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The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years
Celebrating 10 years of innovative and appealing garment designs from Interweave Knits, this must-have pattern collection is comprised of 30 scarves, stoles, cardigans, pullovers, vests, jackets, tops, and totes that have stood the test of time. Representing the creative work of 26 notable designers, it includes gorgeous photography, a dozen favorite "Beyond the Basics" columns that provide in-depth information on essential techniques, and step-by-step instructions through every aspect of knitting and finishing. Even relatively inexperienced knitters will find this archive of classic design to be an indispensable reference tool for years to come.
159 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 22, 2009
I would like to own this. There are some very pretty things in here, like the Pearl Buck Swing Jacket.
April 12, 2021
Interweave classic
If you DO NOT want knitted pieces that are seamed together, you will not find this book useful. Most of the sweaters & other garments are knit in pieces and seamed.
But the designs are tempting, instructive, skill-building and beautiful!
I personally avoid pieced and seamed projects but I know, at some point I will have the will to wade into them more and these are the kinds of projects that will beckon me sooner.
There are wonderful reference segments scattered throughout, however, that might make this book useful for basic skill reference. The instructions are accompanied by line drawing, not photos, but one can find online videos to fill in gaps.
There are useful tips included with the reference instructions to help one avoid frustration or avoid problems from the outset.
I did not find either the Kindle nor Print “Look Inside” feature helpful for this book, frankly. I rely on looking through BOTH when choosing these sorts of books, so that was disappointing. However, I was already familiar with this particular book and knew I would want it eventually. The price has dropped to a price acceptable plus I had a dollar credit - so it was worth it to get it now. (4/21)
I would prefer that LookInside feature would include MOST of the photos in craft books or at least a liberal overview, Table of Contents and Indexes, plus the general descriptions of projects. Too often, there are entire projects included but only 2 or 3 which fail to give a fair grasp of entire contents. In case Amazon or Publishers care for my opinion.
Overall, I recommend to confident knitters and highly adventurous newer knitters. I strongly encourage new knitters to consider “seamless knit in the round” sweater designs for a first sweater so I personally do not recommend this as a “first sweater” book. In my opinion, a non-pieced/seamed sweater is less intimidating and more likely to fit - and be finished and worn - than a pieced and seamed project.
They can be tried on during construction, sizing issues are obvious before fitting and can be corrected, and when off needle only a few underarm stitches and weaving ends are usually left to complete project. This gets one over the intimidation of knitting a larger project, establishes confidence and adds essential skills that serves one well as a foundation moving on to pieced and seamed projects.
If in doubt, I would see if your local library or bookstore has a copy you can look through before purchasing. I wanted it for the inspiration and ideas but do intend to make several projects - they are not ALL pieced and seamed and there are two shawl patterns I particularly wanted. YMMV
If you DO NOT want knitted pieces that are seamed together, you will not find this book useful. Most of the sweaters & other garments are knit in pieces and seamed.
But the designs are tempting, instructive, skill-building and beautiful!
I personally avoid pieced and seamed projects but I know, at some point I will have the will to wade into them more and these are the kinds of projects that will beckon me sooner.
There are wonderful reference segments scattered throughout, however, that might make this book useful for basic skill reference. The instructions are accompanied by line drawing, not photos, but one can find online videos to fill in gaps.
There are useful tips included with the reference instructions to help one avoid frustration or avoid problems from the outset.
I did not find either the Kindle nor Print “Look Inside” feature helpful for this book, frankly. I rely on looking through BOTH when choosing these sorts of books, so that was disappointing. However, I was already familiar with this particular book and knew I would want it eventually. The price has dropped to a price acceptable plus I had a dollar credit - so it was worth it to get it now. (4/21)
I would prefer that LookInside feature would include MOST of the photos in craft books or at least a liberal overview, Table of Contents and Indexes, plus the general descriptions of projects. Too often, there are entire projects included but only 2 or 3 which fail to give a fair grasp of entire contents. In case Amazon or Publishers care for my opinion.
Overall, I recommend to confident knitters and highly adventurous newer knitters. I strongly encourage new knitters to consider “seamless knit in the round” sweater designs for a first sweater so I personally do not recommend this as a “first sweater” book. In my opinion, a non-pieced/seamed sweater is less intimidating and more likely to fit - and be finished and worn - than a pieced and seamed project.
They can be tried on during construction, sizing issues are obvious before fitting and can be corrected, and when off needle only a few underarm stitches and weaving ends are usually left to complete project. This gets one over the intimidation of knitting a larger project, establishes confidence and adds essential skills that serves one well as a foundation moving on to pieced and seamed projects.
If in doubt, I would see if your local library or bookstore has a copy you can look through before purchasing. I wanted it for the inspiration and ideas but do intend to make several projects - they are not ALL pieced and seamed and there are two shawl patterns I particularly wanted. YMMV
April 26, 2024
Well, I have to say there’s not a lot in here. I like it all. Surprisingly because interweave usually has really amazing stuff. Maybe the book is really old. Yeah 2007. There is a tank with an interesting bottom and a sweater the very first one with an arrowhead design, which I really like, but looks very Labor-intensive. There’s also one sweater the very last one that I like, but it’s knitted in sport and doesn’t look easy.
