Maybe this is very cynical of me, but I am really starting to feel like patterns call for so many strands to sell more yarn.

@sallymalnar4625

Ай бұрын

I agree. 😢 But on the other hand it does add depth and texture using different strands together. I avoid patterns that use two or more strands together. Just my opinion!

Thank you so much for spending the editing time inserting photos and info, rather than just holding the book up to the camera. Great review!!

Please, please please do more book reviews. This was the best and most thorough review of a knitting book I’ve seen. 😮 ❤

Thank you so much for mentioning the inconsistent size range! As a plus size knitter I was definitely a little disheartened when I got this book for Christmas and found some of the patterns I was excited to have weren’t my size.

@TSUNAMI-MAMI

2 ай бұрын

That’s a shame!😢

I have watched a couple reviews of this KFO book and I am so glad I took the time to watch yours, your thorough review of the measurements in each pattern was really helpful. Especially as a plus size knitter. Leave it to an engineer to get down to the k-nitty gritty with the math. Thank you!

Well done Amy! That’s a very thorough review of a very popular brand. I think your summary analysis at the end was super helpful for anyone considering this book. Grouping the patterns into categories was logical and will assist us in evaluating the book for our own knitting libraries. Thanks a lot.

8 strands?! That’s crazy…I might pass and just purchase individual patterns. Thanks Amy!

@kukieknits

2 ай бұрын

My thoughts exactly! So many multiple strands and very very warm fabrics! I'm in Australia so not for me for sure.

This was the best book review I've ever seen. One thing I can always count on in your podcasts, I am always going to have all the information I need, weather it is a pattern or yarn even notions. And that it will be honest!! Thank you Amy

And this is The reviev. The best I have seen yet, of any book. I vould love to see more such "engeneered" revievs 🙂 Thank you ❤

This is a terrific video, having the specs and photo of each pattern on screen was so helpful

I really appreciated this. I hope you continue to do in depth knitting book reviews!

Thank you for your in-depth discussion of the Knitting for Olive book. I found it very interesting and the things you noticed about the pattern sizing being nonuniform was helpful. I liked that you reviewed every pattern and included details about each one. I considered purchasing the book but after your review I decided to purchase the patterns I like from their website. I look forward to for future reviews by you.

Very informative video! The presentation of the patterns from their similarities to differences was done nicely! Thanks so much, Amy! 👍👍

Excellent job Amy! Very insightful.

I recently stumbled upon your channel and it has quickly become one of my very favorite channels on KZread. You and I have very similar styles and priorities when it comes to patterns and yarn choices. I greatly appreciate the fact that you jump right into your videos without lots of extra "fluff" and value the time you spend coming up with unique video topics/concepts. It's been very helpful to me as a seasoned knitter, but newer *garment* knitter, to find my way in the overwhelming world of patterns available. Thank you for what you do! This book review was wonderful!

Thank you for this- very helpful and informative! I’d love to see more!

Love your videos! I applaud the thoroughness & clarity of your book review!!

A wonderful review, thank you Amy. Some of the patterns are definitely for the Northern hemisphere winters and some with multi strands of yarn makes quite an expensive garment to knit. We produce wool in N.Z. and it is even expensive here.I love the book and will be looking for it here to buy.

What a great job presenting this review. I look forward to more like this.

Thank you so much for such an informative review, it is really helpful! 🙏

Great review! Appreciate all the details and insights. Thank you ❤

I had no intention of purchasing the book to begin with but I did enjoy this thorough review 😊 particularly the info about the pattern distribution ❤

Loved this video! I would love to see a review of some of the magazines that come out. I know nothing about them but I'd love to learn more.

Great review and very informative. Looking forward to the next book review

Thank you so much for the review! I really appreciate your honesty and feedback on the things you work on and get gifted. Lots of love from the Pacific Northwest 🧡

What a great, thorough review. Super helpful and very well done (as are all your videos)!

What an outstanding review! Thank you! ❤

Great review Amy!! I did notice the grading and size inclusivity issues when you were reviewing the patterns. Thank you! Have a great week❤❤

Thank you, I appreciate this review!

As an owner of the book, I will also say that I found the pattern instructions difficult to follow. On increase/decrease rows, they don’t include the number of total stitches increased/decreased. The stitch totals are given several rows later, which makes it frustrating to check stitches while knitting or counting rows. Generally, I was surprised at how unclear the instructions could be, especially from such a popular brand and paid knitting patterns.

Great review. Thanks for the tip of excessive mess regarding holding several strands of yarn together.

Thank you so much for reviewing this knitting book. It is extremely helpful because when looking at books online you don't always get to see all of the finished objects. With your review I know it would be more beneficial for me to buy the book, not individual patterns! Fantastic podcast!!❤

Great review! Thank you!

Excellent and comprehensive review, thank you.

Super helpful video! I recently gifted a friend one of the pattern books from Sandnes Garn because of the poor size range (even though I loved some) it just did not sit right with me. So I appreciate you pointing this and many other pros and cons in a balanced info video. Thank you!

