Customer Reviews

Jean Frost Jackets: Fabric, Fit, and Finish for Today's Knits

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While much of the fun of knitting is making colorful, comfortable clothing for relaxation, there are times when a knitter needs to look "presentable." "Jackets" is a terrific resource for any knitter who wants to look professional while enjoying the sense of accomplishment and individuality that a handknit garment can bring.

This book provides 21 patterns of office suitable cardigans and Channel style jackets, all of which would look as polished as a blazer or a suit jacket. The looks are sharp but traditional enough not to go out of style quickly. Each pattern runs 4 to 6 pages with several photo angles and detailed instructions. The end of the book features a section on finishing tips which is most appropriate given the tailored tone of most of the sweaters.

For those of you who can thumb through the book before ordering, here are some details that may be helpful:
1. Colorwise, there are 14 solid color jackets and 7 multicolor slip stitch patterns. The multi-colors are mostly tweedy looks. Most of the solid color sweaters are knit is stitches other that stockingnette - twills, nubby textures and such. There is only one lace project.
2. The writer/editors rate one sweater as easy; two as "easy plus"; fifteen as intermediate; and three as advanced.
3. The yarn weights are on the light side - one in sport weight; nine in DK weight; nine in worsted weight and two in bulky. Also, this book employees Knitter's Magazine's new generic yarn requirements system (with only small print notations of the specific yarn used in the model jacket).
4. The needles involved are also on the small side - four sweaters on US size 3; four on US size 4; two on US size 5; four on US size 6; six on US size 7; and one on US size 10. As one knitter who is getting pretty tired of the bulky look, this is one of the best part of the book IMHO.
In summary; a great book for professionals who've had to keep their knitting in the closet or the knitters who never know what to make to the young woman lawyer in the family.

It's tough to find knitting patterns for sweaters with classic "jacket-like" lines. Vintage knitting patterns come close (e.g. the recent "Vintage Knits" book), but many vintage patterns were designed for much smaller sizes, say up to a size 34. The sweaters in the book are really beautiful, and the directions are for the most part clear, although not really meant for the beginning knitter. Most of the patterns are worked on small needles, so each sweater will take considerable time for the average busy person. There is a reference section at the back of the book which summarizes the various stitch patterns, which is helpful. However, there are numerous errors in the book that can result in disaster (I learned this the hard and painful way). XRX books is happy to send or email corrections (almost every sweater contains errors), and hopefully the changes will appear in subsequent editions to the book. I would recommend this book if you love the patterns, but would make sure that you call the company for corrections before starting a project.

I'm thrilled with this book! I'm so sick of bulky sweaters I can only wear on the weekend. I can't wait to make several of these jackets, which with a shell and a skirt or pair of pants, will look terrific in the office. I have just taken up knitting again after 30 years, and I don't want to waste my time with mittens. I have already ordered the yarn for several jackets, and my daughter is complaining because her stuff was put on hold! Don't be intimidated by the ratings - like I said, I have taken up knitting again after 30 years, and the first jacket I am making is rated advanced. But there are no complicated charts to follow, everything is pretty straightforward. I am confident I can make any of these jackets - and I would rate my skills at intermediate. Although I found the colors used for the jackets in the photographs kind of boring (I'm a lawyer, I'm not dead!) you can easily jazz up some of the colors.

Basically, I was looking for a book that would allow me to recreate St. John's knits for the office. Putting a simple pull-up skirt with these jackets does it, I think. And I can get the colors I really want, and the price will be 1/10 the price of St. John!

If you like classic styling with attention to detail, you'll like the designs in this book. These jackets can go to the office, to meetings, and out to dinner -- you'll look good anywhere.

The knitted fabrics that Jean creates in her designs are stunning. More importantly, the avid knitter will want to use her own creativity with texture and color to bring to these designs to make her own one-of-a-kind jacket.

These designs are not for anyone looking for a quick project on large needles. However, the stitches used lend themselves to the mesmerizing rhythm that soothes so many of us as we knit. And the time is well worth the effort.

My only problem is deciding which one to make first!

As I begin finishing the first project I have made from this book, I have already selected my next project. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I want to make every design; however, the simple shapes of the pieces lend themselves to endless modifications. Ms. Frost's use of textured stitch patterns other than cables, ribbing and seed stitch makes this a great creativity "tickler." I like that the author is not promoting one line of yarns, but uses a variety of basic and widely available yarns for the model garments. This book is easily one of my favorite knitting book purchases.

I love this book. The jackets are updated classics, tailored and elegant without being cheap and cheesy looking. Super for the knitter wanting to create chic garments.

This book is a fabulous one for the advanced beginner as well as experienced knitter. As a knitter with more than 40 years of experience, I find that time and expense for knitting sweaters should be spent on classics - what better than many of these Chanel-style jackets that will be fashionable for many years? Although other reviewers have commented on the rather small gauges, it's easy to convert them to a bulkier yarn (use Elizabeth Zimmerman's system to start with). Also, a lighter weight yarn is more wearable indoors as well as more flattering to most people.

I'm currently knitting a hybrid Chanel jacket (from 2 of the sweaters) with bulky British Mohair boucle in a rice stitch, using a fingering weight alpaca-silk for the pocket and band edges. It should be great. I may even add a chain at the hem as Coco Chanel did. So it is possible to use this book as inspiration and go from there.

The fit sketches with measurements are very helpful. More patterns should have this specificity, as well as the yarn weight, gauge and yardages which are readily available here. The sizing options are also broad.

I haven't checked out the errors, and as a person who has translated patterns, I think most patterns have them. That is why one should read a pattern first and make sure one understands it. Anything unclear can be communicated with the author, and XRX is a reliable company.

This book has some great patterns. They are wonderfully designed, and if you follow the pattern you will have no problem sewing them together because the seam allowance is visible and built right into the patten.

Jean Frost has designed and knit these lovely Chanel-like jackets that you can knit too. She has impeccable taste and the jackets are truly haute couture. Great book! She has another Jacket book coming out June 2011. Get that one too if you want to look ultra chic! Start knitting!

I found several patterns in this that I like and that's why I bought it, but for the most part I won't make half the jackets in here. It is, however, well written.