Plum Dandi Knits: Simple Designs for Luxury Yarns

by Alicia Plummer, Melissa Schaschwary

Polished knits. Plush yarns. Perfect match.

Sometimes nature's most beautiful details are the perfect inspiration for creating simple yet luxurious knits. In Plum Dandi Knits , Alicia Plummer and Melissa Schaschwary--designers, friends, and leaders of the much-love Plum Dandi group on Ravelry--bring you 23 projects that reflect and react to the natural world with a sumptuous twist of plush fibers, feminine accents, and stylish comfort.

Lace that mimics soft forest foliage or the numerous tassels of a pine tree. Textured patterns that call to mind a babbling brook or waterfall. Thick wool shawls and sweaters knit in anticipation of blustery cold days ahead. The uncomplicated pieces in this collection, knit in soft, luxe yarns, are soothing complements to slowing down and settling into peaceful moments. Wherever you seek stillness and calm, Plum Dandi Knits will help take you there.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2017

Reviews

[Lora Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the cover and description would indicate, this is a book of knitting patterns. What's unique about it is an emphasis on stitch patterns that create romantic designs that are very fluid, like nature.

My one complaint about it is that a lot of the patterns are for 'accessories'. I counted 2 patterns for leg warmers, one flared, 1 pair of warm looking socks, 4 shawls, one with a massive cable design, 2 patterns for fingerless gloves with interesting textures plus a pattern for enclosed mittens, an interesting headband that I'll certainly make, 2 scarves, a sort of cabled hat with a big fluffy ball at the top plus 2 more hats, one that the texture pattern made me think of dragon scales, and a cabled blanket.

This wouldn't be bad if there were more patterns for pullovers and cardigans. Apart from the above there was a patter with delicate stitch patterns in a cardigan and shrug, a striped pullover vest, a turtleneck pullover, an interesting patterned cape that I would make longer, and one other pullover with a lovely pattern going down the sleeves which I am very likely to make. No jackets or dresses, which might have benefited from the sort of design that has gone into the projects offered.

There's an extensive stitch glossary, including some unusual ones like the long-tail cast on that I haven't seen elsewhere. I'd say this book is for the more experienced knitter. There are plenty of pictures in color and the stitches are illustrated with clear drawings.

Overall a good knitting book, but I'd like to see more patterns for everyday clothes. You can only make so many hats and scarves before you have too many, no matter how cool the designs.

[Bronagh Miskelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review

The relaxed, comfortable knit in this collection are designed to compliment beautiful luxurious yarns but will still work with well with the best yarn substitution the knitter can afford thanks to their classic qualities.
A great selection of knits for the ambitious newbie or intermediate knitter which stitch patterns that are not overcomplicated but which look very accomplished.
The photography is particularly good, giving us several views of each design with the right level of detail (including back views).
Another one for the knitting book shelf.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes a great variety of patterns (leg warmers, cardigans, socks, shawls, vest, etc) in a very cohesive collection. Each pattern has easy to read instructions that I, as a relatively new knitter (I only just started working on my first wearable piece that not a sock) had no problem understanding. If you like cozy, yet elegant knits, I'd recommend this one.


