Charts for Color Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)

Charts for Color Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace) The book is actually called 'Alice Starmore's Charts for color knitting - New and Expanded Edition' - where 'Dover knitting, crochet, tatting Lace' comes from is anyone's guess. Alice Starmore was born in The Outer Hebredes and is a professional designer and knitter. And - the samples of finished items shown in colour photographs in the book show off her own brand of 2 and 3 ply strands of wool. BUT DO NOT LET THIS PUT YOU OFF! The book is a lifetimes shared knowledge and wisdom to us at home or in business. The book contains the methodology of how to design your own pattern, using single motif patterns to allover pattern sweater to horizontal border to vertical panel sweaters. Patterns as she says can been gleaned from any other objects as well as the traditional ones in the knitting world. i.e. carpets, textiles, ceramics. Colour is suggested that the knitter takes from Mother Nature (and of course there is plenty of suggestions on the internet). As she says it is best to explore themes. When I say 'design' the author starts off with your tension swatch (ie exampled by her own) using intarsia method or knitting the entire background and then using swiss darning on top or how about using the combination of both methods? The measurements of a sweater you wish to achieve are demonstrated and actually shows you how to get the number of stitches to start your project, and then suggests the consideration of how to then apply your own unique design or a pattern repeat from the book on to it, in a sensible way so that shoulders or sleeves when they meet look like a continuation or naturally meet - the tricky bit (where to change the pattern to suit your design). So she demonstrates by a drawn measurement plan and how to calculate the knitting instructions. It also means you can use your own wool 2 or 3 ply wool and not necessarilary her own branded wool. As she says quote 'my aim is to provide you with a clear guide to the process involved..... I invite you to 'look over my shoulder' as I design a small collection of sweaters which will serve as a guide for applying patterns to your designs'. The author uses a simple drop shoulder pullover shape that becomes the basis for understanding more complex shapes. Also included in the book are traditional patterns from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and South America. Its disappointing that she has not included traditional fair Isle patterns from the UK. Do they exist? 'Adapted Patterns' are taken from traditional objects i.e. Celtic 'key' patterns from ancient manuscripts and stonework; Japanese sashiko stitching and carpet patterns. The patterns exampled are Celtic, Greek, the Caucasus, Middle East and Far East, the traditional patterns you would expect to see on or in buildings, tile patterns, archeology etc on holiday. Another chapter gives you sample patterns on themes ie birds and flowers; sea and shoreline; the inner landscape as single motifs or all over patterns. Over all this is a great reference revision book for us knitters at all expereince levels even if you feel you are an inexpereinced knitter this explains the patterns that you buy! Afterall knowledge is the power to understand and enrich our lives..... Happy designing... mine stays as part of my reference library!

I have used this book already several times since I bought it. It's a really good repository of patterns for almost all occasions. This book covers a huge variety of two-colour patterns (black & white - which does not stop a designer to add colours!), from borders to individual motifs to large-scale patterns with a real wow-effect. The patterns are presented in three categories: traditional, adapted and 'the continuing story' (lots of nature motifs). Within these categories the motifs are classed by their country of origin, covering Northern Europe, Russia, South America, Greece, The Caucasus, the Middle and the Far East. This book does not contain a single pattern for a particular project, but it has many useful design instructions how to make your own project using the charts in the book. Throughout the book, however, and at the back there are many photographic examples of how the patterns can be used. The charts themselves are printed perhaps slightly too small to really work from them. You may want to write them out in larger or make an enlarged photocopy, especially, when working on any of the large-scale all-over patterns. At a pinch you can work straight from the book, but only with a marker on each row. I have used these patterns already on items of home decoration (like cushion covers) and several jumpers (some with all-over patterns) and they look stunning. These patterns look great if you just use two colours (with good contrast between colours), or wool which changes colour itself right down to fair-isle style colour design. If you like your knitting project to be a little bit more challenging and get a wow-response from others - this is the book for you!

