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Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac
by
"One of America's most ingenious and creative knitters." — Barbara G. Walker, author of Treasury of Knitting Patterns.
Elizabeth Zimmerman once wrote, "So please bear with me, and put up with my opinionated, nay, sometimes cantankerous attitude. I feel strongly about knitting." Perhaps her passionate opinions, as well as her love of wool craft and her delightful style, hark ...more
Elizabeth Zimmerman once wrote, "So please bear with me, and put up with my opinionated, nay, sometimes cantankerous attitude. I feel strongly about knitting." Perhaps her passionate opinions, as well as her love of wool craft and her delightful style, hark ...more
Paperback, Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace, 160 pages
Published
October 1st 1981
by Dover Publications
(first published January 1st 1974)
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
I adore Elizabeth Zimmermann's work in general, as she was the writer who made it okay for me to own my own knitting and be my own designer.
But oh, have I learned so much from her!
This book is simply not a book for beginners, though. I'd strongly encourage you to read Knitting Without Tears first, and be pretty comfortable making one of the projects from that before you dive into this one. If you like and find KWT useful, then you can move on to this one and will find it a source of wonderful pa ...more
But oh, have I learned so much from her!
This book is simply not a book for beginners, though. I'd strongly encourage you to read Knitting Without Tears first, and be pretty comfortable making one of the projects from that before you dive into this one. If you like and find KWT useful, then you can move on to this one and will find it a source of wonderful pa ...more
In the same way that some like Picasso and some don't, some like Elizabeth Zimmermann and some don't. For Picasso, I am one of the few that would consider myself on the fence. While I'm not a huge fan of the majority of his pieces, some of his work stands out as brilliant, and certainly he was a very influential artist that carried a movement. I feel about the same way about Elizabeth Zimmermann. Some of her designs and advice are brilliant pieces of knitting knowledge. Take the EZ percentage sy
...more
Nov 09, 2010
Laura
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in knitting and/or knit design
Any and all of Elizabeth Zimmermann's books are keepers, in my opinion. This book not only contains her usual humor and down-to-earth knitting wisdom, but is organized to give month-by-month ideas for things that can be knit each season of the year. I've appreciated the idea of knitting mittens, etc. in the summer when they can be done at leisure rather than in the height of their need. Additionally, her summer suggestions are easy to carry with you and don't create weight and heat.
As always he ...more
As always he ...more
A little disappointing for me in the patterns department. I prefer more direct descriptions and I can see why some people have take it upon themselves to obtain (borrow?) the rights and rewrite the patterns in a more "modern" manner.
However, the designs are wonderful, as always. They're either complex and interesting or simple and open to each knitter's own embellishments. Elizabeth Zimmerman is no slouch as a writer and it was fun reading through even the patterns I won't try to get her perspe ...more
However, the designs are wonderful, as always. They're either complex and interesting or simple and open to each knitter's own embellishments. Elizabeth Zimmerman is no slouch as a writer and it was fun reading through even the patterns I won't try to get her perspe ...more
I loved this book. Zimmerman is a woman after my own heart and I aspire to be a skilled and free a knitter like her some day. Some of her designs I won't try, some I dream of trying and others I am itching to put on my needles now.
I look forward to returning to this book later in life when I am wiser and have more knitting years under my belt.
I look forward to returning to this book later in life when I am wiser and have more knitting years under my belt.
I love this woman. Funny, and handy. I might someday work my way through the patterns (dated as some of them are) because I've no doubt I'll learn some mad skills.
Oh my, I love this book. I picked it up almost by accident when Amazon refused to let me purchase a second pair of circular needles (small ones I couldn't find anywhere else) unless I'd purchased more. Well, very glad I decided to order this little book - an absolute delight to read. Zimmerman is funny, practical and joyfully exuberant about knitting. Yes, she was an expert knitter, but in this book, she encourages experimentation, trying something without a detailed pattern, trusting your insti
...more
Delightful. I'll admit I've never knitted anything from this book, though I have used her I-cord ideas and made a half-pi shawl. But I love her attitude toward knitting - try something out, experiment, fail and fail and then perhaps succeed. And I especially like the little notes about her life, canoeing with her husband or taking down the Christmas tree.
A quick read that I'm always happy to lose myself in for a few hours. I wish I could get my hands on more of her books.
A quick read that I'm always happy to lose myself in for a few hours. I wish I could get my hands on more of her books.
