Challenging, but not overwhelmingly so. A cute book with cute patterns for many skill levels.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

I liked, didn't love this collection of patterns. The idea is a good one, I just wasn't impressed with the number or variety of patterns.

This is a beautiful book to read and enjoy. Barbara is an amazing teacher, you can understand her patterns easily and there are lots of wonderful pictures to guide you as well.

As a knitter, I am always looking for new patterns and ideas. I was granted access to this lovely knitting pattern book by NewGalley as an e book.

Disclaimer: I have not actually tried to knit any of the patterns in this book. Having said that, however, I have read through all the patterns in this book, and found them to be clear and concise, which is vital for good knitting and lining lace patterns to be lined up properly.

Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits is visually indexed. The patterns run from very easy to complex as many craft books are arranged.

One of the features I appreciate as a knitter is how to modify some of the patterns. This is always a concern to me personally, as I am not talented enough to do this on my own. This book gives you some ideas how to do this. Kudos to the author for that.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book pre-publication in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great collection of patterns that show that bulky yarn can work for lacy projects! I've honestly never thought of using bulky yarn for a lace project, but several of the projects in this book had me itching to grab my needles and race to the yarn store. That shawl on the cover is stunning and the most eye-catching, yes, but several others were also lovely. These look like fun knits that are cozy and never boring.

This book title might seem like an oxymoron: how can one make lacy knits with thick yarns? But, the author shows us how to do it with beautiful results in shawls (and other similar styles), scarves, gloves and hats. While not "delicate" lacy patterns, these still are nice-looking and add variety to the basic knitting style. Instructions are clear and include charts, as well as basic instructions for the various types of stitches. I also liked the numerous photos that accompanied each style, modeled by a diverse group of people.

Really enjoyed the various lace patterns and look It spurred me to incorporate more lace into my own knitting creations.

Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits by Barbara Benson is a different type of lace knitting reference book. Lace knitting is usually done with very fine yarns. This book is a game-changer because the lace patterns are done in heavier chunky yarns, making the stitches easier to work and also making the lace motifs easier to admire. There is a variety of patterns: 3 scarves, 4 shawls, 4 hats, 2 ponchos, 2 pairs of mitts, 3 cowls, 1 throw and 1 vest. The instructions are easy to follow, usually accompanied by graphs. The photography is beautiful, showing all accessories with multiple photos. You will find techniques, abbreviations and yarn sources. A good addition to your knitting bookshelf. Thank you to Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2

I love knitting lace. For a knitter, it’s like taking your game to the next level, learning new stitches and creating a beautiful object. Not to mention that it’s fun and frequently a challenge. However, the yarn has always been thin. “Real” lace uses extremely thin yarn to make delicate, gossamer-like creations. Fingering weight and sock yarn, especially after the rise of indie-dyed sock yarn, have also been used.

The problem for me is that while I love knitting lace, I’m a slowish knitter. And, lace takes a lot of attention. It’s not the kind of thing you can easily do while reading a book or watching TV. These things are why I was excited to see a book like Barbara Benson’s Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits. Big yarn in beautiful motifs makes for quick knits and makes me happy.

The patterns run the gamut from ponchos, shawls, scarves, hats and more. There is something for every knitter here…well…except for socks, for the obvious reason. The end results look very attractive and very wearable. I’m especially infatuated with the “Asymmetical Balance” scarf and several of the hats, especially the slouchy one that looks so stylish.

One frustration for me with many of the patterns is how they’re laid out. I am not a very good knitter (read: patient instead of good) from a chart and love written instructions. Typically written instructions fall under “instructions.” Here they are at the beginning of the pattern under “stitch guide” and then the “instructions” refer to them, which I found confusing as I read the pattern. So, yes, there are written instructions; they’re just not offered in a linear manner. (I think people are trying to convince me that I need to start using charts.)

Regardless, I love this book and the opportunity to knit lovely lace patterns with big yarn. That’s all win-win for this knitter!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great book. Easy to read directions and I have never thought of knitting lace with bulky yarn, which is a fantastic idea. Faster gratification on the knitter's part.

Barbara Benson in Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits presents the simple idea of knitting lace, which is usually knit on small needles with lightweight yarn, and knitting with larger needles and bulkier yarn. There are clear directions and beautiful photographs of the items which include hats, scarves, and shawls for men and women.

I am so excited about this book. I am a loose knitter so, consequently, usually have to go down a needle size to obtain the gauge. When I knit with fingering or, heaven forbid, lace weight yarn I ended up going down to needles that felt like toothpicks. It also took forever to get an inch of knitting done. This book solves that problem. I look forward to trying out the Shoot the Moon and Rocinante shawls as well as the Hearts in Chains poncho and the Bonus Stitch Hat. The Modify Me! comments at the end of each pattern were very helpful suggestions. The Visual Index in the back helps you locate a specific pattern easily. The circular cast-on was new to me. I feel the author should have mentioned putting a lifeline in on a resting row in case you have to rip back. The author published written and charted instructions for almost all the patterns which I appreciated because I prefer written instructions. The only major problem was that none of the charts were visible on my Kindle! As two of the more complicated patterns were only charted and not written, I could not see them. maybe it was because it was an ARC copy?I received an ARC for my honest review.

