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In Review
25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the
Brand New Knitter
by Catherine Ham
Reviewed By Marie Stroughter

As the title suggests, this book is perfect for the brand new knitter, or someone revisiting knitting after a long hiatus. If you’ve “been there, done that” with the whole scarves thing and want to tackle something with a bit more bite, this book is for you! Sweaters can be intimidating, and newbies may not think themselves up to this challenge, however this book debunks that myth. Most of the couture sweaters in this book use garter stitch and seed stitch.

The book offers patterns for sweaters, cardigans, vets, tunics and a section with children’s patterns.

A few of caveats, however:

§ Most of the yarns used in this book are discontinued or may be hard to find. You should be fairly well-versed in how to make a yarn substitution using sites like www.yarnstandards.com or www.yarndex.com; www.elann.com also filters by gauge/weight. If this isn’t a skill you’ve yet perfected, your local yarn shop should be able to assist you (mine did, and I ended up with a gorgeous, custom-fit cardigan for my mother-in-law!)

§ Though I love this feature, it is something to be aware of if you are an “I-need-you-to-tell-me-exactly-what-to-do” type of knitter: The book really encourages you to unleash the designer within. She offers many design options, such as a choice to make the sweater into a coat with a back vent. She gives sleeve and collar alternatives, so you can feel like a designer, yet still have some structured patterns to fall back onto. The author’s laid back, “play with it and see if you like it” advice can be liberating to some and scary to others (I’m in the former category…I loved it!)

§ The book is very clear that there are other (and better) books for “how to” tutorials. It does not cover the basics of how to knit. No front section with clever little pictures, here, folks. It is clearly for those who know how to kit and purl (and really not much else is needed…it’s that simple!), yet if you know how to cast-on, bind-off, knit and purl, this book will open up a whole new world of possibilities for you!

Overall, the book has numerous plusses:

§ The patterns are well-written, accurate and easy to follow with clear schematics.

§ There are optional design elements to customize the pattern to fit your personal style.

§ It takes nothing more than knowing the very basics to create a one-of-a-kind high-end garment.

§ Though the book is now a few years old, the patterns are timeless and still very much in style.

Hardcover: 128 pages
ISBN: 1579901727

Paperback: 128 pages
ISBN: 1579904378

Marie Stroughter is Black Purl Magazine’s Managing Editor and an avid knitter and crocheter.
She serves as Manager of Education and Good Works for the upscale knitting studio,
Knitting Arts, in her native California, and also teaches there. She is enrolled in the Master Hand Knitting Program
offered by The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA), and was recently elected President of her local TKGA Guild.
In her spare time, she enjoys homeschooling her son (who also knits!); assisting with the work of the church
where her husband serves as minister; and of course, knitting!