Alice StarmoreReviews

Patterns for 10 knitted garments for children, designed by Alice and Jade Starmore. Several of the designs are accompanied by quotes from children's literature. Instructions are written out, but charts and schematics are included. Abbreviations and yarn stores that carry Starmore yarns are listed in a brief appendix section.

Lending

This is the strangest craft book ever, composed as it is of at least three books in one.

Jade Starmore is a fantasy author. Alice Starmore, her mother, is a costumer and knitter. Together they have designed this book which is short stories, knitted and sewn costumes to match, and knit patterns that echo, but do not reproduce, the much more elaborate costumes. And, the book is a tribute to Scotland's seacoast.

Ok. I don't read much high fantasy and I certainly don't dress up in elaborate evocations of birds and sea anemones, nor do I wear knitted shrugs and ponchos. So this book doesn't offer much for me personally. But I think it might pique the interest of a budding costumer, if you happen to know one.

Costuming begins with dressing up for special occasion, and moves onward through competitive reproduction of classical garments with numerous side paths into theatre and film (think Outlander wedding dress). Here we are taking the idea from the stories, developing them into a proper costumes as if we were performing, and then simplifying the designs for everyday use (more or less, I don't want knitted feathers around my neck, and a peplum would be unfortunate on my hips).

Ms Starmore Sr.'s costumes are amusing, tending toward deeply dramatic jackets over billowing skirts, all in the colors of fantasy – blues, smoky grey, plum – with embroidered or felted accents. Knitted hats and helmets evoke birds and insects. The everyday patterns that go with them are disappointing in that some of the costume ideas that I enjoyed and might have considered using – like the elaborate collar and sleeves on the Mountain Hare jacket (more tortoise than hare, really), the full body pattern of the Otter costume, and especially the glorious Selkie offset button jacket with the cable on the collar reverse, have been replaced with mundane shapes, except for the fake feathers.

The book cover is particularly disappointing. Rather than one of the more dramatic costumes or an elaborate design like the Selkie jacket, the cover is the Mountain Hare sweater and hat, the most boring and colorless of the knitting patterns.

Unless you have the perfect gift recipient in mind, I'd look at this book in a shop before ordering.

I received a review copy of "Alice Starmore's Glamourie" by Alice Starmore (Calla Editions: Dover) through NetGalley.com.

Although I've had this book for at least five years, have gone through the patterns many times, and have even knitted some, until yesterday I had never read Alice Starmore's chapter on the historical background of Aran knitting, nor had I read her preface to this edition. It was a whole new take on the subject, something I had thought I knew something about -- why I've even designed some sweaters that would fall into this classification.

[Aran Knitting] was originally published in 1997. My edition is a newer and expanded one published by Dover in 2010. In it, Starmore reflects on her initial 1997 discussion of Aran knitting and the continued insistence by so many on ignoring the evidence that it is neither a centuries old tradition of stitch combinations, not a traditional fisher's garment. Wait a minute, where did all those stories come from? was my immediate thought.

Starmore thoughtfully and methodically lays out her arguments. She does it so well that the reader is left with little choice but to agree. Her idea that ignoring the evidence she provides is rooted in commercial interest has the ring of truth to it. She discusses some of the standard texts such as Richard Rutt's "A History of Knitting", explaining where her theories differ. Then, based on her own experience with the 1992 publication of her book "The Celtic Connection", she shows how that technique, "acknowledged as a completely new direction in colourwork, texture and cable knitting", has over the years become part of the lore of the "history" of knitting, comparing that development with the development of the romantic ideas around Aran knitting.

