Review on 🧶 Andean Folk Knits: Exceptional Designs from Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador & Bolivia by Summer Hendricks

I really liked this book: the author is so obviously interested in hand knitting from Peru, Chile, etc. and her designs, based on Andean themes and motifs, are mostly charming . However, the focus is on folklore purses and bags that look like they came from one of South America's best airport shops. They would be fun to make, but not very practical for carrying your stuff (unless you are an Andean Shepherd). The introductory part is reminiscent of a personal travelogue, pictures and so on. But I wanted to learn more about the origins and techniques of local knitting, and in those areas I felt the coverage was perfunctory. When I bought this book, I also bought Knitting from Africa by Marianne Ysager and found it much more satisfying. Inspired by African patterns, Isager has used them creatively to create highly original, beautiful and comfortable knitwear. I wish I could say the same about the Book of the Andes.