Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously on + 1474 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The author, a writer and knitter, decides to embark upon a fiendishly difficult sweater pattern designed by the notoriously controlling Alice Starmore. From finding substitute yarns for the discontinued originals, to tinkering with the closure, Martini continues to ask herself "When does a Starmore sweater stop being a Starmore sweater?" Along the way, she visits with various prominent knitters and provides an overview of Starmore's litigious history. Once that history has been read, it becomes obvious why there are no color photos of the work in progress or triumphant finished piece. The observant reader, if s/he's surfed the web for images, will realize the author is wearing it in her author-photo, but it's not mentioned. What is mentioned is an ironic conclusion that The Reviewer's Code prevents me from detailing -- just be prepared!
An avid knitter myself, I found this book absolutely fascinating. It is full of knitting experiences, challenges and frustrations. The author also reveals a lot about her personal life in a very amusing and engaging way.
Helpful Score: 1
What a wonderful book for any knitter! I was laughing out loud before I was through with the introduction. The writing style is great - like talking to your next-door-neighbor who has a humorous yet honest take on life. I've been knitting for over 50 years, and I learned some things. This is a pleasant surprise for me. I now have some designers to track down, and some bloggers to follow, that were not known to me before this book. I only wish there was a color picture of the TUDOR ROSE sweater that is the subject of the book.20
This was an awesome book! It will make you want to get out the yarn and knit again!
Peggy D. (atleast10hats) reviewed Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously on + 222 more book reviews
Light reading. Somewhat comedic. Lots of information about Alice Starmore which made me want to research the controversy surrounding her more. Also some of her interviews with other knitters/designers were interesting. Sometimes her "knitting/yoga philosophy" became tedious. Uncalled for jabs at the Bush era....when unemployment hovered between 4% & 5% - remember those days?....left me cold. Though she didn't spend a lot of time expounding on her liberal political outlook, if she had left her political views out of it, I would have enjoyed the book more. It was like adding just a little poison to a brownie recipe....kind of ruins the whole batch.
Funny, lively, interesting read.
This is the paperback version of ISBN 978-1-4165-9764-3
Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously
Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously
A paperback version of this book is available, published in 2010.