Finally a books which concentrates just on patterns. This book does not waste chapter after chapter on 'tools you need' or 'how to knit'. This is a book for advanced knitters, knitters who like to design their own projects, knitters who even design their own patterns. This book has pages of gridded patterns separated in 'chapters' by country or regions, everywhere from scandinavian countries to the far east. Just perfect if you only want the actual patterns and are happy to put it all together yourself in your own projects. THere are also some colour photos and of the author's knits and colour swatches of knitted patterns, if you need further inspiration.

This is a lovely book, there are pages of instructions on how to centre the patterns, and stuff you need to think about in pattern placement, lots of information about how colours work together, what things to think about etc. Plus absolutely loads of pattern charts from many different parts of the world. Its a great source of inspiration, but it is not a knitting book, it does not give you pre-prepared patterns for you to knit, it is a reference book. What colours you choose, what thickness of wool, how to use the patterns is absolutely up to you. Prepare to be inspired and go for it.

I'm an unashamed Alice Starmore Groupie. I love the straightforward way she dives into things, the sensible advice and instructions, the clear charts and enthusiasm for colour and nature that threads through her work. This book didn't disappoint at all. Pages and pages of clear, helpful charts - some intricate and fussy, some tiny, simple and pleasing - in neat 'page packages' from around the World. There were no patterns as such for garments but some great instructions for designing your own that made me itch to crank up an Excel page and start something - or grab a pencil at the very least! If you're expecting colour wheels and detailed information of what colour goes with what, you won't find it. You're gently pointed in the direction of the sky and hills - Nature is the colour palette here and the Knitter is the artist. The whole book is filled with encouragement, colour and infectious enthusiasm. Well worth the money and I'm so glad it's part of my library.

Wonderful book. Good either for beginners and more expert knitters. Beautiful patterns to make original cardigans and sweaters. Clear explanation of the patterns.

This is currently my favorite knitting book. There are a diverse range of designs to choose from on different themes. I think the fact that you can look at different styles across the world is very interesting.

I actually bought this book as a crocheter wanting to move on from intermediate to advanced, ie from following patterns to designing my own garments, and this wasn't a disappointment. Don't expect a book of patterns. What this does is teach you how to put a repeating pattern into the design for the garment. You can use the one the author has provided (which is basic), design your own, or use another pattern from somewhere else. I'm very pleased. The addition at the back talking a little about using colour is a good starter if your lacking confidence in that area.

This is an amazing reference for an advanced knitter familiar with basic sweater construction and colorwork. The first 25ish pages cover a few potential colorwork layouts (allover patterns, horizontal bands, center panel, etc) but does not provide any in-depth instructions for specific patterns or the actual technique of two-color knitting. The bulk of the book is about 125 pages of crystal clear black and white charts that resemble those on the bottom half of the cover of the book (with slightly smaller squares). They range from basic to amazingly complex large repeat patterns. They are arranged by country of origin then a few random categories (birds and flowers, etc) at the end. The last few pages of the book is pure eye-candy. Gorgeous examples of colorwork sweaters that come directly from the charts included in the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who is ready to tackle a colorwork project. If you are not familiar with construction techniques, you'll also want a guide on construction of garments (any of Elizabeth Zimmermann's books would serve you well here) to accompany this reference.

Företaget vill ha dina pengar. Varorna kommer inte.

色もきれいで、沢山の模様が豊富に載っています。英語の本ですが、説明は出来なくても編めます。色々アレンジして帽子、手袋が素敵だと思います。

Das Buch bietet eine gute Sammlung an Grundmustern und ist insgesamt angenehm abwechslungsreich gestaltet. Besonders gefallen haben mir die einleitenden Informationen zu den verschiedenen Mustertraditionen sowie die Erklärung, wie man die Muster selbst auf Kleidung übertragen bzw. umrechnen kann. Etwas schade ist allerdings, dass sich die Anleitungen nur auf angenähte Ärmel beziehen. Varianten wie Raglanärmel oder andere Schnitte werden leider nicht behandelt.

Ce livre est un incontournable pour toutes celles qui tricotent des jacquards. C'est un ouvrage de référence dans le domaine du tricot, une base pour stimuler votre imagination. A acquérir impérativement.