Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer's Studio

Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer's Studio
by Debbie Bliss

Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer's Studio
List Price: $24.95
Our Price: $6.99
You Save: $17.96 (72%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Debbie Bliss
Edition: Spiral-bound
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-06-02
ISBN: 1933027762
Number of pages: 146
Publisher: Sixth&Spring Books

Book Reviews of Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer's Studio

Book Review: Nice designs, but....
Summary: 4 Stars

Debbie Bliss's designs are always simple and elegant, although the yarns she shows them in--her own line--are expensive. Those things I knew before I pre-ordered this book. I also knew that just about every design of hers is knitted flat and the pieces sewn together, which I never, ever in 50+ years of knitting have done and will not do. She is big on textured knits, and hers often are beautiful, but she doesn't use charts for these; she writes out every row in words. That's difficult enough to follow in her flat-style knitting; charts are much more succinct and, once you catch on, much easier to keep your place in than line after line of verbal instructions. It's almost impossible to translate verbal instructions from flat to circular knitting without making mistakes; charts are easy to use whether you knit flat pieces or seamless garments. All of this means that I would have to completely rewrite any of her patterns that I chose to knit. For that reason, I rarely buy any of her books. I ordered this one, however, hoping that, since I like her designs very much, I would learn something new. No such luck. There's very little here for the experienced knitter to learn; there are much better books already published on designing and fitting your own knits. The less experienced knitter, too, should beware: there are no instructions in this book for most of the elements of the patterns; you are supposed to know how to make cables and do stranded color work, for example, before you undertake these designs. This book would work, it appears, only for knitters who are what Elizabeth Zimmermann called "blind followers"--those who are willing to knit line by line and piece by piece exactly as the author instructs, and, of course, sew those pieces together. What you would learn by doing that, and reading the little bit of prose that accompanies each of the book's sections, I'm not sure. You would end up with some handsome garments, provided you were willing to buy the expensive yarns she recommends, but you'd hardly be ready to go forth and create your own designs.

Summary of Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer's Studio

Debbie?s knit designs are truly blissful! With more than 20 knitting projects and patterns intended for children, women, men, and the home, this collection is truly for everyone. Bestselling author Debbie Bliss?s designs are fun, easy to create, and make perfect gifts. In addition to the delightful original designs, which include hats, gloves, and home décor items, there?s also an introduction that covers everything from selecting yarns and determining gauge to reading charts and patterns. This is a must-have guide for knitters of all skill levels who desire breathtaking designs and high-quality yarn!

 

"Winner, Independent Publisher Award 2009 Gold Medal, Craft/DIY category"

 

Crafts & Hobbies Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Crafts & Hobbies Books
Collins Complete Artist's Manual ImageCollins Complete Artist's Manual
by Simon Jennings
HARPER COLLINS 0 PUB; Published: 2005-10-03; Hardcover; Book
Indoor Artist ImageIndoor Artist
by Linda Birch
Harper Collins; Published: 2004-02-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.39
Drawing on the Artist Within ImageDrawing on the Artist Within
by Betty Edwards
Harpercollins; Published: 1988-04-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $176.90
Carolyn Warrender's Book of Colour Scheming: How to Identify the Colours That Are Right for Your Home ImageCarolyn Warrender's Book of Colour Scheming: How to Identify the Colours That Are Right for Your Home
by CAROLYN WARRENDER
HARPERCOLLINS ILLUSTRATED; Published: 1999; Paperback; Book
Learn to Paint Gouache Pb ImageLearn to Paint Gouache Pb
by Moira Huntly
Harpercollins; Published: 1995-10; Paperback; Book
Learn to Frame (Collins Learn to Paint) ImageLearn to Frame (Collins Learn to Paint)
by Sheila Fairbrass
Collins; Published: 1990-06-04; Paperback; Book
Art of Preserved Flower Arrangement ImageArt of Preserved Flower Arrangement
by Maureen Foster
HarperCollins Distribution Services; Published: 1984-03-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.94
Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified ImageDesign-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified
by Cal Patch
Potter Craft; Published: 2009-09-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.88
Price in other shops: $24.99
Continuous Cables: An Exploration of Knitted Cabled Knots, Rings, Swirls, and Curlicues ImageContinuous Cables: An Exploration of Knitted Cabled Knots, Rings, Swirls, and Curlicues
by Melissa Leapman
Potter Craft Books; Potter Craft; Published: 2008-10-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.82
Price in other shops: $32.50
How Not to Look Fat ImageHow Not to Look Fat
by Danica Lo
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 2006-05-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.29
Price in other shops: $14.95
Similar Books and other products
The Perfect Finish: A No-Nonsense Guide to Finishing Techniques for Knitters of Every Level ImageThe Perfect Finish: A No-Nonsense Guide to Finishing Techniques for Knitters of Every Level
DRG; Published: 2010-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.40
Price in other shops: $19.95
Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks! ImageSock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks!
Workman Publishing; Storey Publishing, LLC; Published: 2010-11-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.75
Price in other shops: $18.95
Mastering Color Knitting: Simple Instructions for Stranded, Intarsia, and Double Knitting ImageMastering Color Knitting: Simple Instructions for Stranded, Intarsia, and Double Knitting
by Melissa Leapman
Random House; Potter Craft; Published: 2010-11-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.11
Price in other shops: $22.99
The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques ImageThe Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques
by Nancie M. Wiseman
Martingale & Co Inc; Published: 2002-10-01; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $16.28
Price in other shops: $24.95
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes ImageKnitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes
by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Fireside Books; Published: 1971-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.90
Price in other shops: $16.95
Aran Knitting: New and Expanded Edition (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace) ImageAran Knitting: New and Expanded Edition (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)
by Alice Starmore
Dover Publications; Published: 2010-09-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.73
Price in other shops: $29.95
Modern Top-Down Knitting: Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts & Accessories Inspired by the Techniques of Barbara G. Walker ImageModern Top-Down Knitting: Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts & Accessories Inspired by the Techniques of Barbara G. Walker
by Kristina McGowan
Abrams Publishing; STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book; Published: 2010-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops: $27.50
Debbie Bliss Tips for Knitters: Stitches and Seams to Finishing Touches ImageDebbie Bliss Tips for Knitters: Stitches and Seams to Finishing Touches
by Debbie Bliss
Trafalgar Square Books; Published: 2009-09-01; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops: $19.95
Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits ImageKnitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits
by Shirley Paden
Interweave Press; Interweave Press; Published: 2010-03-01; Hardcover-spiral; Book
Best price: $24.99
Price in other shops: $40.00
Design It, Knit It: Babies ImageDesign It, Knit It: Babies
by Debbie Bliss
Sterling Publishing; Sixth&Spring Books; Published: 2010-06-01; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $14.15
Price in other shops: $24.95