New American Knits: Classic Sportswear Patterns Paperback – July 8, 2014

We don't grow femme fatales in my family for the most part. The women grow up liking sportswear for everyday. The garments in this book are all of the type women in my family from Grandma (my mom) to my two nieces and my female in-laws would all wear. In fact, since some of us are taller than average, some of us have been known to go shopping in the men's department for a garment for ourselves or borrowed permanently garments from husbands.I like nearly every pattern in this book (exception: tasha shawl, but not because it is not pretty; just because I don't wear shawls and don't know anyone who does, not even "Grandma"). The patterns are feminine but not overly so. I am an intermediate knitter. I am not daunted by anything except entrelac which I attempted when a beginner (in a LYS class). Even though I am now a better knitter than then, I still bear entrelac a grudge. I try one new technique in each project I undertake. This is going to be a very good book for me since there seems to be new techniques for me (i.e. ones I have not tried yet) in most of the garment patterns.Style-wise this book is a winner. The photos of models wearing the garments are good; they do not appear to be hiding any possible fit problems. (One of the first knitting books I read, I believe written by Meg Swanson, warned about photos that hid poor design.) Interweave Press is a good publisher. They have a web site and you can contact them via the web site if you run into problems. They care about their customers.This is the first book I have bought from this author. If my projects turn out well, I will add her to my must buy knitting author list.DISCLAIMER: I have not tried knitting any of these patterns yet so I cannot verify the correctness of the instructions. I need to wait until July when my pension comes in so I can buy some appropriate yarn. Although it seems to me that most intelligent knitters once past being beginners can figure out how to correct errors in instructions. Certainly, I am not advanced but I can figure it out how to correct all mistakes in patterns that I have run into so far during my knitting projects. It sometimes takes some tinking and thinking but it can be done. So you will never find a review by me complaining of typos, whether a novel or a knitting book. If I found that a pattern contained instructions that I could not correct, I would contact the publisher at their address, which always listed on the back of the title page.

New American Knits contains several lovely patterns but I wouldn't exactly call them 'new'. Many are based on the tried and true patterns of the past. Some have a twist but they are very traditional and, personally, I like that. The title is a bit misleading.The Rockwell Hat is beautiful. Living as I do in Alaska, I can see knitting this for myself. It has an acorn motif and is knit with Acadia tweed. It incorporates cable knitting which I really enjoy.The Alvarez Hat looks like a Fair Isle pattern with one main color and two secondary ones. The colors are beige, brown and orange and they complement one another beautifully.I think the book is worth the price for the Remington Cardigan alone. It is stunning with its feather motif. It is V-necked with different patterns on the right and left side.The Hopper Cardigan, worked from the bottom up, is knit in a deep and gorgeous green with cable and eyelet motifs.I love the Tanner cowl which incorporates knitted lace eyelets , "eyelets worked every row". The cowl is knit in the round and the finished cowl looks beautiful on both the purl and knit sides.All the patterns are based on or named after a famous artist. I know a bit about art and I think that incorporating the 'artist' bit into the patterns is a bit of a stretch. However, there are some lovely patterns in this book.

This is a very useful book with great patterns. The patterns are basic with a twist of a nice stitch pattern or a nice detail, but they aren't so crazy and trendy that they'll look dated in a few years. I will knit most of the patterns which is something that I don't normally say about a knitting book.

The patterns are classic, so I don't feel like anything I knit will go out of style. There are many great pieces for all seasons and nothing is too complicated. I love love love this book and cannot wait to start making my first project from it.

I got this for one hat pattern and opened it to find I will be very busy knitting in the next year. The patterns are very trendy (yes, still) and have some very clever accoutrements. Worth every penny.

I really like this collection of sweater patterns. It is listed as "classic sportswear patterns" and honestly I don't really see how they are sportswear related but that aside the patterns are all really lovely. I'm 30 and I find that my biggest complaint with knitting pattern books is that they tend to be old and frumpy sweaters, something even my grandmother would not find "hip" or "cute". But these patterns are, for the majority, very flattering modern looks. I've made two of the sweaters so far and the patterns are easy to follow and accurate and the end result is really striking. Occassionall, in most books, you'll find mistakes in patterns but I haven't so far in this book.The patterns included in this book are modern, they're cute and they are definitely professional looking, like something you could find in a store however they are all unique so I guarantee that though they are store quality you won't be finding them on anyone else.The charts that are included are helpful and also intuitive to read. The color choices they use and the yarn are all very interesting and the photographs are stunning. I typically won't spend the money on a pattern book unless there are more patterns I would make then would not and to be honest those books are rare for me to find (I mean with sites like ravelry and pinterest it's usually a waste of money to buy most of the books out there). This book I'd be happy to wear about 90% of what's inside and I was fine with spending the money. I'm overall very happy with this purchase and looking foward to knitting more pieces from it.

Another Real Find for Knitting Patterns! AT a Great Price Too!

Great designs for all seasons.

I love this book! I have made three things from it already and plan to make more. It will be a book I will be using to knit more than one of the same pattern many times over.

This book has a great collection of everyday patterns. They are easy to follow, well written, and professional looking.There are four cardigan patterns, several different pull-overs, and a nice selection of accessories. I'm very glad I bought this book as I plan to make several of the projects.Worth buying for anyone who wants to make a few casual garments for everyday wear.