Sources in Patterns...
343051
I like this book. The sources help me understand the topic better than the main text book. The introductions to the chapters are useful and allow me to understand the context of the sources if I choose to read the sources before the chapter in the corresponding text book.
1078500
Interesting book. Patterns seem simple to follow. Will update when I try a few of these patterns.
4781799
Uninspiring patterns, dissatisfied with this book.
3728053
More information about how to get commercial patterns to fit is good.  I like seeing how "experts" handle the body anomalies.  There is much about pattern construction I don't know so I add books to my library to help me on my quest to good fit.
2445257
Can't go wrong with Jan Patek. Patterns can be used together or didvided into smaller projects
2907337
As the title states, this book contains 250 knitting patterns; once beginners understand the fundamentals of knitting, they could do some of these patterns easily (basic garter stitch, stockinette stitch, basic rib patterns), but other patterns are advanced cables, lace, and colorwork.  Color photos show the resulting pattern, and instructions are given in both verbiage and charts.  In addition, the instructions for each pattern recommend yarn weights and types for that particular pattern, since standard worsted (#4 weight) is not always the best for some patterns.

Back matter refreshe(s) [knitters] knowledge (169) of needle and yarn selection and care, stitch techniques, interpreting instructions in both verbiage and charts, and more.

This book, like others of its type, is for intermediate to advanced knitters who want to expand their repertoire; absolute beginners would need help from a more experienced knitter.  I see this book as an excellent resource for sampler-style throws or other things of my own design.
564459
SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS is a collection of patterns for 22 Christmas stockings, 1 cap, 1 pair of mittens, and 1 pair of leggings.  To me, the designs all look fairly similar. "Christmas", the book cover design, is fairly typical of the look of most of the stockings.

Although the designs are built around traditional Scandinavian knitting motifs (trees, reindeer, stick figures, dancers), they are not based on historical examples of knitted Scandinavian stockings.  They are the author's new designs.  There are no thumbnail photos of ethnic, museum-quality, knitted Scandinavian stockings.  However, there are charts for three different, very nice alphabets, to be used in adding names to the stockings.

The charted Fair Isle designs are written for  2-ply Gammelserie (6.5-7 sts/in, on 2.5mm-3.0mm needles or US 1-2 needles) and 3-ply Strikkegarn (5-6 st/in, on size 3.0 mm-3.5 mm needles or US 2-3 needles).  The book does not include the above gauge information, or suggest any suppliers, but you can use Google to find U.S. sources for these traditional Scandinavian yarns.  You can also substitute any high-twist yarn that gives approximately the same gauge.  (After all, with Christmas stockings, you're not trying to knit a sock that will be worn by someone.)

The patterns are fairly difficult--some call for knitting with three colors in a single row--so they're best for adventurous intermediate and advanced knitters.  Because I'm not particularly drawn to any of the stocking designs, I rate SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS at 4 stars ("I like it" on the official Amazon scale).  If you're looking for Christmas stocking patterns, some other good books you might consider are&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Christmas-Stockings-Holiday-Treasures-to-Knit/dp/1931499004/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Christmas Stockings: Holiday Treasures to Knit</a>, and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Knit-Christmas-Stockings-19-Patterns-for-Stockings-and-Ornaments/dp/1580175058/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Knit Christmas Stockings!: 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments</a>&nbsp;(both books are out of print, but used copies are available).
4049793
I like this book. lots of patterns, and history. looking forward to reading it all. very nicely done book, very informative.
3164312
This book is not technically a pattern book; it's more of a history of Dutch samplers. There is one project (the sampler shown on the cover) with a chart and thread colors given in the back of the book. This is a historical resource that explains some of the meaning behind the motifs and why particular subjects were used. Most of the book is in black and white, with a few color plates of historical samplers given. What I found most interesting is that many of the motifs (given on black-and-white charts throughout the book) currently appear in "new" primitive samplers today--so trees, houses, primitive figures, birds, etc. I would imagine many of the new designers in primitive cross-stitch use some of these old sampler books for inspiration. If you're an experienced cross-stitcher or needleworker, you'll have no problem pulling motifs out of the book to use for small projects. But if you're a beginner, I'd look elsewhere for motifs (such as the "Sampler Motif Book" offered by Amazon).
4876401
This is a 69 page pamphlet packed with patterns; most of them are in color. The book gives different suggestions on how to combine them and use them. Some patterns are just alphabet letters.

