Rating: 
Summary: a notch above beginning
Review: a variety of simple projects for beginner knitters with clear instructions. considering the knitting instruction books out there, this is by far one that has more modern designs and simplicity in details. i was initially humoured by the name dropping and stories, but once i got past that, it was refreshing to pick up my needles and pick a project to knit. the patterns are easy adn fun to follow. it would have been helpful if the author had gone one step further to explain the finishing touches , like how to crotchet, bind off and picking up stitches...this book works well as an happy and fun addition to your knitting library... i'm convinced.
Rating:
Summary: Beginner Perfect! Great Instructions and Beautiful Designs
Review: As a newbie knitter in my twenties, this is my favourite book. The projects are simple, the photos are gorgeous, and I can see returning to this book for years to come because I love the designs so much. The step-by-step instructions are great and I wish more books were written this way. (I can't stand knitting by antiquated abbreviations.)I did have a couple of problems. There are a lot of misprints in the book. If you buy the book, be sure to visit www.sussdesign.com to get the list of corrections before you begin any of the projects. I also wish she included instructions on how to crochet the pieces together, since this is a finishing technique used often throughout the book. Overall, a book I would readily recommend to other beginning knitters. Well worth the price.
Rating: 
Summary: a knitter in colorado
Review: At first, I was excited to find a knitting book with easy, modern designs. Then, once I made my first project, I realized her sizing was on the small side, even a large was too small, and I'm mot a large person. The smaller projects in the book are nice for gifts, but I would skip the sweaters. Also, many of the projects would be better suited to circular knitting. Know one wants to seam a hat that can be knit in a circle to begin with! Her directions are vague at times, and her finishing techniques don't really give a professional look. I find it hard to believe she finishes her own garments this way.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring, but not completely practical, for beginners
Review: At the beginning of 2003 I made as one of my goals for the year, to teach myself how to knit. This book, along w/ a fairly detailed traditional how-to book, were my first purchases. These books, combined with some help from Internet sources, were enough to get me going, but now that I know more, I think Hollywood Knits wouldn't have been my first choice as a "beginner" book. Here are my pros and cons, again, with a beginner in mind: Pros:
Inspiring! Lots of great yarns are introduced, plus really encourages you to buy the best yarns you can afford since you are putting so much time into your projects. Fairly simple how-to techniques: Pretty easy to follow, but when I say simple, I mean simple. She does not give a lot of instruction in the book so other sources are needed to help explain techniques. Since this is not strictly a how-to book, a count this as a "pro" since it her simple explanations were sometimes more helpful than the more drawn out explanations of the other book I bought. Great Designs: I really like the designs in this book, and now that I know more I will modify some of them to my own liking. Cons:
I must reiterate what others have said here: If you are not small (and by small I mean size 6-7 max) and you are not experienced enough to modify pattern sizes, you might have difficulty wearing most of the adult women-sized garments. Since this book is clearly geared toward the "hip celebrity" knitter-type, I find this a bit insulting because the message that comes across is that cool knitting = small sizes. Probably reading too much into it, but still, I want patterns "regular-sized" women can fit into! Summary: I like this knitting book a lot. But I would not necessarily recommend it to a beginner because many of the best designs require size-modification if you wear above a size 7 (possibly 10).
Rating:
Summary: A Lifestyle Book with Knitting In It
Review: Demi-celebrities are different from you and me. They're skinnier. How else could they make use of sweater patterns that top out at 36 inches, and tube and halter tops that appear to be sized for prepubescents? The instructions seem to range from mostly clear to inanely detailed (40+ rows of row-by-row instructions for a scarf). The name dropping (all over every page) somewhat impedes the flow of information. I have to think of this book as something like one of those gourmet cookbooks that assumes that you have a food processer, a stand mixer, a spare oven, and the willingness to measure out four onces of egg white and one third of a cup of chopped onion. It's not so much about cooking (or knitting), but about imagining what it would be like to live that way.
Rating: 
Summary: A gigantic confidence trick
Review: First up, I want to know what's 'designer' about knitting a rectangle in garter stitch or a very long very narrow tube? Then there are some utterly silly projects - knitted covers for mobile phones, golf clubs, etc. - which remind me of those awful knitted crinoline ladies to cover toilet rolls and teacosies. There are some real garments - sweaters, cardigans - but they seem to make a virtue out of being badly finished. Also, 'large' equates with 36" bust, which may be OK for Hollywood stick insects but most folk would be disappointed. Wasted money, I'm afraid. Anyone who'll pay postage can have mine for free.
Rating:
Summary: Bad directions, hard-to-find yarn
Review: I agree with many of the other reviews written. I thought some of the patterns were cute and quick, but now that I've knit up 4 of the patterns, I'd have to say that they are just plain wrong! The baby's cardigan sweater and hat was a disaster. The kids rollneck sweater with fuzzy heart in the middle was not true to size at all. And others were just as bad. I checked my gauge beforehand and followed the instructions to the letter; the directions are simply incorrect. Sloppy work, Suss!
Rating:
Summary: Stylish simple patterns for beginners--if you're skinny
Review: I didn't want to like this book (I am getting so tired of the knitting books that try to seem cool)but ended up buying it after looking at a friend's copy. The patterns are really easy -most are for beginners- and, unlike many easy patterns, have style and seem like they would be flattering to wear. However, she does leave out some important info---like blocking, which is not mentioned at all. And some of the patterns have minor errors, so some experience will help you navigate these issues. Absolute beginners may be frustrated. Also, I have found after trying a pattern, then having to rip it out and start over, that her sizing is TINY. I am a size 8 and usually wear a small or medium sweater (in Vogue Knitting patterns I often make small) but with this I had to make the largest size. The patterns are very simple and easy to translate to larger sizes though. However, Suss' view of the world (I guess everyone in Hollywood is size 2)definitely shows here. Ignore the constant, annoying name-dropping ...and some of the ridiculously simple patterns, like a stockinette scarf, and there are some very cute, instant gratification projects to be had. Just be ready to translate them to your needs. Again, not sure I'd recommend this to a novice, in spite of the simple patterns.
Rating:
Summary: Not for knitters only!
Review: I don't even knit--yet--but when I opened this gorgeous book I couldn't wait to start. The projects are really cool and seem totally doable. It's fun to browse and read the stories of celebrities Suss scatters throughout the pages, too, even if you don't knit. I plan on giving this book to a bunch of friends for Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: Good with the Bad
Review: I fell in love with the pictures in this book, as I love simple, bold designs. It's a great inspiration for me. That said, it can also be highly annoying to read and work with. The name-dropping is intrusive after the first page or so. Also, the sizes are INCREDIBLY small. Suss' "large" is listed in the X-Small category of standard women's sizes! Unless the reader is willing to do all the math to alter what are, essentially, good designs, I wouldn't recommend this book for beginners.
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