Rating: 
Summary: Good Knitting vs Massive Ego
Review: Ok, in a book titled "Hollywood Knits" one should expect dropping. Unfortunately, Suss seems to believe that she invented knitting (or at least the basic steps, as they're all labeled "Suss step 1, Suss step 2") and is soley responsible for the recent handknitting craze by knitting Bill Cosby's sweaters in the late 1980s.On the other hand, if you can get beyond all that, these patterns are easy to do, but very cool (especially the orange turtleneck she designed for Velma in the live-action Scooby Doo meeting). The only pattern complaint is that the largest size is a 36" bust, if that.
Rating: 
Summary: Ally McKnitter
Review: Okay, the celebrity name dropping and vanity photos I expected. In fact, that, and the little impractical stuff (fake fur cosmetic bag, anyone? Absurdly long "Grinch" ski cap?) is part of the charm of this book, which I'm betting will be a collector's item one day, as a snapshot of the era. However, I'm not so charmed about the women's patterns all being in the S-XXXS range. We're not talking about sizing for "Big Beautiful Women" here. Most of the women's patterns (which comprise about a quarter of the patterns) go to 36 inches in the finished chest, which is on the positively tiny end of large, even if you account for "fashionably" tight fits. The elongated, clingy turtle, for one, is best chosen for lean and lanky figures only, and the tube/halter tops are very reasonably intended to be form fitting over toned tummies. But several of these are not supposed to be tight at all, requiring at least a few extra inches for easement. One of the most generously sized women's sweaters in this book is made with LaGran Mohair with a finished size of 36",38" or 40". (That's right, 40" is as big as it gets.) Actress Maud Adams models it as a comfortably eased tunic. Compare that to several other LaGran patterns (in Sterling's best selling "Knitting the New Classics") for fairly close fitting pieces that fit up at 36"(S),40"(M),44"(L) and 48"(XL), with "S" presumably fitting a 32" bust, and you get the idea. I loved some of the new fibers Suss introduces us to, like the Trendsetter Voila, that knits up stranded with cotton as a "furry" and unbelievably soft blanket that is none the less elegant. (No, we're not talking "cookie monster" furry, here.) There a baby outfit and little girl's sweater that truly shine, along with some intriguing (and normal sized) mens' sweaters. Still. Experienced knitters may be inspired to modify patterns, but since this book is clearly aimed at new knitters, I'm dissapointed that Suss wasn't friendlier to the gals-over-size-6 crowd. Do we *have* to all be Ally?
Rating: 
Summary: known mistakes abound
Review: please watch out for this book. it has TONS of mistakes. so many that i called suss designs and a women on the phone purported to tell me the whole story. apparently the pattern maker that they hired knew NOTHING about making knitting patterns even though she said she did. if i had it to do again, i would NOT have purchased a book such as this when it was obviously rushed through production and not CHECKED??? how irresponsible. for the price i paid for this thing, i think they owe us something in return for their faulty workmanship. i mean wouldn't you check and double check a pattern before publishing a whole book in your name? and then wouldn't you offer the people who purchased the pile of crap some kind of discount on the next book since we had to pay for their mistakes? typical hollywood, all show no substance.
i gave it one star... the designs are gorgeous, but the patterns are KNOWN to have MAJOR flaws in them (which is why some people are probably having problems with the sizes of things)
Rating:
Summary: Don't Bother!
Review: Please, This is one incredibly boring book! The only worthwile element are the photos of the authors famous "customers". This book is enough to bore a newbie to tears. If you are looking for a fun begginers book, look at Hip to Knit, or the Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits.
Rating:
Summary: The good and the bad
Review: She has some very nice designs and great projects and suggestions, but....
THERE ARE NUMEROUS ERRORS!!! I found this out the hard way. You expect that a knitting pattern is correct. These errors range from incorrect number of stitches to cast-on, number of skeins required, incorrect finished length and just plain wrong directions. If you purchase this book make sure you consult her web site (sussdesign.com) for the errors associated with the patterns.
Rating:
Summary: Not expecting
Review: The designs were a bit tastless. First review this book at the library before buying it. I wouldn't recommend this book at all.
Rating:
Summary: Dreadful Disapointment
Review: The projects are wonderful to look at, but unless you are a "hot" knitter who can adjust your patterns on the fly steer clear. If you must knit one of her patterns KNIT A GUAGE and then KNIT IT AGAIN. If you are looking for a wonderful intermediate pattern book try Weekend Knits or the Stich n' Bitch book, if you want a nice coffee table knitting book by all means spend go for it.
Rating:
Summary: If you love knitting, don't bother with this book
Review: There are plenty of nice pictures, but no meat.
If you love knitting, like I do, this book will only discourage you. But if you want a book to look at pictures, This is yours.
Rating:
Summary: Aggravating to say the least....
Review: There is nothing worst than following a pattern word for word and then finding that your effort was a waste of time. This book has too many mistakes! Save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice variety of designs
Review: This book has a nice variety of designs. Beyond the patterns, the pictures, stories, etc. are all interesting to look at and read. My one criticism of this book, and the reason I didn't give it 5 stars, is the sizing on some of the sweaters. I can only assume that as it's called "HOLLYWOOD Knits" the author presumed most readers would be sized in the Calista Flockhart range. Beginning knitters would likely need help to convert these patterns if they were larger than the tiny sizes listed in this book.
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