Tudor Roses

The patterns are indeed rich, gorgeous and fascinating. The book, or at least the new version - I have not seen the original - is useless. One needs charts for colour knitting, obviously, but charts for complex cables, shaping etc? Completely unusable, and I say that as a very experienced knitter. I can only conclude that the bizarre vogue for expecting unsuspecting prospective knitters to squint, curse and whimper across tiny, unreadable, miserably ghastly charts instead of working calmly through written instructions is just sheer laziness on the part of the pattern writers. There is ONE pattern in this book for which there are proper written instructions, and it is not the one I most wanted to knit. Americans seem to have an addiction both to charts and circular needles (why, seriously, why?), but skilled and experienced British knitters can actually read, sometimes even without magnifying glasses and calculators. Had I seen the inside of this book in a bookshop, I might have loved the pictures but would never have shelled out my money for it. People have written knitting books inspired by historical costumes and patterns before with proper written instructions, there are even original historical patterns available. My tip is to use them: the colour photography might not be so beautiful, but at least you will be able to settle down and work the pattern.

This is not your average book of knitting patterns.Originally published a number of years ago, it is also not just a new edition. The whole book and all the patterns have been revisited, revised and reviewed and the result is a beautiful, cloth-bound book worthy of any coffee table… and yet many of the patterns do not seem out of the realm of coming to life in the hands of a reasonably well-versed knitter (which I didn't expect - I thought it would all be so intricate I'd hardly dare even try a pattern, but not so!).It's eye-candy and practical all at the same time; each of the patterns has thought and point behind it, being inspired by women in Tudor history and imagined by two women (mother and daughter themselves) who have really considered who each was and what each garment pattern represents. It is eminently readable.I'm smitten.

Love this book but you need to be an experienced knitter to follow the patterns. They are knit in 2 ply wool which is not easy to find in such rich colours. The author recommends buying them from a Hebridean company but they are not cheap. I have knit them in 4 ply wool but have then had to alter the size as 4ply knits up larger than 2 ply. Having said all that I am REALLY enjoying knitting these patterns. They are so unusual

I finally got myself this book. Fabulous designs including colour work and cable work. The "voices" of the historical figures who were the inspiration for this book added an extra dimension to this book. Really love it! I find Alice Stanmore books full of inspirational ideas which stimulate the creative juices. The designs are gorgeous and in a class of their own. The instructions consist of a mix of charts and row by row instructions. I haven't tried to knit any of them yet. I suspect not for the faint hearted. Some are more straight forward than others. Anne Boleyn looks chalenging. I think she was too!

I am a big Alice Starmore fan so it’s not a surprise that I enjoyed this book. As always Alice’s designs are incredibly well thought out and intricate. She explains the history of the pieces and how she included this history. I would say that I wouldn’t recommend these designs unless you were fairly confident with knitting, but it is a highly worthwhile purchase and goal for knitters.