I can’t finish this review right now but having scanned through it I am impressed and grateful for the in-depth review of the content!

Thanks for the review. Very helpful.

Thank you! this was very helpful!

This was so helpful. Thank you

Thank you Amy!Super helpful to have your review on this book.Great idea to give us these insights into the various pattern books.It’s always a little frustrating to know so very little about any given knitting book pre purchase as one is really ‘buying blind’… really helpful and informative thanks again!🙏🤗

Great idea to do book reviews. I have this book and am interested in making most of the patterns. My wardrobe needs some more basics. Thank you for the updates.

Great review! I especially appreciated you comparing the sweaters that looked similar and breaking down the weights used. Re - 8 strands of mohair for the "Rain Sweater" -> yes, that's a lot, but it is kind of logical for this design to use 8 strands to achieve the design's signature feature: an extremely subtle fade by changing which strands of colors are held as you go down, while being very lightweight in a way a bulky gauge typically isn't. I kind of love that concept, and was open to splurging to create it, since it looked great in the one photo in the book - but in the photos on Ravelry it looks like the construction might make the stitches look a bit stretched in a way that I'm not sure I'd find attractive.

Thank you for such an in-depth book review. It was truly appreciated and it answered so many of my questions . Please review more books!

@andreaderosier1461

2 ай бұрын

Very helpful review with a lot of price considerations!

Definitely enjoyed the thorough review, including the final pros/cons. Seems like they aimed to US knitters with this book, forgetting about other English speakers all around the world

Hi Amy. A really useful, succinct review of KFO book. Thanks for that 🥰

I ordered mine a week ago and it's on its way. I first purchased a few of their patterns to see how they were written and if they are easy for me to follow and I fell in love! I have purchased many of the baby patterns and have started knitting amazing baby gifts. Beautifully written, amazing construction, and the results are very professional finished pieces. I have to say I am completely sold on the patterns. Though for baby gifts I don't use their yarn as I don't think new mothers want hand wash only items. I have substituted them with Filcollana Anina. The softest superwash merino I have ever used! Perfect for newborn skin.

Thank you for this video. I really appreciated your honest opinion of this book. Very helpful to be told who would appreciate buying the book, and those who would not get value from it.

Thank you so much for this information. This review was so informative and helpful. I SO wish I had found prior to my purchase of this book. ( I have a very small collection of knitting books as we have downsized . ). I am regretting my Salvation Army giveaways of my Rowan Magazine collection pattern books. But I knit so many I thought I wouldn’t repeat pattens…. Fast forward I made a huge mistake. I am used to “seaming and cable “ patterns . I have found some patterns in recent years to “ grow” with top down construction. The fails of multiple yarns that weigh down one’s work . Anyway…. I have not found one pattern within that I would do. I think the construction and verbiage is my major worry within. You mention multiple yarns and the cost becomes into question. ( for me… my opinion only…. With respect). Thank you and I look forward to more reviews .

I recently found your channel and have been obsessed with it! I like that it's so direct and to the point. I'm glad to see you're expanding into book reviews! Another thing I'd be interested in is how you adjust your patterns to fit your height/size. I'm 5'2" and feel like there is a dearth of content about petite fit-related issues in knitting compared to sewing. Things like adjusting length of sweaters is easy, but I always have trouble with the width between the shoulders being too wide, yokes being too deep, etc-- would love to see how you adjust for fit!

Hi Amy! Thanks for the review. It was so helpful to hear your summary and see each sweater. I would love to hear what sweaters you like in the book and if you are tempted to make any!😊

Great bookreview!

Great idea to review the book. I love the patterns. Their designs are so feminine. 🧶

Really appreciate your review - it was in depth enough to finally convince me not to buy the book. I generally like Knitting for Olive and I probably will purchase a few individual ones mentioned here but there are a few issues that you pointed out that have convinced me in the end (having been on the fence for a while now).. I think this is a great addition to the current content you are putting out. I really look forward to your usual videos and could see these being a firm favourite as well! ❤

Great Review!

Thanks for the tips

omg i bought this book last weekend, what a coincidence!!!!

Absolutely loved this, such a good, professional and thorough book review. I’d love to know if there were any patterns in this book that you’ll be knitting in the future or have already knitted x

That was really wonderful! If I found that book on a shelf, I'd want to buy it. But after hearing all of these stats and specific information, I know I would never use any of these patterns.

Wow that was a really eye opening review! Thank you for your detailed overview. The first sweater I knit was It's not a Sweatshirt. I bought the pattern online and used a dk weight superwash as a budget friendly alternative as it was my first sweater. I really enjoyed the pattern, but I do fall in the middle of the size range, and at the time didn't notice how much size inclusivity is lacking in KFO patterns. I'm currently on the wait list for this book from my library (try before I buy, then buy from LYS ❤) but after watching this video I don't know if I'll get much from it that I don't already have. Maybe the cover sweater, but meh to the rest. Thanks again for all your insights, love your video style. Take care.

