The Green Mountain Spinnery Knitting Book: Contemporary and Classic Patterns

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Summary: Thirty popular knitting designs
Review: A production of knitting expert Margaret Klein Wilson and the Green Mountain Spinnery, The Green Mountain Spinnery Knitting Book: Contemporary And Classic Patterns collects under one cover thirty of the most popular knitting designs drawn from the famous Green Mountain Spinnery of Vermont. Color photographs and meticulous instructions teach the aspiring knitter how to pour her (or his!) all into a snug, warm, and eye-catching creations. The Green Mountain Spinnery Knitting Book is a superb addition to any personal or community library needlecraft instructional reference collection.

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Summary: The Green Mountain Spinnery Knitting Book
Review: Another wonderful creation from the folks at Green Mountain Spinnery. This book is a feast for the eyes with beautiful photography and pattern layout. Every knitter will find something to entice them here regardless of level of ability. For those who have been long-time fans of GMS, it's a great addition to their luscious yarns and products. Kudoes to all involved in producing the book!

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Summary: Something for everyone in my family in this book, very nice!
Review: I have made several items from this book, mostly substituting less expensive yarns, and the patterns are clear and not at all confusing. I did splurge and buy from the Green Mountain Spinnery (using their website) to make Rosemary's Little Sweater and the Artisan's Vest, and it was well worth it! Beautiful yarn, and the sweaters will last for a long time.

The cover photo depicts one of the most complicated sweaters--I've only been knitting for a year, and wouldn't tackle one like that yet. But there are plenty of easy patterns inside the book, for all ages. I've made sweaters for the whole family from age 4 through 36, and all have loved them.

To me, these are classic patterns and this is a book that won't become dated. I have Stitch N' Bitch and Hot Knits, and they are great too, but I think I'll be knitting things from this book long after the other two books start collecting dust on my shelf. You don't have to be an experienced knitter to make many of these patterns, and the results are very pleasing. I would give the book five stars if the GMS yarn wasn't so expensive! It's not too difficult to substitute yarns--I found out the yardages from the GMS website and then consulted with my local yarn shop staff to come up with suitable substitutions.

As for the book advertising the spinnery, I don't think this is a big deal at all. There are four pages in the beginning of the book which discuss their spinnery, and then four more pages that go into technique, abbreviations used and using the patterns. There are ninety pages of patterns, and then an appendix section where they provide photos and information about their yarns (there is also a page entitled, "What makes Spinnery yarns so special?"). Grand total of spinnery promoting pages: 8.

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Summary: OH Boy! OH BOY! It's here, at last!
Review: I have WAITED for this book for a long time. I used to drive to Putney to visit Green Mountain, back when I lived in neighboring New Hampshire. It was fun to sniff the machine oil used on the spinners, while watching them churning out the most lovely yarns imaginable, and look at all the great original patterns in the outlet shop there.

The famous Green Mountain patterns that previous were only available in pamplet form are assembled here in this attractive book, showing off the hazy beauty of the mohair mix yarns. The patterns are not only for this yarn--there are some others as well but the mohair mix is my personal favorite, and you can always substitute another yarn with the right gauge.

The famous Artisans Vest, with its appealing simple beaded rib, two versions of Rosemary's Sweater and the Toasty IBH Socks are here, and much more. If you know these yarns, you will want to have this on your shelf. If you don't know Green Mountain Spinnery, these are basic, nicely-designed and simple-to-knit patterns that deliver a lot of design for not a lot of knitting effort. A big thumbs-up here to the folks in Vermont.

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Summary: Patterns are not for everyone
Review: I purchased the book based on the (few) previous reviews, and primarily for patterns, but was disappointed. There is nothing that my teenage daughter would ever wear; no sweaters that my husband cared for; and only one sweater I might even want for myself. What may seem classic to some people is old-fashioned to others. The patterns are "stodgy"-looking -- boxy with little fit. And as is unfortunately typical of many knitting patterns, the yardage for the projects is not given. Instead it gives the number of skeins of their brand of yarn. There are also several pages devoted to descriptions of the Green Mountain store and their yarns, but I didn't want to pay for advertisements and basic patterns that are found elsewhere. I have found more appealing patterns free on the internet, so check this out at your library first to see if these patterns suit you.

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Summary: Five Stars from Knitter's Review!
Review: In a world of super-bulky scarves, knitted cell phone cozies, and make-it-in-a-weekend sweaters (all of which have their place, don't get me wront), this book is a beacon for those looking for a little more meat.

Many of these patterns have been available through GMS for years. On the one hand, this means you don't get hip, trendy, up-to-the-minute innovation. But on the other hand, this means you get tried and tested patterns that are as close to perfection as you can get. The instructions are clearly written, the layout is easy to navigate, and I couldn't find a single confusing element in any pattern.

Stylistically speaking, I'd consider these patterns "nouveau New England." They use Green Mountain Spinnery yarns exclusively, eschewing fringe, fluff, and bouclé for the beauty of a well-turned cable and balanced intarsia.

And the pictures! Don't get me started. Lush and gorgeous from start to finish.

That's why I give this book five stars. It is a fixture on my bedside table. Any time I need sweet knitterly dreams, I just pop it open and start reading.

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Summary: Great pictures bul little else
Review: This is basically a pattern book pretending to be a literary and photo history of a commercial enterprise (the Green Mountain Spinnery). Loved the pictures--could do without the hype and self serving copy about the business. Also, the paterns are quite ordinary (there was one I liked--but it wasn't worth the cost of the book to get it) and dificult to use as I don't want to have to carry around the hard copy book everywhere I go. Your money will be better served on something else.