play around with cable and celtic knot stitches so I would also like to have a look at these:

Aran Sweater Design by Janet Szabo

I have these on hold at the library:

220 Aran stitches : includes diamonds, cables, twists, honeycombs, textures, panels, backgrounds

Aran knitting, Alice Starmore

Vogue knitting stitchionary 2. Vol. 2, cables : the ultimate stitch dictionary

Michael Pearson's Traditional knitting : Aran, Fair Isle, and fisher ganseys

Finally, if you have any opinions about the books in my Amazon yarncrafts wishlist I would welcome them. (ObDisclaimer: I am not trolling for gifts; this is just a convenient place to keep track of stuff I want to check out.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/2H16VWFC2C9PQ

Comments

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

I don't know the Vogue Knitting book, but in general, I really like the Barbara Walker books (but I am a huge BW fan). Also, I dislike the neologism "Stitchionary".

I looked at "Wrap Style" over a year ago and didn't buy it because I couldn't see me wearing anything in it. The patterns, however, were interesting.

As for the books on your wishlist, the Arctic lace book is interesting to look at, but there was nothing compelling in it.

Ann Budd's book has been well reviewed on the knitting community.

Nicky Epstein's books are good--they are well reviewed by Really Good Knitters I know. I don't own any because they are relatively expensive per page. I may get over that.

[firecat]

Thanks!

[submarine-bells.livejournal.com]

I've got the Vogue Stitchionary Vol 1 (knit and purl). I really really like it. It's nothing like a complete list of stitches - it doesn't include some basics like feather-and-fan. But to be honest, those basics I can find anywhere. What it does have is very clear, detailed photos of a heap of stitches, all done in the same yarn for clear and easy comparison, and the patterns (written out, not charted) for knitting each stitch. And most of the stitches it includes are really interesting. If you're after a book that is a reasonably complete description of stitches you're likely to use, it's probably not the first choice. But if, like me, you're after a book you can browse through when you're thinking "I need a stitch that looks kinda like this for this bit of a pattern I'm making up", it's ideal!

I heartily recommend it, based on the first volume.

[firecat]

Thanks!

[tedesson.livejournal.com]

Aran knitting, Alice Starmore is a classic, and extremely expensive to buy.

I don't know about the other ones.

[firecat]

Wow, so it is. I hope the library really has it!

[sev]

I think I've mentioned in my journal that the patterns in the Yarn Stash Workbook are mostly very ... square. I find this something of a drawback; I get bored fairly quickly with garter stitch rectangles. That said, the concepts were inspiring (as you can probably tell, given how often I mention it!).

[firecat]

Thanks! Do you like any other "stash busting" or "one-skein" type books more?

[sev]

'fraid not.

I have One Skein but I was frustrated with how rarely the yarn I actually had fit any of the projects. I don't really need the general ideas -- I have enough of an idea that things like hats, scarves, gloves, and purses take less yarn than sweaters. :)

Books that claim to be quick knits sometimes help with stash-busting, because sometimes "fast" and "doesn't require 8 skeins of yarn" coincide. I liked Last Minute Knitted Gifts but again, heavy on the scarves and hats and gloves. (I liked the stuffed animals, except I'm stuck on "I can't get the arms to seam right!".)

[firecat]

Thanks!

I have to try another stuffed animal now that I have learned mattress stitch. The first one ended up as a cat toy because the seams are so messed up. The second one worked better but that's 'cos I felted it.

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

If you're interested in cables and knotwork, you should add Elsebeth Lavold's book (http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Patterns-Knitting-Inspiration-Projects/dp/157076137X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3676578-6115825?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174995536&sr=8-1) to your "check out" list. I don't know if the sweater styles would be to your taste (I think some of them are stunning, some of them are WTF), and they don't go up to your size if I understand correctly. But the knotwork patterns themselves are lovely and might make the book worthwhile for you.

(I have the Swedish version).

[firecat]

Thank you! I'm primarily interested in the patterns.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

I have the "Viking Knitting" book and....hrm. The sweaters in it are not very flattering or modern (over size boxy blah). However, if you are good at tinkering with patterns, you can use cables and motifs and insert them into patterns that are more flattering.

"The Knitters Handy Book of Pattenrs" is one of those very useful practical books that is also totally boring. It's the "Joy of Cooking" of knitting books. It's not very inspiring, but when you need to know how to make X generic item, it will help you do it. It also has good information for helping you to size up patterns or create your own.

"Shadow Knitting" demonstrates the technique very clearly, but you can get simliar informaiton online. The technique is one that I strongly suspect would drive me insane, but if you're intrigued by it and the internet is not explaining it well enough, then this is a good purchase. Nice clear illustrations and explenations and decent projects.

"Knitting on teh Edge" is AMAZING. Seriously. I used this to change the ribbing pattern on the sleeves of a sweater I made (from simple to intricate) and have used it to make other simple changes that look gorgeous. The stitch patterns are well illustrated and clearly explained with nice color photographs.

"The First Barbara Walker Stitch Pattern Book" is really useful, though you need to get past the dated design. Stitch patterns are illustrated with black and white photographs, and not all patterns are photographed. Also, nothing is charted which may or may not drive you batty. That said, it's a really useful book. I used to to change the design of a lace hat I made. I liked the hat pattern, but hated the stich pattern they used for the lace. So, I picked a new one from Barbara Walker and I love my new hat.

(ps hi from fatshionista)

[firecat]

Thanks, I'm glad you stopped by! As it happens, I picked up Knitting on the Edge today. I also looked at Knitters Handy Book of Patterns but decided against it, at least for now, since I have most of the same resources in other places.