Knitting lace with thick yarn and big needles can give you gorgeous results fast and if that appeals to you, Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits by Barbara Benson is a great choice. The lace is simple enough for knitters new to yarn overs and decreases (and has a section on yarn overs that taught me some new things) and it's pretty enough to tempt more experienced knitters away from their laceweight.

There are pictures showing each project from multiple angles so that you can see exactly how it's supposed to look. The charts are large and clear -- and there are row by row written instructions for knitters who prefer to do things that way.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits is by Barbara Benson is a gorgeous collection of 20 patterns to knit with bulky yarn. Shawls, hats, fingerless mittens, scarves, ponchos, and even a throw are beautifully designed with clear instructions and lovely photographs that make the most of each design. If you are looking for beautiful garments that will knit up quickly this book is definitely one that will satisfy. The patterns will appeal to every level of knitter. The technique section is well done and the index with photos at the back of the book is a handy feature. Publishing Date July 1, 2019 #StackpoleBooks #BigYarnBeautifulLaceKnits #BarbaraBenson #NetGalley

Barbara Benson loves to ask, "What if?" Her newest book, _Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits_ is the result of experiments and exploration into knitting lace, not with the delicate fine yarns traditionally chosen, but with big bulky yarns. Included are twenty designs that answer _what if this was knit in bulky_.

For those new to lace knitting, the _Getting Started with Lace_ section at the start of the book will be beneficial. Here, Benson explains what lace knitting is, how to read a chart, two different methods of blocking and why one is better than the other, and some words on gauge. Do you need to read this section if you are comfortable knitting lace? No, but I think you should. This introduction is well written! At the end of the book, the techniques are detailed. Why at the end? It helps you get to the projects quicker and not everyone needs a step-by-step on how to work a circular cast on. If you do need to learn, or want a refresher, the instructions are clear with lots of photographs to help. At this part of the book is also where you'll find a list of abbreviations. One small touch I like is the visual index!

The twenty designs explore different techniques and accessories. While there are the expected shawls, there are also scarves, cowls, fingerless mitts, hats, a throw, and a vest.

The instructions are both written and charted. Where necessary, a schematic is included. Gail Zucker's photography is stunning too. The project yarns cover an array from those found in big box stores to what is found on a shelf in a local yarn store. Many of the projects include notes for modification, as most projects are one size, these notes will help make a project fit a larger or smaller recipient. For example, a stockinette section on a poncho may be worked over fewer stitches before the lace panel, making it shorter.

Most designs in the book caught my eye. _Shoot the Moon_ for its simplicity, _Asymmetrical Balance_ because it's something that isn't overly feminine. The _Coefficient of Modulation_, as this cowl is worked in a technique Benson explored in her first book, _Mosaic Lace_. Giant Elves made me stop and giggle for the mental image it portrays. The Hearts in Chains poncho also looks like a nice knit, the large stockinette section is calming and the lace motif section easy to read. Avasarala made me pause because of its unique and versatile shape.

This is a stunning collection that shows that the answer to _"What if Lace is writ large?"_ is "Many delightful possibilities!" What would you knit?

I can't wait to get started on several of the projects in this book!  What a great idea to use lace knitting techniques with bulky yarns to create heavier items in beautiful patterns.  The designs look great, the patterns are easy to follow and suitable for beginner to intermediate knitters and the photography is great!

I like the idea of lace made from big yarn, and the patterns in the book look fun. However, I had a Kindle version, and the charts didn't show up. This may be because I have a review copy, but it's a little disappointing.

loved this book! great instructions and super clear pictures! Love how the stitches were broke down!

Will totally buy this book once it comes out!

I was excited to find a book that outlined patterns for knitting with larger yarns in beautiful lace patterns. This book has some very useful advice and very clear instructions for beginner knitters. In particular, I found the descriptions of how to knit and purl with shared stitches and how to do a double yarn over to be very helpful and clear. I had struggled in the past to wrap my brain around both concepts.

There are some truly beautiful patterns in this book. I'm most excited to make some of the stunning shawls. With the larger yarn, they really do look like pieces of modern art!

The only major flaw I found with this book, is that the charts for the lace patterns do not show property on Kindle for Mobile App for the digital copy. I would gladly purchase a physical copy of this book to work on some of the more complex patterns and projects - there is a chunky lace blanket that is absolutely breathtaking, but unfortunately, the chart does not show on the mobile Kindle app to start working the project.

This book has great patterns that seem easy enough to follow if you have some basic knitting skills. I like how the author takes the time to talk about some of the different stitches before the pattern if they are new. She also goes over how to do different types of cast on and other stitches with pictures of what it is supposed to look like and how you should hold the needles and the yarn. I can't wait until I can try some of these patterns. Look forward to seeing what else this author has put out.