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Boutique Knits: 20+ Must-have Accessories
Encouraging knitters to think beyond traditional patterns, this guide offers ways to construct and embellish work with smart and quirky personal touches that combine imaginative trims with hardware accents. Covering a wide variety of knitting techniques such as felting, intarsia, Fair Isle, lacework, and cables, the unique examples in this resource include buckles and bolts to close an intricately cabled belt, a chain handle to finish a felted bag, and grommets to complete a half-felted handbag. This collection of modern, stylish patterns will inspire beginning and intermediate knitters with its uncommon techniques and materials, dressing up quick and easy projects with head-turning flair.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 1, 2018
This was a Christmas gift and I ended up "reading" (it has a lot of patterns and pictures, soo...) the whole thing in one sitting.
While I love some of the pieces in this book I have to admit that I think most of them are overdone and unneccessarily complicated. Which is probably to be expected, this woman is a clothing designer, after all.
Anyway, it gave me some good ideas and some food for thought, but I'm not certain if I will be trying any of these pieces any time soon.
On the other hand, she has some really need little side-of-page and back-of-book overviews of both knitting and non-knitting techniques to try with knitting and THAT is pretty cool.
Overall it's a really good gift and a neat book to look at.
While I love some of the pieces in this book I have to admit that I think most of them are overdone and unneccessarily complicated. Which is probably to be expected, this woman is a clothing designer, after all.
Anyway, it gave me some good ideas and some food for thought, but I'm not certain if I will be trying any of these pieces any time soon.
On the other hand, she has some really need little side-of-page and back-of-book overviews of both knitting and non-knitting techniques to try with knitting and THAT is pretty cool.
Overall it's a really good gift and a neat book to look at.
August 29, 2023
Probably 2.5 rounded up. Good collection but for me and my taste, just OK.
It's a good collection of unusual designs and details and constructions, which makes for very good inspiration but not necessarily a collections of patterns that I'd personally make. The sweaters, for example, are overall a neat assortment, but only one (Raglan Wrap) would be one I'd actually make. Lots of cropped designs and/or other details that just wouldn't look good on my body shape.
On practical notes, she does give some good notes about the construction methods or embellishments that she uses which might be more unfamiliar to some. Photos are clear and well detailed, but don't always show everything I want - not enough pictures, I guess? The Ruffled Neck Kerchief for example, had 3 pictures, all from the same angle, and no schematic. So what does it look like unbunched?? Haven't made any patterns yet, so no input on accuracy or clarity. Seems like a good mix of simpler and more complex patterns.
Patterns I'd personally consider:
Raglan Wrap, as mentioned
Softly Pleated Sleeves - love the sewn trim detail
Sideways Grande Hat - like the construction of it, but not sure how it'd look on me. Still like it though
Pleated Denim Purse - love the mix-n-matched buttons
Ruffled Neck Kerchief
It's a good collection of unusual designs and details and constructions, which makes for very good inspiration but not necessarily a collections of patterns that I'd personally make. The sweaters, for example, are overall a neat assortment, but only one (Raglan Wrap) would be one I'd actually make. Lots of cropped designs and/or other details that just wouldn't look good on my body shape.
On practical notes, she does give some good notes about the construction methods or embellishments that she uses which might be more unfamiliar to some. Photos are clear and well detailed, but don't always show everything I want - not enough pictures, I guess? The Ruffled Neck Kerchief for example, had 3 pictures, all from the same angle, and no schematic. So what does it look like unbunched?? Haven't made any patterns yet, so no input on accuracy or clarity. Seems like a good mix of simpler and more complex patterns.
Patterns I'd personally consider:
Raglan Wrap, as mentioned
Softly Pleated Sleeves - love the sewn trim detail
Sideways Grande Hat - like the construction of it, but not sure how it'd look on me. Still like it though
Pleated Denim Purse - love the mix-n-matched buttons
Ruffled Neck Kerchief
February 20, 2012
Psudeo Shibori scarf: delicate and organic looking, simple to make
Best Felted collar: Love the half felted, half un felted look and the broad tongues. A hip alternative to a scarf
Side slip cloche: Unique hat with the edgeing gathered in a flapper-esque ruffle on the side
Bow Scarf: neat idea,
Half felted bag: very original. The bag’s being home-and hand-made would be very surprising to others.
Argyle lace hat: pretty with subtle argyle pattern in the texture.
Teak Bittersweet gauntlets: grown up fingerless gloves
Hoodie Devoted:
Whisky felted cap: again combo of felted and no felted pieced
Ruffled neck kerchief: the project I would have made first, had I not too much on the go when I picked up this book. Chevron lace, effortless color changes and asymmetrical ruffles.
Beaded fiar isle hat: Nice fair isle pattern in a wearable piece that hopefully wouldn’t take me ages to make. For when I want a challenge that won’t get out of control.
Best Felted collar: Love the half felted, half un felted look and the broad tongues. A hip alternative to a scarf
Side slip cloche: Unique hat with the edgeing gathered in a flapper-esque ruffle on the side
Bow Scarf: neat idea,
Half felted bag: very original. The bag’s being home-and hand-made would be very surprising to others.