**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely treat of a book! I found the patterns to be well written,with clear schematics and the ability to choose between graphs and written instructions for those of us who prefer not to use charts( with all that counting!) There is a wide variation of sizes to choose from,whether you make jumpers or cardigans, and the intricate cables and lacework deserve luxury yarns to highlight the hard work/ enjoyment we knitters get from using our needles/ pins. Both American and British terminology is used throughout this book,with a useful glossary and yarn stockists at the back . The photographs are clear and highlight any tricky areas in greater detail,which is also useful for problems that may occur in assembling the finished garment, you get a good idea of how the fit is to be achieved.
I am a keen charity knitter,at present I am doing hats,gloves and scarves for our local shoebox appeal for the homeless,and have recently done witches and trick or treat baskets for Halloween,poppies for Remembrance Sunday and completed a few dragons for fans of Game of Thrones. Our group is lucky in that we use mainly donated wool,which means all monies raised go to the relevant charities. However,there are times when nothing competes with the softness and the sheer pleasure of using luxurious wools, mohair, silk mixtures, linen and designer wools which are too expensive for a charity ,but are a delicious treat and a few balls will find a good home with me. The fun part then,is trying to find the right pattern to bring out the subtleties of such beautiful yarns,and this book is full of gorgeous designs and I have already pencilled in a few to try.
I am loving the Lyndon socks,and I will do a few pairs for our local hospice, the toes are beautifully shaped and look so comfortable, I think the patients would appreciate such coziness . I am going to attempt the Fennimer leg warmers for myself, and perhaps the Harrington scarf for my long suffering hubby,who is resigned to balls of wool falling out of cupboards and tripping over my many baskets of stash. Best of all, I am intrigued at the different way of making a pom-pom for my cable hats,it looks easier than the method I usually use. I am also showing this book to my Tuesday knitting group, we love to experiment with new stitches and getting to know the works of new pattern designers and this book will appeal to us all. I am really impressed with this book and will readily recommend this to my friends. This is my honest opinion and I will post this review today.

[Patty Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Interweave Press, Alicia Plummer and netgalley.

The world is filled with knitting books - one for every kind and every level of knitter. There are those that feature many kinds of yarn and those that focus on one yarn. Books by the season and books by any other category you can think of. But every once in a while there will be knitting book that is so beautiful, filled with gorgeous projects, that you just can't wait to get one of them on your needles. "Plum Dandi Knits" by Alicia Plummer is one such a book. Beautifully shot, with a wide variety of projects, I wanted to knit each and every one of them.
I am a sucker for cardigans and Genesee looks so cozy that I fell in love immediately. Upon closer inspection the lace detailing around the bottom and under the pockets make it that more special and unique of an item. There is a traditional pair of legwarmers should you want and then there is Fennimer. Almost like a long pair of lacy socks, these legwarmers could be worn in an updated version under a midi skirt, with a pair of heels and everyone can admire your handiwork. I also love the new cape silhouettes that she is showing. There is such a variety of projects that whether you are a beginner or an advanced knitter there is something for everyone.
The book itself is shot beautifully and I would recommend getting it in hardcopy rather than ebook. There are many shots of each project so you can see the item from different angles. If I had to say, the only negative is that as an ebook, some of the pictures were small and I wanted them bigger and to fill the page. The patterns are written out and have charts to again, accommodate every type of knitter. The patterns read logically and are easy to understand. I haven't yet knit any projects so I can only speak to how it is to read them through.
Knitting books are an investment and Plum Dandi Knits is worth it. The patterns are classic that they won't feel dated years from now yet have enough detail to make them interesting. You will want to cast on each and every project in this new book.

[Melanie Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, offering an eclectic range of patterns - something for every knitter! I particularly loved the philosophical underpinning of the collection; these are patterns to keep you in the moment, to lose yourself in over a big mug of coffee. Although I haven't had time to test a pattern myself yet, I have now favourited a few on Ravelry where, unsurprisingly, they are clocking up a lot of love. They don't look difficult to me, but they definitely use clever stitch combinations to make even simple knitting look lovely and complex when it is done. There is plenty of lovely photography, and the patterns themselves are very clearly written - plus, there is a helpful glossary of stitches, with diagrams, at the back if there happen to be any stitches you aren't already familiar with. I've marked this as four stars because at this price point I felt there should have been detailed sizing information and help with how to take things up and/or down a size.

I received an advanced readers' copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and frank review.

Many thanks!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. I very much liked this book. There is a good selection of patterns at varying skill levels and the photography really gives the collection a timeless look. All the patterns are photographed in cozy, natural settings that make you want to curl up and grab your needles. The patterns are all made in neutrals, so I can see them having a great appeal across different tastes. It will be interesting to see how customers' Ravelry projects vary in color and styling. I've added at least 2 patterns from this book to my Ravelry queue, the Stowe hat and the Cape Elizabeth. The pattern font is easy to scan and pattern sections are clearly marked and spaced, making it easy to return to specific parts of the pattern. Patterns are described in both grid and row directions. There is a glossary for pattern abbreviations and illustrations of stitches in the back. This would make a lovely gift for any new or seasoned knitter.

[Dawnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful patterns, great instructions both in writing and with "picture" descriptions so that everything is covered.

This is defiantly not a beginner knitter book, so if you see this and want something to learn? Not the right book.

For everyone else however? Its perfect, because you will find something to knit from in here!

It has hats to leg warmers and everything in between!

Of course the yarn that is actually used in this book is quiet luxurious - huge surprise with the subtitle!- but i think that it shouldn't be any problem switching to a different yarn you personally prefer, or can afford easier!

I do have to say that i felt like i can feel the quality of the yarn they used in the book.
Might have been imagination. Or just the nice pictures? No idea.

Its a beautiful book and if you want to have some nice instructions and beautiful patterns to knit?

Highly recommend this book!


*Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review.*

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know and definitely don't follow the authors but was excited to check this out from the library. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. First off, I found the sultry blondes and smokey-eyed brunettes modeling the knits very distracting. It seemed the photographer was focused more on them than the garments, thus I couldn't see as much garment detail as I'd like. Then, I realized that the pieces, many more accessories than I'd want in a book I'm buying, just weren't that special, kinda boring, even. The chatter underneath each project title was often inane, some copywriter's quest to fill space. I went back to it to look for a particular piece and couldn't easily identify it on the table of contents because the patterns are not listed with its garment type (socks, cardigan...). Argh. Maybe I was in a bad mood reading through this book? It was fun to flip through but nothing held my attention.

[Jenny Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an unbiased opinion.

It is so rare to find a book of patterns that truly encompasses women of multiple sizes. The sweaters in this book go range from 31" to 55" bust in most cases. All of the patterns are easy to follow and are beautiful. Any area that is charted is also written out. The 22 patterns include hats, scarves, cowls, sweaters, leg warmers, shawls and mittens. There's a mix of everything...they even put in a beautiful blanket pattern.

There's a great, fully illustrated glossary of terms at the back of the book, too, which is convenient because then you are not searching the web mid-project to attempt to remember how to do something.

[Andi Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more beautiful knitting books I’ve checked out from my local library. There are a ton of pattern books out there, most containing brightly colored FOs (and there’s nothing wring with that). This is in keeping with the understated patterns of Brooklyn Tweed collections, where there’s more emphasis on using beautiful yarn and creating a few key stitches to work harmoniously and continuously throughout the piece. There are also enough patterns here where both a beginning knitter won’t get too frustrated and a more experienced one won’t get bored. The photography is gorgeous and really showcases the pieces. I’m giving it four stars only because I haven’t tried the patterns yet, so I don’t know how well they read (sweaters are top down btw)!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plum Dandi Knits is a beautiful collection of knitting projects. As an avid knitter, I found the this book to be very enticing, with many interesting techniques that are stylish and wearable. I really liked the variety of projects, from sweaters to smaller accessories, such as headbands, fingerless gloves, and shawls. I would definitely cast on quite a few of the projects. I would classify the patterns as simple elegance. This book would make a wonderful gift for the knitter in your life. I know I'd be pleased to receive it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the patterns in this book are classy and timeless. I saw several that made me want to jump up and run to my yarn stash! I appreciated that every pattern had several pictures to accompany it from every angle. Most importantly, every pattern was well and clearly written. A majority of the patterns were for intermediate knitters with a few patterns for advanced beginners. I definitely recommend this book to all my fellow knitters.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully photographed book filled with knitting patterns, all using luxury yarns.

The patterns which are elegant. There are quite a few photographs of each pattern, on models standing, sitting, drinking, looking dreamily off into the middle distance or lounging in the middle of an ancient forest on an enormous duvet...

