Meg Swansen's Knitting

by Meg Swansen

American knitting guru Meg Swansen shares tips, tricks, techniques, and secrets she has learned and discovered during her long knitting and designing career. The introduction gives the reader a candid look into the knitting world of the daughter of America’s first famous knitter and author, Elizabeth Zimmerman. Full of original designs, this book includes instructions and charts for 22 sweaters, three vests, four fitted-arch socks, and three convertible-top mittens, each rendered in four-color fashion photography taken on-site at Meg’s home. A section on techniques includes a glossary of relevant knitting terms, the famous EZ Percentage System, and various ways to cast on, bind off, increase, and decrease.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Renowned knitting designer, owner of Schoolhouse Press, and daughter of influential knitting designer and writer Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Reviews

[Priscilla King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortly after a modest little coat-pocket-size paperback collection came this big glossy book of the designs that really showed off what Meg Swansen had learned from her mother, and carried it forward. Here are Bavarian twisted stitches old and new, corded edges, knitted-in braid, custom-fitted socks, new patterns to make in fairisle stitch, and more. Though most are modelled by members of Elizabeth Zimmemann's (naturally photogenic) family, they're photographed as the fashion designs they are. (And knitting fashion designs don't date; the classic knitted items go in and out of the fashion spotlight, and what brings them up to the latest style is using new yarns.)

This is another book for experienced knitters in search of new tricks. If you don't understand everything, read Knitting Without Tears! EZ's first book explained how to cast on, knit, purl, etc. That information is not repeated in her or her daughter's other books.

In this book as in her first one Swansen copies the style that served EZ so well: first a detailed explanation of the design process, to guide those who've already mastered the math knitting designers use to make something that's all their own, and then the "pithy directions for blind followers" explaining how to copy the knitted piece photographed. She also shares a few stories about growing up as the daughter, apprentice, and heir of the Queen of American Knitting, and about the rearing of Cully Swansen, Prince and Heir-Apparent.

I bought it to encourage the writer--2003? 2004?--and, from the twenty-some (depending on who's counting) patterns in this book, spotted two "must-knit-now" patterns I finished in 2005. That left a couple of "must-knit-when-I-find-suitable-yarn-at-the-right-price." Other knitters are likely to find "must-knit" patterns in this big collection too.

(Goodreads' "read dates" seem odd in relation to knitting pattern books. Like many knitters who buy pattern books and magazines, I'm a pattern hoarder. I have a whole big shelf stocked with these books and re-"read," or scan the pictures and yarn requirements lines, in the ones that I remember offering appropriate patterns when I find some lovely new yarn, or when somebody wants something knitted to order and doesn't have a clear picture in mind. I "read" each one at least every two years; some more than once in a given year. And in EZ's and MS's books, maybe half the time I actually reread some of the words.)

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting book, but not one for my personal shelf. Still, I'm glad my library has it. So, 3 stars.

It's very conversational, much like EZ's books (though a different voice of course, being a different author and all). Lots of chatting about family history, especially when it comes to knitting, and about the different global design traditions that are reflected in the different patterns. I definitely liked the different designs reflected in the patterns and learning a little about where they came from/were inspired by.

Technically, I haven't made any of the patterns, so no comments on clarity of instruction, accuracy, etc. But it's an old enough book and a reliable enough knitting publisher, if there are errata, you can find them. What I did notice was that there isn't a wide range of pre-calculated sizes for a lot of the patterns. It's part of the EZ/Meg Swansen design style though - being able to adapt patterns regardless of yarn, etc. But it also means if you're not comfortable with the given size, you're doing some knitting math yourself. Neither good nor bad, just something to consider.

The big question with any knitting pattern book - would you actually make any of the patterns? Personally, while a lot of these designs are gorgeous and inspiring, they aren't really something I'd actually make. It's very colorwork heavy (am more of a cables and/or lace knitter), and you'd better be OK doing steeking! So, not really patterns I'd personally make and definitely not one for new knitters. But if that's your taste, give it a look. It's a classic for a reason.

[Aida · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor quality "ebook"?

I have all of Elizabeth Zimmerman's hardcover books. They're wonderful, easy to read and follow her directions. I learned to knit continental following her books. Thus, having purchased a CD of the Surprise Baby Jacket where Meg guides you to knit the garment, I thought I'd purchase her book in ebook format.
I am extremely disappointed. This is nothing but a photocopy of her book, and a very bad one at that! It's obvious it's a photocopy and the reader is required to click on the photo enlarge it for readability. Once that's done, you then need to stretch it to letter size. In doing so the images are slightly distorted and the words are blurred. Can't read most of the patterns or directions, and the images stretched aren't clear enough to see the garment clearly. I don't recommend getting this book as an ebook. I'll be going to the local library to see if a published copy is available. Not worth the money spent. I definitely do not recommend this format.

[Carolina Jeria R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really bad Kindle version of a probably great book

I should probably start by saying that I have KU, so I borrowed the book, I didn’t buy it. But had I bought it, I would have returned right away.
This is not a beautiful knitting book with great photos and diagrams, it’s an unreadable, bad scan (sometimes the pages aren’t even straight) of a book that was probably really great - in print format.
This book should be removed from the Kindle store, it’s embarrassing that it’s even for sale.

[Charlie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great designs. Unreadable scan

It's truly a shame that such an excellent book is let down by an amateur and unreadable scan from the original print version. The text can mostly be worked out, though not read with any fluency, but the charts are completely hopeless. This is being returned, something I have only done once before.

[Helen Toevs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knitting Extraordinaire

Amazing history of classic knitting icons, Elizabeth Zimmerman and daughter, Meg Swansen, blend in with intricate designs that only a seasoned knitter could accomplish. But the results are heirloom worthy.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of colorwork sweaters.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

If knitting patterns and definitions have you frustrated this is the type of book you should be reading. Easily understood top-down patterns that are adjustable and changeable. Different cast-ons, bind-offs, making-up methods and what they look and feel like when incorporated into your garment.

Meg Swansen and her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman are considered mavens of knitting because they are about knitting the way that works for you, not the pattern, regardless of yarn, needles or guage.

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Meg Swansen's work, but this one did very little for me.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Techniques section, and lots of cool colorwork designs. Also a long lost EZ sock with a form-fitted arch.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg's writing style is different than her mother's (EZ), helpful albeit hard to follow at times and dry. Worth the investment though.