Enchanted Knitting: Charted Motifs for Hand and Machine Knitting

by Catherine Cartwright-Jones, Roy Jones

Authentic ancient motifs - from natural animals to mythological and imperial figures - are the basis for the charted designs in Enchanted Knitting . Here you'll find patterns based on the ancient Romanian beast-man Silvanus, figures in the Paleolithic caves of Europe, and tattoos from the famous Pazyryk women of central Asia. Chinese, Mexican, Nigerian, and Native American cultures are among the many other sources for these diverse motifs.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Reference, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Horus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pattern book is mostly just a source for interesting and different motifs to consider for design in knitting (and could certainly be translated to many other artistic mediums). This is not a book for those learning how to knit or how to do colourwork. If you have not done either of these, other than as goals, this is not the book to start with. The authors knit professionally with knitting machines, designing individual items for their clients. They have shared, in this book, some of the many designs they have adapted from a myriad of sources. It might not be considered appropriate still to make use of many of the native designs included in the book, so some research may be prudent. They do include instructions for how to make a few items of clothing based on the premise that they are machine knitting a base that gets cut and sewn together like any regular fabric. More advanced knitters could certainly duplicate some of these patterns without cutting.

[Meotzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great collection of graphed knitting designs. Can also be used for cross stitch.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for a beginner. As a person who can't knit in the first place, there wasn't a lot here to interest me. Mostly charts and histories of designs, with a section at the back on the actual process of making projects. Not surprisingly, feels very dated. I'm sure there are better books out since this publishing that are better suited for these kinds of projects.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some fabulous charts in this book. Now I just have to find the time to make stuff!!!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. The motifs are single-color silhouettes on a background, but they're plenty detailed and the instructions are adequate. Very helpful.