Knitting Around with Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen

This ia a truly enjoyable and informative DVD. It is a must for the knitter's reference and how- to resource. What I liked most about this product, is the sound knowledge, application and use of gauge. Meg and Mom Elizabeth freely demonstrate the use of the "percentage method" in constructing a garment. The authors make a very sage comment that if it works NO way is the wrong way. I think you will enjoy their way of constructing a sock. Which shows that intuitive knitting is not a bad thing. Freedom to construct a garment your way and your design is encouraged. The authors firmly demonstrate how important it is to measure gauge at each design point of a garment, so when you arrive at the finish the chances of having to rip back are severly diminished.For the knitter that enjoys using the patterns of others, but wants to investigate making up their own designs this product is for you.Even if you do not plan to do your own designs, this product is an invaluable resource to aid in checking the gauge patterns you intend to use.Ms. Zimmerman demonstrates her percentage method of knitting,based on certain types of sweater styles. After the total gauge for the body is measured, all other components such as sleeves, wrists, neck etc. are each a certain percentage. Yet one is free to make adjustments to your own taste as desired. Of course this DVD is devoted to knitting in the round mostly. It does offer some things not knit in the round, a bog jacket; a vest using the authors original construction methods.I found my understanding of the uses of gauge whether the percentage method or not was greatly increased. Get rid of gauge anxiety, and gain confidence through meticulously calculating, careful checking gauge, and use of gauge swatch. Preplanning care ensures the liklihood of a garment you will enjoy making, wearing or giving.

When I received this yarn ball winder, I set it up, taking into account the reviews I had read about it on Amazon, knowing that I had to make sure I did it correctly (the instructions it comes with are very vague). While it winds yarn into a (loose in areas) "cake", the winder, itself, is fussy... Some days, it'll wind the yarn with very little hassle, other days, it comes very close to getting tossed in the garbage. If you wind too fast or too slow, the yarn will just fly up over (or under) the ball & make a mess, sometimes getting stuck under the plastic guard plate mechanism. If the yarn feeding into the winder is too tight or too loose, the winding will mess up, as well. So, the trick to this winder is to find it's happy turning speed & I strongly suggest you use this winder in conjunction with a yarn swift. Pros: easy setup, smooth turning arm, nice metal yarn guide attached.

This video by Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen, her daughter, is an excellent resource for knitters who want to expand their skills and think outside the pattern. A video exploration of the projects shown in the book of the same name, Knitting Around brings us into the homes of Elizabeth and Meg with their unique sense of humor, sensibility, and well, just plain common sense:) At the end of the first of the three disk set are reminiscences of EZ (as she is fondly called in the worldwide knitting community) of her life in England, her studies in Germany and the emigration with her German husband (who was not loved by Hitler and the dislike was mutual) to the United States. Meg Swansen takes a lot of EZ's ideas and "unventions" yet a step further with her own incredibly clear instructions and dedication to the details that make knitting an art form. Can you tell I really loved this DVD and the accompanying book?:)

I have many of these sweaters in the newsletters, but patterns are fleshed out here and the photos are better.

Loved this dvd . Elizabeth and her daughter Meg are delightful and are a pleasure to watch. They teach you so many different ways to do things , you find yourself learning something every time you watch it. I also have Elizabeth ' s dvd " Knitting Workshop" and love listening to it as I knit. Purchase the companion book to this dvd to take along with you , it is a joy to read as well as a reference while you knit.

As someone who has admired Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen for a couple of decades, I can't believe I have waited this long to actually purchase the videos that accompany the books. I can't say enough about how delightful it has been to watch these two incredible women at work on their craft and in collaboration with one another. I have learned so much, and I have enjoyed "spending time with them" immensely. I can really see myself watching and re-watching this tape for years.

With these books Elizabeth makes it E.Z to follow along and knit with her. And She Incourages you to make it your own.what could be E.Z.er .I love it! and I also love the c.d.s that go hand in hand with this book and makes it even E.Z ER to knit along. A must have for the serious knitter!

I absolutely love this winder! I adjustable clip makes it easy to hook to anything from a chair to my laptop (yes, I've done that a few times) and everything else in this house that's less then 2" tall. It winds into a perfect cake.