Knitting Classic Style: 35 Modern Designs Inspired by Fashion's Archives (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Sara Cameron (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Classic projects that will maintain their appeal for many years instead of just one or two fashion seasons
Elegant yet retro-cool projects

In fashion, one day you’re in, the next day you’re out . . . and the day after that, you’re back in again. Designers are always referring to fashion’s rich history as they imagine its present and future, and retro looks remain ever-fresh as they are renewed—and restyled—for the next generation of wearers.

That’s precisely what top knitwear designer Véronik Avery is up to in Knitting Classic Style. Mining fashion’s endless archive, Avery has created 35 smashingly contemporary garments that take their cues from decades and designers past. The collection of clothing and accessories Avery presents is organized into four thematic chapters that highlight women’s wear, men’s wear (and its influence on women’s and children’s clothing), traditional ethnic garb, and sportswear.

Aimed at both beginning and more advanced knitters, the book’s projects range in difficulty from a simple drawstring purse, French beret, and Afghan-inspired slipper-socks to a shawl-collared cardigan, a geometric ski sweater based on a popular 1950s Native American design, and Avery’s own reinterpretation of the trimly elegant Chanel jacket. The author introduces each project by explaining its historical/cultural roots; Sara Cameron’s moody photos evoke the settings that have inspired Avery’s reworkings of the classics.

About the Author

VÉRONIK AVERY is the creative director for JCA Yarns. Her designs have appeared in numerous books and magazines, including Handknit Holidays and Weekend Knitting from STC, Interweave Knits, Woman’s Day, and the webzine Knity.com. Avery lives in Montreal.

SARA CAMERON is a Montreal-based photographer. Her work—in entertainment, fashion, advertising, portraiture, and fine art—has appeared in publications and campaigns throughout North America and Europe.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang STC Craft Melanie Falick Book (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158479576X
• ISBN-13: 978-1584795766
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #241,305 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic elegance for the hand knitter seeking fashionable yet enduring garments, September 11, 2007

By	Carol S. (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Veronik Avery is an extremely talented designer of handknitted garments who has had her designs published by the elite of the handknitting world: Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, and in books published by Stewart Tabori & Chang. She finally has published her own book full of beautiful designs and it's a must have for the handknitter.

The majority of the garments are for women, with a handful for men and girls; most are sweaters, with a few accessory items (such as lace socks and a mohair scarf). Avery draws inspiration from fashion history and sources as diverse as a Japanese sash, traditional Scandinavian sweaters and a Victorian corset cover. The styles are updated to reflect more contemporary silhouettes (i.e., set-in sleeves). Techniques such as stranded knitting, lace and cabling are used to beautiful effect, so if you're sick of making boxy drop-shoulder garments out of stockinette stitch, you'll want to check these out. Avery's eye for color is also apparent in the designs using multiple colors of yarn (particularly a gorgeous set of Latvian-inspired gloves). Avery uses a variety of fibers and gauges throughout. There are at least 5 designs that I'm eager to cast on, and several more after that calling to me.

The production values of the book are also high. Gorgeous color photography, schematics and color charts, multiple pictures of the same garment, nice sturdy paper and clear typefaces. Throughout the book, shots of Montreal -- Avery's hometown -- provide a lovely backdrop for the models (incidentally, the models are not the typical blonde waifs, but reflect a more urban, cosmopolitan look).

I have long loved Avery's design sensibility and already count this book among the favorites in my (extensive) knitting library.

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clever Classics, August 31, 2007

By	Legal Knitter - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is hot off the press, so I haven't knit any of the patterns yet, but I'm very pleased with my purchase. There are some really thoughtful construction elements in these patterns, and Avery has done a good job of trying to find something for a wide variety of ages and lifestyles without straying from the "classic style" premise of the title. Since I am tremendously piggy when it comes to knitting books, I count anything that has at least three patterns I really want to knit as a keeper, and this volume is easily double that. (My copy arrived last night and is already bristling with tabs!) The beautiful construction means that most of the patterns are probably best suited to intermediate and advanced knitters, but today's new knitters are so fearless, I hesitate to class these patterns as out of anyone's league.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars classic fair isle , September 20, 2007

By	M. Poller (Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

What makes this book special for me is her fair isle cardigan updated with a slim silhouette and set-in sleeves but otherwise knit in the traditional way using border patterns and shetland yarn. Other items I might knit are her shawl, faroese sweater, layered skater's top in lace, her Setesdal sweater modified with set-in sleeves. This book is one of the better ones I've seen this year and includes a 3 page section on special techniques. One quibble is that her yarns don't have any kind of indication as to their size category (sport, worsted, etc). Also my copy came without an outer cover and I have no idea if this is missing or was never made.