reviews

Nov 30, 2009
penny rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Barbara Walker writes with a clarity and humor that had me turning pages and feeling that she was sitting across from me and teaching me to knit as I wish my mother had been able to (mom can crochet, not knit). The lessons are sensible and practical and as Walker has said it best "There is a purpose behind this... the purpose is to teach you not just what to do, but why to do it".

Personally I don't always like knitting from patterns that tell me exactly what yarn and needl More...
Nov 07, 2011
Lil' Grogan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Great reference for general principles of top-down knitting. Her slight snark is pretty funny. Greatly appreciated for discussion of knitting instead of the usual book filled with patterns I will never knit and a couple pages of discussing technique.
Nov 30, 2008
Amberjean rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Good, clearly written, non-cookbook stuff. Really, though, all the stars? Those are because there is a clear formula for set in circular sleeves from the top down--which means I never have to sew in another sleeve. That's worth a few stars!

Oct 24, 2009
Marie marked it as to-read
This is the technical resource for knitting garments from the top down. It's not glitzy or pretty but it will walk you through the math to make pretty much anything you want from the top down.
A good reference book to own.
Jul 13, 2009
Castiron rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The top-down construction information is extremely handy, though the tip I've used the most is her version of the provisional cast-on.
Jun 26, 2011
Sandy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I used to make lots of sweaters from the top down. Loved them. Good book but haven't tried any of the patterns yet.
Jun 11, 2011
Diana rated it: 5 of 5 stars
All the sweaters I knit are from the top. Gives me a much more flexible sweater that doesn't bind in any place :D
Feb 06, 2010
Patti rated it: 5 of 5 stars
good directions on knitting from the top down
Aug 13, 2008
yoli rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Another book I would like to own. She is a knot advocate, which makes me distinctly uncomfortable, but I like how she's grouped the patterns by basic construction and than variations at the end. I'm going to try the top down sleeve construction on my purple jacket because the sheer amount of math required to figure out all of the sleeve cap decreases makes me want to cry. I've got all the other decreases figured out and I can just read my notes backwards substituting increases for decreases. Cro More...
Jul 15, 2010
Martha added it
"need to own" if you knit sweaters
May 22, 2007
Chavah rated it: 4 of 5 stars
i'm not a fan of Ms. Walker's projects per se (her color choices and patterns seem to not be my own style) but her methodology is genius...

the techniques she teaches make much sense with regards to ease of construction, repair of the used-garments, and also saving money and wasted yarn..

a must-have for a full-time knitter...
Jul 16, 2008
Ann rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The definative book on top down knitting. Classic. No "patterns" but is a how to do whatever you want. Teaches you skills and theory, and sets you free to do your own thing. Every bit as good as her stitch dictionaries. There's a reason she's revered as a knitting guru.
Jun 30, 2008
Miss Mouse rated it: 3 of 5 stars
OK book. There are SO many knitting books out there. Some good instruction, and some OK patterns. Get it from the library before buying it.
Sep 20, 2008
Suzanne rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Great techniques in knitting from the top down.
Feb 08, 2012
Glenda rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Feb 05, 2012
Carolyn added it
Feb 02, 2012
Christine rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Jan 31, 2012
Liza rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 27, 2012
Laura added it
Jan 20, 2012
Vashti rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Jan 20, 2012
Igraine added it
Jan 16, 2012
Connie marked it as to-read
Jan 15, 2012
CatBookMom added it
Jan 15, 2012
Isabelluna marked it as to-read
Jan 11, 2012
Lobug rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2012
Melissa rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Jan 06, 2012
Henmeili rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 02, 2012
Beth rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Dec 18, 2011
Christine marked it as to-read
Dec 18, 2011
sydneyjojo marked it as to-read