Andra Knight-BowmanSeamless (or Nearly Seamless) Knits

I'm a sucker for seamless sweaters, and although I'm a relatively new knitter (knitting for about a year now), I've got a lot of books on seamless knitting. This is my favorite so far. The variety in the patterns is great, and the instructions are some of the clearest I've ever seen. I especially love the side-to-side sweaters. It's a construction I've never seen before, and I'm really excited to try it. (I've cast on for one, but I've barely gotten started, so can't say how the finished project will look.) I have almost finished the Robin sweater (which is a bottom-up construction), and it's turned out great. It looks so much more complicated than it is.Something that's different in this book vs. other sweater knitting books I've read is that there is no waist shaping on any of the sweaters. That may be a disadvantage for some knitters who like their sweaters more fitted. However, I'm beginning to think that at least for me, worsted-weight projects look better without the waist shaping. It probably depends a lot both on your personal taste and your body type. (I'm petite and curvy, and I feel like the the waist shaping makes worsted-weight sweaters look more bulky on me.)I will definitely be making more patterns from this book. And I might use the side-to-side sweater idea to do a little designing of my own. These sweaters are based on a front and back panel, each of which is knit side-to-side, then joined at the shoulders with a 3-needle bind-off. You then pick up and knit all around the sides and shoulder in a U shape. You do a little more side-to-side knitting, then join the side seams using the 3-needle bind off from the bottom up until where the sleeves will be. Then you continue knitting the sleeves in the round. (I know this was a little hard for me to visualize at first, but eventually it made sense. It's easier to understand if you're looking at the picture.) And because the center panels are knit side-to-side and then added on to, I suspect you could do a lot of variation on stitch pattern and yarn choices with only a little minor experimentation.All in all, possibly my favorite knitting book yet.

Great book! 19 projects, all with minimal seaming, but a variety of looks and styles. There are sweaters and vests (even a dress thrown in), in sizes from small to 2X, and everything from basic garter stitch and stockinette, to cables and entrelac. Styles are grouped by 'top down', 'bottom up', and 'side to side'. Most are made with medium (worsted or #4) weight yarn, with a few in light (#3) and bulky (#5) weights. Styles are classic, but not boring -- stylish, but not so much that they are out of style before you finish knitting them.

It's got an attractive layout with large photos and clear, easy-to-read instructions plus schematics. The projects are relatively easy but still look very interesting, and are probably fun to knit as well. Many of them have some twists and turns to avoid seams that look like a bit of a challenge, but there is one garter stitch vest a beginner could tackle easily and a skilled knitter could probably make in a weekend or two. There are lots of easy and intermediate cable designs and a beautiful pullover that makes great use of self-striping yarn. There's even a basic entrelac piece. Can't wait to start knitting!!

This book has everything you need (but the yarn) to knit some really beautiful sweaters and vests.The pictures are great too!I have made two of the patterns and they turned out beautiful. I am a novice or challenged knitter so it has to be on the easy side for me to understand how to do some of the more complicated stitches.I recommened this book to those who want the satisfaction of knitting something beautiful from beginning to end and then either wearing it themselves or seeing it on a loved one. good luck with you knitting and happy spring.

I opened this book hoping to find one or two designs that say "Gotta knit that one!" Having browsed various other minimal-finish pattern books, I must say I expected to see boxy, generally graceless fit to achieve one-piece finishing convenience. I was pleasantly surprised at the fresh fun projects in this collection that actually appear to fit and flatter. I am also pleased that ideas for light-weight seasonal garments as well as warmer sweaters are nicely represented. The suggested yarns are interesting and readily available without boutique exclusivity (and pricing), which is a consideration when I choose a knitting project these days.All in all, a pleasant surprise, with patterns on nearly every page that I can enjoy creating, wearing, and giving with pleasure. Nicely done!

If you like to do knitting from the top down, this little gem of a book is full of fun and fashion. I like the multiple sizes available for most patterns too. There is some challenge available, but instructions are clear. This is a good book for the intermediate (or better) knitter.

Expanding my knitting knowledge

I agree with previous reviewer Monica that the pattern for the cover sweater, “Sandi,” has mistakes in the count for the increases in the neck and raglan. I did exactly what Monica did: wrote out all of the rows on paper, and concluded that the number of row increases called for is greater than what you actually need to do to reach the ultimate stitch count.Also, I felt the section titled “join and work body” was extremely confusing in the directions for casting on stitches (My advice: do not use the “cable cast on” as suggested, but just simply cast on the required number of stitches on the right needle (NOT the left, as pattern suggests!).I think I am thru the hard stuff now, and I am optimistic about this pattern. I agree with the other reviewers that the rest of the patterns in the book look interesting, and with a variety of seamless sweater techniques.

I like most of the patterns in this book. Haven't made anything from it yet as still have other things to finish first. Looking forward to choosing the wool

The designs are innovative and stylish, the instructions are clear and well illustrated, and the beauty is that you don't have to sew up the garment when you have finished. I think it is a terrific book.

Some really nice patterns in this book more than usual I normally find 1 or 2 that I will make definitely more than that in this one great patterns good instructions overall excellent book.

Lots of information for anyone interested in seamless knitting . I have already knitted one of the designs and found the pattern straight forward and well written. On reflection I wish I had bought the hard copy for ease of use, especially because I can't find a way to print the charts .

Was a good buy and use it a lot