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Hollywood Knits Style

by Suss Cousins

3.12 · rating details · 16 ratings · 3 reviews

When J. Lo wears knit leg warmers in her Flashdance MTV special, it's official: knitting has gone Hollywood. But West Coast knitting diva Suss Cousins already knew that. In this highly anticipated sequel to "Hollywood Knits</I>, Cousins presents 30 chic, modern designs, along with just a little insider gossip about the stars who have made, bought, or worn them. ...more

Hardcover, 144 pages

Published September 1st 2004 by Stewart, Tabori and Chang

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Jan 08, 2009

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: 2009, knitting

Suss Cousins is a remarkable designer. That being said I can't say I would ever recommend one of her books. I have never made any of her patterns so I should probably not throw stones on that front - but there is a reason I have never made any of her patterns. You know how some writers just assume you have knowledge? And since they can knit a fancy Nordic sweater in 8 colors on a plane ride they just assume that allot of things that are so easy for them are just sort of common knowledge to all k...moreSuss Cousins is a remarkable designer. That being said I can't say I would ever recommend one of her books. I have never made any of her patterns so I should probably not throw stones on that front - but there is a reason I have never made any of her patterns. You know how some writers just assume you have knowledge? And since they can knit a fancy Nordic sweater in 8 colors on a plane ride they just assume that allot of things that are so easy for them are just sort of common knowledge to all knitters? Sadly this is not true - not for me and probably not for other knitters.

I bought this book because I saw two patterns I liked in the book. One was a hat she had knit for the Master and Commander movie with Russell Crowe and the other was a funky chunky purse. So when I curled up in bed last night and read through the patterns I was really kind of disappointed. The cap (called Vintage Cap with Rib)looked like it should just be a simple k1, p1 rib for an inch and then stockinette. I have made similar hats but from a pattern I made up, and I thought I would probably be blown away by the Suss hat and would learn some awesome tricks to make my hats better. Nope. The hat in the book isn't knit on circulars - so you have a ton of seaming to do. And we aren't talking just a side seam - her hat when finished knitting looks like a mountain range - flat on the bottom and 4 peaks on the top. So you have to sew the side seam and then sew the 4 peaks together as well. Seems kind of harder than it needs to be. And maybe Suss is a master finisher (I suspect that is the case) but my seaming is kind icky - and I try to have as few seams in a knit product as I can. So much for that pattern.

As for the Funky Purse pattern - the pattern is simple enough - and I will probably make this one. Sadly the flower on it - which was half the cool factor of the purse - is crochet - in two colors - with petals. Yeah. I know I should learn to crochet, but I can't yet. And frankly - when I buy a knitting book and there is crochet items mixed in - it kind of ticks me off. At least give me a knit alternative to the crochet. I don't want to stifle creativity - but if I am paying for a KNITTING book then I want to be able to knit the products in the book. So if I want to make this SUPER simple purse (knit a rectangle. Ta da!) and attach the cool knit embellishment, I will probably have to head over to Nicky Epstein's books.

The other issue I have with her patterns is that they are aimed at tiny little Hollywood people. She is accustomed to designing clothes for Debra Messing sized women. What percentage of the population is that size? So being an ample and short midwestern gal - I would be terrified of blowing the money on the yarn and spending the time knitting one of her items - only to have to give it to my niece.

I find I like this book only for the trivia factor and the design inspiration. It's fun to see the products she knitted for various movies and tv shows. Sadly there is a little bit of snotty in the tone - you know how Martha Stewart has that "When jetting to the south of France, I always carry a bag of sliced lemon with me on the plane" tone? Yeah - it's kind of like that.

Speaking of Martha Stewart - This book totally went Martha. She has party suggestions (Getaway Knitting Night - Wedding Shower Brunch...) with food suggestions/receipe's and music suggestions - theme ideas and when such parties should be held. Weird. There is nothing on the covers to tip you off to this. I guess if I would have thought about it I would have realized that this 142 page hardcover only had 30 patterns in it - so there was bound to be some filler.

So yeah. Buying this book was probably not my best purchase in retrospect. But I got it at a discount store for $4.00 which is about the cost of a magazine these days - so I really can't complain. (less)

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Dec 24, 2010

Snorkle rated it

Shelves: knitting, adult, read-2010

The design and layout of this book was hip and fashionable. The patterns were nice, and I think some people would find things they liked. I thought the colors and patterns in the book were good, but I didn't see anything I wanted to knit. I enjoyed browsing through the book though and got some ideas of what I might want to knit next. I'd probably recommend.

*Taken form my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010/12...

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Nov 30, 2008

Rat de bibliothèque rated it

· review of another edition

Her designs all cater to small people and her patterns aren't terribly well written

Even the women at my knitting shop were confused about some of her directions

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Dec 28, 2011

Laura rated it

Jul 31, 2011

Red added it

Shelves: knitting, craft

Aug 07, 2011

Haizle The Princess Williams marked it as to-read

Shelves: non-fiction, crafting

Jul 25, 2011

Krista Ehlers rated it

Jun 03, 2011

Anne rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction-knitting-sewing-crafts

May 13, 2011

Courd rated it

Shelves: arts-and-crafts

Apr 30, 2011

Brooke marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Feb 21, 2011

Michelle added it

Feb 18, 2011

Callie rated it

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Oct 22, 2010

Dayini added it

Shelves: at-home

Dec 23, 2010

Sarah added it

Shelves: 1-dollar-books, crafty

Jun 18, 2010

Vpop rated it

Apr 11, 2010

Karen Churchill rated it

May 24, 2009

Lacey rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: knitting

Apr 07, 2009

Cillaann rated it

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Mar 15, 2009

Tiennie rated it

Jan 23, 2009

Kimberli marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: knitting-crochet-books

Jan 07, 2009

JoLene rated it

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Shelves: knitting-books

Jan 07, 2009

Laura rated it

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Dec 22, 2008

Heidi marked it as to-read

Shelves: own, crafts, nonfiction

Aug 12, 2008

Amanda Linehan rated it

· review of another edition

Jun 08, 2008

Liquifox added it · review of another edition

Shelves: knit

Jun 04, 2008

Jane marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Nov 09, 2007

Leslie added it

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Books by Suss Cousins

Hollywood Knits: Thirty Original Suss Designs

Home Knits: Luxurious Handknits for Every Room of the House

Wedding Knits: Handmade Gifts for Every Member of the Wedding Party

Suss Design Essentials: The Ultimate Collection for a Classic Handknit Wardrobe

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