This is a lovely book of beautiful, high end, classic patterns, and would be a luxurious gift for the special knitter on your shopping list.

*eARC Netgalley*

[Connie Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The patterns are well written, and are very classic styles. They have 22 patterns which include shawls, sweaters, hats, mittens, and more.
It is so rare to find a book of patterns that truly encompasses women of multiple sizes. The sweaters in this book go range from 31" to 55" bust in most cases. All of the patterns are easy to follow, well charted, and are beautiful. They also included a fully illustrated glossary of terms in the back of the book.

[Lynndell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Interweave for the opportunity to read and review Plum Dandi Knits by Alicia Plummer. Not for beginning knitters, but full of a wide variety of projects awaiting knitting needles and a knitter for their creation. Lists of needed supplies and knitting instructions for each project, as well as photographs, give helpful directions. From leg warmers to hats and scarves to socks and more, this book will inspire knitters, 5 stars!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the patterns in this book. I’ve been following the ladies that wrote the patterns for a while so I’ve been familiar with their style. The only thing I have found so far that could be a little better was the photography aspect. Sometimes it seems more thought was put into the back ground than the actual knitted item.

I have made several patterns from this, and so far not issues. Langlade so far has been a favorite. The recipient loves the sweater.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sumptuous, gorgeously photographed book with knitting patterns of all designs. Although relatively simple and straightforward to knit, the choice of top quality yarns make each garment something special.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher F+W Media via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review, which I am very happy to do.

[Melissa Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a little of everything in this new knitting pattern book by Plummer and Schaschwary. Included are sweaters, throws, mittens, hats, leg warmers, and more. There are lots of Bulky weight yarn patterns here, and the knits are young and trendy. Many of the knits use simple lace patterns for texturing, making them suitable for Advanced Beginner or Intermediate knitters.

[Laura Salas · Rating 4 out of 5]

These patterns and designs are above my skill level, for the most part. Boy, the beautiful photos and enticing descriptions sure makes me wish I could knit more of them! (And live the life the models appear to be living.) But I did find a few small projects in here that I've got in my queue now, and maybe someday, I'll be able to knit more of them. Gorgeous book.

[Stacy Tomaszewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book as an advanced reader’s copy. The patterns in this book are quite nice, if a bit uninspiring. There’s too much of the sexy model who happens to be wearing a knit item about the illustrations. Some of the photos don’t even show the garment very well. Not a book I would have purchased.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is wonderfully shot, and each pattern shown very clearly. I liked how there were patterns for both smaller and bigger needles, as I tend to stay away from smaller needled patterns myself. Both cable charts and written instructions are included. A great book for high style knitting.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a treat to see a book this full of projects including leg warmers, socks, shawls, sweaters, mitts, fingerless gloves and more. The Prescott shawl is definitely on my list. Great photography and good explanation of patterns.

[Tilden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely patterns with lots of photos. I particularly liked the Genesee lace cardigan, the Exeter mitts, the Harrington scarf, and the Langlade pullover. I made copies and maybe someday I will get around to knitting these patterns.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

From 2 of my favorite designers. Must have book for every knitter. Classic designs. Beautiful photography and stories for every design

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plum Dandi Knits: Simple Designs for Luxury Yarns by Alicia Plummer and Melissa Schaschwary is a lovely book filled with cozy designs in luxury yarns, featuring simple garter and stockinette stitches suited to even the new knitter, through complicated lace and cables to challenge the more accomplished.

The designs are all very classic styles and include hats, mittens, socks, legwarmers, sweaters, cardigans and shawls. Choose something to suit any female friend or family member, or even create an entire wardrobe of knitted garments for yourself.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital review copy.

[Jessica Strack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love almost all the patterns in this book! There is only one I don't see myself making. Now I'm sitting here trying to figure out what to make first! Love it!

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! Easy to read instructions and I enjoyed knitting the patterns which is a big thing for me.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a couple of good patterns in here. The book itself is beautiful - the styling is great.

[Louby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book!