Wildflowers, Lancaster County

Book Description

Helen Macfarlane, revolutionary social critic, feminist and Hegelian philosopher was the first English translator of Karl Marx and Fredrich Engel's theCommunist Manifesto. Her original translation is included in this edition. Marx publicly admired her as a rare and original thinker and journalist. This book recreates her intellectual and political world at a key turning point in European history.

Book Description

If you're tired of making sweaters with sleeves that are the wrong length, necklines that droop, armholes that are too tight, and an overall look that's not quite right, then let Seater Design in Plain English come to your rescue. In clear, straightforward terms, Maggie Righettie shares her knitting know-how and good fashion sense so that, no matter what your knitting level, you can overcome the fear of failure, avoid costly mistakes, adapt already-existing patterns, and plan and create sweaters that really fit and look terrific-sweaters that will be worn for many years to come. Topics and techniques include:

-Understanding the nature of yarn and pattern stitches
-Choosing the most flattering color and design for the wearer
-Taking accurate body measurements
-Estimating the amount of yarn you'll need
-How to tell whether or not a sweater will look good on you-before you start to knit
-How to alter printed patterns so they really fit
-How to understand the mathematics of gauge and pattern design
-Plus start-to-finish instructions for thirteen classic sweaters

Each technique is illustrated with clear diagrams, sketches, or photographs. Complete with conversion charts and a personal-measurements record-keeping section, Sweater Design in Plain English takes the guesswork out of every creative knitting effort.

Customer Reviews:

Knitting away in Seattle.......2007-08-04

I am excited about design and heard this book is about the best out there. It looks straight-forward and inspiring. I like her other Knitting in Plain English so I'm sure this will be satisfactory. Give it a whorl.

Like a compass, sextant and canteen for knitters.......2007-05-13

Maggie Righetti's sweater design book walks the timid knitter through the swamps, crags and deserts that a pattern addict must travel to design her (or his) own sweater. Clear writing, pleasant encouragement and plenty of illustrations make this a basic addition to the serious knitter's book shelf.

Phenominal!.......2005-07-27

This book is amazing! I'm not even completely through the first section and I find that it's been well worth the money. Even if you never plan on designing your own sweaters this book is worth reading. The explanations of how the various factors such as body shape, 'standard' measurements and the drape of different yarn types affect the finished project will help anyone improve on the fit of even published patterns as well as improve your satisfaction with the final product.
Buy it, you won't be disappointed!

An excellent book.......2002-09-14

When I first bought this book, my knitting experience was not matured enough to appreciate the depth of the information contained in this book. To be honest, I was even dissapointed since the style of sweaters shown was not stylish, the models wearing them were not stylish commercial models. The book is full of English text and has no eye-candy photos. So it had been sitting in my bookshelf for almost one year,I even thought about selling it.

One Saturday afternoon, out of boredom, I decided to pick it up to read, laying on the bed. I could not believe that I could not discover the wisdom that the authour generously shares with us. My knitting knowleadge by then has grown to understand the authour's intention. Most of us do not have perfect bodies so that we need skills to knit to fit better. The models shown are real people with real mesurements! The sweaters are simples ones knitters tend to come back after ellaborately ornamented commercial patterns, which are often too-stylish to wear everyday.

All these knitting skills for size-manipulation were right there in her book at my hand. I looked for those informaiton here and there scattered in many other books, but most of the time I could not find them in any where. For example, how to plan bust darts by short-rowing were something I always wanted to know.

Her charting system is good model to copy. Math for knitting is well explined. If you can draw it and can do the math part of it, you can knit it. The price is very generous for the wealth of information contained. Probably, no color photos, no expensive commercial models have contributed greatly to its price. I am grad she made the book easy access to many people.

I would reccomend this book to intermidiate to advanced knitters.

Not just for would-be designers!.......2002-04-14

I checked this book out of the library since I am fascinated with the idea of designing my own sweaters. But this book offers much, much more. It teaches the basics of color, it tells what colors work for you and why. Then there is a section on figure types. What sweater designs flatter and which do not. And the chapter does not have just the usual hour glass, pear, top heavy distinctions, there's the rectangle, the triangle, the oval, the tiffany diamond.... It is almost garanteed the you will find your body type in the list.

The first part alone is worth the price of the book but there are many other lessons to offer. As mentioned before, most of the sweater projects are not very stylish (though I did like the sweater designed to use up left over yarn) but the lessons offered are sound.

As usual for Maggie Righetti's books, the writing style is chatty and fun filled with anecdotes and nuggets of wisdom that can only come from a veteran knitter.

My only real complaint about this book is that it often refers to information found in the author's previous book Knitting in Plain English. I suggest buying both books. (You'll want the other one anyway after reading this book.)

This book is a must for any knitter who wishes to design sweaters but it is also an excellant course in dressing well and in adjusting knitting patterns. Also, it is a good look at advanced knitting techniques. This book is hours worth of knitting lessons condensed in a convenient package. Worth every penny!

