Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects for Today's Knitter by Elsebeth Lavold, Elsbeth Lavold
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Book Reviews of Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects for Today's Knitter
Book Review: Disappointing patterns
Summary: 2 Stars
I was disappointed in this book. Upon looking through the book, I decided that by far the most attractive pattern was the one on the cover. Many of the sweaters inside were large and shapeless (though many were not helped by the photography), and the others were uninspiring.
I was disappointed that many of the pieces were composed mostly out of stocking stitch and simply featured cables. Even the sweater on the cover features this style to a degree, but unlike the sweaters inside, the placement of the cables is so artful that one hardly notices the stocking stitch.
I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the various cables and their origins. However, I didn't like the way she integrated these cables into actual sweaters or hats. Therefore, I'd recommend this book only if you wish to see her cable ideas and design your own sweaters using them, or if you are willing to buy the book solely to knit the design on the cover.
Finally, choosing a book is obviously partially a matter of taste. My taste runs to Aran designs and fisherman's sweaters, and if your taste is similar you also may not enjoy this book.
Book Review: For lovers of cables and Celtic knotwork
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not a beginner's book, unless you buy it for inspiration and something to aim for. It's a great coffee table book, even if you don't intend to knit anything.
If you are a fan of, and like to knit cables or Celtic knotwork, this is the ultimate book for you. Also, for Medieval reenactors, this has tons of information for documentation, although you should be aware that no knit patterns here are accurate.
There are really two kinds of things in this book, although they are intertwined.
The first is the projects. There are sweaters, coats, a pillow (with a dragon on it--Fafner), an afghan and more. They are all stunning, with designs taken from historic finds and adapted for knitting. There are some very unusual pieces here. There are new techniques used in cable/knotwork construction, but they're just old techniques adapted to cables. The designs, are innovative, new, clean, modern, and wonderful! There's even a child's pullover with "Kiss me" in runes!
Then there are the discussions of museum pieces and the designs that spring from them. There are cables, knotwork designs and the entire elder futhark (runes) charted that can be used by an experienced knitter on her own designs.
Elsebeth Lavold has taken motifs from ancient artifacts and adapted them to knitting with wonderful results.
I should mention that I keep saying Celtic Knot because the Vikings and Celts were very close in their art, and inhabited a lot of the same territory during this Viking period, and it's a little hard sometimes to separate the art. Also, the phrase "Celtic knotwork" has become popular, but I've never heard the phrase "Viking knotwork," although knotwork was prevalent in both cultures art.
If there were a fire, and I could only save one knitting book, this would be the one.
If you like this, you can find more great designs in Arans & Celtics: The Best of Knitter's Magazine (Best of Knitter's Magazine series)
Book Review: A Must For Your Knitting Library!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know what I expected when I ordered this book, but I definately got more than I was expecting. If you love cables and Arans, you'll be very happy. But if you like more subtlety, there is also a lovely men's sweater featuring runes--yes, RUNES!!! Lavold has managed to translate them all into knitted patterns, and the effect is stunning. If you have a drop of Celtic blood or any interest in the culture at all, you will love what you see here. Don't miss this book.Book Review: Excelente!!! Excellent!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent in every way! Another crown in aran knitting, along with "Aran Knitting" by Alice Starmore.Book Review: The Love of Vikings
Summary: 5 Stars
Having spent years of listening to stories told by my Bedstamor about Denmark and all the lovely places she used to live near that had an abundance of Viking artifacts, it was a thrill to see many of the Viking symbols described in those stores come to life in the sweaters! I adored the detail about where each design came from along with a photo of the artifact that inspired the cable pattern.
This book is fantastic for lovers of history, Scandinavian art, and knitting. It has helped to inspire many designs for knit gifts that go rather quickly. All the individual cables knit very quickly and are easy to memorize, though they do have very intricate twists and turns at times.
This will be a book I pass along to all the knitters in my family.