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Traditional Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting) Paperback – September 19, 2003

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

Situated far to the north of the Scottish mainland, the Shetlands are famous for the dampness of their climate and the excellence of their wool — a pair of distinctions that fostered the development of a vibrant form of patterned knitting. Fair Isle's unusual technique employs two colors in each row; the wool not in use is stranded along the back in short loops, resulting in an extremely warm and weatherproof double fabric.
In this definitive guide, the author shows how any circular-method knitting technique can yield the popular Fair Isle patterns. Its treasury of designs features more than 70 pages of patterns that can be used for mittens, jerseys, jackets, and hats. In addition, its practical advice on designing garments and the use of color offers valuable assistance to knitters who wish to create their own patterns and seek the inspiration for an endless array of variations and adaptations.
Long out of print, this volume is well known as the best source of authentic Fair Isle patterns. Its republication offers a new generation of knitters a reliable resource for projects in the traditional and much-loved style. 31 halftones and 17 color illustrations.

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From the Publisher

Traditional Fair Isle Knitting

Scotland's Fair Isle is celebrated the world over for its distinctive, stranded-color knitting

Well-known, definitive guide shows how any circular method knitting technique can yield the popular Fair Isle patterns. More than 70 pages of designs include patterns for mittens, jerseys, jackets, hats, and more. Practical advice on design and color provides endless variations and adaptations. 31 halftones and 17 color illustrations.

Traditional Fair Isle Knitting

Want more Fair Isle Knitting? Check out these additional Dover Titles.

Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting

Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting

This extensive record of unique patterns from the remote fishing villages of Scotland and England combines a social history of the regions with detailed patterns and practical instructions for knitters. Includes new pattern charts and knitting instructions.

Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle Knitting

Boasting geometric patterns and rich, natural colors, the knits of Fair Isle have roots in the fashions of Viking invaders, Norwegian immigrants, and Spanish sailors. Don starts with samples and charts for 28 traditional designs and then moves on to simple instructions for 13 authentic garments, including jumpers, pullovers, and scarves.

Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting

Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting

Scotland's Fair Isle is celebrated the world over for its distinctive, stranded-color knitting, and Alice Starmore is famous for her expertise in designing and instructing knitters in this appealing regional tradition. This volume is profusely illustrated with color photographs, plus drawings and charts that illustrate the art's history, patterns, and techniques.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications (September 19, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 048643107X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486431079
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.1 x 0.28 x 11.18 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

About the author

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Sheila McGregor
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
145 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a great reference on traditional Fair Isle knitting with rich charts. They appreciate the history, techniques, and motifs included. The content is well-written and appreciated for ideas. However, opinions differ on the pattern quality - some find it great with a complete selection of Fair Isle motifs, while others say there are no direct patterns for sweaters.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

10 customers mention "Book content"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has useful Fair Isle charts and stitch diagrams. They say it's a great reference for traditional knitting patterns and ideas. The photos are beautiful, even for those who have never knit before.

"...Fun book just to look at the pictures even if you never knit a thing from it!!" Read more

"...Wonderful photos Lots of stitch charts but they are for the patterns, not colors. No garment patterns to knit from...." Read more

"Great little book that is loaded with everything that you need to know about fair isle knitting. Am glad that I read this information...." Read more

"This is a great book and good to have it as it is older and more patterns and examples then most. I should say this is historical" Read more

7 customers mention "Knitting history"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's knitting history. They find it a great addition to their knitting library and praise the author as a knitting goddess.

"Great little book on traditional fair Isle by one of the most knowledgeable of knitters...." Read more

"...What it does supply is a fabulous history of this knitting art form, explanations of how it developed and how it was used. Lots of great pictures...." Read more

"...There's a lot going on in this slim volume: the history of Fair Isle knitting, techniques and motifs...." Read more

"Sheila McGregor is a knitting goddess!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Content quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content well-written and useful for ideas.

