paperback spiral

Interesting and useful, I think - I knit, but I've never done cables. I found several patterns here that I'd like to do (just need to think of a project they'd work on). The instructions seem clear - I prefer the written ones to the charts, but I can see the utility of the charts for a pattern with a long repeat. And I suspect I'll like the charts better when I'm more familiar with them. Besides the patterns, each accompanied with a knitted and nicely photographed swatch, there's several chapters of discussion of what cables are and how to use them, and tips and tricks for working with them, including one at the end on dealing with the fact that cables draw in the work - since they cross over, a piece with cables in it will be narrower than a piece with the same number of stitches and no cables. There are methods of dealing with that, and the author goes over them pretty thoroughly. I received a copy through NetGalley for review. ( )

I''m so glad this isn't a written version of the patterns. It open several possibilities for me. I can easily incorporate this into my pattern chart when needed without twisting my head and wonder how to do it understandably. ( )

"Cable Left, Cable Right" is a feeble offering compared to the Mon Tricot knitting dictionaries I use when designing fancy knitting projects. Too few patterns, too many words, assembled in drab Storey Publishing colors. Ms Durant prefers charted patterns over written ones so watch out if you have an astigmatism.

If you want to knit cables, Mon Tricot knitting dictionaries can be found for nearly nothing in used book shops, library or community fundraising sales, or estate sales of people who knit. Even new online they are inexpensive. I think you will find them to be a much better value than this book.

I received a review copy of "Cable Left, Cable Right: 94 Knitted Cables" by Judith Durant (Storey) through NetGalley.com. ( )