November 24, 2019
Patterns were meh, but the descriptions of techniques and the tips were the best I’ve seen so far (and I have read A LOT of knitting books). Will borrow from the library again when I embark on one of those challenging new skills. Documenting here to be sure so remember this book!
September 20, 2017
Some fun & interesting patterns!
August 22, 2023
This is the “best of” from 2007 and I get that this means the pieces would be more dated but this is extremely underwhelming as far as a “best of” goes.
November 25, 2011
BOTTOM LINE: Some nice patterns, but not the glorious compendium I'd hoped this would be, given Interweave's reputation and my viewing of some of their patterns on ravelry dot com. Very good, and thorough, instructions for various techniques though, beautifully, and comprehensively illustrated with diagrams.
Sizings are fairly generous, and the photography is good; patterns were, however, to my taste, rather mediocre. Only one intrigued me a bit, and nothing popped out as "must make NOW!", and for me that's a prime indicator of the rating for a pattern book. A tepid sort of book by my liking; your tastes may differ, though, and especially if you're rather younger than I am (pretty much most of you...) and inclined towards "cute" sorts of designs, or if you're a beginning or intermediate knitter, this might prove worthwhile - the instruction pages are rather good. Interweave *does* have a great reputation, and I have seen other books of theirs that were terrific; just not this one, alas. Only the entrelac shawl (four alternating leafy lace patterns, yum!) was interesting enough for me to look at it twice; I've knitted mitered squares but not entrelac, and their explanation of the technique was nicely done and helped me to see just how it was done, the differences and similarities to mitering. Both techniques can seem complex, but their explanations of entrelac were very clear and I'm likely to try something in it sometime soonish; just not from this book.
Sizings are fairly generous, and the photography is good; patterns were, however, to my taste, rather mediocre. Only one intrigued me a bit, and nothing popped out as "must make NOW!", and for me that's a prime indicator of the rating for a pattern book. A tepid sort of book by my liking; your tastes may differ, though, and especially if you're rather younger than I am (pretty much most of you...) and inclined towards "cute" sorts of designs, or if you're a beginning or intermediate knitter, this might prove worthwhile - the instruction pages are rather good. Interweave *does* have a great reputation, and I have seen other books of theirs that were terrific; just not this one, alas. Only the entrelac shawl (four alternating leafy lace patterns, yum!) was interesting enough for me to look at it twice; I've knitted mitered squares but not entrelac, and their explanation of the technique was nicely done and helped me to see just how it was done, the differences and similarities to mitering. Both techniques can seem complex, but their explanations of entrelac were very clear and I'm likely to try something in it sometime soonish; just not from this book.
January 11, 2011
There were some very elegant pieces in this book. I thought the photograhps of the items were splendid. The patterns were beautiful and l got a lot from just looking through this book. I didn't find any particular patterns that I wanted to knit, but I'd definitely recommend this book for inspiration.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...
January 18, 2008
This is a lovely publication, pretty photos, well laid out, printed on thick glossy paper. The knitting tips sections were nicely explained, though I would have appreciated a few more diagrams. The selection of patterns is so-so though... Some of the designs are stylish, but I'm surprised others were considered the "best of Interweave Knits."
May 12, 2008
I continue to work on a unique striped scarf. The patterns are both classic and new and appear to be well-written. The project I am working involves working with several skeins of yarn at one time, something I expected the authors to make note of. I am reserving overall judgement until I try another pattern.
August 15, 2008
This book is not for the beginning knitter. The finished projects were for the most part pretty but complicated. There were about two patterns that an average knitter would be comfortable working on.
January 20, 2009
very inspiring patterns. My first attempt from this book is the big felted weekend getaway satchel. Still working on it, but it's lovely.
Lots of additional technical hints are included alongside the patterns. I find myself refering to these sections all the time when I attempt something new.
Lots of additional technical hints are included alongside the patterns. I find myself refering to these sections all the time when I attempt something new.
November 30, 2008
I'd like to own this one. Yes, I have many of the patterns already since I've been an IK subscriber for years, but what is invaluable is having their detailed technique articles all in one place. Very useful! And it is not even mentioned on the cover!
January 29, 2008
I got it! I got it! Oh my god, it is good!
September 16, 2008
Reprints of what was in the magazine
March 18, 2009
I got this book to make the forst path shawl but I just love looking at all the pretty pictures in it! Plus the shawl is entrelac so nevermind.
Read
March 8, 2010Just checked out for the forest path stole, which is wicked clever.
October 5, 2010
Like Lotus Blossom Tank (very doable)& Pearl Buck Spring Jacket (very difficult; some good explanations of knitting techniques.
February 18, 2015
cool designs and excellent articles on various techniques. Very useful
January 4, 2009
Love this book. Timeless designs from Interweave.
May 18, 2016
Some great patterns
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews