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Rating: 
Summary: Female lawyer plans to wear these to the office!
Review: I'm thrilled with this book! I'm so sick of bulky sweaters I can only wear on the weekend. I can't wait to make several of these jackets, which with a shell and a skirt or pair of pants, will look terrific in the office. I have just taken up knitting again after 30 years, and I don't want to waste my time with mittens. I have already ordered the yarn for several jackets, and my daughter is complaining because her stuff was put on hold! Don't be intimidated by the ratings - like I said, I have taken up knitting again after 30 years, and the first jacket I am making is rated advanced. But there are no complicated charts to follow, everything is pretty straightforward. I am confident I can make any of these jackets - and I would rate my skills at intermediate. Although I found the colors used for the jackets in the photographs kind of boring (I'm a lawyer, I'm not dead!) you can easily jazz up some of the colors.Basically, I was looking for a book that would allow me to recreate St. John's knits for the office. Putting a simple pull-up skirt with these jackets does it, I think. And I can get the colors I really want, and the price will be 1/10 the price of St. John!
Rating:
Summary: Female lawyer plans to wear these to the office!
Review: I'm thrilled with this book! I'm so sick of bulky sweaters I can only wear on the weekend. I can't wait to make several of these jackets, which with a shell and a skirt or pair of pants, will look terrific in the office. I have just taken up knitting again after 30 years, and I don't want to waste my time with mittens. I have already ordered the yarn for several jackets, and my daughter is complaining because her stuff was put on hold! Don't be intimidated by the ratings - like I said, I have taken up knitting again after 30 years, and the first jacket I am making is rated advanced. But there are no complicated charts to follow, everything is pretty straightforward. I am confident I can make any of these jackets - and I would rate my skills at intermediate. Although I found the colors used for the jackets in the photographs kind of boring (I'm a lawyer, I'm not dead!) you can easily jazz up some of the colors. Basically, I was looking for a book that would allow me to recreate St. John's knits for the office. Putting a simple pull-up skirt with these jackets does it, I think. And I can get the colors I really want, and the price will be 1/10 the price of St. John!
Rating: 
Summary: Classic patterns are refreshing but be cautious of errors
Review: It's tough to find knitting patterns for sweaters with classic "jacket-like" lines. Vintage knitting patterns come close (e.g. the recent "Vintage Knits" book), but many vintage patterns were designed for much smaller sizes, say up to a size 34. The sweaters in the book are really beautiful, and the directions are for the most part clear, although not really meant for the beginning knitter. Most of the patterns are worked on small needles, so each sweater will take considerable time for the average busy person. There is a reference section at the back of the book which summarizes the various stitch patterns, which is helpful. However, there are numerous errors in the book that can result in disaster (I learned this the hard and painful way). XRX books is happy to send or email corrections (almost every sweater contains errors), and hopefully the changes will appear in subsequent editions to the book. I would recommend this book if you love the patterns, but would make sure that you call the company for corrections before starting a project.
Rating:
Summary: Classic patterns are refreshing but be cautious of errors
Review: It's tough to find knitting patterns for sweaters with classic "jacket-like" lines. Vintage knitting patterns come close (e.g. the recent "Vintage Knits" book), but many vintage patterns were designed for much smaller sizes, say up to a size 34. The sweaters in the book are really beautiful, and the directions are for the most part clear, although not really meant for the beginning knitter. Most of the patterns are worked on small needles, so each sweater will take considerable time for the average busy person. There is a reference section at the back of the book which summarizes the various stitch patterns, which is helpful. However, there are numerous errors in the book that can result in disaster (I learned this the hard and painful way). XRX books is happy to send or email corrections (almost every sweater contains errors), and hopefully the changes will appear in subsequent editions to the book. I would recommend this book if you love the patterns, but would make sure that you call the company for corrections before starting a project.
Rating:
Summary: Classy collection of sweaters for meetings or the office
Review: While much of the fun of knitting is making colorful, comfortable clothing for relaxation, there are times when a knitter needs to look "presentable." "Jackets" is a terrific resource for any knitter who wants to look professional while enjoying the sense of accomplishment and individuality that a handknit garment can bring. This book provides 21 patterns of office suitable cardigans and Channel style jackets, all of which would look as polished as a blazer or a suit jacket. The looks are sharp but traditional enough not to go out of style quickly. Each pattern runs 4 to 6 pages with several photo angles and detailed instructions. The end of the book features a section on finishing tips which is most appropriate given the tailored tone of most of the sweaters. For those of you who can thumb through the book before ordering, here are some details that may be helpful:
1. Colorwise, there are 14 solid color jackets and 7 multicolor slip stitch patterns. The multi-colors are mostly tweedy looks. Most of the solid color sweaters are knit is stitches other that stockingnette - twills, nubby textures and such. There is only one lace project.
2. The writer/editors rate one sweater as easy; two as "easy plus"; fifteen as intermediate; and three as advanced.
3. The yarn weights are on the light side - one in sport weight; nine in DK weight; nine in worsted weight and two in bulky. Also, this book employees Knitter's Magazine's new generic yarn requirements system (with only small print notations of the specific yarn used in the model jacket).
4. The needles involved are also on the small side - four sweaters on US size 3; four on US size 4; two on US size 5; four on US size 6; six on US size 7; and one on US size 10. As one knitter who is getting pretty tired of the bulky look, this is one of the best part of the book IMHO.
In summary; a great book for professionals who've had to keep their knitting in the closet or the knitters who never know what to make to the young woman lawyer in the family.
Rating:
Summary: Classy collection of sweaters for meetings or the office
Review: While much of the fun of knitting is making colorful, comfortable clothing for relaxation, there are times when a knitter needs to look "presentable." "Jackets" is a terrific resource for any knitter who wants to look professional while enjoying the sense of accomplishment and individuality that a handknit garment can bring. This book provides 21 patterns of office suitable cardigans and Channel style jackets, all of which would look as polished as a blazer or a suit jacket. The looks are sharp but traditional enough not to go out of style quickly. Each pattern runs 4 to 6 pages with several photo angles and detailed instructions. The end of the book features a section on finishing tips which is most appropriate given the tailored tone of most of the sweaters. For those of you who can thumb through the book before ordering, here are some details that may be helpful:
1. Colorwise, there are 14 solid color jackets and 7 multicolor slip stitch patterns. The multi-colors are mostly tweedy looks. Most of the solid color sweaters are knit is stitches other that stockingnette - twills, nubby textures and such. There is only one lace project.
2. The writer/editors rate one sweater as easy; two as "easy plus"; fifteen as intermediate; and three as advanced.
3. The yarn weights are on the light side - one in sport weight; nine in DK weight; nine in worsted weight and two in bulky. Also, this book employees Knitter's Magazine's new generic yarn requirements system (with only small print notations of the specific yarn used in the model jacket).
4. The needles involved are also on the small side - four sweaters on US size 3; four on US size 4; two on US size 5; four on US size 6; six on US size 7; and one on US size 10. As one knitter who is getting pretty tired of the bulky look, this is one of the best part of the book IMHO.
In summary; a great book for professionals who've had to keep their knitting in the closet or the knitters who never know what to make to the young woman lawyer in the family.
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