Customer Reviews

1000 Sweaters

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm still deciding whether I'm going to keep this book. It's disappointing for two main reasons: 1. All the sweaters are in one gauge (22 st/4 inches) and 2. All except for a few "oversized" are only as large as size 38 (finished size 40"). I'm not a huge woman, but size 38 as a large?

All in all, it's an interesting book with a lot of different pattern combinations, but I wish there were options for different yarn weights and for larger sizes.

I almost returned this book after I bought it--which I never do with knitting books. I had hoped it would be a nice companion to Ann Budd's "The Knitter's Book of Handy Patterns," but this one proved to be a major disappointment. Before you click that "Add to Cart" button, consider:

1. The "large" size in this book only has a =finished= bust measurement of 40 inches. This is the largest size offered, and there are no diagrams to assist knitters who want to make size adjustments. If you're blessed with an ample bustline, these sweaters will be skintight.

2. Unlike Ann Budd's book, which offers multiple gauges for every pattern, all of these pieces are knit in a single gauge: 5-1/2 sts to the inch. If you love knitting with DK-weight yarn, this book is for you. If not, you're out of luck.

3. These sweaters are all knit on U.S. size 4 and size 6 needles. Perhaps British women are faster knitters, or perhaps they have more leisure time than we over-scheduled Americans. It would take me months to make a sweater on size 6 needles and I just don't have that much free time.

With all that said, I do enjoy flipping the pages to match up various sleeve, collar and body styles. It's a clever idea and I give the book 2 stars for offering a little creative inspiration. But overall, these are not practical patterns for the average American knitter and, despite the publisher's claim, they're definitely not suitable for beginners.

Before you order this book, I suggest skimming through it at a local yarn shop to make sure it's right for you.

A third reason that this book is disappointing (besides the DK yarn and size limitation mentioned in previous reviews) is that there are no diagrams showing the measurements of the sweater pieces. Most patten books and magazines include these diagrams to aid the knitter in any size or yarn gauge modifications. Without them, it is more difficult for example to adjust body shaping for a waistline to hit at the right place for one's own body. Or to shorten or lenghten sleeves. Or to use worsted weight yarn instead of DK. Generally, the concept of this book is good (mix and match), just wish it was more usable.

This is a *strange* pattern book, but it has a definite allure, particularly for those who enjoy adapting refined patterns to suit their own designer tastes. It's quite different from, say, Ann Budd's Book of Patterns, where you choose your guage and knit away at a simple shape. Amanda and Jane present 28 superbly styled body shapes, sleeve shapes and neck treatments in separate sections, to be knit in medium weight yarn. You choose your desired body shape, which has a certain kind of sleeve (set-in or raglan) and neckline (round, scoop, square, v-neck, square v-neck or 'keyhole'). Then you choose the sleeve treatment from a large selection (14 different styles in all), and do the same with the neckline treatment (28 different styles), adding pockets (5) or belt (2) as you wish. There are clear explanations on how to use different stitch patterns.

The sweaters coming out of this collection are really fresh and exciting, due, I think, to the attention to detail in shaping the bodies and very carefully designed sleeves and necklines. The Rowan thoroughbred touch is instantly recognizable. The only possible drawback is that the sizing only goes up to fit a 38" bust (40" finished size), apart from an additional 3 unshaped oversized sweaters / jackets (actual size 45" or 49") with square sleeves, which can have any of the necklines. As far as the other 28 designs are concerned, a tension of 20sts per 10cm would bring the finished size up to around 42" for an XL size, without doing any damage to the way the pieces fit together. All instructions are clear and easy to follow.

When I first saw this book - I thought what a great idea that could be helpful to new knitters wanting to design their own sweaters.

However upon closer examination - all the patterns are knitted to the same gauge (22 sts/4 in as I recall) using all yarns from Rowan. In addition, the size range is very limited.

If you want to invest in a book of templates to help you with design and shapes there are other books on the market much better than this one - for example Ann Budd's recent offering.

I think this book is for intermediate-advanced knitters, as you are still essentially making up your own pattern and need to use some judgement/experience in the process.

I agree with D G Van Velsen. I too live in Australia where 8-ply is most common and, while different yarn wieghts and larger sizes would be a wise inclusion, I am lucky enough to be quite average in size, so find this book quite accommodating.

Where previous reviewers have disliked the constant gauge (being 22 sts/4") I believe it would be much harder to mix-n-match the garment pieces if they were in different guages, as each gauge would require a different pattern I think.

