Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects for Today's Knitter [Hardcover]

I love this book, and have made several projects using the patterns. But it is not a book for every knitter, and certainly not for the new or casual knitter. For one thing, much of the book is taken up with archaeological discussion -- interesting, but those who buy the book just for the patterns may not feel they're getting their money's worth. Second, you really have to learn new skills to use it. I am a very experienced knitter, and can use both charts and traditionally-written directions, but it took me a while to grasp this new system (I wrote the code for the charts onto the page of each chart I used, and that helped). And, third, the sweaters themselves are not adaptable, simple, sized for everyone, or even necessarily suited for daily wear. All are very special, unusual designs -- the ball gowns of the sweater world -- and friends will say "Oh, you're wearing your Viking sweater!" every time you do.
That said, let me also say that I submerged myself in Viking knitting for months after buying this book. The stitch patterns are like Aran cables, but they do not go from the top to the bottom in the usual way. Lavold has figured out how to get cables to twine all over the place -- even into medallion-ish closed shapes. I practiced the techniques and designs on slippers and hats and other small projects before attempting a sweater, and found them very usable for alll kinds of projects. If you knit enough to adapt patterns, you will find that the Viking designs will add interest to many other projects and patterns. And if you are a medium-sized person with dramatic tastes, you will love the sweaters, too.
There are more than 14 projects altogether, including a cushion and afghan, one child's sweater, some coats, unisex and women's sweaters, and a number of smaller things like hats, socks, and mittens. All are beautiful and unusual.

I can't help but echo much of what others have said-- the designs are gorgeous, Lavold's historical research is impressive and thorough, the directions are occasionally confusing and not for beginners-- but for an experienced cable knitter, this last is less of an issue than others have made it out to be.

True, these are challenging designs. Even Frode, probably the simplest sweater design in the book, requires the knitter to juggle three cable designs simultaneously (one with a 36-row repeat, two [mirroring each other] with a 32-row repeat). Yet the pattern directions for front and back don't even require armhole shaping, and the unadorned sleeves are the simplest I've seen. The sweater isn't "simplicity itself," as the pattern instructions claim, but the finished product is a comfortable and flattering weekend-ish sweater.

An important point that I think no one else has mentioned is that the more fitted sweaters (the ones that don't double as coats) tend to run small and would need to be adapted for XL+ sizing.

If you've done some cable knitting in the past, are accustomed to following charts, and are experienced enough to know that many knitting patterns require some commonsense adaptation, you'll find nothing to fear here. Well worth the money just for the dozens of cable patterns.

Oh my! What a gorgeous book. Elsebeth has really done her homework. The hardest part about owning this book is deciding which project to start next. I was in my local yarn store a few weeks ago and everyone who worked there was drooling over the designs. They're that special.

The author has come up with quite a nice way to increase stitches in the middle of the garment. If you're a less-experienced knitter I'd recommend you play with this a bit before trying it in an actual garment. It's not hard so don't be intimidated! I started out by making one cable into a pillow. She has a gorgeous cable the continues around corners and frames a pillow beautifully.

This book is as much a coffee table book and history book as it is a pattern book. Lavold details each new cable with explanations of its origin and what it meant as well as pics of it carved in stone and on antique pieces.

If you're new to knitting or have tons of experience this book is for you!