Stitch Mountain: 30 Warm Knits for Conquering the Cold

Admittedly, I'm a Laura Zander fan, because her Jimmy Beans web site is such a great source for how-to knitting videos (in addition to knitting yarn and supplies). This book, STITCH MOUNTAIN, totally lives up to my high expectations for a Zander book. It includes 30 attractive project patterns, ranging from simple to complex, that are all suitable for keeping active skiers and snowboarders warm.Each design is "inspired by" a famous name in winter sports, and includes a photo of the athlete (along with a hokey, forced description of the "inspiration" that you may want to skip reading). What I like best about this book is the variety of knittable, attractive designs--by well-known knitting designers--that are written for a wide range of yarn weights and needle sizes. A particularly nice feature is the included two-page "Guide to Fibers for Cold-Weather Knitting".My personal favorite designs are Martin Storey's Downhill Pullover (with downhill skier and Nordic snowflake motifs on the sweater body); Melissa LaBarre's Fair Isle Ski Hat (with subtle lightning-design bands, in turquoise, gold, and white), Gwen Bortner's Double-Layer Hat (with three wide bands of red, white, and blue), and Sally Melville's zippered, ribbed pullover.The smaller projects (and designers) are: Double-Knit Cowl (Gwen Bortner); Twisted-Stitch Mitts (Rachel Roden); Striped Flip-Top Mittens (Stephannie Tallent); Gaiter & Mittens (Lorna Miser); Ribbed Ski Cap (Alexandra Tinsley); Slouchy Socks (Gwen Bortner); Cabled Convertible Mittens (Suzy Allen); Reversible Cable Scarf (Lorna Miser).The medium projects (and designers) are: Double-Layer Hat (Gwen Bortner); Variegated Hat (Edie Eckman); Ruffle Scarf (Romi Hill); Ribbed & Striped Hat (Gwen Bortner); Kitten Mittens (embroidered kitten design, Jeanne Giles); Nordic Hat (fair isle, Sarah Hatton); Slipper Socks (fair isle, Allison Judge); Personalized Headband (intarsia alphabet, Kristen Ashbaugh Helmreich); Sparkle Slouchy Hat (Kristen Ashbaugh Helmreich); Whimsical Ski Hat (Marly Bird); Slip Stitch Beanie (Grace Akhrem); Snowflake Hat (double-knit, Terry King); Diamond Cowl (Kristen Ashbaugh Helmreich); Fair Isle Ski Hat (Melissa LaBarre).The larger projects (and designers) are: Striped-Sleeve Sweater (pullover, Diane Soucy); Grandpa Vest (Mary Beth Temple); Snowflake Turtleneck (Toby Roxane); Cable & Garter Blanket (Marie Wallin); Spider Blanket (Kristen Ashbaugh Helmreich); Podium Pullover (four zippers, Sally Melville); Child's Ski Patrol Hoodie & Mittens (Suzy Allen); Downhill Pullover (complex fair isle, Martin Storey).

I read this book, not just knit from it. It's like a story! Great people, patterns and stories talking about where each item came from and why it came to be. I love it and have already recommended it to many others who have purchased. Hard to find. If you find a copy, buy it, you won't regret it.

Although I admittedly purchased this for Marie Wallin's Cable and Garter Blanket pattern, I adore all the wintry designs and plan on knitting quite a few: Martin Storey's Downhill Pullover, Sarah Hatton's Nordic Hat, and Jeanne Giles's Kitten Mittens for starters. Though maybe I should begin with Allison Judge's Slipper Socks?! This book is full of truly fantastic designs that, while traditional, have enough extra flare to make them unique. LOVE!

The book arrived in good condition, but the book cover was all torn and wrinkled. I had planned to give the book as a gift. Now I have to keep it, because I could not give it as a present in such a shape.

It's pretty rare for me to find a knitting book with more than one pattern screaming "Knit Me Now!".I enjoyed the stories about the athletes, and will make at least half the designs in this lovely book, starting with the cover cowl.

I love all the patterns. The hard part is deciding which to do, and if I can actually make 2 of most - one for me and one for my daughter.

So many great patterns, so little time. The patterns aren't intricate or hard, just useful and attractive. It's hard to decide what to knit first, then knit next. Decisions, decisions...

I think this is a great knitting book. I can't wait to try a pattern. I liked every single pattern in this book.

This book contains gushing tributes to various skiers. I bought it for the knitting, not to read how wonderful someone I''ve never heard of is. No-one coordinated the submission of the patterns so several of them are almost the same, just in different colours.

Love this book not done anything out of it as yet but have a couple of things picked ou to start in a couple of weeks.

Lovely designs and so different instructions easy .Lots of smaller items so its a quick knitting job and you can feel proud of yourself