Knits Men Want: The 10 Rules Every Woman Should Know Before Knitting for a Man~ Plus the Only 10 Patterns She'll Ever Need

by Bruce Weinstein, Jared Flood (Photographer)

For as long as women have been knitting, they’ve been knitting garments for men—only to have men hide their lovingly created pieces in drawers and closets. Men aren’t being intentionally cruel; they’re just not comfortable in knitwear made with bright colors, itchy yarn, or flashy designs. 
So what’s a knitter to do? Understand the male psyche, says knitting instructor Bruce Weinstein. In Knits Men Wan he presents ten hilarious essays, each based on a rule that helps women knit for men successfully. “Men Are Babies” explains why guys need to wear soft fabrics. “Men Hate Fittings” describes how to create a sweater based on one that’s in his wardrobe. Following each essay is a timeless master pattern, from socks, hats, and scarves to an array of sweaters, all in a range of sizes and most written for multiple gauges. With this book in hand, women finally have the secret to knitting garments that men will appreciate and actually wear.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Fashion

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough are QVC favorites with five sell-out appearances. They've appeared on everything from the Today show to corporate-sponsored events, making ice cream, gelati, sherberts, and sorbets. They're also experts on the desserts that pair with these frozen treats, having written bestselling brownie and cookie books and all-purpose cookbooks with desserts aplenty and countless features for Fine Cooking, Eating Well, and The Washington Post. Their cooking podcast, Cooking with Bruce and Mark, is available on iTunes. They've written numerous cookbooks, including A la Mode and The Turbo Blender Dessert Revolution (11/1/16). They live in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Andrea]

Should be called knits men want but women don't have time to make because really, ain't no woman got time for this.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even know how to get started with this one.

For Christmas, I gave my dad and father-in-law handmade sweater vests that they seem to like. Consulting with my mom/MIL was very helpful for sizing, color, and fiber questions. With that, I exhausted my ideas for knitting for the older men in my life. "He doesn't wear hats." "He likes leather gloves." "He lives in a warm climate." "He has never worn a cardigan in his life." Some of the patterns in here stuck out to me. My dad would totally wear a "baseball jersey" in his favorite team colors (or a less attention-grabbing variation of them). My husband loves thick winter sweaters and there are some great options in here for those.

However, the text in this book was so awful I could hardly get through the book. Instead of being Knits Men Want, Bruce Weinstein purports to tell his readers knits men don't want: cutesy, scratchy, fussy, et c. All things one can learn from honest conversation with a man who communicates beyond grunts. I was all ready to go off on Weinstein for his male stereotypes and total ignorance of the Metrosexual™ who would gladly wear a "fussy" sweater if it was cool enough. Then, I remembered one winter when I was making a scarf for my husband. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment, and it was impossible to hide a project like a scarf when we shared a living/working/studying/eating space. So I just cast on the project, never referred to it while I was working on it, and wrapped it up for Valentine's Day. Lo and behold, he unwrapped it, was totally floored, and asked me when I found the time to make it when he wasn't in the apartment. I'd made it while sitting next to him on the couch and he was totally oblivious to it. Now that we have a house, I go to great lengths to hide his gifts, but nothing beats the hilarity of that memory. One point for Weinstein: my husband is oblivious to what I make. Yet, I really could have done without the falsely humorous commentary on Men and Their Preferences from a man who knits.

I'm intrigued that the patterns in here are made to accommodate not only different sizes, but also different gauges. This makes the patterns a nightmare to read because you have to pick out everything from a table--both size and gauge. Yet, I liked that you could work in whatever gauge you wanted, depending on your preferences. I haven't seen a pattern book as dedicated to multiple gauges as this one. It's worth picking up for that and the unfussy patterns, but the commentary, in the ineffable sentiment of Jimmy Fallon, is ew.

