Customer Reviews

Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Over the last number of years, quality knitting magazines and books have occasionally dealt with the issue of fitting hand knits to the larger figure. Bigger people are proportioned differently; knits made to fit need to be designed to accommodate necklines, bust, shoulders, arms. The design has to be customized to flatter a round or curvy figure; these knits are not hanging from rake-thin shoulders draped over a flat board of a chest. As a biggish sort of person who is tall as well as large, I welcome "Big Girl Knits" as a great help to anyone who wants to knit something that fits a big girl.

So how well does "Big Girl Knits" fit the bill? There is an introduction by Wendy Shanker (author of "The Fat Girl's Guide to Life") about her own difficulties finding ponchos to fit her 18-20 size body. Then the first section deals with considerations when knitting for someone who is generously sized. For example, you are going to be using more yarn, in some cases, a lot of yarn. So, consider how heavy that yarn is because the weight of the garment may not be pleasing. Likewise, yarn is not inexpensive, so using extra amounts of a pricey yarn may be a bad idea for something you don't plan to wear for years. The section goes on to explain the "B3" system (boobs, belly and butt) and how to choose a design based on what is emphasized in your figure. The authors discuss hemlines, flattering lengths, good necklines and hiplines. There is a section of top ten list of things you might want to knit:

1. Sweaters that skim the body, flattering your curves
2. Wrap sweaters (again, they show off pretty curves)
3. Fine gauge yarns, reduce bulk, skim the body
4. V-necks--great vertical line to distract the eye and flaunt the cleavage if you choose,
5. Shaped sweaters (see 1 and 2)
6. Sweaters that end before or after the widest bits. (If you land ON the big bits, it makes them seem bigger.)
7. Vertical elements--again, draw the eye up and down not round and round.
8. Details that emphasize the "parts of you that are excellent."
9. Colors that make you happy. Black is good for chadoors. Black does not make you look thin--a myth. Choose a color that flatters you or that you love.
10. Knit what you love--if you want a corset sweater, knit it. If you hate cables, don't knit them!

The first chapter ends with a comprehensive measurement section on how to measure, what to measure and how to adjust patterns based on your measurements. Much space is given to short rows, partial rows of knitting that add shaping much the way darts on sewing do--and make a flat piece become three-dimensional to fit your shape.

Now to the patterns. The book is sectioned into:

Pullovers
Cardigans and Coats
Tanks and Tees
Bottoms (pants, skirts)
Accessories (bags, socks, gloves) and there is a reading list, abbreviation list and shopping guide to follow the patterns.

What ABOUT those patterns? There are 25 of them, and I am going to ding some of them--I didn't like them all, but don't despair; this book has incredible value whether or not you knit anything at all the way it's presented here. The colors were not ones I found exciting; in some cases, I think they were chosen to photograph the detail rather than to flatter the wearer. This made the picture clear to see detail of the garment, but the colors were not pleasing (ie, the wrap sweater, very lovely shape but in a dull, nasty gray.) You will have to imagine that sweater in YOUR favorite color (a ballerina pink? luscious grape?) The shapes are diagrammed well so you can design your own and not use the trim or other decorative elements if you don't like them. There were many things I didn't admire, but the shape diagram would let me design my own easily enough. Some of the styles were goofy to me (but they will please the fashion-adventuresome) and of course not all patterns suit all body types. The good thing about the "goofy" patterns is that this is not a boring vanilla book but will excite the young knitters that are revitalizing the craft.

I did really like a v-patterned cardigan with a striped chevron front. The colors were like Joseph's coat and the v-shape would flatter any wearer. I also adored a skirt (chevron patterned again to drag the eye away from the butt line) and there are YOGA PANTS. HELLO! Have you tried to find yoga gear in large sizes (except for big sweat pants?) These lovely loose pants could be knit in a light hemp or silk blend yarn and they look drapey and elegant as well as comfortable.

The shapes are varied; there is a top with a directionally-knitted v-neck that is very sexy, and a strange tee-shirt of hemp with a lot of Shar-pei folds and laced shoulders. The coats, even if not knit in yarns I loved, are useful for shape and proportion. These could be knit in a variety of yarns for a beautiful Spring or Autumn jacket.

What would I knit? The chevron cardigan, the wrap sweater for sure, the pants and maybe one of the tanks. Would I recommend this book to another Big Gal? Yes, I absolutely would. Despite the fact I didn't like some of the designs, there is SO MUCH in this book that is useful and adaptable for the ample figured knitter that I think this book will be flying off the shelves and staying put as a new classic of knitting. Thanks, Jillian and Amy, for putting together a valuable book for Big Girls.

