Custom Knits Accessories is the third book in the Custom Knits series by acclaimed designer Wendy Bernard. While the first two books focused on techniques for customizing top-down sweaters, this one showcases the ever-popular quick-knits: hats, scarves, gloves, mitts, socks, and more. Each of Bernard’s 25 sassy-chic patterns offers specific ideas for customization—from switching out yarns to personalizing fit and style details—and fun, glamorous photographs show off the finished pieces. Also included are formulas for knitting all types of accessories without a pattern, using a single body measurement as a starting point. In true Custom Knits style, Bernard encourages knitters to unleash their inner designer every step of the way.
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About the Author
Wendy Bernard is the author of Custom Knits and Custom Knits 2 (both published by STC Craft), and is the creator of KnitandTonic.net. Her work has been published in Interweave Knits, Knitscene, and Yarn Forward magazines, and in the book My Grandmother’s Knitting (STC Craft).
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Custom Knit Accessories is one of those knitting books that take you by surprise. It is a delight and filled with wonderful little projects, most of which don't take much yarn and are quick to finish. In the introduction, it says, "One of the first joyful rediscoveries I made about knitting accessories was this: time. How fun it is to design and knit something just a few hours after you cast on." All knitters know that we can spend months, and maybe even years, knitting projects such as complicated sweaters and shawls. This book does not have projects like these. The projects here are small, quick, and sometimes not much bigger than your swatch. Additionally, you can use wonderful yarn to make these accessories and, as a knitter, I know the joy of using great yarn.
Chapter One is on Preplanning Accessories. It discusses things such as converting a flat pattern to knitting in the round, figuring out how much yarn you'll need, swapping yarns, adding a stitch pattern to a plain knit and ways to knit seamless color changes. These are just a few of the very helpful items covered in this chapter. There is a section on different fibers and the ways that they stretch, drape and hold. There is an Approximate Yardage Requirements chart for each of the items in the book, for different ages and sizes, males and females. This chart also includes gauge differences. "Accessories tend to be small, so you can take them with you and work on them when you have downtime." I love that idea.
The second chapter is on hats, caps, bonnets and turbans. There are several wonderful patterns here including The Sand Dollar Slouch, The Jacquard Slouch and Patsy's Bonnet. I especially liked the initial part of the chapter that has a chart of Typical Head Measurements and includes sizes, shaping, and amount of yard needed for each project. Sizes go from preemie to men's size and include all types of hats.
Chapter Three includes scarves, shawls, stoles and cowls. There are instructions on how to make these projects symmetrical. There is a rectangular shawl (or stole) formula, a circular shawl formula and instructions for 'beyond the circle'. Again, the projects are lovely. The Mambu Shawlette is something I plan to knit soon along with the Sangria Shawlette and the Skylark Stole. (I'm a real sucker for a beautiful shawl.) The Sparkle Ticking Wrap is lovely for a breezy afternoon and is knit in Tilli Thomas Silk.
Chapter Four includes Pairs: Gloves, Mitts, Socks and Leg Warmers. Again, the chapter opens with a measurement chart for hand sizes that go from 2-4 years up to Men's Large. There are clear instructions for fingerless mitts; three ways to make thumb openings and a thumb gusset formula. There is a Simple-Sock Formula and a chart for socks. The chart tells how many stitches to cast on, how many stitches to work for heels, rows to work for heel, stitches to work before turn, and stitches picked up along each gusset. There is even a formula so that the knitter can figure out by gauge and foot circumference, how much yarn to use and how to construct the sock.
The Cuffed Temari Gloves are simple and elegant, knit with Koigu Yarn. The Edith Socks are lovely with a sweet and easy lace pattern. The end of the chapter discusses how to add beads using a crochet hook.
This book is a real find and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to get started with the patterns. I just attended Knitter's South and have all this wonderful new yarn I can use along with my giant stash.
Chapter One is on Preplanning Accessories. It discusses things such as converting a flat pattern to knitting in the round, figuring out how much yarn you'll need, swapping yarns, adding a stitch pattern to a plain knit and ways to knit seamless color changes. These are just a few of the very helpful items covered in this chapter. There is a section on different fibers and the ways that they stretch, drape and hold. There is an Approximate Yardage Requirements chart for each of the items in the book, for different ages and sizes, males and females. This chart also includes gauge differences. "Accessories tend to be small, so you can take them with you and work on them when you have downtime." I love that idea.
The second chapter is on hats, caps, bonnets and turbans. There are several wonderful patterns here including The Sand Dollar Slouch, The Jacquard Slouch and Patsy's Bonnet. I especially liked the initial part of the chapter that has a chart of Typical Head Measurements and includes sizes, shaping, and amount of yard needed for each project. Sizes go from preemie to men's size and include all types of hats.
Chapter Three includes scarves, shawls, stoles and cowls. There are instructions on how to make these projects symmetrical. There is a rectangular shawl (or stole) formula, a circular shawl formula and instructions for 'beyond the circle'. Again, the projects are lovely. The Mambu Shawlette is something I plan to knit soon along with the Sangria Shawlette and the Skylark Stole. (I'm a real sucker for a beautiful shawl.) The Sparkle Ticking Wrap is lovely for a breezy afternoon and is knit in Tilli Thomas Silk.
Chapter Four includes Pairs: Gloves, Mitts, Socks and Leg Warmers. Again, the chapter opens with a measurement chart for hand sizes that go from 2-4 years up to Men's Large. There are clear instructions for fingerless mitts; three ways to make thumb openings and a thumb gusset formula. There is a Simple-Sock Formula and a chart for socks. The chart tells how many stitches to cast on, how many stitches to work for heels, rows to work for heel, stitches to work before turn, and stitches picked up along each gusset. There is even a formula so that the knitter can figure out by gauge and foot circumference, how much yarn to use and how to construct the sock.
The Cuffed Temari Gloves are simple and elegant, knit with Koigu Yarn. The Edith Socks are lovely with a sweet and easy lace pattern. The end of the chapter discusses how to add beads using a crochet hook.
This book is a real find and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to get started with the patterns. I just attended Knitter's South and have all this wonderful new yarn I can use along with my giant stash.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Jessica
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first checked this book out from the library, but when I had to return it because some one else reserved it I was disappointed that I wouldn't get to make any of the beautiful hats our other items in the book.I couldn't wait the two weeks until it was returned again so I went ahead and purchased it through Amazon. The pictures are lovely and the instructions are easy to read. I am currently working in a bonnet based on the pattern provided but sized down for a toddler.
For reference, I am a beginner/intermediate knitter and I found the patterns understandable, yet challenging. Just how I like it.
For reference, I am a beginner/intermediate knitter and I found the patterns understandable, yet challenging. Just how I like it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a great knitting book. Wonderful youthful patterns!! And great knitting tips and advice. Lots of how to advice.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but not great
Both of her other books are marvelous and I would make many many things from either one. From this book I would probably only make three things. Read more
Published 16 days ago by LINCANNON
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun book!
This book not only has fun patterns, but also has great technique sections on how to modify patterns and substitute yarns.
Published 1 month ago by Lauren B. Harrison
4.0 out of 5 stars
Improvise, customize and make it your own
I had the good fortune to learn how to knit from someone who was decidedly not a pattern follower. She showed me how to cast on, had me knit up a little swatch, helped me make some... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Colleen O'Neill Conlan
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice book, lots of great accessories to knit
I love this book. Great photos, easy patterns. I look forward to knitting several items as listed. For me, a simple easy to understand pattern is the most important.
Published 11 months ago by Melissa Keating
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