Excellent review! Not sure if I should get this book or just purchase the patterns I want individually. Having trouble even imagining 8 strands of mohair together!

Great video, Amy, thank you! I already purchased the book because I figured there are definitely 6 patterns I’d like to make. I am currently knitting the Darling wrap using Holst yarn I have in stash (have got a stash only challenge for myself going here…. 😂). I’ll be sure to post how the substitution works out. I’ve gone up a size to compensate for the thinner yarns… we’ll see.

Awesome video! Also idk if it’s changed but on Amazon the book is at $23 right now:)))

I loved the in depth review with stats and charts! You did a great job Amy 😍Personally I would only knit one or two patterns from the book so I'm not gonna buy it but I enjoyed the video nonetheless

This was a great review! I love their patterns. But I have to say, as a very low-income person, I just can't afford the mountains of yarn the multiple strand knits require. And they really seem to be all the rage right now.

Excellent review and well done. I would add that the book goes into their story and yarn development so that would be one reason to purchase. I received it for Christmas; I agree with your comments regarding multiple strands of yarn. I haven’t knit anything yet; I didn’t realize all of the individual patterns are available for purchase. It’s unfortunate there isn’t a code to download the PDF version with purchase of the book but as I knit from my iPad and use Knit Companion it’s worth it to me to buy the pattern from Ravelry or their website. Thanks for this tip in particular!

Great review. In case anyone is interested, the book is available digitally as well as the soft cover. I got a digital version of it using some digital credits from Amazon. I'll definitely knit a few things from it since I own it, but for all the reasons Amy mentions in this review I feel like I might have been disappointed if I had paid for it.

Love their yarn but they are odd as a company lol. 8 strands of mohair? What is even the point of that? It would just be like, dense, at that point and you could probably just use a worsted held with mohair. Thanks for the review!

It would be interesting to know in your book reviews witch pattern you like the most and if there is some pattern you thinking of add to the knitting que 😊

I thought this format was great and helpful to me, who is considering the KFO book but has not yet committed. I do love their yarns and esthetic. I am not sure I need THAT much more mohair in my life. Alpaca does me in, even Suri, so I need some more SSM, just, like you say, what they call for seems so EXTRA. I didn't catch if any patterns called for one strand of Heavy Merino and one strand of SSM. That is a combo that I would like to try for a super sumptuous curl up with a book or just a glass of wine vibe, maybe in one of their patterns or maybe something from Sari Nordlund. Any thoughts/inspo on this combo? Thanks!

I enjoyed your review of the book Amy. It would also be great if you could let us know if there any patterns you are considering knitting and why.

It's important to note that not all of the patterns from this book are on Ravelry! I was looking for the Fennel sweater after seeing the picture in your video because it looked so cute, and not only is not not available on Ravelry, but the pattern is not available in English on the KFO website!!! :0 good thing my library has this book in stock, I am going to check it out from there :^) Thank you for this awesome review!

@neknits

2 ай бұрын

Oh wow I didn't realize the Fennel is not in English! Great catch, definitely makes it book exclusive.

Great review, I own the book, and made a cheat sheet page from you , with the gauges, as the book does not give you them , so thank you for that as I will be substituting yarn. Maybe after I knit 6 patterns I will treat myself to some KFO yarn for the 7 th pattern . Thanks, Melissa.which pattern are you going to make first? I might try the puff tee.

Tell us what you’re interested in making!

I got the book for Christmas, and I definitely thought it was an interesting choice that they only used US size needles. I can't speak for everyone else in the US, but as a knitter in the US myself, I don't even go off of US sizing needles. And for those English-speaking knitters that are not in the US, they most definitely don't use US sizing for needles...

@neknits

2 ай бұрын

Definitely an oversight by the translator/publisher I think!

Thank you Amy. I liked your review it's very fact based. However if you don't mind I would really appreciate a little bit of your personal likes and dislikes about a pattern, may be smth you are excited about to knit, or may be nothing at all tickles your fancy. Something a bit more personal. Thank you so much again :)

❤

👍

I own this book and I didn’t even realise most of the patterns are 2 strands of mohair rather than one. It seems like a really sneaky way to sell more yarn and that makes me sad! I don’t think gauge wise would be that different with one strand…

For the size grading for larger sizes - I thought patterns were supposed to reduce the ease as the sizes go up? I’ve seen patterns where the designer has not done this and the projects with the larger sizes have ended up like literal tents on their wearers

@neknits

2 ай бұрын

I have heard that too and I think different knitters have different opinions on if that is the correct way to grade through all the sizes.

Thanks for your in-depth review. I was interested in this, but the patterns aren't really doing anything to spark my interest and the whole holding 3 or 4 or 8 (what the heck!) strands together, no, just no.

8 stands of silk held together omg 😭

If I'm not included in all of their patterns then I certainly won't buy their yarn 🤷🏼‍♀️

The patterns are pretty, so why does the majority of the models look depressed lol.

boring