[.ca] Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects ... (ISBN 157076137X)

A Lovely Book for a Specialized Audience:
I love this book, and have made several projects using the patterns. But it is not a book for every knitter, and certainly not for the new or casual knitter. For one thing, much of the book is taken up with archaeological discussion -- interesting, but those who buy the book just for the patterns may not feel they're getting their money's worth. Second, you really have to learn new skills to use it. I am a very experienced knitter, and can use both charts and traditionally-written directions, but it took me a while to grasp this new system (I wrote the code for the charts onto the page of each chart I used, and that helped). And, third, the sweaters themselves are not adaptable, simple, sized for everyone, or even necessarily suited for daily wear. All are very special, unusual designs -- the ball gowns of the sweater world -- and friends will say "Oh, you're wearing your Viking sweater!" every time you do. That said, let me also say that I submerged myself in Viking knitting for months after buying this book. The stitch patterns are like Aran cables, but they do not go from the top to the bottom in the usual way. Lavold has figured out how to get cables to twine all over the place -- even into medallion-ish closed shapes. I practiced the techniques and designs on slippers and hats and other small projects before attempting a sweater, and found them very usable for alll kinds of projects. If you knit enough to adapt patterns, you will find that the Viking designs will add interest to many other projects and patterns. And if you are a medium-sized person with dramatic tastes, you will love the sweaters, too. There are more than 14 projects altogether, including a cushion and afghan, one child's sweater, some coats, unisex and women's sweaters, and a number of smaller things like hats, socks, and mittens. All are beautiful and unusual.

Great Knitting Book:
The sweaters are beautiful. I just got the book, and I immediately had to order yarn for two sweaters plus the accessories, which is not typical of me at all. Usually I peruse knitting books for a while and eventually something might grab me enough that I actually knit it. I have already knitted the hood to Vigdis and have started on the actual sweater. Ragna is next, and I'm forcing myself to hold back and knit Vigdis before starting on Ragna also. Don't be intimidated by the new techniques - they aren't hard, and they make sense. I am an experienced knitter, and if you have never knitted before I would still recommend starting with something more basic, but if you like these designs you will be able to knit them. If you are looking for a challenge, that is here too - particularly the challenge to be inspired by the technique and use it in your own way. Expect to learn something new, but you will find all the encouragement that you need.

Best collection of cable designs I've seen in 40 years!:
I thought this book would be another pretty book about knitting. Was I surprised! Not only has the author done her homework as far as researching her subject, she has supplied her readers with really unusual and usable cables with accompanying charts as well as a display of beautiful photography. Often, stitch pattern books give stitch by stitch, row by row directions where crucial mistakes can often be overlooked (I should know; I've written them before for magazines). Elsebeth Lavold gives an instant understanding of how and where the yarn is going through her clearly drawn graphs so you can knit her creations or design your own. All knitting patterns should be written in this way so we can throw out the others!

A cable knitter's dream:
I can't help but echo much of what others have said-- the designs are gorgeous, Lavold's historical research is impressive and thorough, the directions are occasionally confusing and not for beginners-- but for an experienced cable knitter, this last is less of an issue than others have made it out to be. True, these are challenging designs. Even Frode, probably the simplest sweater design in the book, requires the knitter to juggle three cable designs simultaneously (one with a 36-row repeat, two \omirroring each other\c with a 32-row repeat). Yet the pattern directions for front and back don't even require armhole shaping, and the unadorned sleeves are the simplest I've seen. The sweater isn't "simplicity itself," as the pattern instructions claim, but the finished product is a comfortable and flattering weekend-ish sweater. An important point that I think no one else has mentioned is that the more fitted sweaters (the ones that don't double as coats) tend to run small and would need to be adapted for XL+ sizing. If you've done some cable knitting in the past, are accustomed to following charts, and are experienced enough to know that many knitting patterns require some commonsense adaptation, you'll find nothing to fear here. Well worth the money just for the dozens of cable patterns.

Gorgeous cables - a must have for your library!:
Oh my! What a gorgeous book. Elsebeth has really done her homework. The hardest part about owning this book is deciding which project to start next. I was in my local yarn store a few weeks ago and everyone who worked there was drooling over the designs. They're that special. The author has come up with quite a nice way to increase stitches in the middle of the garment. If you're a less-experienced knitter I'd recommend you play with this a bit before trying it in an actual garment. It's not hard so don't be intimidated! I started out by making one cable into a pillow. She has a gorgeous cable the continues around corners and frames a pillow beautifully. This book is as much a coffee table book and history book as it is a pattern book. Lavold details each new cable with explanations of its origin and what it meant as well as pics of it carved in stone and on antique pieces. If you're new to knitting or have tons of experience this book is for you!