Review: Maran Illustrated Knitting & Crochet

All:

Forgive this intrusion onto your regularly scheduled lack of writing, but a few weeks back, I was asked to review a copy of Maran Illustrated Knitting & Crochet (2004-2005).  The Maran Family contacted me and sent me a complimentary copy of the book, asked me to say something about it, and post it to my blog.  So, in exchange for the free book, here's my take.  Given that I've received two separate emails from my friends at Maran asking for feedback (ok, I asked them how they wanted the feedback - I even gave them the chance to opt out of public feedback before posting to my blog, so it's not like they've been anything but really easygoing about this whole thing - which has been nice), I'm getting the message that they'd like more than the Sandra Dee "I love this book more than my cats" kind of review.  And, friends, when have you known me not to dish it out? (This will one day come to haunt me, but only in the "I-have-good-critical-feedback" way and not in the "You-Suck!" way).

So, here we go - Maran Illustrated Knitting & Crochet. Published by the Maran Family/Thomson Course Technology. Almost 300 pages of illustrated techniques in full color.

On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, I'd give this book a hearty 3 stars.

I was pre-disposed to dislike this book from the start, to be honest.  I've seen this book on the shelves at Borders a few times - and maybe even at that store I used to work at - and the thing that turned me off from picking it up each time was the design.  Right off the bat, this book suffers from a poor, tired design that places it easily in the realm of the 80s.  I've never seen another Maran book, but I wouldn't be surprised if the cover looked exactly the same - same layout, same colors, and on and on (they do - look in the back of this one if you don't believer me).  I think what put me off most of all about it, is the cover isn't particularly friendly or inviting.  Aside from a headless pair of hands working with knitting needles and a few balls of yarn (acrylic) behind, as a consumer, there's nothing particularly "knitting" about this book - especially in addition to the other knitting books on the shelf.  Ok, so it's in the title, but you all know what I'm talking about.  What I'm describing is why most of you have never picked up War & Peace  (because on the cover, you see neither pictures of War nor Peace - that and it's huge - and there's nothing telling you about the inside of the book).

Aside from the initial hurdles of picking up the text and getting beyond the cover, the content of the book isn't half bad.  Turn to the table of contents and you'll see 10 chapters on all sorts of techniques from two different types to cast on through the basics; and onto cables, lace and bobbles. Everything from how to pick up dropped stitches through how to make a buttonhole - and beyond, even the techniques that patterns and books assume you know like how to weave in your ends, join a new yarn, work on double points, and purling through the back loops.  Ultimately, it's hard to find a lot of problems with this book - in writing this review I found myself typing "This book has no..." and later finding that it does... but I gave it the good old college try, so read on.

Deep in its roots, this is the type of book you wish you'd find when you went to The Idiots Guide To... section of the bookstore.  It's got all the strong points of a thorough college course while keeping it simple and outlining techniques clearly.  Moreso, the writers have anticipated beginner type questions that aim to nip problems in the butt early on and offer a little extra information for the advanced beginner or the quick learner (as in, "What can affect the gauge ("tension") of my gauge swatch?" [Maran Illustrated Guide to Knitting and Crochet, p62] and "Do I have to knit from the cable needle when creating a cable?" [Maran Illustrated Guide to Knitting and Crochet, p125]).  Moreso, the pictures benefit from lots of highlights, arrows, inset notes, and additional information which show the reader what to do after you've picked up this loop or wrapped the yarn around this needle, or somesuch.  Overall, with few exceptions, the techniques in the book are outlined clearly, and you get a good sense of the craft before even getting too far into it.  In addition, the book goes on to talk about different fibers, notions, and care - all sorts of information littered throughout countless publications on my shelf.  In trying to be a catch all for an eager beginner, I think it succeeds.  Moreso, for that seasoned knitter, this book offers an opportunity to refresh on those questionable techniques (for those that find themselves asking, "How do I make a buttonhole again?" or "What's intarsia?").  And even further, for those who teach or are looking to teach, it gives an opportunity to see how knitting is explained and can serve as a good guide or textbook for those institutional courses. 

