Simple Knits for Sophisticated Living: Quick-Knit Projects from Beautiful, Chunky Yarns

This is a great book. I wouldn't recommend it for first-time knitters, but for those with a little more experience, it rocks. The yarns are a little on the expensive side, but they are so beautiful, and I would rather spend more money on a better yarn, especially for a pillow or throw that will probably be around for years to come. All the yarns in this book are chunky, so the projects knit up quickly (and who isn't short on time?).

I really didn't like many of the projects in the book. They were too lifestyle specific, if that makes sense? A pillow, a cover for a seat thingy, nice patterns if you are adept as adapting, heeheee.

gave as a gift.

The subtitle of this book, "quick-knit projects from beautiful, chunky yarns," describes quite a few books that are out right now. This is my favorite of the group.The projects include many of the popular "hip knit" designs -- beaded wire napkin rings, wine bottle covers, cell-phone holders, felted bags, welted baskets, a chenille throw -- as well as classic sweater, afghan, scarf, hat, and cushion patterns. There is a wonderful bath set (I will never go back to store-bought washcloths) and a couple of beautiful piano bench cushion designs. You will also find the ubiquitous dorm boots and hanger cover pattern familiar from church bazaars. There are a few toys and kitchen things as well.The mix of trendy and classic patterns and the wide variety of items means that this really could be your only knitting book. (Well, maybe combined with a good sweater pattern book). Many of the designs would make excellent gifts.All the patterns are simple, as promised. I haven't found any errors yet, but most of the patterns consist of a couple of rows and then "repeat till piece measures X", so experienced knitters shouldn't have trouble adjusting. The photographs are sometimes so soft-focus and arty that the finished item is a bit of a surprise, but the things I have made have all been beautiful. There are many interesting suggestions for ways to adapt the patterns (the wire napkin rings, for example, might be made with hemp, or leather strips), and useful tips for working with particular materials. Finishing instructions are detailed and thorough.There are beginning how-to-knit instructions with photographs, an abbreviations glossary, a good discussion of how to substitute yarns (as well as further suggestions with most projects), and clear explanations of all the finishing techniques required for the projects.

I had very high hopes for this book after reading all of the good reviews, so maybe that's why I was so very disappointed in the patterns. It does have a couple of nice pillow designs. But for a book that claims to be for 'sophisticated' tastes, the wine wraps and purses are downright tacky. And the trivets, pot holders, welted baskets, and hanger cover are all straight from your grandma's knitting books. Then there's a host of projects that look good, but are really just very simple designs that use expensive yarns to make their statement. Replacing the yarns with less expensive versions (as I usually am forced to do) that have different textures and shading patterns would effectively ruin the look of the pattern since that look is almost entirely supplied by the yarn itself. Those patterns include most of the patterns for throws and adult's clothes. Also, the slippers 'for anyone' look like baby booties. If you're looking for a sophisticated slipper pattern, the argyle ones in Weekend Knitting are really great.I kept the book because I want to make the bath set. Even that I don't think is really something special but I already bought bath salts & such for a gift basket so I'll toss in the knitted bath set as an accompaniment.

Well, almost. I know how to knit and can do some basic things, but I was looking for a book to take me a little further on in my skills, but to date I haven't found the book that can do it. I was also looking for some things to decorate my home with, as always, and this book gave me that. The patterns are simple for the most part, easy to accomplish, and simply explained. I'm looking forward to doing several of the throws for my furniture. One of the things I wish authors wouldn't do so often is include baby items all the time. There are just too many books on the market already on knitting for baby, it's not needed in every book that comes out. The title is excellent for the book.

I was dissapointed with the patterns, they were all very interesting and the pictures were beautiful but the yarn use for the patterns was ridiculously expensive. I made a pillow and it ended up being $65. The patterns also had several misakes in them, I made the slippers and the pattern was incorrect, I brought the book into my yarn shop and they said they do NOT recommend the book to newer knitters due to the multiple pattern errors. Great pictures and good for ideas but not great for a newer knitter.

This book is wonderful. I'm a firm believer in allowing the yarn I choose to decorate the project I'm knitting and not fancy stitches. This book hit the nail on the head. The projects are very versatile, useful and best of all quick to knit up.