[Cherylann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended to me. I LOVE the patterns. I love that all the patterns can be done with a variety of gauges. There's not a sweater in the book my husband wouldn't wear. And if there were, Weinstein gives knitter/readers the ability to modify. What I didn't love was his stereotypical look at men. I suppose that's the point, but... I've knit for my brother, my dad, an ex-brother-in-law, an ex-husband, and a current husband. None of them were ungrateful about what I knit and all of them have worn what I knit - willingly. My husband does not meet Weinstein picture of men. He will wear color - lots of it. He is concerned about fit and how it looks on him. He does shop and stay current with fashion. (And he probably will wear most of these patterns.) My problem with knitting for men is size. I was hoping for more tips on fit. My husband is tall but slender, so the patterns always need to be customized. I can do that for stuff for me (because I've been this size since 1983), I can't do it so well for my husband. Overall, I'm thrilled with the patterns and have already bookmarked a few for my Ravelry queue.

[Angela C Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can actually see my husband wearing these knit items!

I haven't started knitting any of the projects yet but KNOW my husband will love several of these. The sweaters and hats are exactly what he wears. He really likes the Henley style but he's a big and talk guy so often can't find things that are long enough and that the sleeves don't end just below the elbow! Lol Thanks Bruce. Now something I can make for my husband besides socks!

[Marleene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The knits here are ALL things that men would wear. This is not a book of trendy fashions but definitely all classics that guys will like. A nice basic sampling - socks, a hat, several sweaters. Weinstein gives different gauges and clear photographs accompany each design.
A user friendly guide that won't go wrong!

[Fangirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The patterns in this book are really great and the book is also fun to read. I love the way it is set up with all the different sizes for each pattern.

[Joanna Colclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. It doesn’t try to be hilarious (it’s actually really helpful/practical) but I found it so funny. I didn’t even make anything from the book - I just read it.

[Nancy Svinicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book didn't fit my needs at all. The men in my life aren't traditional "football and sports, man's men" kind of men - which is what this book is written for. It's really frank about the pros and cons for knitting for the men in your life, but it falls into so many tired gender tropes and traps.

Look, if you want to knit something for your man, ask him if he wants you to knit something for him. If he doesn't want it, don't knit for him. It's simple. If he wants it, he'll know how much it means to you to make it for him. We women need to be honest with ourselves on how much our partners value our work

[Cad0420 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book is so detailed on every pattern of every different gauge. As a beginner I’ve been struggling with gauges all the time. And it’s a good way to learn how to adjust size by yourself next time with another pattern.
However, as the subject of the book, the patterns are a bit outdated. My husband has been harassing me to buy him more fashionable clothes to dress him up so that he can look better. Almost all the patterns in this book are in a traditional loose cut which won’t help to shape a guy. A lot of guys love to wear Aran/ cable knitting sweaters now. But if you are going to knit for your grandpa, this book’s patterns are a good idea.

[Salem Leonard · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is terrible, and the patterns are both poorly formatted and mediocre at best. The bulk of the book is comprised of a series of patronizing anecdotes that are intensely sexist, cissexist, heteronormative nonsense.

Just don't bother, you can find plenty of other sources for shapeless sweaters without all the bad advice.

[Kimberly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives some good rules around knitting for men. I used the sock pattern but had to rely on other references to get the proper size. To create a tightly needed fabric without holes when stretched was inconsistent with the yarn weights given.

[Karolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweaters Socks Mitts & Hats

I have a few sweaters I liked for my men, a Henley is always a good way to go. Sweatshirts are my men's very favorite. I'll post a photo when I finish the thick socks, my brother is very needy.😳

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

some basic patterns - a book to come back to - although no projects were overly exciting

[Matilda Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book to make a sweater for my husband. The pattern was great Nd now I have several more patterns to use.

[Martina Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patterns are specific to American Knitters.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Woof. The patterns in the book seem to be ok, but the text - just. WHY? So many gendered tropes.

It's so tiresome and insulting, it almost felt like rage bait.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining knitting book. The patterns are fairly basic - since I knit a lot, and have been knitting a long time, I would modify most of them.

The best part of the book is Mr. Weinstein's comments on what men what in knitted items. I find that some of his comments are true, though I generally ask people what they want and get their measurements first. If that's not possible, then I closely observe what the future recipient wears and what colors and styles seem to be favorites.

This is a humorous and entertaining knitting book, which I really enjoy. For many years, I could only find dry and boring knitting books, which are not fun. This book is a lot of fun and will really make you laugh while educating you in a humorous way!

A final bonus is that Jared Flood, one of the best photographers of modern handknit items did all of the photography. Beautiful illustrations!

[Bennycatgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the only thing you ever make from this is the hat, it will have been well worth buying, because ALL the men whose skulls are dear to you will be warm and happy. And they will wear it...until they lose it and then they'll call you in a panic and request another, plus a backup. In grey. :) Seriously, though, this is the best book of patterns for men I've come across, with a lovely selection of good basic, beautifully simple designs. And the text is great, funny and educational, sometimes in the same sentence. And that hat pattern? Perfect for popping in your purse when you run out for appointments - quick to learn and easy to make. Yes, easy enough that it would be a great pattern to teach to those guys requesting replacement hats. (Oh, and Jared Flood's photos are wonderful!)

[Ann Mcwilliams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas when dealing with men

l knitted a sweater for my brother 25 years ago. Since then I have knitted the sleeves from above the elbow to the cuff. Now there is a hole and he wants it fixed. Just as mentioned, keep it simple in colour, and care. I am sneaking in colour blocking under the guise of not getting enough yarn in the same due lot.
I was interested in the author's insights and suggestions for patterns. I will be trying a few of them. My only issue is that the kindle version is hard read the patterns.
I liked the overall book and delivery, just lost the one star due to the challenge to get the pattern from the kindle.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

10 basic patterns covering: hat, cable scarf, mitts, socks, crew-neck sweater, hoodie, henley, buttoned cardigan, vest, and turtleneck sweater.
Bit blocky and mostly all solid (hoddie has wide stripe) so a tad bland.
I get that he's trying to cover a lot of sizes here. But not sure how clear the instructions are if one hasn't made the item or knit much.

Too bad about the author's inclusion of his opinions about the genders.

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that this book may just be way over my knitting head. I didn't understand how he set up his patterning instructions. I tried a hat pattern. It turned out okay, but not great. It wasn't hard knitting, just hard pattern reading. I guess I like his theory of you only need a couple of really good patterns for guys, but I don't get his book. He probably has great perspective, but I don't get it.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that there are patterns for multiple yarn gauges and sizes. The concepts/writing are funny - he boldly writes along stereotypical lines which is good for amusement if not for accuracy in all cases. I scanned the book for broad themes, and will check it back out from the library when/if I decide to get brave enough to actually knit a sweater for a grown-up.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not actually knit any of the patterns from this book. I did show every single one of them to my husband and he could not be enticed to allow me to knit anything for him. This is unfortunate as the last hat is claimed to be loved by all men everywhere. Hubby laughed.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The patterns are fine, but the text is really painful to read. If you like non-stop clichés like "men hate shopping" and "women like fashion", you'll feel right at home with this. If annoying and groundless gender stereotyping bother you, however, steer clear of this.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sock pattern alone made this book a worthwhile investment. It never would have crossed my mind to knit the sole of a sock inside out to pamper the men in my life but it makes sense. The author is witty, wry, and insightful.

[Kassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way the patterns are written so they work for any size yarn and gauge. I like the practicality of admitting most men won't take care of cashmere, so to be honest about who you are knitting for before you make the most beautiful, but difficult to finish, gift for your man.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great patterns and I loved the insights into knitting for men. Pictures by Jared Flood, so IMHO, it's a beautiful book.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good, basic stuff. i would buy this book as a reference. i haven't actually knit any of the patterns yet, tho. maybe i should do that first and then rate it, ha!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to this author, what men want is stuff you can buy them at Winners. He's probably right, tho.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book for knitting clothes for the guy in your life.

Very well written with great commentary and good clear instructions.

Love it!