May 09, 2017
Hope
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
durham-co-library,
non-fiction
The world lost a wonderful knitter and teacher when Ms. Zimmermann died. I would have loved to have the chance to meet and knit with her.
This is an excellent book for knitters of any level. Once you can knit and purl, this book can help you do pretty much anything else you may want to do :)
This is an excellent book for knitters of any level. Once you can knit and purl, this book can help you do pretty much anything else you may want to do :)
The Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitters Almanac Book
This book is a pleasure just to read, because of her humor and choice of words to describe one craft she enjoys. She also makes knitting so easy and even though the designs are vintage they can be useable and desirable today. I was fortunate to get a copy.
This book is a pleasure just to read, because of her humor and choice of words to describe one craft she enjoys. She also makes knitting so easy and even though the designs are vintage they can be useable and desirable today. I was fortunate to get a copy.
I love the idea of a year of knitting projects. maybe for a new years resolution. A few of the projects are a bit dated but many of them provide opportunity to learn different skills and most are timeless classics
i read it as it was made to be read ... in installments as it was published each month. she helps me to understand the principles behind the creation of a pattern ... the logic, or the coding of a particular item that is made ... she's a pleasure to read.
I adore reading Elizabeth Zimmermann's books. So much more then a knitting book; a window into her life....the life of a knitter.
Nice read. Like her stories more than the patterns. Gives insight on how another knitter thinks when designing. Recommend only reading one "month" at a time unless you skip reading the patterns.
I come back to this pattern book so often...
Lovely to read, even if you are never going to knit some of these things...a delightful writer
A book with good instruction and patterns. A bit dated but easy to adapt to modern garments.
A classic knitting book. I admire her ease writing knitting patterns.
Entertaining turn of phrase
Almost three years ago, I had Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac on loan from my local library. Had I written my review of the book at the time, it would probably have sounded very different from my assessment today. Frau Zimmermann - at least as far her Almanac is concerned - is certainly not aiming her designs at beginner knitters; and I would have described myself as one at the time. Consequently, when I first laid hands on Zimmermann's Almanac, I didn't find it too appealing. The patte
...more
I don't remember when I read this book, but it was at least several (ten, fifteen?) years ago, and it's time for another reading, if just for the enjoyment level of it. Ms. Zimmerman is one of the foremost goddesses of the knitting world, and she certainly deserves the title, in my opinion. She introduced more women (and some forward thinking men) to new techniques (like knitting from the top down and socks from the bottom up) so items could be tried on in progress, and altered before they becam
...more
Jan 10, 2010
Mollie *scoutrmom*
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
All knitters or aspiring knitters
Recommended to Mollie *scoutrmom* by:
Meg Swansen
After reading two-and-a-half nonfiction books in a day, I needed a change of pace. I was brownsing patterns in Ravelry.com and was reminded that I plan to make a Tomten jacket.
(link to the pattern notes)
I couldn't find the right book on my downstairs shelf
, so I picked up this alternate title by Elizabeth Zimmermann to browse a bit.
What fun! She's got a plan for knitting a different project (or set of projects) each month through the year, including a full-sized sweater one can complete in eig ...more
(link to the pattern notes)
I couldn't find the right book on my downstairs shelf
, so I picked up this alternate title by Elizabeth Zimmermann to browse a bit.What fun! She's got a plan for knitting a different project (or set of projects) each month through the year, including a full-sized sweater one can complete in eig ...more
May 30, 2013
Nostalgia Reader
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z-library-prpl-ebook-freading,
textile-arts
I can definitely see why Elizabeth Zimmermann is such a role model and idol in the knitting community. Although I've been knitting for about seven and a half years [ten when I'm reposting this], I've never picked up once of her books until now. Even though I found myself skimming over much of the information that I've already gleaned from many other sources, I still found it informative, and agreed with many of her philosophies and ideas about knitting and making it your own.
This is half knittin ...more
This is half knittin ...more
BOTTOM LINE: Perennial best-seller from an iconic knitter, filled with some really nice patterns and lovely commentary/tales of life, rather folksy but not cutesy. Lovely stuff, all 'round.
