Knits from a Painter's Palette: Modular Masterpieces in Handpainted Yarns

Koigu yarn is beautiful and this book is filled with beautiful photos of different projects made from this yarn. Unfortunately, most of the patterns are for modular knitting which is a lengthy and often difficult way to knit. There are other knitting techniques that can capture a similar effect. (I took a two week course on modular knitting in Ireland and decided that it just is not worth the time and effort for the outcome). However, if you're a modular knit lover, this is the book for you.The patterns I would try in this book are the non-modular ones:WrapKeepsake ShawlThere is one other non-modular pattern called 'Floppy Jacket' which is just as the name suggests so it did not appeal to me. The Wrap and Keepsake Shawl are beautiful. If I were to knit the Wrap, I'd use the pattern there but make it shorter (to be used as a shawl or scarf), or I'd widen it and make it shorter (for a lovely shawl). Why it is 80" long is a mystery to me. If I wrapped myself up in something 80" I'd look like a mummy.If you like to look at beautiful knitting books, buy this. If you're looking for practical patterns to knit, I'd go elsewhere unless you fall in love with the shawl or wrap.

Delightful book I'm glad to have finally found and obtained. It has an interesting background story, and leads the reader/knitter right into starting to design and work their patterns with their lovely yarns. No two end products can ever be the same with these hand-dyed yarns, nor wold I want them to be. A great way to create OOAK garments, shawls, etc. and I will be referring to this book for years to come. It resides in my special and reference books section!!

Koigu yarns and Maie Landra are by now famous words so I've been waiting for this book for maybe half a year ever since it was announced. All the yarns in the book are her fingering wt yarns called KPPM. Many of her patterns which I bought separately are included and some have been corrected. Other patterns are not included plus several are new to me. There are no patterns for Kersti and her other yarns. The designs are primarily done in the modular style using many different yarns in each piece. Many of the pieces are oversized which are no longer in fashion.Designs included are: Charlotte's web shawl, jazz cardigan, knit yarn-over scarf, spirit skirt and sweater, basic squares scarf, toreador jacket, midnight rapture skirt, top and wrap (formerly alligator wrap), patchwork pants and vest, keepsake shawl, floppy jacket, magique cloak, robe-diamond dress, butterfly poncho, joker tunic, oriental jacket(changes made), mosaic jacket, carousel sweater, play blocks vest, jigsaw vest, and log cabin vest. I would have liked a glossier paper for the pictures. Binding and print are fine. I'm happy with the book and don't feel cheated because before I bought it I was aware that some of the patterns I own would be included. But my favorite Koigu patterns are not in the book! I've moved away from oversize and modular. Good value for the price. The yarns are gorgeous and very expensive with nothing else approaching it so no substitutions. Not an essential purchase but lovely to enjoy looking at even if you never knit one of them.

I have loved Koigu yarn for a long time and was interested in this book by Maie Landra. The book goes over Maie's life and how Koigu came to be. There are many beautiful patterns for many levels of knitting ability. Several classic shawl/wrap patterns would appeal to the intermediate knitter and there are many patterns that use modular knitting and will appeal to the advanced knitter or one who wants more of a challenge. Several of the patterns are exquisite but will probably only be worn by a person with a daring fashion sense. All the patterns showcase the gorgeous Koigu yarns. You will want to run out to the nearest yarn store that carries Koigu and start a project.

I bought this book because I wanted to make a beautiful modular sweater. But there are only a few sweaters patterns and one is not really modular and it’s only for a solid color plus trim in a different color. This book is more of a coffee table book in my opinion. It’s like looking at art. The patterns look very very time-consuming and probably require a lot of sewing many many small pieces together.Also, the cover is very heavy. How practical is that for viewing the pattern while knitting? I knew it was a hardback book but I never expected it to be so heavy. I’m an old lady and putting this on my lap while I sit on my couch to knit is not practical or doable for me. I can’t sit at a table to knit because I have a bad back. Lastly, I don’t really see any patterns that I would want to wear. The dresses and pants are for younger women and woman who like to wear tight clothing. The vests are cute but I don’t wear vests. There are a few patterns for children but I don’t knit for children anymore. Basically this book was a waste of money for me.

I just learned how to knit modular (after 50+ years of knitting the regular way) and love it. This is a fabulous book with lots of really pretty patterns and a background section on the hand painted yarns the book uses.

If you enjoy a challenge when you knit, this is a good book for you. The yarn is amazing, but very expensive. I'm still glad I bought this book. Projects are not for beginning knitters.

The Koigu wool designs in this book are extraordinary. The komono coat went on my "wish I could afford to make it" list. It requires about 35 skeins of yarn and at the retail yarn price it would cost over $400 to make. Other patterns require much less yarn and the patterns are probably for the advanced beginner to intermediate knitter. I loaned the book to a friend and she keeps it on her desk to show that coat to everyone. If I could only have one pattern book, this wouldn't be it, but the patterns are gorgeous--and maybe next year I'll be able to make that coat.

Lovvly

Bel ouvrage. Technique agréable et originale. Photos attractives. Reste à peaufiner l'anglais pour apprécier les textes et les explications des modèles.

Ich kann der anderen Rezension nur zustimmen: Zwar könnte man wirklich den Verdacht haben, es handle sich um einen Verkaufskatalog-aber man erfährt sehr viel über die Geschichte der Familie, die Entwicklung der Firma und die dahinter stehende Motivation.Die Fotos sind toll, die Garne trotz (oder gerade wegen)ihrer extremen Vielfarbigkeit wunderschön.Das Buch beginnt mit der Familiengeschichte und Bildern der Produktion.Im nächsten Kapitel werden die verschiedenen Techniken zum Erstellen von Modulen gut und ausführlich auch mit farbigen Zeichnungen erklärt.Die vorgestellten Modelle zeigen Kissen, einen Rock, Jacken, Westen, Cardigans, Schals, ein Kleid, einen Mantel, ein Tunikakleid, eine Jacke und eine Weste für ein Kind, eine Hose, Umschlagtücher....da dürfte für jeden etwas dabei sein.Ein paar der Sachen sind trotz der Farbigkeit gut tragbar- es sind aber auch Modelle (wie z.B. die Hose) dabei, die ich nur sehr mutigen Menschen empfehlen würde. Gerade diese Hose erinnert sehr an die schrille Kleidung Ende der 60ger-Anfang der 70ger Jahre.Vieles kommt auch ziemlich im Hippie-Style daher. Wer den Film "Hair" mag- der ist hier goldrichtig!In hinteren Teil finden sich aber auch drei oder vier zurückhaltendere Sachen (Jacken und Westen), die auch ältere oder weniger mutige Menschen nacharbeiten können.Insgesamt eher junge Mode. Dabei aber eine tolle Inspiration- Farben kann man schließlich auf den eigenen Geschmack anpassen. Oder einfach nur Schnitt und Modultechnik übernehmen und etwas ganz eigenes daraus machen.

This is an American book of knitting patterns using 4 ply Koigu wool (which is incredibly expensive to buy at about £16 for 50g) and modular knitting techniques. However the designs are stunning and it is possible to use other yarns if you can get the right tension. Some of the designs made up of individual squares can even be worked using fewer stitches if your tension (like mine) is too loose. Not for the faint-hearted or beginner but if you yearn to be more creative with your knitting I recommend this book.

Delivered much faster than I expected. Thank you!