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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: Eslebeth Lavold has done extensive research on Viking designs and it shows in this book. The patterns in the book look much more complicated than they really are. Her technique for increasing and decreasing for cabled designs are simple and give excellent results. I condsider myself to be an intermediate skilled knitter and found the patterns quick and easy to execute. I stronly recommend this book to any knitter looking to expand their skills, or to anyone you likes cabled designs. Some of the yarns used for the sweaters in the book may be hard to locate,but substitute yarns are readily available. Eslebeth Lavold's designs rival the work of Alice Starmore although they are much easier to knit.This book belongs in your knitting library.
Rating: 
Summary: A cable knitter's dream
Review: I can't help but echo much of what others have said-- the designs are gorgeous, Lavold's historical research is impressive and thorough, the directions are occasionally confusing and not for beginners-- but for an experienced cable knitter, this last is less of an issue than others have made it out to be. True, these are challenging designs. Even Frode, probably the simplest sweater design in the book, requires the knitter to juggle three cable designs simultaneously (one with a 36-row repeat, two [mirroring each other] with a 32-row repeat). Yet the pattern directions for front and back don't even require armhole shaping, and the unadorned sleeves are the simplest I've seen. The sweater isn't "simplicity itself," as the pattern instructions claim, but the finished product is a comfortable and flattering weekend-ish sweater. An important point that I think no one else has mentioned is that the more fitted sweaters (the ones that don't double as coats) tend to run small and would need to be adapted for XL+ sizing. If you've done some cable knitting in the past, are accustomed to following charts, and are experienced enough to know that many knitting patterns require some commonsense adaptation, you'll find nothing to fear here. Well worth the money just for the dozens of cable patterns.
Rating:
Summary: A Lovely Book for a Specialized Audience
Review: I love this book, and have made several projects using the patterns. But it is not a book for every knitter, and certainly not for the new or casual knitter. For one thing, much of the book is taken up with archaeological discussion -- interesting, but those who buy the book just for the patterns may not feel they're getting their money's worth. Second, you really have to learn new skills to use it. I am a very experienced knitter, and can use both charts and traditionally-written directions, but it took me a while to grasp this new system (I wrote the code for the charts onto the page of each chart I used, and that helped). And, third, the sweaters themselves are not adaptable, simple, sized for everyone, or even necessarily suited for daily wear. All are very special, unusual designs -- the ball gowns of the sweater world -- and friends will say "Oh, you're wearing your Viking sweater!" every time you do.
That said, let me also say that I submerged myself in Viking knitting for months after buying this book. The stitch patterns are like Aran cables, but they do not go from the top to the bottom in the usual way. Lavold has figured out how to get cables to twine all over the place -- even into medallion-ish closed shapes. I practiced the techniques and designs on slippers and hats and other small projects before attempting a sweater, and found them very usable for alll kinds of projects. If you knit enough to adapt patterns, you will find that the Viking designs will add interest to many other projects and patterns. And if you are a medium-sized person with dramatic tastes, you will love the sweaters, too.
There are more than 14 projects altogether, including a cushion and afghan, one child's sweater, some coats, unisex and women's sweaters, and a number of smaller things like hats, socks, and mittens. All are beautiful and unusual.
Rating:
Summary: Best collection of cable designs I've seen in 40 years!
Review: I thought this book would be another pretty book about knitting. Was I surprised! Not only has the author done her homework as far as researching her subject, she has supplied her readers with really unusual and usable cables with accompanying charts as well as a display of beautiful photography. Often, stitch pattern books give stitch by stitch, row by row directions where crucial mistakes can often be overlooked (I should know; I've written them before for magazines). Elsebeth Lavold gives an instant understanding of how and where the yarn is going through her clearly drawn graphs so you can knit her creations or design your own. All knitting patterns should be written in this way so we can throw out the others!
Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous cables - a must have for your library!
