This is just the sort of book I have been waiting for - a set of beautifully updated cable designs that are totally wearable and just begging to fly off my needles.

This book offers a wide range of patterns, both written and charted, for projects which put cables front and centre. In this sense, it is a very handy book to be able to refer to when looking for ways to use cables in contemporary designs. My favourite patterns were the sweater you see on the front cover 'Rapunzel', a cropped boxy cardigan, a glorious oversized wrap, and a really interesting shrug made of interlocking loops. What I particularly liked about the last pattern is how it is reasonably straightforward to knit (once you start cabling, you will soon master it!) but it ends up looking like far more than the sum of its parts due to a clever construction. One thing I did find was that some of the terminology was different to what I am used to - (provisional cast on is described as 'using waste yarn cast on', for example) but I got the idea all the same.

I had a look on Ravelry and see that many of these patterns are already notching up favourites and appearing in people's to-be-knit queues, which is always a good sign. If you have never tried cables, then there is a pair of mittens that will get you up and running in no time. Once you've done these, my guess is that you will be hooked on cabling for months and years to come and so very grateful to have this wide range of challenges ahead.

With thanks to the publisher for letting me see an advanced copy of this title through Netgalley.

I have only completed one of the smaller items (the beret) but can't wait to try one of the bigger projects soon. Easy to follow patterns with both descriptions and schematics/charts on most projects. There are projects I'm not so tempted by and others I can't wait to get stuck into, and a good mix of type of items. I was close to giving this book 5 stars, but I didn't think all pictures/yarn used did the projects justice. I would highly recommend the book!

Contemporary Cables is a keeper.
Contemporary Cables is a great resource for people who enjoy knitting cables. I have to say, Jody Long is a very talented designer. All of his designs are elegant and timeless, simply beautiful to look at. Just from glancing at the pictures in the book, I instantly felt that Jody Long really understands the art of designing cabled sweaters and cardigans. And on top of this he elegantly translates his patterns into easy to understand directions with easy to read knitting charts.
My personal favorites are the Tunic Sweater, the Two-Color Cardigan, and the Sweater Dress. The men's patterns are great, too. They will also look good on women for a boyfriend look. If you need a closer look on the models, visit Ravelry online where the models of Contemporary Cables are displayed.
For a knitting book to stay in my bookshelf for a long time, I have to love the majority of its patterns. Contemporary patterns fits the bill. I am convinced that the patterns will be as aesthetic and pleasing to the eye in ten years from now as today. That's why this book is a keeper.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. A printed version will find the way on my bookshelf, too.

Contemporary Cables Classic Aran Reimagined in Current Styles by Jody Long
Viewed this book on my tablet so the paperback copy might be a bit different.
Always been fascinated by knitted cables and what you can do with them as I experiment myself.
starts out with an introduction from the author about what fascinated her at the beginning.
Each sweater is pictured along with its name and book page number for easy reference.
Love the very basic of diamonds with seed stitch, you can see the stitches clearly, enough to make the design yourself.
Besides the intro there is are short paragraphs on basic things, yarn, amount, equipment, guage, basic stitches, casting on, joining, working stripes, from a chart, seams, etc a bit of everything to make a complete garment.
I can just imagine some of the patterns featured, not made up in a sweater but a scarf or hat even.
Each pattern starts with a color photo and what I like about them is that you can see the stitches, cabling and the background doesn't blend right in so you lose what you are looking at.
Has a star skill level, then chart by size so you can be sure of a good fit.
Other materials listings-what was used to make the sweater and gauge and special abbreviations along with how to work them.
Row by row instructions on how to make the pattern and how to assemble and finishing touches. Very detailed instructions. Also small photo of back of the sweater as well.
Chart diagrams showing measurements are also included along with special stitches.
Charted pattern is also enclosed if you follow instructions that way.
Like different types of shoulders and necks in the patterns.
Besides sweaters, wraps, shrug, there is a pattern for mittens, beret and a scarf.
What I also like about this book is the styles for men! Abbreviations are available at the end of the book and how to make them also a conversion chart for US/UK needle sizes
Never realized the author was a man til I got to the last page, super that he shares his knowledge with us in this book.
I received this book from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I have yet to knit anything from this book and I don't know if I will. If I saw this book at the bookstore and flipped through it, I would have put the book back on the shelf. My biggest issue is the females model's hair. I understand that they are trying to reinforce the cable theme. But it's driving me crazy the crown braid is almost falling into her face and it looks like some one put a wig on her and it's falling off.

As the title of the book says, it is a book of classic aran sweater designs re imagined in current styles. There's beautiful vests and wraps as well as the classic style sweaters one associates with "Aran".

In addition to containing sweaters, the book does also include several wraps, a scarf, a bag, mittens and a beret. The cables are all strictly charted out, so if a knitted does not know how to read charts yet, it's not an ideal book.

Additionally, cable sweaters in particular tend to be a bit difficult to "adjust" as needed when a person's size isn't quite included. So I think it's important to note in advance that while there are a wide selection of styles, the sizes in female patterns range from a 32 bust to a 54 bust (and this varies. There are only a couple that go larger than a 46 bust), and the male patterns range from a 36 bust to a 50 bust.

Very easy to follow patterns that give both written and illustrated directions. Great assortment of patterns offered.

I thought this book was modern and had some interesting ideas. There was only one design that I would consider making. Unfortunately I thought that many of the designs were unflattering. The book is fairly well presented and certainly clearly explained.

A lovely Knitting book. It has multiple project, mostly sweaters for him and for her. If you are a chunky girl, this book is not for you. But the shrugs, hats and tote patterns look fun. If the classic shrug pattern was in my size, it would go on my to be made this winter pile. Otherwise, not a bad book, but the model's hair is annoying. It just bugs me.

