Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Winners and Losers

Have you ever purchased a book only to discover that it's not what it promised? I received my copy of Mother-Daughter Knits by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter and it is very disappointing. I love Sally Melville's books. Her knitting experience series is the bomb.

I looked forward to this one with the same excitement. I should have taken it as a sign when I kept getting javascript errors on the Knit Picks website and couldn't preview the book. First off, a significant number of the 'designs' aren't clothing therefore they can't fit or flatter. There are patterns for a headband, shopping bag and legwarmers to name a few. If either of these fall in the "fit & flatter" category please tell me where.

This book proposes to tell us how to fit our "hourglass" figure even if we don't have one. It's interesting that none of the models deviate from this hourglass norm. Don't get me wrong there are a couple of designs I would knit from this book, but I am extremely glad that I did not pay full price. I'll keep my hopes up that the next Melville book in the Knitting Experience series will be a winner.

On the bright side, I also received my copy of Sock Innovation by Cookie A. I've spent a significant part of today reading, re-reading and admiring the sock patterns. Besides being inspiring, Sock Innovation provides explanation and insight into the processes CookieA uses to create her fabulous designs. The cost of the book is worth it just for the patterns alone.

I've purchased several of CookieA's individual patterns and haven't knitted any. This is the extra little push that I need. After I finish the gray socks one of her designs will be my next sock project.

I gave the book to Mom to peruse. She doesn't like patterning on the feet, but after seeing this book she's willing to make an exception. I couldn't do anything but laugh.

So at the moment I'm batting 50/50. Could be worse.

6 comments:

Monika said...

I have several knitting books I was disappointed after looking through them. I received my Cookie A sock book today too, and I loved all her patterns, but I will cast on the last pattern in her book first, I like it the best. Already picked out some yarn. I bought two copies and will give one to my daughter who loves Cookie A's socks, and has already knit 3 of her designs. :o)

kathy b said...

I really have to look through the books first at the Bookstores or yarn shops to be certain I wont be disappointed. Sorry you struck out once with a well known too!

Theresa said...

I say sell it on ebay. Someone out there will love it!

cici said...

I didn't think Cookies book was out yet. I will have to get out. Sorry about not your first disapointment.

Henya said...

I am sorry that you got disappointed. Unfortunately I had to learn not to rely on the description. I try to look at the books in bookstores before ordering, but it does not always help. On the other hand you got CookieA, that is cool, they are out of stock on Knit Picks, but as soon as they are back i will order one too.

Lara said...

I feel your pain. My big disappointment came with "Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off". I loved her "Knitting Rules," and went out for her book signing. The event itself was fantastic. I found it too flip & light, so back it went to the store that very week :) Luckily, I had to leave early so my copy wasn't signed...