Here then are Starmore's conclusions, in her own words:

on construction and style
- The Aran sweater was developed from the traditional Scottish gansey.
- Aran women learned gansey knitting skills from a Scottish source or sources.
- The Aran sweater was not made as a fisherman's garment.
- The impetus behind the development of the Aran sweater was commercial.
- Aran "tradition" involving the Aran sweater is of recent origin, beginning only after 1946.
- Contrary to belief, the Aran sweater was not made from heavy, unscoured, naturally oily wool, spun straight from the sheep's back.

more controversially, on pattern
- Aran sweaters have no connection with ancient Celtic sources, unless it is on a purely superficial level.
- Most of the Aran patterns were born in the mind of an excellent gansey knitter.
- Commercial forces shaped the development of Aran sweater patterns, just as they shaped the method of construction

Now I have a whole new way of looking at and thinking about these designs.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. I have been a fan of Alice Starmore’s knitting books since the late 1980’s. Her books serve as not only a source of well written instructions for beautiful knitwear but also as a spark to your imagination. Her books give you ideas. Alice Starmore’s Glamourie is no exception, The photographs are wonderful and amazing, the patterns are well written and and easy to follow but this book is the much more. I loved the concept of illustrating the folktales with costumes and then adapting the ideas from the fantastic costumes with knitwear that can be worn everyday but still keeps a bit of the fantastic. These are not quick or easy projects but the designs are timeless and well worth the effort involved to create something special. Publishing Date February 14, 2018 #AliceStarmore’sGlamourie #NetGalley

Alice Starmore's Glamourie by Alice Starmore
Book starts out with a table of contents: projects and notes, then patterns, techniques and abbreviations.
Introduction where the author talks about where she grew up, story behind the stories and patterns.
Love what Glamourie is and how she weaves her stories and dreams into her knitting.
Have read other works by this author and this one I found so inspiring, no rules and so adjustable for any size.
Not only is this book about knitting but she weaves a story in the background so I feel like I'm getting two books in one.
Very high quality photos showing not only the designs but the landscape where they meld into one but have enough contrast to show off the designs and patterns in the garment. Super photography!
So many different types of animals, my favorite would be one of the birds, Like a bit of everything from each one.
Each of the costume patterns start out with designer notes, about the animal they are representing in the knitted garment and a bit about them.
Pattern starts out with color photos from various angles showing the angles and flare. Sizes are given, knitted garment measurements, materials: yarn and needles, tension measurements and then the start of the actual knitting. Easy to work on, as each row is described. Love chart where it has the decreases marked out in cell form that you can check mark off once you've completed them.
Diagrams show finished dimensions so you can line them up to finish the final seams.
One thing I did not notice was the level of experience you'd need. I'd suggest high rating as it's going to take a bit of time to do and keep everything straight.
Some of the patterns are using charts for color changes so be sure to read through at least once before making them.
Credits and resources close out this book. What a treasure.
The pictures shown do not all have corresponding patterns.
Received this review copy via Dover Publications via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

16 designs, as beautiful as one would expect from Alice Starmore. Choose from cables, ganseys, or fair isle. 3 of the designs were from the debut of Jade Starmore as a designer. As usual, the yarn quantities are specified only in skeins of various Starmore yarns, but equivalent yarns and quantities can easily be determined from Ravelry.

For some reason, LT predicts (with a high rate of confidence) that I will not like this book. In fact, I would have given this one 5 stars, but most of the cabled designs are worked in aran weight. That is an issue for me, because I have MANY sweaters made years ago that I never wear, because it never gets cold enough here. Two of the cable designs are in sport weight and one in DK. The stranded patterns are mostly worked in fingering weight. That is a plus for me, but YMMV.½

25 knitwear designs for men and women

What a gorgeous book. I love the concept – patterns based on and inspired by the women of the Tudor dynasty, along with quotes from or about the women and with extraordinary photographs. The patterns are every one stunning (and probably far beyond my ability), color and style and pattern harking back to the Renaissance without being RenFaire garb. I want at least half the garments shown here – and even if, as I suspect, the patterns are beyond my capabilities, the book itself is simply lovely to look at.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

For slender women with eclectic taste

The knitted garments presented in this book are for slender women with straight spines and long necks and whose long necks don't get cold. While a few patterns enclose the neck, I am reading on a dank winter day and feel the chill, even from the substantial jacket on the cover.

Ms Starmore presents 14 designs: one shawl and 13 knitted jackets and sweaters. The designs and patterns spring from Ms Starmore's interpretation of the lives and interests of 14 Tudor women. Most of the designs are multicolored, with a few in a single color but with intricate knitted patterns. Each knitting pattern is stretched across several pages and each garment is presented in several views. There are no reverse side views to show how the garments, and particularly the shawl, are finished.