I love cables so I was excited to take a look at this book. Contemporary cables includes sweaters for women and men, and accessories laden with exquisite knitted cables. The patterns are updated classics, each with clear, colorful pictures and paired with easy to follow instructions, including skill levels, sizing and required yarn yardage.

A great book of designs and patterns. Full and detailed instructions and patterns definitely I want to get some needles out immediately and start knitting.
I was very impressed with the designs and this book has been written in a way that is easy to understand and makes the patterns desirable to make

I was a bit disappointed that the patterns were so old fashioned especially as the title promised contemporary and modern. The garments were mostly old classic shapes and styles. Knitwear fashions have changed and it would be possible to produce cabled designs in todays trends (such as off the shoulder, wide necklines, baggy and loose, asymmetrical etc.). The photography was a little old fashioned too which probably didn't help. However the chunkier cabling was good and the cabling within the patterns was very clever and interesting. My favourite garment was the wrap, I thought it was really nice, very expensive looking. Thank you

This book of patterns for cabled garments (from mittens to sweaters) has beautiful illustrations of the finished product, plus detailed instructions for knitting them. The instructions are easy to follow and I especially liked the inclusion of diagrams for the cabled areas. There's a nice variety of both men's and women's styles. I could see myself making some of these. This would be a great book for anyone who's a fairly experienced knitter, though, as the author says, cables are not that hard to do.

The author gives a good overview of basic cable techniques, the cable cast on, as well as how to substitute yarns. Most of the patterns use thick yarn (worsted or heavier) and should knit up quickly, but because of this there is a definite chunky feel to the items. Among the 21 patterns, there is a nice range of items, including sweaters for both men and women, scarfs, mittens, a hat, a tote, and wraps. Patterns are charted, so although the difficulty level ranges from intermediate to advanced, the ability to read charts is a necessity. Some of the women’s sweater patterns give instructions for larger sizes (up to a 54” bust) while others provide instructions only up to a 42” bust. The book is well organized, with the instructions for each item immediately following its photograph. Although the book promises to reimagine classic cabled styles, many of the patterns are more classic than modern. Some, however, live up to the promise. For those who like a slightly chunky version of cabled items, this should be a good resource.

I'm a passionate knitter. I love the process and the structure of building up a fabric stitch by stitch. I'm also a sewist (sewer?) and enjoy that also, but one thing I enjoy very much about knitting is that you can and do shape the pattern pieces as you make them. That's awesome.

Anyhow, these patterns really exploit all of the positive things about knitted structure and shaping. Almost all of them are really classic and well fitted (there are a few loose and flowing items, like the oversized wrap (p.40 in my copy) and the buttonless chunky cardigan (p. 72), but most are fitted. There are only a couple of them which I can imagine looking really dated in 20 years and that's really high praise from me. As a contrast, I'm addicted to Rowan magazines and basically buy every book they put out and a LOT of them look, well, quite dated 20 years on.

About this book. The patterns are truly creative and use the cables as important structural elements. The cover pullover for example (called Rapunzel! <3 )has a soft peplum (it flares outwards over the top of the hips) and the outward lines are emphasized by the braided cable which splits in two. There's a vent (slit) in the back of this sweater (*swoon*) and it, also, has a cable running along it. There are so many more rich variations than the standard 4 or 6 stitch cable which an awful lot of magazines call 'aran' these days (Vogue Knitting, I'm looking at you!)

There are so many of these which are well fitted (no shapeless sacks which, let's face it, make anyone over 80 pounds (about 36kg) look like a bag of lumpy potatoes). That's an exaggeration of course.. but seriously... these pieces are beautifully fitted, with shaped set in sleeves and diagrams. There are also raglan shaped sweaters and a project with a shawl collar. There are some smaller projects as well, a market bag, some shrugs and a beret which flew to the top of my 'next project' list. I will have it before the snow flies, yes I will! The knitting instructions are complete and streamlined and the cabling patterns are both described in the text -and- diagrammed.

I've noticed with a lot of project photography that it's devilishly difficult to get a proper picture of projects showing off the entire project whilst it's being worn by an actual human without making it painfully obvious that the model was being posed to the Nth degree ("Ok, I know you're freezing to death and you stopped being able to feel your toes about an hour ago, but move your left arm forward a half inch and your chin up, no down, no up, now HOLD THAT POSE"!). That being said, the photography and models are fine and show off the projects well.

The instructions and introductory text aren't overly hand-holding or coddling. I would say if you're a true straight up newbie knitter (good for you!) then have a friend/mentor/LocalYarnShop to help if you get stuck. If you're a bit more experienced, you'll have enough here to get you through. One thing I really loved about this book was that they gave a good explanation of substituting yarns and figuring yardages and skeins needed.

All in all, a wonderful book of projects which really called to me.

Four and a half stars. Love so many of these projects <3

I did like the photo of the cable jumper but unfortunately I couldn't open the download

I would recommend this book for a knitter with a medium skill set. The patterns are interesting with clear instructions, schematics, and charts. The yarn choices are lovely and there are several sweaters I would like to make. The only thing I did not like was the strange braided headpiece they put on the model in a number of the photographs. I would definitely add this book to my collection.

I love cable knitting and the sweaters that result.

This is a collection of patterns for twenty-one different projects, each of them interesting in their own way. As with most knitting books, patterns for women dominate, though two of the three men's patterns are particularly interesting! No children or babies in this one.

Measurements and all instructions are very clear, giving both US sizes for needles and metric. The description says medium to advanced knitters, but I didn't see anything too complicated. Cables are actually very easy!

The patterns diverge from traditional into some creative combinations and there are at least three of them that I'm looking forward to knitting for myself. Full color pictures of all the finished designs and extensive charts to show texture or crossover patterns.