Joanna Daneman

I'm almost ashamed to think of how many sweaters I've knitted for myself over the years with boring, boxy shapes! Knitting something that actually fit my (extremely wide) shoulders would inevitably hang over my (relatively flat) chest. Never a good look! No more... Big Girl Knits is brilliant...it's got all the shaping information you'll ever need to make yourself flattering, fashionable handknits. Whether you have a big chest, a beer gut or a booty like mine, there's something for you in this book. Jillian Moreno and Amy Singer's clever writing and excellent technical data encourages knitters of all skill levels to take off the tents and knit things that really fit!

(Added bonus: it takes more yarn to knit a tent than it does to knit a shapely sweater. Less money spent on one project equals more for the next one!)

I can't wait for the sequel!

I was in tears over this book. Really, I sat down and cried. Finally, knitwear designs that get it! Big boxy Volvo sweaters make fat girls look ginormous, and they use TONS of yarn. Big girls can have hips too, and if they don't there is nothing wrong with a little shaping to suggest hips.

This book tells you that the designs won't make you look skinny; they will make you look GOOD! The patterns in this book are not about making Kate Moss fashions big; they are about fashion for big girls. Rather than covering up your curves with boxy, shapeless sweaters (that flatter no one), Big Girl knits works with the shape of your body. The designs will camouflage what you are not happy with on your body and flatter what you love.

The styles are classic, with a twist. No miles of ugly, furry yarn. Instead, the designs focus on worsted and DK yarns knit in becoming shapes. In addition, because the sweaters have shape, they will actually use less yarn than the big box sweater, saving us big girls a little money (or making it easier to buy quality yarns). The designs are not about fads. Rather, they are about what really works are larger bodies.

Big Girl Knits has more than just sweaters; mittens for bigger hands, and shawls that actually cover a big girl. There is even a sock pattern that addresses big calves and small feet.

A word of warning, the patterns use a lot of shaping. There are revealing necklines, flattering shaped bodices, and interesting textures. None of these patterns are made from simple rectangular pieces. While none of the patterns are challenging, one does need to be comfortable reading a pattern to create these lovely shapes.

In all the years I have been knitting, this is the first time my husband wanted to look at the pattern book too. That is a clue to how flattering and sexy these sweaters are. The publisher has already asked for a second book. May I request a book for big men too?

This is the best knitting book I have ever owned. Being a "big girl" myself, I usually knit sweaters for other people. Alot of the sweaters in my size are very basic. To upsize a pattern, you need alot of experience and math skills. But wait until you see these patterns....va va va voom! Tons of theory about contruction. A whole explanation on body type AND short rows. Built in places to "tweak" the pattern for you and your body type. ( boobies, butts, and bellies) The models are very pretty real sized plus models, (think size 22, not 12 ). The sweaters and coats and skirts are wearable. Most of the yarns are lush and pricy, but if you spend the time to knit one of these beautiful sweaters in a big size, you might as well have something absolutely fabulous. I think this book might well make smaller women want to try to "tweak" these patterns DOWN for a change. Well worth the money, and will probably stay within arms reach for a long, long, time.

I love to knit but always have problems with patterns because I'm a skinny person who is top-heavy. I like 'Big Girl Knits' because it is the first book I have seen with clear instructions for making short rows, and a math formula which helps you to know how to do this. I have always read knitting books which give the advice to put in short rows to accomodate a larger bust, but have never before found a book that explained HOW to do this. The instructions in this book are very clear and I look forward to using this information.
I couldn't possibly ever fit into any of the patterns in the book, but they are really pretty and looked nice on the attractive models. They should be fun for people who are in large sizes and want to look pretty (the patterns go up to 55 inch bust, 61 inch hips). I liked the fact that the writers were encouraging to larger women without being rude about women who are smaller. However, some may not like the language used in some of the writing--I personally think they could have been just as cute without the swear-words they use (I don't know why there is so much of this in knitting circles recently. It seems more stupid to me than 'hip').

I have been big all of my life. After reading this book cover to cover, I feel like I have an avenue to accentuate the positive and diminuate the negative of my figure. I have a very large bust and booty, but my shoulders and waist are very small in relation and nothing ever fits right. Nothing ever accentuates a small waist if the boobage is big. This book realizes that waists on big girls are important and pretty and there are patterns to knit for those of us who want to adorn bodies in a beautiful hand knit sweater.

As with all pattern books and magazines people have to be able to visualize the design, not the color the design was chosen to be knit in. Some people like bright bold colors and others like grey or black. Color is a choice we all get to make and claim as our our very own design feature.

The Bombshell is gorgeous, the waist shaping fantastic for a shape like mine. The Stacey Pullover, is another wonderful sweater! I am sitting here with the book and I can't find a pattern I wouldn't knit, it is just a matter of time.

As big girls, we just need to get used to the idea that we are big and accept ourselves. I am tired of hiding out in knits that don't show off the gorgeous parts of my body because there aren't any designers who have figured it out. We are beautiful. Even though the painter Ruben isn't alive now to help us figure it out, I am very glad that Jillian and Amy are here to help!

