Rating: 
Summary: Great for my first sweater
Review: I'm a relatively new knitter and was "scared" to start my first sweater. There are some patterns in this book that are so simple that I felt foolish for being so "afraid." I'm thrilled with the instructions. This is a really non-intimidating book for knitters who are just taking the plunge from scarves and such. Also the basic knitting instructions are very clear. I have referred back to them when I am doing projects that are not in the book. (I also love their baby book, by the way.)
Rating: 
Summary: Cute, basic patterns, but some caveats
Review: I'm definitely with those reviewers who find these patterns hip and flattering. Sure, they're very basic, but while I can't picture myself looking good in the sweaters from most "basic" pattern books, I'm pretty sure I can wear the hell out of most of these. I plan to make several of them...if I can make sense of the yarn info.Which leads me to what I don't like about the book: 1. What's with the pictures of hanks of yarn to indicate suggested weight? The yarn icons are too similar, so I keep having to flip back to the page where they're defined. This doesn't save any space on the individual pattern pages, yet it's a big inconvenience to the reader. 2. I understand that
a. they're trying to avoid confusing beginners by offering too many options,
b. they're trying to sell absurd amounts of expensive yarn, and
c. it's standard annoying operating procedure for pattern books only to mention specific yarns that will be discontinued in six months,
but really, it's got to be a basic assumption that MOST people will need/want to substitute the yarns in these patterns, so why make it so fricking hard? They use doubled strands for almost every pattern, so they yardages are huge, yet they list the gauge as though a single strand were being used. To figure out the yardage needed for such a pattern in a single-strand yarn of the weight that's shown (per the stupid icon--flip back to p. 53 to figure out what it means), you have to divide the stated yardage by the number of strands they used. This is very confusing to the beginner. 3. The general instructions are okay if you're on a desert island with no other knitting books and a lot of free time in which you can knit, rip, and knit again, but I'd hate to try to learn knitting from them. They only show one way of doing each step, and they fail to offer any guidance on how to avoid common trouble spots. For example, many beginning knitters cast on and bind off too tightly, which can be a big problem on something like a sweater, yet there's no mention of how to avoid this. So you might bind off your funnel-neck and then not be able to get it over your head. How much more discouraged could you get? Obviously, it makes no sense to append an encyclopedia of knitting to this book, but since they can't cover the instructions well, I'd rather they leave them out altogether and instead refer readers to a couple of good, comprehensive manuals. I do think this is a useful book for instilling confidence in beginning knitters who're afraid to venture past scarves, but I wouldn't give it to such a friend without several healthy handfuls of guidance from other sources. And a calculator.
Rating: 
Summary: Huge disappointment
Review: I'm somewhat passed beginning knitting, but I look through all the books and usually, there are a number of things in any given book that I want to run out and buy the yarn to make. But not in this case. Really, there are much MUCH better books for the beginner knitter out there. If you're investing that much time and money, you should at least end up with something really nice at the end, not these things. I encourage you to go with a Passion for Knitting by Nancy Thomas instead; clear instructions and attractive easy patterns.
Rating:
Summary: Quick, Colorful, and Stylish!
Review: I've been knitting five months and I really enjoyed this book. I'm currently knitting the "Design Your Own Throw" and I look forward to trying some of the other patterns soon. The book is absolutely beautiful and well worth the purchase price. It's a hardcover and is loaded with colorful pictures on every page (unlike some of the dull, "traditional" books). No 80s babes with feathered hair and tight lavender cable knits in this book! I agree that the yarns used in this book are sooo expensive (especially for the college student or young professional that this book seems targeted to), but with a little bit of brain power you can easily use their patterns and substitute less expensive yarns (try a big craft store like Michael's or Jo-Ann fabrics). Knitting is an expensive hobby and I think that expensive yarn produces superior garments, but until I have the money to buy "gourmet yarn", this book has given me some ideas that I can work into my budget. Yes, the book uses huge needles and bulky yarns, but that's why I love it! My friends who knit (we're all in our 20s) don't have time to sit around with toothpick sized needles and thin yarn. Experienced (often older) knitters seem to object to chunky, bulky knits for some reason. If you want instant gratification and stylish patterns (think stuff you'd see in the mall), you'll love this book. Patterns knit up quickly, which means the items make great gifts! I give the book 5 stars because it's layout, colorful pictures, and trendy patterns speak to the modern, young knitter. The major drawback is that the yarns featured in the book are expensive and sometimes not enough details are given in the patterns (ask an experienced knitter for a little assistance).