However, as someone who already knows how to knit and as someone who teaches both beginner and advanced techniques, I was immediately put off by the tone of the book.  While the writers do an excellent job explaining techniques - especially for beginners, they don't explain the "why" of a stitch or the "how" for that matter and leave out what I call the "intuitive" factor when it comes to knitting.  Anyone who's ever worked a pattern knows that there's a certain trial and error to everything - that while knitting can be easy, it's not always as plain as looking at your knitting - looking at a picture - and looking at your knitting again.  As a teacher, I think it's important my students understand what a twisted stitch looks like for example, but moreso how it can get twisted - or what a knit stitch looks like, and how to count it in a gauge swatch (Maran's shows you how to measure gauge, but they never tell you what a stitch looks like). 

Moreso, I'm frustrated and don't agree with some of the content/techniques.  For instance,  I'm sad to see the single cast on being reprinted (better known as the over the thumb method.  While many knitters have sworn by the single cast on for centuries, I find I can't rely on it to do its job when it matters most - meaning often a single cast on edge will look unfinished or home-made (as opposed to hand-made); and what's worse, I believe stitches will unravel through this method (I tell my students this in class when I see them using it.)  Or, similarly, the pictures in the "How to make a knit stitch" or "How to make a purl stitch" lead you to believe you should pull the two needles apart after making each stitch - while working your first row - which, as any experienced knitter can tell you, can leave an uneven and stretched out edge.  There is a difference between being a comprehensive catch all and doling out bad information. 

The patterns in this book are just atrocious.  It's not clear from the credits who wrote them but it appears as though they contacted the yarn store companies and asked them to regurgitate some simple patterns from their archives.  The baby sweater, the blanket, the token mens' sweaters, a tank, a scarf and so on.  Moreso, from looking at some of the pictures, I could be led to question the fit of some of the garments - which is perhaps the greatest deterent on this subject.  Any beginner can tell you the frustration of making a pair of socks that don't fit, or a sweater that's too bulky in the armpits.  The sock for example looks unusually bulky in the ankle and the Men's Zip Sweater looks like there is an unusual amount of extra fabric in the armpits.

Yet still further, as mentioned in other reviews, there are 10 sections on knitting - and two (barely 50 pages on the subject - two projects... scarves mind you... do not a crochet section make).  It would appear as though the crochet section could use some filling out - and for all you publishers out there, there is a prime market to make crochet interesting, different, and well-explained.

Finally, as a consumer, I'm a little distraught at the lack of diversity in the publication.  To the best of my knowledge (honestly, I didn't read every word or look at every picture - who has time?), there is no mention of men knitting and I was hard pressed to find the evidence of any non-white knitters anywhere in this book - in any of the photos, specifically. 

Ultimately, I stand by my rating of 3 hearty stars.  As a publication for beginners, especially for those put off by the title Stitch n Bitch, this one hits a homerun and in my mind, belongs up there with your Stoller, your Melville, and your Righetti. Despite my critical eye, I would definitely recommend this book to a friend - especially someone who I know learns well from "How-to" books. Nothing beats having someone next to you, showing you what to do and how to do it - but this book comes close.

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Faithful Readers, I know you're practically dying of thirst for an update.  And honestly, I could use a good cathartic release.  Keep your eyes peeled, I have a free weekend coming up!

Comments

[obscure]

BluFelicia also reveiwed this with similar reactions. I haven't seen it "in the flesh" but find the cover "art" astoundingly bad. I was a bookstore buyer for a dozen years and can't imagine that I would have ordered this when there are a number of other choices for beginners and more advanced knitters. But it is good to know that the book has merit and may find some buyers.

[Rachel]

I found your observation that books such as this have a tendency to only cover the "how's" of knitting (or crocheting) and not the "why's" incredibly insightful. I think, in general, this is why so many would-be knitters often lose interest. We don't just want to do as we are told, we want to know why we are doing it -- and we want the option to change it if we can. Definitely food for thought here, as usual...

[JoVE]

On a more general note (and because you mention it at the beginning), IMO this is exactly how book review should be. Actual details fo why you think it is good. A very good example for anyone who needs to write one. (The same could be said for job references and reviews of grant applications which ought to be like your review but are too often empty of real information.)