The education on body types, the charts, the worksheets, the humor, the LOVE in this book for girls like me, well I thank the authors for their incredible genious. Yes, genious. How many books do you have in your entire knitting library that deal with all of the body issues big girls have, straight on, educating you on what to wear, what to avoid and how to make something that deals with your special body shape needs? Hmmm....I have one. Big Girl Knits by Jillian Moreno and Amy Singer. They aren't trying to change us, they are helping us with patterns to make us look like a million bucks in our clothing. Thank you so much!

This book is worth the price for the introduction and first chapter alone. The introduction explains, for all of us big girls, that fat is not a dirty word, large is not always ugly, and dressing like a pregnant hippo will not help matters any. It encourages you to look at yourself as others do - with a critical but not cruel eye - and pick out what you need to de-emphasis or what could do with a little flaunting. Their easy 1-2-3 of boobs-belly-butt makes it easy to see at a glance which of their patterns would make you shine - and to translate this to any other garmet or pattern.

For me, however, it is the first chapter that is the real gold. This is where they explain - in language suitable for the mathematically-challenged among us - how to alter any hand-knit item to fit you right. They lay out, in simple equations, how to calculate this, so that all you have to do is add your own numbers. Whether or not I knit any of the lovely patterns in this book, I will be using these techniques for every sweater I knit far into the future.

Big Girl Knits is, appropriately enough, a large book. It has beautiful pictures and wonderful art direction, making it good enough to be a coffee-table book to inspire your next project. The projects within are do-able and exciting, with clear instructions and helpfull side-bars. While I have yet to knit one of them, a quick skim of any will tell you all you need to know about getting started, and reveals no obvious glitches. While some of the projects are not for me, many of them have made their way onto my must-knit list. The fact that the authors are not only Big Girls themselves, but also the organisers of Knitty.com makes it unsurprising to me that this book is replete with good projects well written. This book is worth your time and money.

I preordered this book in January, and tore into the box with clawing hands. I was so excited to finally have a book for me, a knitter that ain't skinny! If you are interested in this book you know that most knitting magazines like Rowan and Vogue end at a 40" bust, yet 67% of American women have a 44" bust or larger.

This book has a great introduction, with practical information on how to create sweaters to flatter your figure. I felt the text in the first chapter was too small, and I found myself skimming past the info to get to the pictures! Some of the sweaters looked ill-fitting on the models, such as "Sexy Ribs Pullover" and "Boobalicious Tank." I also saw some finishing issues, and clever disguising of technical problems with some ridiculous posing. I would also have prefered "full-frontal" images and more photos!

Some of the best designs are the "Bombshell" tee, "Lift and Separate," and the "Stacy Pullover." Also included in this book are accessories, bottoms (some amazing- like the Yoga pants- some awful- like the Peel Skirt), and a wonderful section on sizing worksheets, calculations and short rows.

I am proud of Amy Singer and Jillian Moreno for publishing this book that promotes a positive attitude for us "big girls." So many of us believe we're ugly or not-as-good because we're overweight. However, some of the "you-go-girl", "sexy" and "kick-ass" was trite and forced. I know they are working on a second book, and I would like this girl-power attitude toned down a bit.

This is, by far, the best knitting book I have picked up in ages. I even bought mine at full price at a local store. I picked it up thinking, "Okay, I'll take a look at it, but I know I'm not going to buy it."

I sat in a comfy chair and started leafing through it. I decided when I saw the opening sections on fit that I had to have it. It's FULL of amazing patterns that are written to fit big girls. It's not like those patterns that are written for "regular" size gals that might just include a "plus size" or two. These are thoughtfully designed items with the specific needs of big girls in mind.

I haven't been into buying knitting books recently becuase I am tired of having to "do the math" to make things to fit me. Plus, I am no longer a beginner and most of the newer books have been geared towards beginners. This book doesn't even have a beginner section. For that I am grateful.

I have found no fewer than six things that I am ready to make, RIGHT NOW! I want to send a thank you note to every one of the brilliant designers. I am utterly blown away.

Why are you still reading this? Go on. Buy it!

Jillian and Amy have outdone themselves with this fabulous collection of patterns and tips for the size 14+ crowd. Ladies, you can throw away most of your other "plus size" sweater patterns, because I can guarantee those other patterns violate a lot of the rules Amy and Jillian set out for the 3 B's of big girl shaping. (Okay, even this dynamic duo admits that you have to break rules sometimes, but you need to understand why certain shapings look better on your body type!)

Never fear - the patterns don't stop at sweaters. There are options for titillating tanks, awesome accessories, and even some super skirt and pant patterns. If you are in love with the 14+ clothing boutiques for real clothes to fit real women, this book is a must-add to your pattern collection.