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Fitted Knits FO and…a few questions answered… « »
This is Heather’s “Alexandra Ballet Top.” It came out SO CUTE!
As you know, we’ve compiled a few errata for the second printing of the book (link at left). When I emailed today to submit them, I found out that the book is *already* out for the second printing! (That just blows my MIND.)
SO. Updates will be in the THIRD printing.
I’ve been getting a ton of email lately, and I’d like to answer some of the more common book-related questions here.
Several people have asked me why I’ve chosen to use that double border on a lot of the garments.
I did that because I really wanted the patterns to come across as a “line.” I was thinking about consistency and having some commonality that joins all of the pieces together. I also just really like it. It’s like a frame for a picture.
People have also written to say that they see elements of various other patterns I’ve published throughout the last two years in the book, and wonder how many patterns in the book are already published.
There are elements of “Angelica” in the keyhole blouse and the shrug is the big sister of the “One Skein Wonder.” The puff-sleeved cabled cardigan has the collar of “Forecast,” but is more based on the “Astrid” cardigan. The Spencer jacket shares the front shaping of the “Boobholder.” The V-neck is a more sophisticated version of the “easy v-neck.” You’ll also see allusions to “Bad Penny,”the “Cami Tube,” and possibly a few others…”Ubernatural” influenced one piece…
I was contacted by F&W for this gig because of the Glampyre Knits online and throughout the knitting scene. Although there are patterns in the book that have progress photos or prototype photos on my site, the only one that’s published elsewhere is the “Bulky Cropped Cardigan.”
I really did make sure that you’re getting new stuff, and that you haven’t already bought half the patterns in the book.
I’ve also received a few questions about the sizing.
Most of the patterns go up to at least 45 or 46″ bustline, and I give instructions in the front of the book for custom-sizing your garments. I realize that even a 46″ bust measurement doesn’t accommodate everyone. I do feel that there is a segment of the market that is being (almost totally, except for books like Big Girl Knits, etc.) neglected, and several of the garments are sized up into the high 40s and 50s.
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 15th, 2007 at 6:00 pm and is filed under Book Talk, Patterns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
11 Responses to “Fitted Knits FO and…a few questions answered…”
Hi. I just wanted to say that I LOVE your book. I was always intrigued with your designs that I saw on Knitty because I also am addicted to top-down raglans. I was surprised to see you reference Margaret Huber’s book, b/c I came across that in my local library and was hooked. I also read Barbara Walker.
I was irked when I read that part in your book about people saying that top-down raglans are simplistic. I think a lot of people just don’t get it. It’s creative, and it’s a way of looking at garment construction that really takes the qualities of knitting into consideration. It’s not sewing that we’re doing…it’s knitting.
I think your book is so beautiful. The photographs and the layout and that leafy design throughout just makes the book so pleasant to look at.
I think you’re doing a splendid job at exploring the many facets of top-down raglans. I love the texture and shaping that you put into your pieces.
What’s great about the book is that there is something for everyone. My friend and I have opposite tastes in clothes, colors, everything. I’m teaching her how to knit and we went yarn shopping and she bought what I thought were the most hideous colors and yarns. But we both found several things we would want to knit out of your book. I just showed her all the patterns that I didn’t like, and she said, “Those are great! I want to knit that!”
Sorry for the long comment. I would’ve e-mailed you, but I didn’t see your e-mail addy posted anywhere.
I just wanted you to know that I am a fan and I hope to see more books and designs in the years to come.
WOW! Thanks Marcy!
Hello
Stefanie I just wanted to let you know I love your book. I read your post yesterday and meant to respond but got sidetracked. Marcy said everything I wanted to say,but better. I can’t wait to see your second book!
I too love your book! Living in Seattle I can wear a sweater about 9 months out of the year. I plan to knit just about all of these (not really a tube top kinda girl here). Thank you for dreaming up such lovely, fashionable designs, and for presenting them in such a beautiful book.
It seems so odd to me that people are concerned about a *handful* of familiar design elements, when the large majority of the designs are so fresh and varied and incredibly gorgeous. I’m having trouble narrowing down list of the 6+ things I want to knit first.
I think I am going to go buy that book RIGHT NOW. I’ve loved all your patterns that I’ve tried so far
Hi Stephanie
I love your book. I don’t see any repeats, and even if I did, I prefer books to printouts… it’s one of the few knitting books i have where I’ve given 5 stars on Amazon, and where I want to make most of the patterns!
BUT I have a little question. I am halfway through the v-neck with deep rib, I’m making it in blue skies alpaca suri, and it’s fabulous. Only thing is, I have realised that the sleeves are going to be very snug - . I’m following the second size, as I’m a 38 bust. This should be ok, but do you have any tips for future sweaters on making the upper arms a little bigger? I can’t really figure out where I could increase a few stitches.
Thanks in advance,
Francesca
PS CAn’t wait for next book!
Francesca,
A few rows before you’re ready to separate the sleeves from the body, do your raglan sleeve increases every row, instead of every OTHER row, just on the sleeve portions, not in the body sections. This will increase the sleeve circumference while keeping the body circ. the same.
Stef:
I am on my second sweater from the book, which is so exciting! I plan to do most of the patterns. The book is beautiful, the designs outstanding. I just love it!
Nancy
[…] Oh my, isn’t this sweater beautiful?! I really love this yarn. I think it’s Manos — I have a lonely skein of the same colorway. I would KILL for enough of it to make a sweater, but at $15 a pop for on skein of variegated… well. Better off making the yarn myself! […]
Hi! I also love the book; just got it a few weeks ago, so I’m still “shopping” through it to decide which one to do first!
I know this has GOT to be on here somewhere, but I can’t find it: Where can we get/buy a copy of the pattern for the sweater you are wearing in your author photo??? I gotta have it!