Vogue Knitting: Designer Knits

Rating:
Summary: Start w/the Bubble Sweater & work up to the Enchanted Forest
Review: I positively love this book. How can you go wrong with the patterns for the Enchanted Forest cardigan, the Bubble Sweater and the Counterpane Pullover all in one book? I am also fond of the handsome Missoni Man's (or women's) Cardigan with a doubled shawl collar (easily do-able, even for those with intermediate skills) and the Cropped Hooded Sweater from Joan Vass. I've made three of those -- it's easy to substitute yarns (just double-strand something pretty), there is little shaping and the result is fabulous.

The only problem I have with the Vogue knitting books is the lack of detail in the photographs. It would help to see close-ups of the knitted fabric, stitch designs, and even the yarn itself. Perhaps future Vogue collections will include at least photos of the yarn, much the same way as Vogue Knitting magazine does now.

I was a bit surprised by the other reviews -- I feel this collection is full of wearable designs (not just "mod gorgeous") for all skill levels. There are a number of handsome cabled designs, and the Missoni One-Piece Tee is quite stunning. The Bubble Sweater has been a great favorite with knitters for years and is flattering on anyone. Start with that -- and work up to the Enchanted Forest.

I recommend this book. I've knit about a third of the patterns, a couple of them more than once. I've found it easy to substitute yarns and even to vary the sizing on some of the patterns. My next project from this collection will be Perry Ellis' long Fair Isle Crew Neck. The designs are inspirational and a lot of fun to knit.

Rating:
Summary: Start w/the Bubble Sweater & work up to the Enchanted Forest
Review: I positively love this book. How can you go wrong with the patterns for the Enchanted Forest cardigan, the Bubble Sweater and the Counterpane Pullover all in one book? I am also fond of the handsome Missoni Man's (or women's) Cardigan with a doubled shawl collar (easily do-able, even for those with intermediate skills) and the Cropped Hooded Sweater from Joan Vass. I've made three of those -- it's easy to substitute yarns (just double-strand something pretty), there is little shaping and the result is fabulous.

The only problem I have with the Vogue knitting books is the lack of detail in the photographs. It would help to see close-ups of the knitted fabric, stitch designs, and even the yarn itself. Perhaps future Vogue collections will include at least photos of the yarn, much the same way as Vogue Knitting magazine does now.

I was a bit surprised by the other reviews -- I feel this collection is full of wearable designs (not just "mod gorgeous") for all skill levels. There are a number of handsome cabled designs, and the Missoni One-Piece Tee is quite stunning. The Bubble Sweater has been a great favorite with knitters for years and is flattering on anyone. Start with that -- and work up to the Enchanted Forest.

I recommend this book. I've knit about a third of the patterns, a couple of them more than once. I've found it easy to substitute yarns and even to vary the sizing on some of the patterns. My next project from this collection will be Perry Ellis' long Fair Isle Crew Neck. The designs are inspirational and a lot of fun to knit.

Rating:
Summary: Beginners need not apply!
Review: The majority of the patterns in this book require to you be an "expert" or "experienced" knitter. As a beginner/intermediate, that left me with very little to choose from. I was also disappointed in the lack of true wearability of most of these patterns. That aside, I like classic, time tested, designs that are updated to look contemporary, and did not find these appealing. Each designer seemed to be trying to out do the other, and some are way over the top. If you're an expert knitter who's looking for gimmicky sweaters to "WOW" your friends- this book would come in handy; everyone else will likely be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Designs not so chic; not for beginners
Review: The majority of the patterns in this book require to you be an "expert" or "experienced" knitter. As a beginner/intermediate, that left me with very little to choose from. I was also disappointed in the lack of true wearability of most of these patterns. That aside, I like classic, time tested, designs that are updated to look contemporary, and did not find these appealing. Each designer seemed to be trying to out do the other, and some are way over the top. If you're an expert knitter who's looking for gimmicky sweaters to "WOW" your friends- this book would come in handy; everyone else will likely be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Designs not so chic; not for beginners
Review: The sweater designs looked plain as if they were taken from each designer's bargain bin. There wasn't much that inspired me to knit one of the patterns right away. Also there were only a handful of patterns for the beginner -- the rest were forintermediate and expert knitters.