Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)
by Alice Starmore
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Book Summary Information
Author: Alice StarmoreEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-08-21
ISBN: 0486472183
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Dover Publications
Product features:
- Dover (2009) unabridged reproduction of the edition published by the Taunton Press, Inc., Newtown, Connecticut, 1988
Book Reviews of Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)
Book Review: Like painting with yarn and needles,,,,,
Summary: 5 Stars
Over the years I had taken this book out of the library to study this fantastic art ,but since I had been studying ( and knitting ) mostly in top down knitting I had gone away from this fantastic art which I have dabbled in only for a bit thus far.
Truth be told, i really dont care for top downkntting,,,,knit a few if you are new to it and then go to bottom up knowing your perfect measurements and where you want your wsist to hit you so you can accomadate that in all other forms
I am only saying this to beginning swweater knitters b/c over time ( and a sweater or ) you will have the whole bottom up thing downpat~ why do I say this?
its because its so INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT to plan patterns top down b/c of increases/decreases and adjusting numbers all thet time,,,,,
I am sure someone can master this but even Barbara Walker( queen of top down knitting!)didnt do a lot with fair isle she worked on more mosiac prints and it just isnt the same. Yes is pretty but its not the age old art of fair isle that is an art to many of the islands of Sheland, Fair Isle and more ( even Norwegian and Icelandic knitting does bottom up)
This summer ,while on vacation, we happened to get to a lovely fiber arts school on an Island (in Door County, Wisconsin) and right there standing up all pretty, proper and ready to read ,,,,,was one of my most * wished for * books of ALL TIME ~ Alice Staremore's Fair Isle Knitting) in soft cover!!
Now I have tried to purchase this book for 7 years ( since I started to knit) only to find that I could purchase this book * used* for a rate of about 200$$ or so~ ( e bay sources etc)
Nope, too much $$,,,,,,it was back to the library everytime I wanted information, that was a wee bit too high for my taste~
After knowing the incredible wealth of information that this book contains I purchased it right on the spot in that lovely little Fiber Arts shop and commenced to read it like a novel.
Page after page intrigued me all over again like a good mystery book!!! I had to have that book in MY HANDS that day!!!
There are many reviews on this book already so much has been said that this book is THE source for fair isle knitting information of all time. No other book even comes close to this book.
Now the thing this book gets into that really has it over all the other " technique books" on Fair Isle is inspiration,,,,, and how to learn to "paint" ( as I call it) with your yarn and needles,,,,,how to * really* look at things from an artistic perspective vs a process perspective,so I started to do what the author suggested.( tho let it be known that information on process is IN the book too!)
I took pictures ,,,,and lots of them~
Next time we went to a different island ( Mackinac Island ~ upper Michigan) I hiked up about 1/4 mile to a site with colored pencils and graph paper.( Simple, I know,,no computer generated graphing,, I bet the farm they have programs like that but then again they have knitting machines too,,,)
It was there that I could see for miles and miles,,,clear blue shades of water and the colors of the horizon~
I looked at the shoreline of the mighty Lake Huron, and the various shades of the water,,,,even the sand and stones ,,,and now have come up with some colors that I think would make my " artistic sweater",,, and will commence this project just as soon as the yarn arrives.
Two handed knitting etc is all covered in the book and I know how to do it ( it really just takes a little practice, really!!),,but the section on planning color was incredible to me ,and well worth paying full price for the book rather than waiting to order it from amazon ( my usual way of ordering books for music or knitting)
I simply cannot say enough how very much owning this book means to me!
I DO feel like an artist with yarn and needles,,,,,, every bit the same way I feel with my bow and violin when I play music!
THANK GOODNESS it has been re printed or so very much of the MOST valuable information regarding this age old art would not be able to reach the hands of so many knitters today!
One thing to say on the subject of shaping or fitting a sweater,,,,if you love the fair isle look but tend to love a more fitted look, check out the "Ivy League" sweater DVD,,,,,, that gets you started in your quest for color and fitted form~ (if that is your preference of course)
My first attempt will be that garment ( in my own colors from my sketches ) and from then on I can work with what I know and create my own masterpieces.
One other note,,,,,Alice Starmore's " Aran Sweaters" is being reprinted also so if you are into texture, I think its due out this fall( 2010)
Another must if you ever intend to do work with cables etc~
Also check out her website as listed in the book ( virtual yarns) for some kits that frankly are not all that expensive,,,, (and its the real deal folks!)
I am smitten with this book ( obviously) and haven't seen a decent knitting book out in a few years ( barring Wendy Bernards knitting book, which I LOVE!)
I cannot plan fair isle from the top down as I shape my plain ( or textured ) sweaters but I can still use my knowledge of fitting to create a well fitted garment for me or someone I love! Just gotta think more about the vertical gauge a bit more ( which I did learn from top down knitting I may add)
GET THIS BOOK if you think you will * ever* be interested in this age old art!
I cannot recommend it enough!!!!!!!
Good * artistic *knitting to one and all!!!
More Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace) reviews:
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Summary of Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)
Scotland's Fair Isle is celebrated the world over for its distinctive, stranded-color knitting, and Alice Starmore is famous for her expertise in designing and instructing knitters in this appealing regional tradition. This volume is profusely illustrated with color photographs, plus drawings and charts that illustrate the art's history, patterns, and techniques.
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