Essentially Feminine Knits: 25 Must-Have Chic Designs

by Lene Holme Samsøe

Essentially Feminine Knits features a collection of 25 must-have garments and accessories for every occasion, casual to dressy. Designer and author Lene Holme Samsoe's patterns express her joy in knitting and embody a sometimes delicate, but always fashionably ladylike approach while relaying her inspiration--the sea that borders her home and it's subtle, simplistic colors. Focusing on Samsoe's signature botanical lace motifs, this collection offers designs with a variety of beautiful effects. Inside you'll find original sweaters, tops, jackets, hats, scarves, and mittens. Each pattern reveals elegant detailing, a flattering silhouette, and classic style, all of which are combined with a playful and modern sensibility. The projects featured in this book range from simple and quick to more in-depth--with the use of unique pattern instructions. Samsoe's unique style guarantees boldness and authenticity, and the patterns from Essentially Feminine Knits will keep you refined, chic, and simply feminine.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Abbey]

Excellent pattern book by a superb designer. The 25 atterns aren't as fluffy-looking as the title might lead you to believe, but, pretty much, they're all at least "interesting", with most of them being simply beautiful. Four-and-three-quarters-stars, actually. Definitely belongs in your knitting library.

Well-produced, good pictures, nice layout, plenty of the necessary information. Shows yarns and needles as I prefer an author to do - clearly, and separately at the beginning of each design, with basic yarn weights and measures included so substitutions can easily be made. The small caveat I have that makes this rate a bit less than the full five-stars is that the sizings are not that generous, although most knitters will find them adequate and would easily rate this as a five-star. The sizes range only up to ~45", with none of them being available in larger sizes, alas.

It's a true catastrophe for knitters like myself, since I fell quite in love with many of these designs. The designer gives us a variety of needle sizes, yarn weights, subtle colors and beautiful but not over-wrought designs that are pretty without becoming "cute!!" - a very difficult thing to do well. And this designer does it perfectly, at least IMO. Lots of sorts of sweaters, a couple of scarves, some wraps, several sweater-coats. I certainly hope she give us some larger sizes in her next book.

[Natalie K]

The patterns are pretty, but am I the only knitter who does NOT find those charts easier to read?! If I wanted to make anything in here, I’d have to translate it to words first!

[Jane Irish Nelson]

Extremely disappointing. While this book includes many very attractive designs, the size range is limited. I would need to alter most patterns to make a larger size. One sweater that might fit is a lace pattern that is not charted, but written out, row-by-row. No thank you.

[Sharon]

Liked it but did not find any patterns I want to make.

[Ligaya]

I easily found a half-dozen garments that I wanted to knit up from here. There would have been more except those other ones I liked were raglan shapes and the designer often designed them as separate pieces to seam up later, or to knit from the bottom up! WHY?? My favorite knits are raglan, top-down pieces, although I've been able to do circular knit set-in sleeves onto traditionally shaped top-down sweaters. No brag, it's just that I'd (apparently) go through most anything to NOT have to seam up a sweater... The Lily cardigan is one that I might just go through the knit-math gymnastics to figure it out, though. Photography is gorgeous, though some shots hide crucial knitting details. Poring over the directions, I noticed that at least one pattern (Amanda cardigan) gives directions for one sleeve, but not another—without a command to just "Make 2"—since there were diamond and honeycomb cables to an asymmetrical sleeve. Nonetheless, I checked this out from the library and I think it might be on my "buy" list, it's that good.

[Tonileg]

Most knitting books are aimed at the dominated by women audience which is fine, as I am a woman, so it almost seems redundant to make 'feminine knits' the title when that is true for 95% of the patterns being published. We need more unisex knits, or children/adolescents sized patterns (with the range of skinny to husky body shapes!!)
We find 25 knitting patterns in this book, which is a only borrow in my opinion.
151 pages and borrowed
2 stars

[Sam]

Easy and concise instructions for the most part. A few quizzical bits of information, but can YouTube them if I need to. Overall, I think this is more for the accomplished sweater knitter, and I am only on my first one. However I have read all the patterns and am now ready, I think, to get started on one of them....well, when I have finished the sweater I am currently knitting!!!

[Dana *]

Simple but sublime patterns that will work for any body and a great range from bulky to lacy.
This book reminded me strongly of a favorite of mine, the early Sally Melville Knitting Experience books.

Definitely a great addition to your library.

[Anne]

I'm not interested in making sweaters but 1-2 of the accessories looked tempting. Some of the sweaters weren't sized big for someone like me, just a few inches to small, and I don't have the math skills to figure out how to enlarge things.

[Sara]

Great patterns and lovely photos. I'd like to knit quite a few of them.
Glad it's at the library.

[Diane]

Definitely for the knitter who loves stitchwork. I've already done 3 Christmas presents and plan another few. All very stylish pieces that show off the knitting beautifully.

[Maureen]

Checked this book out @ the library and found that I love all of the patterns & will be buying the book. Currently working in the Siri T shaped shrug.

[Leslie Jem]

Really liked the page layout. However, the size range was quite limited. Coco was the only pattern I really liked, so I suppose that's not an issue.

[Mckinley]

I like some of these. I would like more/better photos.

[Paula]

This book is a KEEPER - I immediately went and ordered a copy - each design in the book is unique and if you are a knitter I suggest you try and get it from your local library to have a look at!

[Kate]

Some beautiful patterns, but nothing I could see myself wearing, unfortunately.