"...I did randomly notice several blank pages at the end. Overall, well written for what I read so far...." Read more

"...This book is great for ideas. Nice quality book too!" Read more

"I find the charts too cramped to use on a Kindle for iPad. The text is fine, but I have to reproduce the chart on paper to use any of them." Read more

"Very pleased with the content: history and patterns. Great addition to my knitting library." Read more

9 customers mention "Pattern quality"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pattern quality. Some find the patterns great and helpful to visualize what an end product will look like. Others mention there are no direct patterns for sweaters, but the charts are numerous.

"Really am enjoying this book. The pattern layouts are great and so helpful to visualize what an end product will look like" Read more

"...The third part of the book is dedicated to patterns in graph form, which is just the way I like it, personally...." Read more

"...No garment patterns to knit from. I love this book although it is now 35 years old. Hurrah for Dover reprints." Read more

"...(and be warned: it's in black and white) and with a complete selection of Fair Isle motifs, this is it." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2023
    Really am enjoying this book. The pattern layouts are great and so helpful to visualize what an end product will look like
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2009
    If you love Fair Isle you NEED this book. My non knitting friends love this one! They think I'm so clever because I can knit some of these (some are way too complicated, but I'm working on them!). I try to be modest about it but some are just so easy to follow it is crazy that they turn out as well as they do! Fun book just to look at the pictures even if you never knit a thing from it!!
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2017
    Great little book on traditional fair Isle by one of the most knowledgeable of knitters. Wonderful photos Lots of stitch charts but they are for the patterns, not colors. No garment patterns to knit from. I love this book although it is now 35 years old. Hurrah for Dover reprints.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2022
    Excellent condition and fast shipping!
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2005
    If you are a fairly experienced knitter and can create the garment basics (i.e. figure your gauge and cast on accordingly), it is indispensible. If you need a pattern with directions (e.g. cast on x number of stitches on size y needles), this book does not supply that. It gives guidelines for garments, just not full patterns. What it does supply is a fabulous history of this knitting art form, explanations of how it developed and how it was used. Lots of great pictures. The third part of the book is dedicated to patterns in graph form, which is just the way I like it, personally. I've enjoyed browsing through it and putting my creativity to the challenge of creating what I want to make. If it ever gets cold down here in Texas, that vest made of Harris tweed wool will be great. Luckily, I knit for the knitting more than for the finished product.
    60 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2015
    Is there anyone who doesn't love Sheila MacGregor? There's a lot going on in this slim volume: the history of Fair Isle knitting, techniques and motifs. Ms. MacGregor has found historical photos to illustrate the techniques she's discussing. If you want something definitive (and be warned: it's in black and white) and with a complete selection of Fair Isle motifs, this is it.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2019
    Great little book that is loaded with everything that you need to know about fair isle knitting. Am glad that I read this information. Would recommend to anyone who loves knitting.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2019
    This is a great book and good to have it as it is older and more patterns and examples then most. I should say this is historical
    5 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • CaMoMama
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great patterns
    Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2024
    exactly what i was looking for. Perfect gift for my mother who is extremely talented & expert at knitting. This is one pattern her collection was missing.
  • Cristiane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilhoso!
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 17, 2023
    Adorei!
  • Rod Nicole
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livre génial
    Reviewed in France on February 25, 2021
    Parfait, reçu 3 jours après la commande. Juste génial pour la compréhension du tricot jacquard
  • Artemis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendo
    Reviewed in Italy on February 16, 2018
    Pur non essendomi ancora cimentata con la lavorazione Fair Isle, mi sento di consigliare questo libro anche soltanto per conoscere la storia di questa tecnica affascinante: si tratta di una lettura davvero interessante.
    La parte dei grafici (in bianco e nero) è ricchissima: c'è da sbizzarrirsi con gli abbinamenti!
  • Lisa Thomas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Australia on October 27, 2022
    Excellent