A few days ago I ordered the book “Knitting with Balls - a hands-on guide to knitting for the modern man”. It just arrived yesterday.
I was really looking forward to this book, but unfortunately it’s just aweful, franky even insulting.
The author of the book must assume that male knitters are effeminate.
Also, half of the patterns are completely useless and seem to be there just to take up space. The other half are either geared toward gay men (not that there is anything wrong with that, but it certainly doesn’t suit me) or are nothing you can’t get elswhere for free.
The most infuriating thing is that the pattern for sweater on the cover (which actually looks great) is NOT included in the book.:grrr:
So disappointing.
I’d like to go into more detail, but I didn’t want to be too negative. I just wanted to warn others that might be considering purchasing this book.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions anyone might have about this book.
Yea, I took a look through the book at the bookstore, and it was so unappetizing. I couldn’t believe the stuff they put in there. I’m not a guy, but in my opinion, it didn’t seem to be what most guys would want.
That’s so upsetting! Did you order it from Amazon on bn.com? They have decent return policies. And if you ordered from bn.com, you can bring it in to a Barnes & Noble and exchange it or get a store credit. (If you want the credit to your card, you have to ship it back and bn.com has to process the return.)
There’s no point in keeping something you find useless, so you might as well exchange it for a book you’ll actually use and read!
That is awful! Next time before buying a book on the internet, you might want to go to a local bk store or libraray to see what’s really in the contents.
Yea, it’s crazy. There is a sweater inside that looks similar, but it has a huge plunging V neck (I don’t know what else to call it, but whatever it is it looks terrible). The one on the cover with the regular collar is just not in there. :wall:
All other problems with that book aside. I would keep it just for that sweater pattern.
Let me elaborate on the “useless” aspect, just so it doesn’t seem like I’m being unfair.
these patterns are just regular dumb…
a camouflage coffee cozy.
a beer bottle cozy.
a knit bi-fold wallet.
But the one that takes the cake is the “utility cloth”, which is basically just a rag. They show a guy polishing his motorcycle with it. Like I’m going to spend all that time knitting a beautiful rag, to then get all greasy with motor oil and axle grease and have to just throw it away. That’s what disposable shop rags are for. All it is a simple dishrag/baby blanket pattern. Only in size somewhat larger than a dishrag and smaller than a baby blanket. But they call it a “utility cloth” so it’s for a man.
The vast majority of the other patterns are pink or have bright pastel or other feminine colors, frilly edges, really fruity stuff. I’ve seen ladies patterns that are more masculine. I just assume leave the house wearing a blouse and a pair of kulats.
Sounds pretty useless, all right. Though I believed you the first time.
I gotta admit, I’ve been thinking of trying to knit a wallet for myself. I keep deciding that the stuff in my bag would shred the stitches, and decide not to do it. Also, it wouldn’t be sturdy enough for all the cards I have.
They do suggest a %100 nylon yarn, it would probably be durable enough. But it would be way too thick I think. Plus, how well could it fit the cards? Seems like depending on your gauge they would either just fall out or bee to tight to get them in and out easily. I’ve found that the most imortant characteristic a wallet can have is to be thin.
Sorry to get off topic, but I really like these things. Super light, super thin and super durable (so far anyway). The cards go in and out fast but also holds them securely. It’s also clear so you can show somone your ID without even having to open your wallet. A good stocking stuffer.
Huh. That’s really odd! The weird patterns I mean. I’ve seen some general knitting books that I thought were pretty useless, too… at least for me. :shrug:
I wish I could scan some of the pictures in the book to show you all. I assume that would be illegal though. If any of you happen to end up in a bookstore, I urge you to pick up a copy and flip though it, just for entertainments sake. Words can only say so much.
They do suggest a %100 nylon yarn, it would probably be durable enough. But it would be way too thick I think. Plus, how well could it fit the cards? Seems like depending on your gauge they would either just fall out or bee to tight to get them in and out easily. I’ve found that the most imortant characteristic a wallet can have is to be thin.[/quote]
Exactly. Impractical in the long run. A change purse, maybe. But not a wallet.
Neat wallets. Not really my style, though. Right now I’m using a men’s wallet I bought at Hot Topic when I was a teenager. It has blue flames emrboidered on the side. My last wallet was very grown up, but after it got run over by a car or two, the snap would no longer closed and it was all beat up and ugly. I’ll get a new one eventually. Since I don’t really do the wallet in my pocket thing, thinness isn’t a huge problem. The rare occasions when I don’t have a bag, I either have pockets and take only the essentials (usually ID, money, maybe a bank card, phone, keys depending on where I am) or take the bare essentials and :flirt: at a boy to get him to hold on to it for me. In a dire emergency, of course, I always have my bra. :teehee:
And I agree with feministmama, the cover sweater is nice. It’s a shame it’s not in the book. :!!!:
