Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac | Elizabeth Zimmermann

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac | Elizabeth Zimmermann | NOT FOR EVERYONE...

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Elizabeth Zimmerma...

	Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac Elizabeth Zimmermann Dover Publications, 1981 - 160 pages average customer review:based on 46 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A year's worth of knitting projects from "one of America's most ingenious and creative knitters." Classic patterns for Aran sweaters, baby items, blankets, mittens, moccasins, and other seasonal needs can be followed by intermediate to advanced knitters, or may be adapted into original works. Charming, delightful, informal, and instructive. 35 illustrations.

Tasty read with some *very* Elizabeth Zimmerman designs

I've had this book in my collection for many years. A self-taught knitter, I am not overly intimidated if a pattern is a bit sketchy or without the *pithy* details. Alas, this is my favorite EZ (Elizabeth Zimmerman) book. Why? She captures the essence of living life day to day with knitting in hand. Her description of picnicing in the car with sandwiches and hearty beer while in Westby, Wisconsin at a ski jumping competition seem out of place in a knitting book (especially when snipped out for this review), yet, it speaks to who EZ was.

I get a charge out of the 3 Corner Hat and while I've not knit it, I find her take on going for it in your knitting such a fresh approach despite the fact the book was written long long ago. I guess you could say this is an oldie, but a goodie.

Every now and then I get a bug to remember my childhood in Wisconsin and so I quickly grab this book off the shelf and I snuggle up in bed to read. EZ is an inspiration because she empowers the reader to bound ahead and to become more than she was before she started it. She has a knack for writing a lovely turn of the phrase. It's an immensely charming book.

It's one that I treasure now and shall continue to treasure in the future. Even if you never knit a thing from it, read it, absorb it, and enjoy your knitting whether you long for the pithy details or not!

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NOT FOR EVERYONE...

EZ's Knitter's Almanac was, to me a beautifuly done book. Half story book, half knitting instruction, EZ's wit and wisdom really shine in this lovely colection of patterns and shared stories.

I do not, however, feel that this book is for everyone. If you are a straight forward, k1,p2 type of knitter, you may want to borrow a copy from the library or a knitting friend. What is meant by that is this book is a guide, not a set pattern book. (Do this with these needles and this yarn, then that, this is the result.)

EZ lets you decide how your item will look... If you like a lace pattern, insert it in the shawl! Don't like a certain stitch in your Aran sweater? Do something differant there! But overall, enjoy it for the process, not only the product.

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Elizabeth Zimmerman condensed and at her best

As always, EZ gives great, although not specific, instructions. As many of us learned from making our first Baby Surprise Jacket, if you just have faith in her ability and follow through, the results are exactly what she said they would be. I bought this for the February Sweater pattern (baby sweater on two needles), but I think I'll be using many of the patterns here. EZ strikes again.

Knitting Mania

In this great little book, elizabeth Zimmerman, that great knitting guru who is no longer with us, has given us a ton of great ideas to keep us busy much more than the 12 months of the almanac. She has included some of her true classics in a chatty format, so we learn not just how to make an item, but how she went about creating it in the first place. Then, for those that need a quick read for a pattern, at the end of each chatty pattern, she gives the pithy, no-nonsense version.

This is a book that will be used over and over many times, so it might be a wise ides, when using a patterns, to xerox the pithy version and keep that in your knitting bag.

But don't ignore the chatty parts of the book. You learn how her mind worked in the creative process, and you might decide that there are some techniques that don't suit you for this pattern. If so, just drop that part and use the rest as a springboard for your own techniques. After all, as Elizabeth said, you are the boss of your knitting.
Priscilla Bouic

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EZ is always recommended reading

EZ is a wonderful writer - entertaining and also very informative. If this book was republished with better photographs, it would easily be a five-star product.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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