Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch [Paperback]

I have long admired Nancy's work on her website, and I'm grateful to be able to work from printed instructions now, rather than having to use a computer screen while trying to knit. The content is SO amazing that I cannot understand some of the choices that were made by the publisher and or book designer.

Most importantly, a book that requires that the knitter work very carefully, line by line, with brand new, very detailed terminology and symbols should be presented in an enclosed spiral binding format or at least in a hardcover format. This paperback is $27.99 at full retail price, and for a few dollars more, the publisher could have created a much more durable book that stays open on its own, hands-free (this one will not stay open unless one breaks the binding). Secondly, the graphic designer did a reasonably good job, expanding the size of the typeface, and the leading, on pages with less total content (making it easier to read), but pages such as the symbol definition page (p. 13) are much too compressed (the designer should have made the symbols twice as large and dedicated two pages for the purpose of symbol definition...especially given how large all of the instructional photos are on neighboring pages). Many other instructional pages in the book not only have a small typeface but are printed on colored backgrounds (such as saturated lavender) rather than on white or another light color. While this makes for a very "pretty" book in which different sections of the book can be identified quickly by their background color, the first goal of an instructional/reference book on a challenging subject should be to make it as easy to read/see as possible. I'm definitely going to have eye strain as a result of the poor contrast between some of the type and the background upon which it is set. This is a mistake that Interweave Knits also has just made in recently redesigning its magazine, and I'm very surprised that so many graphic designers and knitting book editors are sacrificing function for the sake of form. Books that are primarily meant to teach should prioritize function over form, but I see no reason why both goals cannot be achieved.

I share the opinion of the other reviewer who commented upon the photos. For some reason, we are given gorgeous, artful, close-up views of SECTIONS of various projects, but in many cases we're not given a full-view of the item. Even some of the sweaters are only partially shown, and many are lacking views from alternate angles. While there are graphic representations (rather small, too) of what a potential scarf design might be (in the design chapter), the actual scarf patterns themselves do not have either a detailed graphic representation or a full-view photo. Given the incredible attention that the author paid to super-detailed notes for each pattern, and given the totally innovative nature of these projects, the lack of a reliable visual reference for many of the longer projects (such as scarves) is surprising and will force knitters to rely on each other's Ravelry photos for points of reference.

The design elements chapter is wonderful, but I wish it had been twice as long, with many more examples and a "how to do it yourself" section with concrete steps rather than vague suggestions as to what one might, in theory, do if one were already a master at these techniques. A page of blank graphing paper set up specifically for multicolor brioche designs would have been very helpful indeed, just as intarsia knitting books often provide a few pages of knitter's graph paper.

The only other disappointment is that, as is common with European sizing, many of the sweaters have a minimum size that is much too large for this knitter. The most creative sweater (the Haarlem Jacket) in the book begins with a size medium and a chest size of 39" as the minimum size. It is a gorgeous project, and I regret that I will not be able to make it; the style would flatter me if offered in a smaller size. Many of the patterns don't have a wide size range. I imagine that re-sizing is very challenging in brioche stitch, which is all the more reason for the author, who is an expert, to have done this work for us.

Given the complexity of the written instructions, I pray that the book doesn't have errata. This book is a completely masterful achievement, and my main wish, probably in vain, is that the publishers will consider releasing a second edition in a hardcover with an enclosed spiral binding, and additional photos, or at least a reference to additional project photos which could be provided online at the author's website.

Hats off to Nancy Marchant. She has written an excellent book. The directions and illustrations are very clear and easy to follow. There are more pages devoted to brioche stitch techniques than patterns, which is what a book about the brioche stitch needs. The patterns include cardigans, pullovers and vest for men and women,scarves, hats, snoods, and various odd items like boot cuffs, and wristlets. I can't wait to see other people finish some of these items and post better pictures on Ravelry. That is my only gripe with this book... I wish there were more pictures of the finished projects in this book. The pictures are adequate, but not inspiring. Only because I've done brioche patterns before, do I know that in person these projects are probably more amazing than the photo shows.

I had the opportunity to take a class on Estonian Patent Steeks, which is brioche knitting...I was amazed how beautiful the knitting fabric was. Today I opened this book and was totally mesmerized...the knit items are gorgeous and the tutorials for the stitches are clear, detailed and accompanied by beautiful pictures. This book makes you want to knit everything in it. There is so much to learn in this book! Buy it you won't regret it.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 31 reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars