Medieval-Inspired Knits: 20 Projects Featuring the Motifs, Colors, and Shapes of the Middle Ages

Oh my - a gorgeous book filled to the brim with beautiful patterns and inspirations for the sweaters that you design. Here's my take on "Medieval-Inspired Knits."PROS:1. Color - Every pattern is shown in color and multiple views. The photography is wonderful and shows off the patterns to best effect. The medieval clerical designs which have inspired these patterns are also shown in glorious color.2. Patterns include those for every member of the family - women, men, and youngsters. And these patterns are quite imaginative, not the same color knits we've seen for so many years.3. Book itself is hardbound (thank you Trafalgar Square Books), so it will remain open while you work. Paper is heavy and glossy.4. This is a book that inspires me to try something new. Maybe I'll use these patterns, but maybe I'll use this as inspiration to look at art I particularly enjoy and make up something entirely new.CONS:None at all!OVERALL:This book will give you a joyful boost in the imagination. Just what I was hoping for!FIVE STARS (but I'd give TEN if they'd let me.)

As a long-ago art history major, I love the many included photographs of the medieval church paintings that inspired the 20 patterns in MEDIEVAL-INSPIRED KNITS. Also, I very much enjoyed reading author Lundberg's text, which describes both the churches (located in Uppland province, Sweden) where the paintings can be found, and the specific elements of the paintings that she decided to adapt for her patterns.However, Lundberg's unquestionably attractive sweaters strike me as relatively mediocre Fair Isle knitting designs. (There are patterns for 5 cardigans, 11 pullovers, 1 pair of half-gloves, 1 scarf, and 2 children's sweaters; some of the cardigans and pullovers are vests). For me, none of the designs really cried out "knit me!" Probably I would like the designs better if the background colors departed more from the backgrounds in the original paintings, and changed subtly every few rows (as is done in many Fair Isle designs to create color depth and added interest). Experienced Fair Isle knitters can easily change the background colors this way, if they wish.My favorite designs are the "Harkeberga Twisted Leaf Panel", which uses white yarn in the outlines of leaves so that the stitches resemble beads; the "Sanga Verdigris Panel Sweater", which has an allover snowflake-like motif arranged in rows of light turquoise, dark turquoise, and malachite green on a white background; and the "Norsunda Arch Panel Vest", which combines cables with an intarsia leaf motif to form a striking vertical front panel. (The "Norsunda" vest is probably the most difficult to knit pattern in the book.)Most of the sweaters are knit in sport yarn on US 1-2 and 2-3 (or US 2-3 and 4) circular needles. The patterns are written with one or two sizes for each sweater--this is normal for Fair Isle patterns having large-scale brocade designs. The patterns include clear charts, in color, for the elaborate motifs used. These designs involve a considerable investment in knitting time, but can probably be knit by adventurous intermediates as well as experienced knitters. Because I loved the photos and text, but wasn't bowled over by any of the individual patterns, I rate this book at 4 stars ("I like it" on the official Amazon scale).

This is one of those books that arouses our interest in the history of castles and cathedrals and what happened in them. Often books center only on the projects, but this one gives so much of the history and how the current day designers can with colored pencils present a world away! After these designers put pencil to paper, they came out with many fantastic pieces that could be done and still worn without being in one of Shakespeare's plays. This book is an excellent product of creative minds.

Couldn't think how to title this-- a feast for the eyes, patterns that are great- the designs really work ! they look like the whole garment is planned--not simply 'take a sweater add a pattern, same sweater add another pattern". these are just BEAUTIFUL! Ms. Lundberg somehow manages to make a sturdy wool sweater look delicate. I haven't knit anything yet but will start with the toddler pullover - which i should be able to get done by the time my great-nephew is big enough to wear it! --and i want the fingerless gloves for ME! then one for my husband and there's one my sister would love---well, i WANT to knit them all! Seriously this is one book that's worth it - even if you don't knit just for the pictures. I have felt like doing reviews before but never strongly enough to actually do it. I just finished reading this book and had to do it! love it, love it, love it! bks

Great fun to look at, some nice designs to knit. Thank you.

If there is a specific pattern you are looking for in this book then I would give it 5 stars. There wasn't really anything special in this book that I don't already have. The garments are beautiful and the historical notes really great. But for the money, I ended up returning.

I first saw this book in a friend’s possession, and decided I needed a copy for myself. The patterns are gorgeous, and it’s lovely to see them paired with the medieval images that inspired them. I haven’t knitted any of these yet (just got the book), but my friend has knitted one of the sweaters and it turned out just as lovely as the book shows. I’m looking forward to knitting out of it, but in the meantime, it makes a good coffee table book!

Finally, a stunningly beautiful book NOT geared toward beginners. Books for experienced knitters tend to be few & far between and this is outstanding. The art history is unique and well researched. The knitting projects are faithful to the art yet eminently wearable. I highly recommend this book to any knitter looking for an original and challenging project.

Beautiful patterns

J'ai adoré, les modèles proposés s'inspirent de motifs médiévaux, ce bouquin est super intéressant, dommage qu'il soit en anglais, cela oblige de recourir à son dico. Sinon chaque motifs est représentés, donc on peut s'en inspirer pour faire des tricots, j'ai déjà repéré 2 modèles que j'envisage de tricoter. Une bonne source d'inspiration

Lovely pictures and patterns, though I have yet to knit anything from this book. Having read through it I found them quite easy to read and follow. Several members of the family have placed their knitting orders having seen this book.

Das ist ein tolles Buch mit sehr schwierigen Mustern, die aber wunderschön wirken. Da braucht man Zeit und Geduld beim Stricken.

Le travail de recherche produit de magnifiques modèles.Mais comme souvent avec les scandinaves, aucun modèle n'a de schéma. Dommage !