I think that the moment I was tempted to call this book a “wackadoodle knitting book” is the moment that I confirmed with absolute certainty that I am not of the “high fashion” world. (Ha! Like there was any doubt!)
In Knitting Reimagined, Nicky Epstein presents 25 projects that, as they say on the back cover, “push the boundaries of what knitwear can be.” This not an understatement. Just look at the front cover. The featured sweater combines fair isle, lattice texture, and furry fringe. It’s really rather odd.
The designs in this book are certainly innovative, and there are really so so many techniques represented.
These are some of the wackier projects, between the use of fur, and the braided stuff, and the oversized skull-based colorwork…
Don’t get me wrong. I would never choose to wear most of these pieces, however, that doesn’t mean I dislike the book. On the contrary, I find it fairly interesting, and I can think of ways to take some of these techniques and use them in ways that appeal more to my own sense of style.
The use of texture to draw a picture here is interesting. I don’t like the shape of this sweater, or really even the picture they are drawing, but the technique could be used on anything. I mean, I could knit the Polka Dot Cottage logo into a pair of armwarmers or something using this technique.
I don’t care for this asymmetrical garment, but I really like the woven i-cord. That could work on a more traditionally-shaped sweater, too.
Ok, I’ll admit it. I actually like this project as-is. I’m not sure how it would look on someone who is not tall and skinny like the model, but I do like it.
So there’s your little peek inside Knitting Reimagined. I don’t want to sound too down on this book. If I didn’t like it at all, I wouldn’t review it. I’d just quietly donate it to my local library and you’d never even know I had it.
If you are a strictly by-the-pattern knitter, and you like simple and traditional designs, then you might want to pass on this one.
If you are an adventurous knitter who likes super unique designs, then this book was written for you.
If you don’t care for the more unusual runway looks, but you like learning new techniques and are bold enough to mix and match patterns (for example, your favorite sweater pattern combined with a woven technique from the book) then you will probably get something out of this book as well.
(The usual disclaimers apply re: books received, reviews given, and links provided.)
Interesting…I agree. It does inspire creativity!