– Customer review on 10/08/2010

If you are totally new to dyeing, you may find this book intimidating, particularly when the author describes making repeat colours on a 40 foot skein of yarn! However if you have already dipped your toes into the art and knit, dyeing your own self patterning mock Fair Isle yarn could well be the next logical step.
The author describes different style of dyeing, from regular stripes, shaded yarns, through to self striping sock yarns, and presents knitting patterns designed to show off the technique just learned. Since the patterns are a vehicle to show off the dyeing techniques, they are not too complicated, and even a non-knitter like myself could follow them. The self-patterning mock Fair Isle is the piece-de-resistance and requires good concentration to follow, and even better mathematical skills when you want to work out your own design. The author explains how to do this in great detail and it should not be beyond the skills of anyone fascinated by the dyeing process as applied to knitting, even a careful beginner.
I don't knit, and was disappointed in this book as it is aimed fairly and squarely at knitters, and I am aware that it does not stack up against many other dyeing books on the market today. However it is worthy of a place on your bookshelf, if dyeing for mock Fair Isle is your fancy.

– Customer review on 30/10/2007

This is the sort of book that has you itching to get out the dye pots! After a comprehensive discussion of dying in general, the author sets out 3 different techniques, of which the mock Fair Isle is the most complex, and provides projects to go with them so you can see how everything develops. While the space required to set up your yarns seems daunting (40 feet), I found myself calculating how to manage it halfway through reading the first project, and before I'd even decided whether I actually liked it. The yarn allowances for the projects are generous and the book also includes a couple of tiny patterns to take advantage of any left-overs.
My only criticism? This is an American book written with the North American winter in mind; socks, scarves and mittens don't particularly suit the Australian way of life, and the few garment patterns are not particularly inspirational. That said, its the techniques that are interesting, and they can be readily adapted to soft furnishings, bags, cushions, dog jackets and other items that are more in tune with our lifestyle.