Glorious Knits: 35 Designs for Knitting Sweaters, Dresses, Vests and Shawls

by Kaffe Fassett

"The most inspirational how-to book since Martha Stewart's Entertaining" (Washington Post) is now in paperback. 120 full-color photographs; black-and-white line drawings throughout.

(GLORIOUS KNITS is the title used for U.S. editions of GLORIOUS KNITTING, first published in the U.K. Content is reportedly the same; both have 160 pages.)

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Lobstergirl]

I can't believe this is out of print. A seminal work; everything he published after pales in comparison.

[Ligaya]

This has been on my bookshelves for forever but I'm weeding out and making myself read every single one before I decide if it's keeper. This is a seminal knitting book for many reasons, but for my personal, it doesn't make the cut. It is over 40 years old now, by the way. Fassett's color work is amazing, for sure, but color decisions aren't problematic for me. The garment silhouettes are outrageously 1980s, so much unflattering stockinette! I was also very sympathetic for new knitters who don't have a huge stash to lean on. Asking for 18-60 colors for one garment is a huge cash commitment. Photos are beautiful but sometimes don't really show the details that a knitter would like to see but that's not the game here, it's inspiration.

[C2015]

There were two or three patterns that I quite liked, but he was not writing for my level… “I used six shades of mossy greens“ is way too open. Ended for my current abilities. Great designs and beautiful colors. The tumbling blocks is something that I could probably do at some point but there are others I’m more excited about. Everything was very obviously 80s.

[Alexandra]

Many decades since publication this book is still inspiring, relevant and useful. As well as wonderful knitting patterns it is interesting to read and gorgeous to look at. I had to track it down on a second-hand market place, and I'm so happy I did.

[Cori]

An 80s time capsule in knitting book form. I can see these knots being worn on Stranger Things or in any of my photos from middle school.

[notgettingenough]

As you will see from the fact that I carry around Deb Menz while being slightly nervous about actually opening her up, I'm scared of colour. I'd done little colour knitting and what I have done has been a labour of insecurity.

People like Menz start talking about hue and saturation and primary and - well, isn't there an easier way of finding out if you can knit purple and yellow together?

Kaffe Fassett said the only thing I've ever taken to happily about colour...if you knit two or three or four colours together, they have to match. A mistake is a disaster. Knit twenty-five or thirty colours together and nothing can go wrong. Brilliant! And intuitively easy to understand.

[Cal]

I was vaguely aware of Fassett's playful use of colour before seeing a skirt made from this book and fiercely wanting to make such a garment. I was overjoyed when I actually found this volume, and feel that it must be treated as a great treasure. For one dip inside shows that's what it is. Gather all your odd balls and scraps of yarn, and knit the rainbow- in a way that's amazingly colourful yet endlessly elegant

[Jan]

I never really stopped knitting in my life but this was the book that really opened knitting up for me. His use of color and techniques were so new and interesting. His designs were so different. The book is old now but I think the designs stand the test of time.

[Judi]

I am working on a sweater from this amazing book, finally feeling I have the necessary skills.
Kaffe is the master of color and design. As he says "when in doubt, add more color". And he autographed my copy following a lecture held in an auditorium at BU.

[Elizabeth]

This is my all time favorite "knitter's porn"! The colours, the designs - all scrummy! The model's 80's hair & makeup are obviously dated but - oh my! The colours!

[Elizabetta]

Love Fassett's use of color and texture. Definitely projects for the advanced knitter.

[Stephanie Stagner]

Super Complicated, but beautiful Knits

[Leslie]

The garment styles are dated at this point, but there's no doubt Fassett is a master at color schemes taken from the world around him. A good book for browsing and inspiration.

[Mckinley]

Colorwork