Sue Flanders

This book is a collection of Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic knitting patterns contributed by three designers. The patterns are lovely and the explanations and descriptions interesting and readable. However, some of the patterns are found in other books by the same authors. Helene Magnusson's book Icelandic Handknits and Flanders & Kosel's book Norwegian Handknits: Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim museum both contain patterns from this book. Knitters who already own one or both of these books should check whether the pattern they want is in their possession. The section on Swedish knitting contains patterns from Flanders and Kosel's book Swedish Handknits, but I don't own that one and cannot compare. It's a good thing to keep classic patterns in print, but it would have been considerate of the publisher to inform readers which of the patterns had been previously published and where.

There are a lot of good patterns and some, like the Rosemaled Shag Bag (fulled for sturdiness, needle-felted with a rosemaled pattern, and ornamented with shaggy knitting around the top), are unique to this book. A good value if you don't own any of the source publications and maybe even if you do.

On a completely unrelated (not to say irrelevant) note, I feel my local library made a bad choice when they placed their library bar code sticker over the NOR, because DIC KNITS just sounds rude. Please look before you stick, librarians.… (mehr)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing and Sue Flanders for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of received an advance copy.

Nordic Knits is a collection of 44 cozy knits from Norway, Iceland and Sweden. The patterns consist of mostly accessories with some sweaters, a skirt and a few home accessories. You will find them all very stylized and I wouldn’t describe them as modern. But if you appreciate history and tradition, you will find these pattern interesting.

There are a wide variety of techniques that you will use in these patterns. You will find a lot of two color work because way back when, the addition of a second color offered some extra much needed warmth. The knits needed to be very durable. But aside from their function, there is a lot of creativity that goes into these patterns and knitters can express themselves and their history in each garment. You will find them colourful and steeped in tradition. It was customary for a bride to knit mittens for her bridal party.

You get a small description of the meaning of each knitted item before the pattern. What the designer did was take a traditional item, for example ski socks and pulled from the pattern to create a hat.It is good to see how you can interpret an idea into a new garment if you are interested in designing your own knits. A snapshot of the original item is sometimes included.
I would say that this is for intermediate and advanced knitters simply because there are a number of techniques in each one and not a lot of explanation or photos. There is a few pages at the end of the book for abbreviated terms and some of the techniques, but it isn’t thorough so without some experience it might become frustrating for new knitters. But if you want a challenge, by all means, dive in!

Overall, this one isn’t for me. There are a few patterns I might try but not enough for me to purchase the book. If it was more about the history and tradition, I would invest in a coffee table knitting book, but that isn’t what this is either. But if this style of knitting is something that you would like to try, then you should take a look at Nordic Knits.… (mehr)

Nordic Knits 44 Beautiful Patterns to Knit and Keep You Cozy by Sue Flanders; Janine Kosel; Helene Magnusson
Table of contents where patterns are broken up into Countries: Norway, Sweden and Iceland patterns.
Intro discusses the differences between the countries and their style of knitting compared to years gone by.
Each section starts out with a brief summary of the area.
Each pattern starts with a title summary, finished measurement and equipment you will need, gauge along with a color photo.
Special techniques and pattern notes are highlighted.
Instructions are easy to follow and complete and finishing suggestions included.
I do period knitting from 1620, 1790 and 1850s and it's interesting to see how a certain item has progressed over hundreds of years.
Love the idea of the wimple and that would be my first project to try. there are charted areas also which are included.
There are also some geometric stitching with different colors making the final piece real authentic to the country it originated from.
Like several of the techniques described and cant' wait to try a sample of them to put into a charity item for others.
Abbreviations and diagrams of stitching is included at the back of the book.
Other needle techniques re explained and shown.
Yarn weights and sources are also included along with index.
KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Voyageur Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#NordicKnits #NetGalle… (mehr)

Cozy Knits 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Sock Projects from Around the World by Sue Flanders; Janine Kosel
Book has table of contents where patterns are broken up into Scarves, hats and mittens, and socks.
Intro discusses the yarns used and the locations of where the patterns originated from.
Each section has a summary and notes about the item being discussed.
Each pattern starts with a full page picture prior to the pattern, a title and designers name and summary of the item.
Finished measurements, materials needed, Notes on stitches used and gauge.
Instructions are included according to charts that are included. Other pictures and diagrams are also included along with color charts.
I'm not really a chart person being blind but I did find a Mobius strip scarf item I can knit. Like also that some of the pattern notes with stitches I can incorporate into a baby afghan for charity.
Quite unique patterns with colors selected. Northern country patterns are very precise and awesome looking, you know you are given a precious gift when you receive something of this caliber.
So many projects to choose from. Yarn sources and about the designers is included at the end along with an index.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Voyageur Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#CozyKnits #NetGalley… (mehr)