I loved the patterns in this book! They are so colorful and easy to follow! Just looking at the pictures of the finished items and scanning through the patterns made my fingers itch to start knitting!

Alice Starmore can do no wrong. Beautiful patterns, everything laid out nicely. Now if only I had the time to work on one of them!

I first heard about Alice Starmore in a book whose title I can't remember. There was a whole chapter devoted to Ms. Starmore, especially about her book titled, "Tudor Roses." Apparently, Ms. Starmore's book contained gorgeous sweater designs, and was out of print. The thing that caught my attention was that because it was so rare, the price for a copy of this book was over $200. I wanted to see this book for myself, because it had grown into a legend in my mind. I believe that my local library had a copy of it; but, alas! It had gone missing from the shelves, or maybe that was someone else's story from what I had read from reviews of Amazon customers who were also trying to find copies of this book. In any case, I thought that I would never see the book for myself, because I didn't have the budget to spend $200 on a knitting book.


So, when I found out that, "Tudor Roses," was going to be republished in 2017, I was very excited. Even better yet, I was able to find an advanced copy through NetGalley. I looked at the galley when I first received it, but because I am not an experienced knitter, I got a bit overwhelmed when I looked at the text. What I can tell you is that the republished version of, "Tudor Roses," is not exactly the same book that had been published in 1998. The knitwear designs that appear in the 2017 version of this title have been altered and updated from those that appeared in the 1998 version. I was able to confirm this by comparing the photos in the newer version of the book to photographs of sweaters made from patterns in the older book that other knitters had uploaded onto Ravelry, a social network for knitters and crocheters. The back of the book also spells it out quite clearly; this new version is a "Reimagined Edition of the Groundbreaking Classic."


I have read other people's opinions of the changes, and some people like them, while others do not. There was a design that had appeared in the older book that did not appear in the newer one. Some people had been upset by this omission, and perhaps would have preferred to have had an updated design even if they had disliked the idea of updated designs. For the most part, I like the newer designs because I think that they are more wearable for today; however, there were a few designs in the older book that I prefer over the ones in the newer version.


In general, the designs are inspired by various historical figures of the Tudor Dynasty, such as Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, Elizabeth of York, and Margaret Tudor. At the introduction of each design, there is a brief first person narrative about each woman that the design is based upon. There are lovely photographs of the garment modeled by different women for each historical figure that is portrayed. There's a coffee table book quality to the photos; each model is staged and dressed in a way that gives a historical feel to the presentation.


As I mentioned before, I got a bit overwhelmed when I first looked at the instructions in the text, but I would now attribute that to my own lack of experience in reading a pattern. Although I have not actually knit any of these patterns (I cannot, because the galley does not include the charts for the designs), I think that I could probably tackle these designs as an intermediate knitter. The designs include fair isle and cable work. I especially like the knitwear designs for the Margaret Beaufort, Anne Boleyn, and Katherine Howard models.


At first, after viewing the book, I was not sure if I was going to add this book to my library, but after letting the designs sit with me for a while, I think that I will add this title to my collection. The designs have definitely grown on me. I'm pretty sure that the designs will challenge my knitting skills, but I would like to try because they are really lovely.


Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of, "Tudor Roses," by Alice Starmore from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

Wow! The patterns in this book are stunning, the history interesting, and the photos beautiful. All of that said, I was only able to give three stars to Tudor Roses because while the pictures are beautiful, from a knitting perspective, they are hard to read. The patterns seem to be well written, but as I have an e-book, they also are hard to read. Hopefully the print version is better. I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a knitter, nothing gives me greater joy than some really fabulous patterns. None of these sweaters are meant to be every day knitting or wearing - instead, they are truly master works in a certain kind of involved sweater knitting and construction that cannot easily be replicated. I love so many of these sweater but will almost certainly never knit that - and that's okay! It's meant to be aspirational, and maybe one day I will decide to make some time in my life for a sweater as amazing as any in the book.

What a gorgeous book. I love the concept – patterns based on and inspired by the women of the Tudor dynasty, along with quotes from or about the women and with extraordinary photographs. The patterns are every one stunning (and probably far beyond my ability), color and style and pattern harking back to the Renaissance without being RenFaire garb. I want at least half the garments shown here – and even if, as I suspect, the patterns are beyond my capabilities, the book itself is simply lovely to look at.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

I was delighted to get the opportunity to read this new edition of Tudor Roses featuring new and reimagined items based on the original edition. 14 different garments for 14 different Tudor women from Alice Starmore and her daughter Jade, it is not just a book of knitting patterns, it is a book giving you a unique insight into each woman with absolutely stunning photographs and a new model for each woman. The patterns are gorgeous and intricately detailed, as you would expect from Alice Starmore. My one big criticism is that several of the pictures featured dark clothes shot on a black background and it was impossible to truly see the details in them, however, that was the exception rather than the rule.

Oh my goodness, this book is gorgeous! The finished objects, the styling, the accompanying writing...all just beautiful. The patterns are very hard to read in a digital format, but I would definitely purchase a hard copy of this book.

Alice Starmore is one of the premier knitwear designers of the modern knitwear era. She has a keen sense of color and style and transforms yarn into something divinely inspired. I have read a number of her books and this one is as well written and produced as any of the others.

The design inspiration for this collection is the women of the Tudor dynasty, beginning with Elizabeth Woodville and ending with Mary, Queen of Scots. A beautiful collection of patterns, each introduced with a description of the woman who inspired the pattern and some of her writing.

These patterns range from challenging for an intermediate knitter to "I have been knitting for fifty-one years and this is beautiful but I will die before I finish it" kind of pattern. These are lovely and well designed garments, but some of them require a lot of experience, skill, patience and time.

