Aran Knitting

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece.
Review: A beautiful and comprehensive guide to Aran knitting, distinctly scholarly in tone. There aren't as many original Starmore designs in this book as I would have liked to see, but the ones she's included are truly stunning--"St. Brigid" in particular is a tour de force of Celtic knotwork, certain to captivate any knitter in search of a genuine challenge.

The massive stitch library (which makes up the bulk of the text) is a powerful tool to help ambitious knitters learn to design original Arans themselves. It's an invaluable reference! Read it front to back, then back to front; practice the techniques Starmore provides; and you will never again lack inspiration for a project--it will be at your fingertips always.

You will find history, philosophy, and a great deal of art between the covers of this book. It's a truly magnificent work which belongs on every serious knitter's shelf.

Rating:
Summary: A book designed for only extremely experienced knitters.
Review: Alice Sizemore does a very nice job explaining the history of Aran knitting. She also gives good examples of what different patterns should look like. The sweater patterns presented in the book totally ignore the average knitter who needs more guidance and better explained directions. Overall, I found the book to be rather disappointing. I love knitting Aran pattern sweaters, but I still need thorough well explained directions.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have book for knitters of EVERY ability level!
Review: Alice Starmore has completely outdone herself with this book. She takes knitters on an intellectual journey through the origins of Aran knitting, she then takes you step-by-step through the design elements which are used and frees the adventerous to do their own design and she completes the book with stunning patterns suitable for all levels of knitters.The beginning of the book is devoted to making a compelling argument for a cataclysmic knitting event which shaped this style of work. Based on her historical research she argues that Aran knitting was the result of a single, extra- ordinarilly talented, knitter, probably from Scotland or strongly influenced by Scottish knitting. Given the level of communication available at the time, the fact that this unnamed knitter didn't achieve notice outside of her local area is not too surprising. Also, considering the inspiration many of us have felt from Elizabeth Zimmerman and Kaffe Fasset (to name only two), the idea that a single creative person's influence could be so powerful is not surprising. She lacked only today's publishing and technology to become a household name. In the middle section Starmore takes us through a series of lessons on the construction of cables, their variety and myriad possibilities. Experienced and/or adventerous knitters can then embark on a project completely assured of success. Every tool you might need is there in one place. For those who prefer, in the final section of the book, there are a number of simply exquisite complete patterns for items ranging from hats, pullovers (jumpers) for women, men and children, to shawls. The items are photographed extremely well and it is always possible to see a closeup of stitch detail, something that is not always done well with colored knitting. I would advise knitters to run to reserve/buy this book - it's not going to make it to the remainder table and is well worth even the pricy $39.95 retail sticker (of course, Amazon will do somewhat better I'm sure).

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Knitting Book
Review: Alice Starmore's Aran Knitting provides everything I want in a knitting book and more! Aside from beautiful patterns and clear directions (no worries about finding out that the pattern doesn't make sense half-way through the project), the book is filled with beautiful pictures, shot on location in the Aran Islands, and wonderful stories of the history of Aran knitting. I couldn't put it down! Ms. Starmore's patterns are both challenging and interesting. I am currently knitting the sweater "Irish Moss" (page 122); it is definitely the most fulfilling project I have even undertaken. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone who knows the basics of knitting and is looking for a good challenge.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: Excellent! Lots of good patterns. This is for an experienced knitter. I have thirty years of experience as a knitter, and one of the patterns is stretching my limits.

Lots of good photos and diagrams.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: Excellent! Lots of good patterns. This is for an experienced knitter. I have thirty years of experience as a knitter, and one of the patterns is stretching my limits.

Lots of good photos and diagrams.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece.
Review: Includes a library of aran cables with instruction on how to make them as well as patterns that take my breath away. I found her instructions easy to follow and the pictures inspirational. A look through it sends me straigt to the yarn store, excited to start one of her masterpieces.