Arans & Celtics: The Best of Knitter's Magazine

by Alexis Xenakis, Rick Mondragon (Editor), Elaine Rowley (Editor)

"After more than 18 years of quality publishing and numerous sold-out issues, Knitter’s Magazine has compiled the best Aran and Celtic projects to meet the demands of their readers. The sweaters, jackets, and vests included in this book are designed by a group of the best-known designers in the knitting field. Knitters are introduced to cable techniques with clearly illustrated patterns for knitting updated versions of traditional Aran and Celtic designs. Women's, men's, children's, and unisex sizing and styles are included. These fabulous pieces are made in a variety of fibers including soft wools, cotton blends, shiny ribbons, and luxury threads."

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

108 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

One of the three founding members of XRX Publications, which began with Knitter's Magazine in the basement of Elaine Rowley's shop, The Golden Fleece. After more than 100 issues of that magazine, his own discovery and love of photography fit perfectly in the company that has published many books and the fiber events, Stitches, his initial courage in starting that project is proof of success.

Reviews

[Carla (There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this library book, since I'm have uneven experiences with XRX's knitting books. While the patterns are enjoyable, the photography is often...odd.

Alexis Xenakis likes to use the same models repeatedly in the same book, so that nearly every pattern might be worn by That One Blonde Lady. He also tends to go for artsy, fashion shots, instead of simple, clean photos that show the knits. Some of his models, therefore, often looks angry or pouty, which works sometimes in high fashion, but not in a knitting book. Not for me, anyway.

The photography, with a few exceptions, was not what I'm come to expect from XRX, and rather just showed each design in one, clean, face forward shot. Much more enjoyable to browse for possible patterns. I definitely will be working some of these.

[Robbie Bashore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am currently using a few of the stitch patterns on a scarf I'm knitting for my son. See below...have plans to knit a sweater for myself (!) soon.

I knitted a very cute sweater for my daughter from this. It had hearts on it, and I finished it in time for Valentine's day last year. I have the yarn to knit a complicated sweater for myself. Beautiful patterns, but I doubt I'll ever have enough time to try very many of them.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I am inspired by this book. Although most of the patterns are intermediate, I still feel capable of doing them. The instructions seem clear & the charts are good. Well done!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

very complex patterns