Review: Oh my! What a gorgeous book. Elsebeth has really done her homework. The hardest part about owning this book is deciding which project to start next. I was in my local yarn store a few weeks ago and everyone who worked there was drooling over the designs. They're that special. The author has come up with quite a nice way to increase stitches in the middle of the garment. If you're a less-experienced knitter I'd recommend you play with this a bit before trying it in an actual garment. It's not hard so don't be intimidated! I started out by making one cable into a pillow. She has a gorgeous cable the continues around corners and frames a pillow beautifully. This book is as much a coffee table book and history book as it is a pattern book. Lavold details each new cable with explanations of its origin and what it meant as well as pics of it carved in stone and on antique pieces. If you're new to knitting or have tons of experience this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Great Knitting Book
Review: The sweaters are beautiful. I just got the book, and I immediately had to order yarn for two sweaters plus the accessories, which is not typical of me at all. Usually I peruse knitting books for a while and eventually something might grab me enough that I actually knit it. I have already knitted the hood to Vigdis and have started on the actual sweater. Ragna is next, and I'm forcing myself to hold back and knit Vigdis before starting on Ragna also. Don't be intimidated by the new techniques - they aren't hard, and they make sense. I am an experienced knitter, and if you have never knitted before I would still recommend starting with something more basic, but if you like these designs you will be able to knit them. If you are looking for a challenge, that is here too - particularly the challenge to be inspired by the technique and use it in your own way. Expect to learn something new, but you will find all the encouragement that you need.
Rating:
Summary: beautiful and interesting book
Review: This has been a most welcome addition to my library of knitting patterns. I suppose my knitting skills would be considered intermediate, and I've found the book to be very user friendly. I've tackled some of the more complex patterns and have been immensely satisfied. For those of you who would like a change from the more typical patterns/cables, this is a must. Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: A Knitting Breakthrough
Review: this is a fascinating book for anyone interested in Viking mythology and knitting.The patterns use intricate cables in a variety of yarn thicknesses and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. the derivation of each pattern is described -often with reference to archaeology of the viking period and there are lots of different garments to make: from hats socks and scarves to sweaters and a tote bag.It's well illustratedwith lots of great photos! definitely a collectors item!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome designs, sketchy directions
Review: Viking Patterns for Knitting is a beautiful, inspiring book that should engage both hand-knitters and other artisans interested in Viking design work. The sweaters Lavold has designed are, for the most part, glorious -- attractive and challenging even for an accomplished knitter -- and she shares the artifacts that inspired her designs. She also gives charts for variations on the different cabling patterns to lead the reader to design her own sweaters or to amend Lavold's. Unfortunately, the book often gives away the fact that it's the first translation from Lavold's native Swedish. The text could definitely have used a more detail-oriented editor both for the descriptions or the projects and the background on the Viking designs as well as for the directions for the sweaters -- in my first perusal, I found one mistake in a pattern. If you're interested in knitting cabled works of art, this book will appeal to you immediately -- I can't wait to get started on several of the sweaters -- but be prepared to spend some time deciphering the directions. The pattern directions are terse and often require a lot of interpretation by the knitter, which may mean that this book is intended for someone with advanced skills. That said, the ambitious new knitter shouldn't be turned off, as long as she's game for some trial and error as she figures out how to make all of the cable charts work together. I heartily recommend this impressive book.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Nordic (stranded) about it; but still inspirational
Review: When most people think of Nordic or Norwegian sweaters, they think of classic, multi-colored designs with snowflakes and reindeer. This book will make you think again about Scandanavian knitting styles. The book is entirely about textured/patterned single color sweaters -- and they are beautiful. Lavold, a Swede, has called on Nordic antiquity for a wide variety of intricate and intriguing cabled patterns. The resulting charts are both the best and worst aspects of the book. Basically, I'll keep the book long after the sweaters go out of style because the cable patterns are timeless. Whether I'll use them often is another question as I find the charting system in this book confusing. Bottom line: A nice addition to the library of any knitter interested in textured or aran knititng but not a must.
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