Rating: 
Summary: Not intimidating
Review: If you are a self learner, this is the perfect book for you. It is easy to learn of you have never knit a thing in your life. Being a continual 'scarf' knitter, I wanted to venture out into something a little more daring - but have been intimidated by knitting terms, abbreviations, etc. This book did it for me. If you get started and have any questions, just call the toll free number to the New York store and a super friendly sales person will be happy to help you out. I was so impressed with the entire situation (book, customer service, etc.) - I now order all of my yarns from the yarnco.com
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: Like the book and format. It has written directions overall for each sweater and step by step instructions for shaping the necklines and shoulders.
However, I wished that for the true beginner's sake,they have more details on shaping of sleeves and more instructions on the 'anatomy' of cardigan fronts. Altho there is some step by step instructions, it does not explain to the beginner that the front left and right side shaping should starts at different side (right and wrong side), it just states reverse shaping. It should may be explain to the beginner why sometimes a 1 knit bind off is used but at other times, just knit 2 together. The yarn use is also expensive type and uses alot of balls because the patterns usually asked for knitting with 2 or even 3 strands of yarn at the same time. For those who cannot tell the difference btw knit and purl, asking them to knit with 2 strands is quite difficult. They may miss a strand or accidentally increased into one of the 2 strands. Patterns may not appeal to those who do not like bulky items. There are also drawings to demonstrate stitches but are small and could not really tell the difference in the yarn and needle directions in the drawings. However this book is good for those who alrady know how to knit and purl. The projects (mostly bulky yarn used) allows quick and easy items to be completed in just a few days.
Rating:
Summary: Great buy for a renewed knitter
Review: Ok, I'm a crocheter at heart, but this book woke up my bad knitting skills, and so far I have made 2 sweaters and have more planned. Thanks to a small yarn shop in VT, they showed me how to convert the yardage and wt to a not so pricey yarn in a price range I could afford. My yarns for all sweaters have been less than $50, now I feel confident that I can make any sweater in this book with yarn I love, and in a reasonable amount of time. Hint: Find a good yarn shop or mail order source for yarn, and that will help with the pricy yarns used in the book. I also discovered wooden needles - worth it! I usually ignore gage completely, but I learned the importance with help from this book... everything I now make has perfect sizing! (and I now make guage swatches and adjust my needle sizes accordingly) I would strongly recommend this book to anyone... It woke up my knitting skills, and am falling in love with knitting again - I love the stories that go with the patterns as well. A definite must for any beginning and up knitter.
Rating:
Summary: Great book. Highly recommended, but there are mistakes in it
Review: The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 stars is that there are many mistakes in this book. To find corrections for pattern errors, go to www.theyarnco.com/corrections.php. Otherwise, there are great projects in here. It's a book that I checked out at the library but I definitely am going to buy. Recommended for knitters who can cast on, bind off, knit and purl -- and who are are starting to increase and decrease. Also recommended for those who want to work on circular needles for some of their projects.
Rating:
Summary: Easy, stylish and versatile patterns. What's not to like?!
Review: The title of this knitting book is accurate; you'll find thirty simple, straight lined knitting patterns for sweaters, tops, cardigans, jackets, hats and throws. Most of them are done in the trendy bulky wools that have become a hot item with the young and fashionable. If you are one of those "young and fashionable" who longs to learn knitting and make a trendy outfit to wear, you are going to like this book a lot. The initial chapter illustrates basic knitting instruction with good drawings. However, if you are a brand-spankin' new knitter, it's probably a good idea to supplement this with a video or lessons from a knitting friend. The rest of the book is devoted to various styles of clothing, including the popular funnel-neck pullovers and their kissin' cousin the turtleneck. There are sexy tank tops, from slim and summery to more season-crossing sleeveless tops that could go under a jacket in fall or even winter. There is a long jacket that is particularly nice and a poncho or ruana based on rectangles that looks elegant. There are quite a few models even I would knit, and I am not particularly a fan of the bulky yarn trend (and I certainly am not young and fashionable.) The back of the book lists the yarn sources, for those who want to replicate the models in identical wools. If you don't like the bulky style, however, this book really isn't for you. There isn't a lot of fine detail work, color work, or other fancy technique. As the title says, this is simple. If you are a new young and trendy knitter, this book will probably become your designing bible-that is, until the styles change. And when they do, you can adapt these classic shapes to new yarns and new trends. Meanwhile, you can learn knitting from these patterns, as it is far easier to begin with straight lines and big yarns. Recommended highly for new knitters and young knitters especially. Joanna Daneman
Rating:
Summary: Not all it is cracked up to be
Review: There are a few mistakes in this book and you have to be sure to visit their website for the corrections. I was expecting some of the designs to be real contemporary and exciting. There are a lot of sweaters and you can basically find the patterns in other books that offer more variety. I do like that they focus on large needles and chunky yarns. It gives a beginning knitter quick satisfaction.
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