Planet Auntie

First, the facts:

Title: Dressed in Knits: 19 Designs for Creating a Custom Knitwear Collection

Author: Alex Capshaw-Taylor

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 168

Type: Women’s patterns

Chapters:

The Ritual of Dressing
1. Knitting Foundations
2. Foundation Garments
3. Day
4. Night
5. Outerwear
6. Accessories

The In-Depth Look:

The author’s motiviation for this collection is clear right from the start:

“As a little girl, I remember the air of mystery that surrounded my mom as she got ready for her day–the careful selection of an outfit, the time spent getting her hair just so, applying the right shade of lipstick, and stepping into high heels. It was magical, and she looked beautiful. … As a designer, I take pleasure in creating the pieces that make up my wardrobe. Drawn to slow fashion, I appreciate clothing that stands the test of time, both in quality and design. Handknits embody these ideals–carefully crafted in quality natural yarns, they can be passed down from mother to daughter, much like a cherished piece of jewelry.”

The book starts with a look at the choices that go into your knitting–the yarn, the gauge, the fit … all those details that can get overlooked in your enthusiasm to get started. I like that she addresses these first to remind you that success is all about the detail.

The patterns themselves are grouped together into categories, starting with “foundation garments”–in this case, socks, a camisole, and a chemise-styled dress. Next comes “Day,” where we find items suitable for work or a weekend–all sweaters, with all but one of them cardigans. “Night” follows, as it does, and here we find sweaters you’d want to wear out on a date. “Outerwear” brings in three, more substantial garments that you could reach for every time you leave the house, and then finally, we have “Accessories”–a hat, a purse, a plaid wrap.

All the patterns here are elegant and stylish–they might be warm and cozy, but comfortably snuggling into the couch is not their first impulse. These are garments that want to be noticed.

You can get your own copy at Amazon.com.

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This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!