Alternatively, making it up in a larger guage may be all that's needed to make the pieces in a size that suits, but this is where one's experience kicks in.

Also, one reviewer mentioned that the largest sizing is a finished measurement of 40". While the most common 'large' size is 40", there are body sections in 42" and 49".

It also has an indirect benefit of teaching you what you like in a pattern - sleeve-head types, neck lines, etc, and how they will suit whoever you're knitting for. Which, in the end, makes for a better knitter (no point knitting a wardrobe if it doesn't suit the owner).

One last thing: my copy's author is Amanda Griffiths (not Jane Crowfoot, as listed above) - although it has the same picture as displayed on this page. Odd.

So, overall, a good addition to the shelf - I'm glad I bought it.

I agree with several of the other reviewers in that I have mixed feelings about this book--I'm not much on knitting from a chart--but I heartily disagree with them on other accounts. The sizes are a bit limited, although I'm having problems in the other direction, trying to adjust a finished pattern of 36"-37" down for a 30" bust and a much shorter torso than that listed for the small size. I've gone down to size US3 needles to do so, and in spite of this I have been working on the rather intricate cable pattern sweater for about three weeks and have finished the front and half the back. (And I am neither Republican nor British nor overly endowed with free time.) I think the patterns in this book are both clever and what you make of them--if you want a sweater that looks like it's from TJ Maxx, you could assuredly knit it from one of these patterns, but the range of fashions possible is limited only by the knitter's own imagination. Definitely preview this book in person before you buy it, but I warn you, there is a distinct danger of creating more sweater combinations than you could ever possibly knit.

I have just received my copy of 1000 Sweaters and am very happy with it. For those of us who live in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom it is wonderful as it uses 8 ply yarn (DK or double knitting) which is the most common type of yarn in our countries. You can use any type of 8 ply, including wool, cotton, mohair or synthetic as long as it knits to a tension (gauge) of 22 sts per 10 cm. It allows you to mix and match a large variety of body, sleeve and neckline styles to create the sweater or cardigan you want. Most of the body choices are fitted in style with a maximum finished width of 102 cm. However, there are also oversized styles of sweaters and cardigans up to a finished size of 125 cm. You also have the choice of short or longer body lengths. I personally prefer short, fitted sweaters, but oversized are also included. There are sweaters, cardigans (buttoned or zipped), a bolero, a wrap top, short, long or medium sleeve choices. You can make everything from a classic style to a more funky style. The only thing you can't make is a thick, chunky knit, which is fine for me as I live in a fairly hot climate. Overall a great book!

I have spent part of my day playing with the mix and match possibilities of this book. I now have 5 sweaters I "have" to create yesterday. The only slight drawback - and then only if you have already bought yarn of a different gauge - is that all the sweaters in the book are in one gauge (22sts x 30rows = 4inches). Other than that, this is a terrific addition to anyone's knitting library and I know I'll be "playing" with it for a long time to come.

Roseann Bucca - Brooklyn, NY

I honestly don't know what to think of this book.

Pros:

- Lots of combinations

- Good for basics, you can add your own little twists and embellishments at whim.

- Great for learning more about sweater construction (different necklines and sleeves, etc)

- Great for inspiration

- Helpful for altering other existing patterns (Love the pattern you've got? Hate the sleeve? This will show you what other sleeves you can put on.)

Cons:

- 1000 combinations is pushing it. I don't consider adding a belt to an outfit "making a different outfit" so why would I consider adding a belt to a sweater "making a different sweater."

- The book never goes beyond basics. If you have some skill, you can make these all your own, but other than that these seem to be things you can find elsewhere. (A classic crew neck with a fitted sleeve is nothing new, and you could probably find a pattern somewhere that was better for you individually.)

- Sizing issues. Everyone has said it, I know, but trust me, it's just as tricky to size down as to size up. Honestly, offering only 3 sizes with no help for making them smaller or larger is crazy. The patterns I've found most helpful offer at *least* 5 or 6 sizes. People come in different sizes, patterns do too.

Overall, I would say that I do like the book, but I'll never make anything from it by following the pattern word-for-word. If you like to change around patterns (switch out sleeves and necklines, etc.) this book might help you. If you want to make basic sweaters, and you are an average size, this book would probably be great. If you love DK Rowan yarn, go for it. But if you fall on either end of the size range and you like funky patterns, details, chunky yarn, and super-fast knits - steer clear.

For the record, I too am neither British, Republican, or have a ton of free time. I'm also in the middle of re-sizing the fitted cardigan, so if this sounds too much like a rant, that would be why.