Average customer rating:

Must have for new knitters

still a great book

Great book

I wish I'd waited

Comprehensive Knitting Guide

Knitting in Plain English
Maggie Righetti
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Sweater Design in Plain English

Knitter's Handbook : A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Techniques of Handknitting

Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes (Knitting Without Tears SL 466)

The Knitting Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask

Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks

ASIN: 0312458533

Book Description

Whether you've been handling knitting needles for years, or just thinking about picking them up, Knitting in Plain English should be your bible. Drawing on twenty years of experience as "the knitting lady" in various yarn stores, Maggie Righetti provides sound instructions for beginners and sensible solutions for experienced knitters. Topics and techniques include:Picking a pattern that's right for you, determining gauge, how to knit and purl plus instructions for fifteen additional pattern stitches, how to make invisible increases and decreases, five different methods of buttonholing, how to short-row for a perfect fit, working with more than one color of yarn, how to weave invisible seams, picking up dropped stitches, how to hand-wash and block your finished garment, plus much, much more.From equipping your knitting bag to knitting a sweater, Maggie Righetti explains it all simply and clearly. Each technique is illustrated with easy-to-follow, step-by-step drawings. Complete with a detailed glossary of knitting terms and six learning patterns on which to practice, Knitting in Plain English is an invaluable sourcebook no knitter will outgrow.

Customer Reviews:

Must have for new knitters.......2007-09-10

Very well written, many essential tips for creating well made hand knits, as well as intersting perspective on the craft. Discriptions and illustrations are easy to follow.

still a great book.......2007-08-20

I now have both editions of this book. I think it's more about how to THINK about knitting in many ways than how to KNIT. This book deserves a place on every new knitters bookshelf. It's a fun read too. Maybe Maggie is the Terry Brazelton of knitting....

Great book.......2007-08-11

This is a wonderful book. Easy to read and full of great information. The author has a sense of humor too. You won't be disappointed if you buy it.

I wish I'd waited.......2007-07-23

I have absolutely no prior knitting experience. I purchased this along with Nici McNally's The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting DVD to learn how to knit, and I do not believe this book is suitable for that purpose. I only understood much of the book after seeing the same info on the DVD. I believe that it would work as a reference for anyone who either purchases the DVD or who already knows how to knit, but that it's not for the rank beginner.

However, the main reason that I gave it only 3 stars is that I do not like this woman's tone. Some things which have annoyed me include mentioning that she wouldn't LET her customers out of the store without doing a guage swatch, that she'd better not catch us with our knitting in anything less than a NICE knitting bag, and her rather rude comments about people who choose to not use circular knitting needles. Her references to God as "She" certainly didn't help.

This book certainly seems to include some excellent information. However, if I had it to do over again, I would have purchased only the DVD to learn the basics of knitting, and then previewed several knitting books to decide which had the most information presented in the most helpful manner. Knowing so little, it was tough to choose a good reference book. I wish I had waited.

Comprehensive Knitting Guide.......2007-06-08

"Knitting in Plain English" is a comprehensive knitting guide for any knitter. I am an intermediate knitter, and found suggestions within this book that I was able to put to use immediately. Though all pictures in this book are line drawings, they are helpful and well-explained. The patterns in the back of the book aren't patterns I would use, but they are presented in a way that each pattern teaches important knitting lessons. This presentation of the patterns makes them more valuable for any learner, as Righetti walks the knitter through each technique. I especially appreciated the section of the book about gauge.

Average customer rating:

Knitting in Plain English
Maggie Righetti
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTHWJE

Book Description

Create a unique, memorable and permanent record of this special time in your life.

This pregnancy journal will become a treasured place to record your special feelings, current observations and dreams for your baby-to-be. "Thought starters" on every page and beautiful photographs throughout will help you express your feelings, hopes and dreams for your child. And best of all, your finished journal will be a priceless family keepsake you will be thrilled to share with your child.

Contents:

Includes 126 "thought starters," which are open-ended phrases or sentences that guide you in writing down feelings, descriptions of home life and community, hopes and dreams for your child, and much more.

-Covers subjects from how you met your babyís father to what you most look forward to sharing with your baby after birth.

-Also supplies places to record what you ate, how you exercised, how you discovered you were pregnant, how you told the father, fashions and trends of the day and so on.

-Beautiful photography in two colors appears on almost every page, reflecting the themes of surrounding pages.

Customer Reviews:

This is so cute.......2007-07-26

I was looking for something personal and not just information regarding what I should expect during my pregnancy. This book is so cute and is a great way to track your thoughts, feelings, events, and ups and downs of your pregnancy. After looking at many different journals, I liked this one the most. I highly recommend it.