The instructions are very detailed and are a combination of text and charted designs. Ms Starmore recommends a few of them for advanced beginners, but I suspect the patterns would be daunting to anyone who is not confident. Only a couple of these designs would forgive weak technique.

This is a book that I would like to own but I doubt if I would find useful. I like two of the sweater designs and a few of the motifs, but no one I knit for is shaped for these jackets.

I received a review copy of "Tudor Roses" by Alice Starmore (Dover) through NetGalley.com. It was originally published in 1998 and has been revised and updated for this edition. Some of the designs in the original have been dropped.

I have the first Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore and it is a favorite of mine. I have knitted some of the patterns. But even if you don't want to knit, the pictures and text are well worth checking this book out. This new Tudor Roses is the same. There are some new patterns and more modern interpretations of some of the original patterns. The patterns are mostly very challenging and for the advanced knitter. However, I would recommend it for any knitter's library. One can dream after all.

14 designs for stranded colorwork, inspired by the women of the Tudor dynasty. The designs are beautiful and challenging, and this reprinting was eagerly anticipated. The hardcover book is huge and very heavy. Designs will need to be photocopied in order to be portable.

Mostly black and white charts for designing your own stranded knitting projects. The charts could also be used for counted cross stitch, although the proportions would differ. Starmore includes a short (16 pages) discussion of the process for incorporating the charts into your projects, and color photos showing some of her projects along with the landscapes that inspired them. The color image across the top of the cover in this edition is from the Autumn variation of Starmore's Oregon cardigan. Long out of print, this new edition is an invaluable resource for adventurous knitters.

Inspired by the magic and mysticism of Celtic art, this fabulous collection of knitwear designs for adults and children from Alice Starmore will please knitters everywhere. With each garment photographed in color against the breathtaking scenery of western Ireland, The Celtic Collection is a visual delight as well as a rich source of exquisite patterns.½

lista

Excellent detailed reference work for understanding how Fair Isle designs are created and how to work out all the contruction details for a specific Fair Isle garment. Lots of math needed - examples included.

Alice Starmore's first pattern collection, designed to introduce her (then) flagship knitting yarns line from The Tomato Factory.
Sweater styles are dated but the colorwork is brilliant.

These patterns are very 70s/early 80s; the jumpsuit rompers on the cover are typical of the contents. My daughter informed me that there was nothing in the book she'd request for her kids. There were actually several quite nice patterns but nothing I don't have a better pattern for elsewhere. Interesting glimpse at the early work of a well known knitting designer before she became uncompromising about her art - a stance that has at times caused difficulty for her publishers and fans but clearly has improved her designs.

95 % graphed charts, Not on proportioned knitters graph paper. no count of repeats, no extra heavy line for 10 by 10 squares. these faults make it very hard to use. Designs are OK, the few colours pictures are good.

For designing sweaters, use Knitting in the Old Way or any of EZ's books

A disappointment½

Since its original publication in 1997, Alice Starmore's Aran Knitting has been considered a classic. The book begins with a history of Aran knitting, based on analysis of eleven historical Aran knitted garments in the collection of the National Museum of Ireland. This section is followed by 48 pages of charted cable patterns, in which Starmore explains the construction techniques and illustrates the ways in which new variations can be developed from existing patterns.

The pattern section in the 2010 reprint includes the same 14 garments as the first edition, with additional sizes for most, plus one new pattern, a shaped cardigan in sport weight yarn. With only one exception, these patterns are gorgeous; I immediately added half of them to my queue on Ravelry. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in cable knitting.

Out of print.

Finally, Alice Starmore has decided to reissue her classic Book of Fair Isle Knitting. This title has long been out of print, and had been selling for astronomical prices on ebay. Although 12 patterns are provided, this book focuses on the history and techniques of Fair Isle knitting. Chapters include: A brief history, Pattern, Color, Technique, A wardrobe of [12] patterns, and Creating your own designs, with a brief bibliography. This is the ultimate resource for anyone who wants to explore Fair Isle knitting.

Wonderful designs, beautifully styled, visual inspiration