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Rating: 
Summary: Nice projects, but layout is potentially frustrating
Review: The arrangement of this book is pretty interesting. Like many knitting books featuring projects for a specific purpose, this book includes basic knitting instructions so that potentially you can make the projects presented without any previous experience. Other books just put a chapter in the very beginning for this purpose. What makes this book different is that the most basic of the basics are presented first, and then as you move through the projects, other techniques are presented as necessary. Although the instructions featured here are good and the photographs clear, I think this isn't the best approach. For the beginner knitter, you have to work your way through each and every single project to collect a repertoire of techniques. For the intermediate knitter who needs no instruction, you don't want interspersed tutorials distracting you from the patterns. On the plus side, the designs which are featured are simple, elegant and practical. There are several square cushions, a cube-like ottoman, a baby blanket, a bath mat, a shoulder bag, a round cushion, a hot-water bottle cover, four throws, and a table runner. What's pretty amazing is that if you complete all the projects, you will learn all the basic knitting techniques - cables, colors (stripes, slip, Fair Isle, intarsia), textures (bobbles, beads), smocking, and ruching. Overall, I'm impressed with the projects, and how all the basic knitting skills are incorporated into them, but I still think this isn't the best way to arrange a knitting book.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, stylish, sophisticated knitted
Review: The projects in "Hand Knits for the Home" are not on the leading edge of difficulty for the average knitter, and many projects use thick wools. These pillows, throws, table scarves and rug mats are nicely designed to maximize effect with a minimum of effort.The wools used are pricey in many cases, but they are definitely ones you can substitute with not much problem--and, don't forget, these projects needn't fit anyone but a pile of polyfill for the pillow form. Among the many models, there is a particularly comfy looking cylindrical bolster with cables, a "pillar cable" pillow with offset cables and wide, wider ribs like columns, a lovely ecru baby blanket, a knitted hassock cube, and a lush, blue chenille bed throw. Also rag type mats, more pillows and a beaded table scarf that looked as if it could be modified rather easily. If you like home knitting, this is a varied and useful collection. It's suited to urban neutrals, country textures and classical furniture, and most of the projects are in neutrals or soft colors. Lovely.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, stylish, sophisticated knitted
Review: The projects in "Hand Knits for the Home" are not on the leading edge of difficulty for the average knitter, and many projects use thick wools. These pillows, throws, table scarves and rug mats are nicely designed to maximize effect with a minimum of effort. The wools used are pricey in many cases, but they are definitely ones you can substitute with not much problem--and, don't forget, these projects needn't fit anyone but a pile of polyfill for the pillow form. Among the many models, there is a particularly comfy looking cylindrical bolster with cables, a "pillar cable" pillow with offset cables and wide, wider ribs like columns, a lovely ecru baby blanket, a knitted hassock cube, and a lush, blue chenille bed throw. Also rag type mats, more pillows and a beaded table scarf that looked as if it could be modified rather easily. If you like home knitting, this is a varied and useful collection. It's suited to urban neutrals, country textures and classical furniture, and most of the projects are in neutrals or soft colors. Lovely.
Rating: 
Summary: A good basic read -similar to other books though
Review: This is a good book put out by a consistently good publisher (Interweave Press) but I found it too similar to other "basic" or "simple" knitting type of books. The pillows, blankets and miscellaneous items (knit bottle cover) don't have enough of a difference or "twist" to really stand out from other similar books. Good if you are looking for a basic knit book.
Rating:
Summary: A good basic read -similar to other books though
Review: This is a good book put out by a consistently good publisher (Interweave Press) but I found it too similar to other "basic" or "simple" knitting type of books. The pillows, blankets and miscellaneous items (knit bottle cover) don't have enough of a difference or "twist" to really stand out from other similar books. Good if you are looking for a basic knit book.
Rating:
Summary: Very good for beginners
Review: This is a very good book for beginners. Those who don't have anyone to teach them can find this book useful. I think this book could of had more designs to expand their learning. It was a bit simple.
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