Lots of writing!.......2007-06-03

Love this journal but be prepared for a lot of writing. It's pretty thick and each page has an inspiring topic to write about. Easy to get carried away writing but hard to find the time with a toddler at home! Of course, technically, you can write as much or as little as you want. If I could change one thing though I wish that there was a more organized section on appointments and number/lab data. There's a page here and there throughout the book but it's hard to put all your info together in this journal.

I loved this book..........2007-05-13

My husband bought me this book when I was pregnant with my son. The topics were great and anytime the writing mood would strike I could flip through and find a good one. There were topics about the pregnancy and family, but there were also a few that were not about pregnancy. I did not finish all of it when I was pregnant and I wish I would have...but I hope it is something my son will enjoy reading when he is older, and he will know how much he was loved before we even met him!

Could've been better.......2007-02-17

It's a nice little journal with pretty pictures. It might be better though, if it were spiral bound, so it's easier to write on the pages. I would also suggest more blank pages for random thoughts.

A little disappointed.......2007-02-07

Buy this if you want to write out full page essays - not jot down little experiences.

Amazon.com

Henry F. du Pont, or Harry, as he was commonly known, was something of a pack rat. Luckily, he had exacting taste and meticulously documented his vast collection of antiques, furniture, and beautiful things. The son of the wealthy senator and Civil War hero Henry Algernon du Pont, Harry spent his early years floundering around in school, struggling both with academics and athletics, and found few, if any, pursuits at which he excelled. After graduating from Harvard with a less-than-stellar academic record, Harry moved back home to Delaware. There, for lack of anything better to do, he began to manage the family's vast estate, which included sprawling gardens and even bigger cattle farms.

Soon du Pont found his métier. He and his wife established four majestic homes--one each in Manhattan; Southampton; Boca Grande, Florida; and, most famously, Winterthur, Delaware--which they filled with their ever-expanding collection of antiques, art, carpets, and sundry knickknacks. Du Pont took immense pleasure in every detail of domestic life--carrying on a decades-long correspondence with a linens purveyor, for example, in which the two discussed every possible minutia of stitching and quilting, and carefully overseeing the choice of flowers, china, and even doilies for household luncheons.

In 1931, du Pont decided to share his passion with the public and dedicated his beloved Winterthur as a museum. After doubling its size to house all of its holdings, the museum opened in 1951. Du Pont did not stop there. He chaired the committee to save the Cooper Union Museum (now the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Design) and helped Jacqueline Kennedy redecorate the White House. This affectionate biography, written by the du Ponts' daughter, Ruth, offers an intimate view of one of the century's great cultural philanthropists. --Anna Baldwin

Book Description

In this delightful memoir, Ruth Lord recalls her father, Henry F. du Pont, and her childhood years at Winterthur, the family home in Delaware, which du Pont transformed into a world-renowned museum. Based on her own experiences and on extraordinary family archives, the book tells the vivid story of Lord`s father`s diverse accomplishments and her family`s fabulous lifestyle.

Customer Reviews:

Insight and Intelligence.......2006-03-30

This is a truly unusual biography. Written with insight and perception, Ruth Lord's protrayal of her father lead her to an understanding of him that she never had when he was alive. That any adult child could write of a parent with such objectivity is really remarkable.

The world of wealth and privilege comes with responsibilites and obligations. H.F. du Pont met his but not without personal hardship. As as a child who was never supposed to amount to anything, H.F. left lasting accomplishments in the world of the decorative arts, dairy breeding and horticulture. A fascinating story of a remarkable man, this is a book well worth reading.

A touching portrait of a complex, difficult man........1999-04-15

Not a story to which I would naturally gravitate, but I feel fortunate that I found this book. A wonderfully detailed account of a peculiar and interesting man and family. Free of the sordid tell-all, life-was-hell details of so much of what passes for memoir these days, but full of both love and unflinching insight.

Henry F. Du Pont and Winterthur : A Daughter's Portrait

Average customer rating:

Henry F. Du Pont and Winterthur : A Daughter's Portrait
Ruth Lord
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORKJSW

Book Description

This masterful biography of Jack Lynch is an extraordinary portrait of a man who governed Ireland through the most significant crisis in the history of the Irish government. It unfolds the riveting story of Jack Lynch's life and depicts him as a natural, relaxed, gregarious sportsman who had a will of steel and unyielding views and beliefs. As Ireland's prime minister from 1966 to 1979, Lynch was the first leader forced to dismiss senior government colleagues on the suspicion of a conspiracy to subvert the state. His transformational thinking about Northern Ireland and Britain and his advocacy of nonviolent negotiations laid the foundations for reconciliation and progress. Whether in a seat of power or as a member of the opposition, his natural dignity and his innate leadership qualities gave him an authority that transcended party politics. In tracing Lynch's life from childhood through his remarkable career as a politician, the full scope of Lynch's lasting influence as one of Ireland's most popular and highly regarded leaders is revealed.

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