Knitting in the Old Way: Designs and Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters

By Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts

Book Overview

A wonderful resource for old and new who like to knit.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966828925
• ISBN13: 9780966828924
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Nomad Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 2.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.2" x 1.1" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A Bibliomanic who loves to Knit!

"And it's amazing what YOU can do with a loop of yarn, if you take one loop, one idea, one technique at a time. Start where you are--beginner of adept--and add one new possibility at a time." This is a quote from the beginning of "Knitting in the Old Way."Regardless of a knitters experience or expertise, this book has a lot to offer. I have been knitting for 59 years and am thrilled to find authors who teach from the standpoint of common sense. No "Knitting Bullies" here but rather a validation of all that I have learned, along with scores of methods and techniques to make my knitting even better. The organization of material is outstanding!I really feel that the authors' approach takes all of the "mystery and scariness" out of knitting. One can plan and knit any kind of sweater whether it is very basic or adorned with beautiful color stranding, intarsia, or any number of classic ethnic designs, without being overwhelmed by complicated Patterns. You determine the size, the shape, the style, the texture and become your own designer.It's the way my mother and grandmothers learned to knit; it's the way they taught me to knit; it's the way I teach others to knit. This book deserves a special place in every knitters reference library.Having said all of that I will share one more quote from this wonderful "tome." This one is credited to a 'Nineteenth-century rhyme.'"Life is a stocking," grandma says,"And yours has just begun. But I am knitting the toe of mine, And my work is almost done."Every knitter deserves to have this book!

influential book reissued

This book discusses knitting traditional ethnic sweaters and manages to incorporate many divergent ideas and theories about knitting. This is not a novice book, but while the the author would have you believe that her concepts are to return to older ways of knitting, the overall effect is almost as radical as Knitting From the Top Down. If you believe that knitting is inherently different from sewing this book will validate your thoughts. For those of you who require patterns, this book may open your mind. The author is dangerous and exciting. Theformat usable and simple but not simplistic. An essential book for serious sweater knitters. Sets the bar very high for this years knitting books very early.

A classic knitting book

For years and years I've returned to my copy of Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. It's a terrific book and explains how to knit the sweater _you_ want as opposed to a cookbook approach to replicate the sweater in a magazine. Priscilla explains how to modify your pattern for the yarn you have, how to make it fit _you_, and then teaches you the tricks you need to successfully knit the sweater. She teaches you how to make sweaters from all over the world: Irish fisherman sweaters, Fair Isles, Norwegian, ... As a hand spinner, I love that she often works with handspun yarn, but her sweaters work just fine with commercial yarns too.So, the bad news is that this wonderful, marvelous book is out-of-print. The really good news is that she's currently working with Deb Menz (previous editor of Interweave Press's SpinOff magazine) to revamp the book and will release it in the Spring'03. I understand that they're adding new bits and it looks quite exciting.This means that I'll be able to get a copy to loan to friends and won't have to worry about my copy disappearing.