Homespun, Handknit

Book Overview

With designs, hints, and techniques from 50 experienced spinners and knitters, this guide offers instructions for handspun yarn and commercial substitutes. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0934026262
• ISBN13: 9780934026260
• Release Date: December 1987
• Publisher: Interweave Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great Basics!

As a novice knitter, I found this book to be right on target with my abilities and interests. Many knitting books that I've seen have had one or two patterns that I would consider trying, but this book has about a dozen that I can't wait to get started on! Contains simple directions for basics and some variations (swirl pattern mittens that could be made as tube socks, for example). The directions include the weight of the yarn so that you can substitute what you find locally, you don't need to buy specific (expensive!) yarn to do these projects. Directions are clear and concise, easy to follow. Plenty of clear photographs of finished items, charts, etc. Also has plenty of "tips" on how to do certain techniques (like sock heels) and extras for finishing your items. If you're looking for a book that has great basic patterns as well as projects using more advanced techniques, this book will fit the bill!!

Great Book--Something for Everyone on Your List

I really like this book. There are projects that even children can knit, as well as challenges for the experienced knitter. This book was written as much to showcase the skill of the spinners as to show off the designs. They are not "primitive" designs, as one reviewer called them, but rather on the classic/practical side. As in actually worn by people to keep warm--imagine that! Since most of them are in natural yarn colors for the most part, it is easy to see why someone who is used to the latest "big bucks" manmade yarns often featured in most of the magazines these days might not like them. The book does offer guidance on substituting commercial yarns for these designs, so you can use whatever you like, and the designs will look quite differently. IMHO, the only difference between Vogue Knits and other patterns out there is the fact that it says Vogue, and that the yarns almost always cost a bundle.This book is great for anyone who doesn't like knitting huge projects such as sweaters and afghans, which seem to take forever. Many of the projects in this book work up quickly and are quite portable, making them great for traveling or waiting. Buy it!

My favorite hat and mitten book!

The instructions, from various knitters, are easy to understand and follow. The resulting projects all have turned out beautifully, and I have made many of them several times. Favorites are often requested by family and friends. There is no better way to share warm feelings than by giving warm fingers. This book has been a mainstay of mine for nearly 10 years.

"Homespun, Handknit" best little knitting book around.

Opening "Homespun, Handknit" is like sitting down with Grandma for a knitting lesson. This unpretentious little book's beautiful color photos of knitted hats, socks, gloves and mittens warms you up just by reading it. Once you pick up your knitting needles, you're hooked! There are beautiful patterns here for every skill level, with projects small enough to tackle in a weekend and challenging enough to engage your intellect as well as your fingers. I can't wait for snow to fall--I'll be the lady cozied under the afghan, knitting up a "Homespun, Handknit" storm.

Not just for spinners!

I discovered this book as a beginning spinner, and I was thrilled with the opportunity to see so many different small projects which would let me experiment with a variety of yarns. I soon realized that I kept coming back to it for information on knitting techniques, for inspiration for gifts, and for the well designed small projects. The editors inspired me to branch out in my knitting, to try hats and socks, and to try new techniques in my spinning as well. Although each project is designed by a spinner for handspun yarn (and includes information on spinning a suitable yarn), the editors also provide excellent recommendations for substituting commercially available yarns