There does not seem to be a scheme to the patterns. They include:
Santa, angel, three wise men, candy cane, snow man, fish, owl, butterfly, frog, happy face, mouse, dragon, monkeys, giraffe, eagle, whale, king, queen, jack, air plane, boat, Colonel Sanders, turtle, chess pieces, chess board, deer, turkey, apple, pine apple, cherry, and abstract designs, to name a few.

This is a good collection to encourage you to do your own designs.
4803840
Like the patterns in this book but find that they take a little studying before using.  The beginning of the pattern isn't clearly separated/defined from some explanatory information which makes it a little confusing.
2949977
I just received this book and am pleasantly surprised.  First, the patterns.  There are several sweaters I would actually knit:  the cover sweater with the slip stitch designs, the colorblock pullover, the Fair Isle sweater with bell sleeves, the yoke sweater with faux embroidery, the striped raglan, and the Harvest cardi.  I also liked the pattern on the Andean pullover (on the back cover), but I didn't like the cropped style.  I even liked the argyle vest and knee socks, though I am primarily a sweater knitter.  There were a couple of patterns I didn't like - the scarf (Kristin Nicholas is just NOT my style) the pillow, and the flower mittens; however the great majority of the patterns appealed to me.

The book also has a small section which briefly goes over the different color techniques and gives references for more information.  I found the tips in the section helpful, and didn't feel it was lacking.  I have other reference books with Fair Isle techniques and history that are more in-depth.  This being primarily a pattern book, I didn't expect a long section on how-to.

Overall I would say this is a great pattern book.  It has contemporary takes on intarsia, stranded knitting, and stripes.  I think it is easy for intarsia and stranded (Fair Isle type) sweaters to look dated, but I really found these patterns appealing.
4574671
This isn't the best book on the subject, but it is worth the money.  There are some nice patterns in this volume...and it is well written with clear instructions.
3920374
This book, published in 1971, is becoming extremely difficult to find.  The forty-seven pages (including covers) offer a great selection of patterns, including styles that I've not seen elsewhere (i.e., silhouette and mushroom designs).

The book is in black and white, including photos of the completed projects.  Some people may find this a negative; however, it leaves a "clean slate" that is not influenced by the color choices of someone else.

This may not be the best book for a beginner, as the instructions that are given assume that the person stitching has a knowledge of huck embroidery/Swedish weaving.
2022884
This is a wonderful compendium of original sources which I'm using in a graduate level social science course on terrorism.  Readings run the gamut, from Lenin and Bakunin, to Marighella and Che Guevera, to today's modern terrorists.  There's a little introductory essay at the beginning of each section and the readings are short enough that you can assign several during each week, and pick and choose snippets to augment your regular textbook.  I was pleased to find this resource since I had been hunting for something similar for awhile.
3273039
I agree with one of the other reviewers, that they should show pics of some of the pages.  There are lace patterns (more than I expected), cable, textured, and standard stuff.  A must for the knitting library.
3545378
This is a great resource for right-on-trend retro-styled clothing. There are even some cute toys for your kids. Give 'em bigger eyes and heads and call it Amigurumi!

Here are some of the items I found most interesting (see the uploaded images):

Lovely ripple wave shell and matching cardigan.
Popcorn textured tank top.
Ripple design shell and cardigan twin set.

Circle shawl made with gold and silver threads. Beautiful evening wear.
Linen yarn jacket with lace work at the shoulders.
Cute animal toys for the little ones.

Poet sleeve jacket with pointed collar.
A cute single shoulder blouse made with Sugar and Cream worsted cotton!
Color striped twin sets for kids.

Interesting fitted jacket with shawl collar and plaid design color-work.
Circle shawl with fancy ruffled edging.
A bikini from famous designer Betsy Johnson. (If you don't know who she is, Google it!)

Two piece dress with multi-color border designs.
Linen yarn blouse with ruffled lace collar and cuffs.
Cute rainbow halter.

Men's jacket with interesting texture (totally modern without the faux pocket flaps).
Kimono blouse (would look great in one of today's solid colors).
Pineapple lace camisole.

Tunic with crossover-shawl styled inset collar.
Top with simple lines sporting a faux wrap look and vertical color stripes.
Crocheted two piece plaid suit.

Men's zip jacket with stand collar, ribbed bottom and cuffs, and interesting texture stitch.

I think the book would be a nice source for some techniques like the various plaids and textures used in the more formal clothing. And a color update would bring many of these right into the 21st century (in a retro way of course).

I plan to adapt the ideas since the pattern sizing is typically not for plus size. But I don't know that one would want to follow these patterns word-for-word anyway.

I did however see some nice linen yarn at my local yarn store today :)