This is an impressive book for any knitter's library. It is well worth reading since it contains a wide range of Starmore's many interests in knitting - fair isle, intarsia, lace, cables, and other fun knitting things (I am serious - I enjoy colorwork and cables). I found it to be inspirational for design ideas since I write my own knitting patterns. And she has some great ideas here.

Well worth reading even if you are a knitting novice. Alice Starmore is an icon, and this is an excellent introduction to her impressive body of work. Have fun!

Really good book, loved the photos of the pieces and its make me want to improve my knitting to be able to make these :)

As a professional knitter, I enjoyed seeing this book back in print and updated. The designs are intricate and beautiful, with variety in the projects. Some are colorwork, some cables, and some seem plain except for the careful shaping and attention to detail that sets them apart.

Although the charts were not visible to me in Kindle format, I look forward to buying myself a hard copy as a gift!

One word: Wow!

This book is a real tour de force that in many ways defies expectations. More than simply a book of patterns, Tudor Roses also serves as a kind of primer on the history of the Tudor dynasty; after a brief summary of the period at the introduction of the book, fictional sketches written in the voice of each historical character accompany the pattern for that woman (or in many cases, girl) and give a sense of her time and struggles. I am intrigued by this concept and think it is well-executed; I would love to see more works like this in which the patterns selected pay homage to a particular figure from history and give us a glimpse into their moment in time.

The patterns themselves are exquisite and seem to be well written. A quibble I have is that the colorwork charts are in black and white, and because this is evidently a British publication, the measurements given are in centimeters. For an American audience, it would be nice to have the measurements also listed in inches. Yes, I know we are the only weirdos that don't use the metric system. But it would still be helpful.

A quick flip through the book is enough to ascertain that these are very advanced patterns. I am an ambitious and experienced knitter, and I believe that is the audience for this book. Anyone wanting to tackle one or more of these projects will be looking at a significant time investment, but that is the price to pay for the depth of attention to detail. I would like to see more tips given for seaming pieces together (rather than just "sew fronts to back"), but I'm sure the author assumes that if you're making these pieces, you already know a thing or two about seaming.

The "About the Knitting" section at the end of the book is an interesting look at the designer's thought process in creating each piece, and provides some helpful notes (e.g. if you are a "competent knitter, then [Mary Tudor] is well within your reach," or, "Good sewing skills are required in the finishing"). I would have liked to have seen these notes along with the patterns themselves, as many people may not think to flip to the back of the book, and the information provided therein may be very helpful for the user in deciding which patterns to tackle.

An ambitious work, Tudor Roses was clearly a labor of love and is largely a success. Skilled knitters who are also history lovers will delight in this book; while I don't think there is likely to be a huge audience for this particular work given how advanced the patterns are, it is truly remarkable for the niche market is represents.

Firstly, I want to stay that this a beautifully put together book, detailing knitting projects based on clothing worn by Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, and other unfortunate Tudor women. I did find the photographs a little dark, with the details being difficult to see, but overall this is an amazing achievement. I realize these patterns are not for beginners, but they are a stunning form of art.

A new edition of Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore is always welcome. I own her Aran Knitting and will purchase this one as well. Starmore's books are not just knitting pattern books but are history lessons. Each garment is planned with their historical muse in mind. These craft books are for reading and learning as well as for crafting of a beautiful knitted item. These patterns are not for a beginning knitter but ones knitters strive to create one day. This is why Starmore books are snapped up hot from the presses and are kept on bookshelves all over the world waiting for one day when we will make the beautiful garment featured on the the beloved pages.

A beautiful book with stunning sweater patterns based on the Tudor women. Each design is accompanied by a short history of the woman who inspired it. The instructions look clear, but definitely not for beginners!

This is for the SERIOUS needle worker. I love Starmore's designs and appreciate the complexity and richness. A must for her devotees!

Being a long time knitter, Alice Starmore was always the Holy Grail. And to combine it with some of the women I have loved throughout history, a double win!

For slender women with eclectic taste

The knitted garments presented in this book are for slender women with straight spines and long necks and whose long necks don't get cold. While a few patterns enclose the neck, I am reading on a dank winter day and feel the chill, even from the substantial jacket on the cover.

Ms Starmore presents 14 designs: one shawl and 13 knitted jackets and sweaters. The designs and patterns spring from Ms Starmore's interpretation of the lives and interests of 14 Tudor women. Most of the designs are multicolored, with a few in a single color but with intricate knitted patterns. Each knitting pattern is stretched across several pages and each garment is presented in several views. There are no reverse side views to show how the garments, and particularly the shawl, are finished.

The instructions are very detailed and are a combination of text and charted designs. Ms Starmore recommends a few of them for advanced beginners, but I suspect the patterns would be daunting to anyone is not confident in their skills. Only a couple of these designs would forgive weak technique.

This is a book that I would like to own but I doubt if I would find useful. I like the two sweater designs and a few of the motifs. But no one I knit for is shaped for these jackets.

I received a review copy of "Tudor Roses" by Alice Starmore (Dover) through NetGalley.com. It was originally published in 1998 and has been revised and updated for this edition.

This is a beautiful book. I enjoyed the history information and the way it was presented. The garments are gorgeous and beautifully fitted. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because, as a long time knitter (30+ years) who has made many, many garments, I find almost all of the projects intimidating. The color patterns are to die for, and I wish this was the type of knitting I enjoy, but I find them too ambitious, taking more commitment than I would be able to give even these beautiful sweaters and one shawl. There are knitters who would love to make any or all of these, but it's not the kind of knitting I enjoy. It is gorgeously done, written and photographed.