My first experience of an extremely famous knitter, this book is still very popular, and has been through many, many editions (and a few adjustments) since 1974. In this first edition, however, the photos are black and white, the pattern details are casually inserted here and there, and there isn't much in th ...more
My first experience of an extremely famous knitter, this book is still very popular, and has been through many, many editions (and a few adjustments) since 1974. In this first edition, however, the photos are black and white, the pattern details are casually inserted here and there, and there isn't much in th ...more
Reading Elizabeth Zimmermann is like having a conversation with your best knitting pals—the ones who are more advanced than you, but who are great teachers and love sharing their knowledge. Her writing is breezy and chatty; she makes the most complicated techniques seem like a piece of cake. The Almanac is written diary style and features one project per month, all classics that may not fly for modern wearers (e.g., boxy aran sweaters). But understanding the history of a garment and fundamentals
...more
To me reading this book is not about the patterns. It's like reading the journal of a really funny woman who loves to knit. I love how she slams crochet. I love how she shares the way she develops a pattern, not only for the technical insight, but also to see her unpretentious practical sense of knitting for real life. HER own real life. None of this is for beginners, as she speaks freely assuming you know a lot. At the same time she demystifies some of the more challenging techniques. Thanks to
...more
Aug 07, 2007
Amanda
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
knitters and crafters of all kinds
Shelves:
non-fiction
I'm not a particularly adventurous or intuitive knitter. I admire people who have the imagination to alter patters or create their own, and can do the math to make the pattern turn out like they want it.
Still, this book encouraged me to try some of the patterns within, and they are wonderful. My favorite is the Circular Shawl that grows exponentially. Instead of a shawl, I made a large baby blanket.
Elizabeth Zimmermann was not only a wonderful knitter and designer, she wrote well. It often feel ...more
Still, this book encouraged me to try some of the patterns within, and they are wonderful. My favorite is the Circular Shawl that grows exponentially. Instead of a shawl, I made a large baby blanket.
Elizabeth Zimmermann was not only a wonderful knitter and designer, she wrote well. It often feel ...more
Her kniting designs are innovative and unique. She has unfailing confidence in her reader's abilities to knit anyhting they want. I know this sometimes distresses newer knitters, and if you like your knitting patterns completely written out you may find this book a bit frustrating at first.
That said, I really adore this book. The patterns are fun, and even if they weren't, I love her writing style. Even when she's talking about things basically unrlated to knitting, like canoeing, she has such ...more
That said, I really adore this book. The patterns are fun, and even if they weren't, I love her writing style. Even when she's talking about things basically unrlated to knitting, like canoeing, she has such ...more
I finally broke down and added an EZ book to my library. The writing is conversational and engaging. The yarn requirements in the book kind of baffle me, though.
I got this book with the intent of trying to knit one item per month out of it next year, but some of the projects are so big, like the shawl and the Aran sweater, I know I'll never finish them in a month.
This book does make me want to get more EZ books.
I got this book with the intent of trying to knit one item per month out of it next year, but some of the projects are so big, like the shawl and the Aran sweater, I know I'll never finish them in a month.
This book does make me want to get more EZ books.
I've been thinking of delving into the world of knitting design for a while now and reading this book stoked my desire to do so. Zimmerman's voice is completely her own and I appreciated the no-nonsense approach to being a "thinking knitter."
Note: this isn't really a pattern book, so if that's what you're looking for, I wouldn't recommend it. There are "patterns" but they read more like design notes than anything else.
Note: this isn't really a pattern book, so if that's what you're looking for, I wouldn't recommend it. There are "patterns" but they read more like design notes than anything else.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best book | 2 | 5 | Mar 20, 2012 10:12AM |
An influential knitting pattern designer, teacher, and writer, Elizabeth Zimmermann advocated knitting techniques to speed progress and simplify pattern creation. She enthusiastically championed Continental knitting, where the working yarn is carried in the left hand, as opposed to the English or American style where the working yarn is carried in the right hand. She also advocated knitting in the
...more
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“But unvented - ahh! One un-vents something; one unearths it; one digs it up, one runs it down in whatever recesses of the eternal consciousness it has gone to ground. I very much doubt if anything is really new when one works in the prehistoric medium of wool with needles. The products of science and technology may be new, and some of them are quite horrid, but knitting? In knitting there are ancient possibilities; the earth is enriched with the dust of the millions of knitters who have held wool and needles since the beginning of sheep. Seamless sweaters and one-row buttonholes; knitted hems and phoney seams - it is unthinkable that these have, in mankind's history, remained undiscovered and unknitted. One likes to believe that there is memory in the fingers; memory undeveloped, but still alive.”
—
36 likes
“I know that spinning sets me in a trance; it soothes me and charges my batteries at the same time. When times are tough I sit down to spin during the news-broadcasts, with therapeutic results.”
—
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