Cable Knits from Nordic Lands: Beauty and Ingenuity in Over 20 Unique Patterns

Description

Cable knitting is easier than it looks - and it looks extraordinary! Brilliant patterns and quality yarns give great results and this fantastic collection from design king Ivar Asplund shows off the beauty, versatility and endless possibilities of cable knitting. With over 20 projects ranging from sweaters, cardigans, and ponchos to scarves, wrist warmers, and hats, for children and adults, there is something here to please everyone. Novice cablers can work up something quickly with a single eye-catching cable edging, while seasoned knitters can test their skills on larger, more complex patterns with multiple interwoven cable designs. With step-by-step instructions, a tutorial section that explains the principles of working and combining cables to achieve a variety of striking effects, and tips and tricks to help ease your way, it's a dream come true for any cable knitter.

Ivar Asplund grew up in southern Sweden. His grandmother taught him to knit when he was five years old. He is now a well-respected instructor and workshop leader within the knitting world. His well thought-out garments are distinguished by their sophisticated simplicity as well as their fine and practical attention to the details. He now lives near Stockholm and his blog can be viewed at www.asplundknits.blogspot.com

Another excellent knitting book that owes a lot to the superb photography, especially the front cover image. It conjures up warmth, fires, snug, cosy times and, of course, knitting. The description of beauty and ingenuity does not lie either. It is impossible to imagine just how many happy hours the experienced knitter will enjoy completing these beautiful items. Clear presentation and again, beautiful photos. If you are a knitter put it on your Christmas wish list or, if you know someone who knits, an ideal present. -- Brenda Sullivan * Customer review * Received the book today, some beautiful makes shown. Look forward to learning to do some basic items & then increasing my skills to hopefully create some of the more complex looking items. A well written book I look forward to using time & time again -- Sara Hawkins * Customer review * This is a gorgeous book, I was attracted by the cardigan on the front cover, but there are lots of other equally attractive patterns included. The photography and colours used throughout will make it a joy to pick up and leaf through, and the insights from the man himself make it a real pleasure to read. This is not just a book of patterns! Included are instructions for 18 sample squares that will help you get to grips with this style of knitting, I have only done a little cabling before, so I will definitely work through these first. I've started with the circle from the front cover as this is the one I really want to knit first. It's my first time working from a diagram and with the included guide it is going well. This is a great book to add to your collection. -- Alison Barclay * Customer review * This book is great if you love knitting cables, but is not aimed at those new to knitting. There are a variety of patterns from wrist warmers to lovely chunky cardigans. I am quite an experienced knitter and some of these patterns look quite complicated, many being worked from charts rather than written descriptions , which I find quite challenging. However, all the patterns are accompanied by beautiful photos of the finished product and close up sections . The book also has a section of sample patterns, which show different cables knitted up alongside their chart, which I found quite useful. Overall I think this is a lovely book and I look forward to beginning some of these patterns and will persevere with the charts. -- Lorna Cox * Customer review * What a lovely book. The photography is exquisite. Not only is this a book of wonderful knitting patterns, it is a beautiful 'coffee table' book that deserves to be left around to just pick up and look through. The knitwear patterns may be a bit of a challenge but if the results are as good as the photos it will be well worth it. -- Latona Sewell * Customer review * This is an exquisitely well presented book with gorgeous photos, the designs and pictures have a very autumnal feel which make you want to curl up in front of the fire with wool and needles. It could happily take pride of place on the coffee table for others to enjoy too! The book is aimed at intermediate to experienced knitters and I would not recommend if you have no experience with cables, however I consider myself an advanced beginner and after reading through I feel that someone with a bit of confidence could tackle these patterns. I am currently knitting one of the jumpers and have found the instructions easy to follow, they are a mix of written and charted. I really like that there are some sample cable pattern squares in the back for you to have a practice with (or incorporate into your own designs). There are jumpers for all the family but also some smaller projects if you're looking for a quick(er) knit, e.g. hats, cowls, wrist warmers. One thing I did find helpful was that the gauge for the patterns is in stocking stitch so you don't have to swatch up a section of cables to get your gauge right. If you are looking for a book with beautiful cables then I don't think you will be disappointed, i'm certainly not and can't wait to finish a jumper for my young son. -- Charlotte Blakey * Customer review * The patterns in this book are mainly for garments, with a few accessories such as hats and wrist warmers, and all feature cables in their designs. In the preface, Swedish designer Ivar Asplund states that he was taught to knit by his grandmother when he was 5 years old and he learnt that 'the techniques were't as complicated as they seemed... simply put, a few stitches change places before they are knit.' The garments have been photographed in colour, in landscape on 22 pages before the five pages of Basic Instructions for cable knitting are laid out, covering such important topics as garment sizing, gauge, reading the charts and blocking and finishing. The patterns themselves cover several types of garments, with a variety of patterns and construction methods. They are arranged more of less in order, from the easiest to the most challenging, The working instructions are all given in charted format with come row instructions written out for clarity, the abbreviations and symbols key are given at the back of the book. A useful ten-page sample dictionary is included with the charts beside knitted swatches, with the idea that the section would function as a step-by-step school, a pattern collection, and a source of inspiration. This handsomely photographed book, clearly laid out with insights into Ivar's design inspiration and reflecting his love of the intricacy of showcasing cables within knitting. It would be a welcome addition to anyone's library and would work well as a tutorial for beginners wishing to learn the art of cabling. -- Linde Merrick * Slipknot * This book presents with a pleasant cover. It is subtitled 'Beauty and Ingenuity In Over 20 Unique Patterns'. Without doubt there are some wonderful stitch patterns and anyone who enjoys aran-style, textured knits will find this book of interest. -- Karen Platt * karenplatt.co.uk * Cable knits always look expensive. This book is filled with 20 designs with skill levels from intermediate to experienced- it is absolutely divine. Wrist warmers, Hats, Cowls, Ponchos and Sweaters are all included. With easy to follow instructions, there is a wealth of added information so that from start to finish you feel as if the author is holding your hand through each step. There are visual diagrams to follow, which help ensure your pattern is correct and handy hints help to combat any difficulty. The photography is stunning and showcase each piece beautifully. Filled with inspiration you can have a Winter wardrobe of warm and snuggly knits in no time. The designs are for men, women and children so the whole family is catered for. Information is given for choosing your yarn, finishing your garment and shaping. There are some sample patterns to choose your design and knitting techniques complete with photographs help with explaining the technique. This is a beautiful book and it comes highly recommended. * Tracy Shephard *