Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting

By Alice Starmore

Book Overview

Scotland's Fair Isle has long been known for its distinctive, stranded-color knitting. A designer from the region, Alice Starmore explores the history and techniques of the art and provides instructions for over 15 of her own knitwear designs. 100 color photos.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0942391594
• ISBN13: 9780942391596
• Release Date: April 1990
• Publisher: Taunton Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.9" x 1.5" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

You already know about Alice Starmore and Fair Isle Knitting

This book is a classic for anyone serious about Fair Isle Knitting. First, it covers the history and environment of what Fair Isle Knitting is about in “A brief history”. Partial table of contents: A brief history Pattern Color Technique A wardrobe of patterns Creating your own designs There are maps and pictures of Fair Isle.

An Essential Reference

This stellar book manages to answer every question I ever had about Fair Isles Knitting, as well as a whole host of questions I hadn't even realized I should have been asking. Profusely illustrated with breathtaking color photographs, this book fills me with the mad inspiration to create every single time I open it. The charted designs are abundant and varied, the technical information is incomparable, and Starmore does an excellent job of making this highly detailed and specialized form of knitting accessible to beginners and experienced knitters alike. If you want to expand your knowledge of stranded multicolor knitting, this book is a MUST HAVE.

A must for knitters

If you own ONE book on colorwork, this might just be the best choice. While Starmore deals with Fair Isle style knitting only, the techniques are useful for all kinds of knitting design.In addition to the history of Fair Isle knitting, Starmore explains the use of OXO patterns mixed with "peerie" or bands of small patterns that are mixed with the larger patterns and provide a pleasing rhythm to the design. The fact that only two colors are used per row is hard to believe when you look at how Starmore mixes subtle color changes to yield some amazing results. She also shows the inspiration for the colorways, from a handful of wet sea pebbles, to a moor landscape, to a flea market display of bric-a-brac. You can find colorways all around you once you get an eye for how Starmore looks at the world.The book has useful charts for OXO and peerie patterns and a section on how to construct classic pullovers, vests and cardigans. This is one of my most favorite knitting books.

Outstanding fair isle primer

This book will lead you through the history of fair isle knitting, designing, pattern and color selection, knitting with two or more colors, steeks, and finishing. Fair isle is magnificent and quite unlike anything else I'd done before. The concept of intricate color patterns done seamlessly with Shetland wool was and is quite appealing. I was able, with this book to become proficient in this marvelous style of knitting, creating a masterpiece my first go-round (pun unintended!). It also includes outstanding patterns. I literally wore out my first copy, the pages finally came loose from the binding and I am now on copy #2. I own quite a few books on knitting but consider this my fair isle reference.