Argyle lace hat: pretty with subtle argyle pattern in the texture.
Teak Bittersweet gauntlets: grown up fingerless gloves
Hoodie Devoted:
Whisky felted cap: again combo of felted and no felted pieced
Ruffled neck kerchief: the project I would have made first, had I not too much on the go when I picked up this book. Chevron lace, effortless color changes and asymmetrical ruffles.
Beaded fiar isle hat: Nice fair isle pattern in a wearable piece that hopefully wouldn’t take me ages to make. For when I want a challenge that won’t get out of control.
June 18, 2013
Beautifully designed with photos and colorful motifs with a good collection of patterns for gift ideas although I didn't like any of the sweaters because they were cropped style and I like it long to mid-hip.
Pseudo shibori scarf
fawn earflap hat
best felted collar
softly pleated sleeves
silky wool vest
sunshine intarsia bag
side slip cloche
alpaca silk bow scarf
half-felted bag
sideways grande hat
raglan wrap
argyle lace hat
teak bittersweet gauntlets
hoodie devoted
heather headband
big brown bag
braided cable belt
plain talk ruffled mittens
whiskey felted cap
ruffled neck kerchief
bamboo diamond shell
pleated denim purse
soft kid bubble
beaded fair isle hat
135 pages and bought new with KnitPicks site
3 stars
Pseudo shibori scarf
fawn earflap hat
best felted collar
softly pleated sleeves
silky wool vest
sunshine intarsia bag
side slip cloche
alpaca silk bow scarf
half-felted bag
sideways grande hat
raglan wrap
argyle lace hat
teak bittersweet gauntlets
hoodie devoted
heather headband
big brown bag
braided cable belt
plain talk ruffled mittens
whiskey felted cap
ruffled neck kerchief
bamboo diamond shell
pleated denim purse
soft kid bubble
beaded fair isle hat
135 pages and bought new with KnitPicks site
3 stars
September 7, 2016
Beautiful colors, stylish patterns. My favorite is the Sideways Grande ribbed cloche-shaped hat with twisted faux cable in gray alpaca. Pseudo fawn earflap hat in lilac with gray satin ribbons. Delicate and elegant Shibori scarf in moonlight gray. Softly pleated sleeves in Earl Grey appliqued with Victorian style lace trim. Topaz never looked so good as when paired with goldenrod in Sunshine intarsia bag. Fingerless mitts in mauve with brown leather buttons evoke the colors of Venice. Saffron hoodie that can fit under a coat or over a dress. Dreamy sea green Soft Kid bubble with Scandinavian-inspired open lace panel and pockets.
August 20, 2009
I took this book out from the library im slowly discovering it's better to just buy them. I didn't want to return it. There are so many amazing things to knit in this book, so I just scanned them into my computer for when i have time to make them all. I'm still learning to knit so there are still things I can't make yet, I still don't know how to kit with 4 needles, but there are things that beginners can also do.
March 11, 2009
These patterns are charming and make me wish I wore hats. In this book, Irwin plays with customary shape, changing the construction of common garments and adding unexpected flaps and embellishments like afterthought cables. The book includes several tips on covering buttons and applying appliques. The pattern language is overwhelmingly very clear, as are the charts.
December 29, 2010
There are some truly gorgeous patterns in this book. Some of the items I will simply never make...I don't care for the bags or belts. What I really enjoy about this book is innovative ideas and techniques. The designer presents very creative ideas that one could use in other projects, or to design your own pieces.
November 29, 2010
Great hats!
November 26, 2015
A few of the patterns are terrific - started to make the cloche hat. It's kinda difficult to rate knitting books, esp when one doesn't knit every one of the patterns! S
February 18, 2009
I love every single pattern in this book. Oh my god.
April 15, 2009
Adult nonfiction; knitting/needlework. Some cute things in here; I will have to come back and look at it again when I have more time.
May 5, 2009
A book full of beautiful patterns for accessories and some garments. Vintage inspired with modern updates.
May 25, 2009
Although the items are lovely - they are a little too edgy for me. Definitely eye candy, though. :)
February 1, 2010
Fabulous knitting book! Probably the best one I have seen so far. If you knit, it is a must have.
July 26, 2010
Many very pretty accessory patterns. Great patterns to use pricier yarns, or for gifts for ladies with a sense of style.
Read
March 15, 2011Will have check this out again. Found I did not have time to begin the hat on cover just yet.
2/10/11 Checked out Mtn View Library-interested in knitting hat on cover.
2/10/11 Checked out Mtn View Library-interested in knitting hat on cover.
February 23, 2012
Truly gorgeous patterns, but not ones you'll knit in a pinch. This is a book I'd check out of the library as needed, rather than buy.
July 2, 2013
This book has some cute patterns, nothing that blew me away.
May 13, 2015
Beautifully styled and photographed, but the only project that made me squee was the Argyle Lace Hat.
Read
December 18, 2016This book is full of projects I want to make...the hints about hardware and how to incorporate special pieces into bags and belts is fascinating!
October 16, 2009
Mmmm, so pretty!!! I loved almost all of the patterns in this book. So gorgeous!
August 25, 2015
Dainty sort of stuff. Nothing I want to knit.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews