Customer Reviews

Modern Top-Down Knitting: Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts & Accessories Inspired by the Techniques of Barbara G. Walker

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are 26 patterns in Modern Top-Down Knitting as well as tutorials and non-knitting finishing techniques (sewing on trim, crochet, elastic cord, etc.). Half the patterns in the book can appropriately be titled knit from the "top-down": 8 dresses (3 sleeveless, 1 elbow-length, 1 short-sleeve, 1 wrap, and 2 tunics), 3 sweaters, 1 jacket, and 1 cardigan. Then there are 2 skirts (one of which definitely should not have been knitted in a dark color and then printed on matte paper) and 11 accessories (4 hats, 2 styles of arm warmers, 1 cowl, 1 wrap, 1 belt, 1 set of slippers and assorted knitted jewelry).

There are several designs that I like well enough to make the purchase price of the book worth it to me. The Soho Smocked Dress which makes use of a smocked stitch pattern to define the waist is one in particular which struck me on my first pass through the book. The styles and lines of the clothing overall have a modern look that does not cross into trendy. Numerous patterns are certainly timeless and portray a pleasing degree of urban-sophistication.

There are a couple critiques I have though. 12 patterns (almost half those in the book) use elastic cord or elastic ribbon to provide tension and pull-in areas of the knitwear, such as at necklines, hat edges, or cuffs. While I find the use of elastic an excellent design detail at times, in my opinion McGowan uses it in places instead of altering stitch patterns to provide elasticity within the knitting itself or instead of adding body shaping to the pattern. The very nature of knitting has the peculiar benefit of allowing a master designer to incorporate such design features without relying on elastic cord, a distinct advantage over working with woven fabric. There are a few patterns within the book for which elastic cord is the best choice, but for many others it seemed to me to simply be the easy solution.

My biggest disappointment though was in the beautiful dress featured on the cover: Jill's Dress. I admit that I was captivated by the seamwork featured on the dress. I saw the seamwork as a great stylistic feature that would be indicative of a interesting, innovative way to construct a dress. Instead I was slightly crestfallen to discover that the "seams" were merely crocheted directly into the fabric after the entire dress is finished; an added-after-the-fact decorative feature and nothing more. The same crochet feature is used in the Promenade Dress where a similar design element could have instead easily been incorporated into the stitch pattern itself. I have no problem with crochet being used in this manner as a decorative element, but it leaves the dress pattern itself (which is what I ultimately paid for) to be a fairly simple construction. In fact, the dress on the cover has no waist shaping at all.

There are times when elastic cord and crocheted details have their place, but McGowan's reliance on them in exchange for more sophisticated knitting techniques makes me want to suggest that this book's audience is geared more towards the beginning knitter who would like to start branching out into slightly more complex pieces.

I will probably just make the few patterns I like out of this book and then pass it on. While a decent enough publication, I do not see a place for it in the permanent library of a more knowledgeable knitter.

I just want to say that this book helped me to make sense of a technique that I always wanted to learn but couldn't understand for myself. The tutorial is perfect. It is the easiest to follow tutorial I have ever used. For someone like me, who designs her own garments, I can honestly say this technique is going to change my life. I love the Coney Island sweater, the puckered hand-warmers, and the subway hat the most!!!
But the best thing about the book is that it has given me elements that I will use for the rest of my life in my own designs. And that is priceless. I have looked an MANY MANY MANY other knitting books, and this is the only one that has ever given me something beyond a pattern -- it has provided me with increased wherewithal to make my own. So frankly, even though I enjoy the patterns, what makes this book sing is that I would get something out of it even if I thought the garments were not my kind of thing. To rephrase: even if the garments aren't your type of hype (and they're pretty great) you can totally revolutionize your knitting with this book, no matter what level you're at. It's clear, it's entertaining, and it has a lot of educational as well as aesthetic value. Super awesome book. I hope she does some more.

I just received this book yesterday after being told by Amazon the book was coming out ahead of its original publishing date. I love it when that happens and waited, with bated breath, for this book to arrive. I was able to delve into it last night and, unfortunately, my joy turned to disappointment.

The book is well done, the photographs amazing but it's not my idea of a "top-down" book. Most of the patterns are not top down, as traditionally thought, but "bottom up". There are some sweaters and cardigans but dresses, skirts and hats seem to rule the day. I think I was hoping for a true update in this technique rather than a completely different approach. I've done one top-down sweater of my own design (with the help of knitting software) and loved the results. I think I wanted a book like Barbara G. Walker's "Knitting from the Top" but an update on her techniques. This author claims her book is "inspired" by Ms. Walker and her words are correct. It is "inspiration" not an "update".

I am not critiquing the book as much as saying that it's not what I expected. If you want a true, top-down book, try Cathy Carron's "Knitting Sweaters from the Top Down". I would recommend Ms. Walker's book but it's a bit difficult to follow, in my opinion. This is why I was hoping for an update. I will be sending this one back to Amazon because it doesn't fit into my knitting library.

Many of the patterns in this volume are dresses I'd never make as dresses, but perhaps make as tops, which would be simple to do. I wasn't wowed by the book, but am glad more designers are coming out with top down seamless designs .... and am not sure why flat knitted, seamed garments are still so popular. This could definitely be a book that grows on a knitter the longer she/he owns it.

The real treasure trove are the great tutorials: one for doing a set-in, seamless top down sleeve, shoulder shaping with short rows, creating sleeve caps with short rows, two methods for tightening loose set-in sleeves in the pick up round, and wonderful articles on trims and elegant finishing methods -- a neglected area by most designers -- thoughtful finishes that truly turn your handknits into prized possessions and cherished gifts.

The only downside (and it's a substantial one) is inclusion of hats, a cowl, armwarmers, slippers, a wrap, jewelry, and a BELT. (A belt?? Come on now.) I would have preferred more shaped sweaters to replace these; these patterns just seem like "filler projects" to me. Nine filler projects are entirely too many for a book with 26 designs ... That's just over 30%.

Breakdown by pattern type:
Dresses/tunics (the tunics are pictured as dresses): 8
Jackets: 1
Cardigans: 1
Pullover Sweaters: 2
Tank/Camisole Top: 1
Skirts: 2
Armwarmers: 2
Belt: 1
Slippers: 1
Hats: 4
Wraps: 1
Jewelry: 1 (specifically, a bracelet and ring set)
Cowls: 1

Kudos to the author for giving Barbara Walker credit -- that was nice to see, as was Walker's very positive endorsement on the back - but most importantly kudos for creating a stunning collection of patterns that I will
actually want to make and wear. The items are all classic and not overly designed, and the tutorials elucidating Walker are brilliant. I'm very excited about the book. I actually have several STC books in my collection now and they're always so well done - this one is another keeper!

I've tried several times to tackle Walker's top down techniques with no real luck, always thought her book was over my head, but I hoped this book would help me revisit them. There are illustrated tutorials for some of the harder steps, which is what I need. I didn't know you could work a provisional cast-on with a crochet chain and always found Walker's method too hard. This book makes it easier to understand. I also never wanted to make a knitted dress before, but there are two in this book that I already want to make. There are some pretty looks throughout. Overall, I'm very pleased.

I was very excited for this book to come out and had thought that it was going to be an useful expansion on the techniques brought to us by Barbara Walker. I was not expecting this... A four-page introduction, followed by eleven photo-peppered pages of "tutorials". One paragraph was dedicated to how the top-down method makes fitting easier, but was very generalized (i.e. add length to sleeves or bodice, etc). Other techniques covered more in depth include the provisional cast-on, and short-row basics (including their application at the shoulders an for a set-in sleeve).

Next come 26 patterns, including: frumpy slippers, a belt (really, does this qualify as "top-down?"), a cowl, four hats, two skirts, arm warmers, wrist warmers (ruffles added to socks that have been chopped off), a keffiyeh-a rectangular wrap (again, in a "top-down" book?), six dresses/tunics and a few sweaters and cardigans. After ten pages of finishing ideas, the book concludes with abbreviations, special techniques, sources, and suggested reading.

The patterns are very modern. I did think the dresses nice, but nothing grabbed me and said, "knit me!" That said, the instructions for constructing each garment did seem very clearly presented.

All in all, Modern Top-Down Knitting is very disappointing. In my opinion, if you're looking for a true technique book, go with Barbara Walker's original or Wendy Bernard's, Custom Knits. I'll probably donate my copy to the local public library as I can't see either referring to this book or knitting any of the patterns.

I bought this book because although I love top down design, many of the patterns DO look so dated I would never wear them. This book really does change the look of top down design. I would wear many of the patterns in this book. I know I will knit several before I'm done, although probably as sweaters and not as dresses. Dresses tend to stre-e-e-tch due to gravity.

I am an addicted knitter and am always excited to find a new twist or new refreshing way to look at my knitting. Ms. McGowan has provided that excitement for me as I anticipate the fall knitting season with her new book. She has written a book with clear and well illustrated instructions on technique chock full of wonderfully designed patterns that I can't wait to get started on. The other women in my knitting group will love this. Can't wait for the next edition!

The good I love this book. It has the prettiest dresses and tops. Not fussy but very girly. It looks like Midwest girl melds with NYC. If you like tailored well fitting garments that will last for years then this book might interest you. Think Calvin Klein and Armani type tailoring and details.
The bad, some of these will not be quite as pretty sized up unless attention is paid in the fit for the person for whom it's made. The fit is key along with the added details of weighting hems with ribbon. It's the details that give the NYC flair. Added shaping will be a must for the larger sizes, these aren't addressed.