The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters (Knit to Fit Workshop) [Paperback]

Lynne Vogel (Author)

Book Description

Series: Knit to Fit Workshop | Publication Date: September 1, 2007

Adapting basic sweater patterns for personal preferences and measurements is the focus of this step-by-step guidebook that helps knitters refashion knitting schematics. The designs, illustrations, and photos demonstrate how to adjust patterns to different styles so that any knitter can customize sweater patterns into unique creations. Challenging projects—ranging from sweaters and vests to pullovers and jackets—and easy-to-follow instructions illustrate the basic elements of sweater design to inspire knitters at all levels. Learning how to fit the bodice; change yarns, proportions, neckline styles, sleeve length, and color and stitch patterns; and add collars and edgings will give knitters the confidence to alter any pattern to meet their needs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essential for libraries with strong knitting collections."  —Library Journal

"Fabulous sweaters . . . in the same colorful, enticing format [as Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook]."  —The Oregonian

"I found this book to be extremely informative and interesting, and now feel confident to start my own sweaters."  —Spindle and Wheel online magazine

"Great for knitters who need to up- or downsize patterns on a regular basis."  Yarn Market News

"If you want to feel the power and the glory of knitting, go buy and use [this] book"  —Knitty.com

"Beginners and experienced knitters alike will rejoice at this approachable guide to making just about any sweater in any yarn."  —Monsters and Critics.com

"This is an interesting book with lots of new, innovative ideas for sweater design." —Knitting News

About the Author

Lynne Vogel teaches knitting workshops nationwide and is the author of The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook. She lives in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931499691
• ISBN-13: 978-1931499699
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Pattern Book, November 12, 2007

By 

fiber farmer (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters (Knit to Fit Workshop) (Paperback)

I don't like the sweaters in this book. They're boxy and unattractive things. However, to look at the pictures and then dismiss this book out of hand would be a mistake. I almost did it myself.

This book is not a pattern book so if you're looking for out-of-the-box patterns, this book is not for you. Rather, this is a designer's handbook, a tutorial, a workshop, a reference for knitting sweaters that fit the way the knitter wants them to fit. The first five chapters alone are worth the price of the book. Here, they discuss measuring and charting, increases, decreases, figuring gauge, short rows, neckline shapings, sleeve styles, and a host of other technique issues. The authors use charts, diagrams, fill in the blank forms, and readable text to teach the reader how to measure in the right spots and how to create fit--all in an amazingly short volume.

I believe the actual projects and patterns are only there as an aid for the reluctant or less sure knitter to put feet to the teaching done in the first five chapters. In addition, they constitute a gallery of possibilities and idea starters, especially when it comes to color. They serve to get the ball rolling, but regardless, the fit is still up to the knitter, not the pattern, if the first section is taken seriously.

Honestly, if a knitter reads the first five chapters, follows the suggestions, measures the curves of the body, accurately figures gauge, fills in the forms to guide the process and uses the aids provided, and then knits a boxy unattractive sweater, they have no one to blame but themselves. I'm impressed that the authors have provided such encouragement to explore and experiment. If this book were full of designer sweaters and perfect specimens of fashion displayed on perfect models, it would lose much of its influence. This book appeals to the everyday and physically imperfect woman who is an adventurer and an artist at heart. Isn't that most of us who knit? This book is the best and first step to leaving pattern dependency behind since Elizabeth Zimmermann.

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic, August 2, 2007

By 

Shannon Okey "aka knitgrrl" (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters (Knit to Fit Workshop) (Paperback)

Lynne Vogel has done it again -- an instant classic. And not only that, but it's designed to give you the freedom to knit what you really want to knit, using a base pattern as a jumping-off point, perfect for all you budding designers and creative knitters. From the introduction:

"I've knitted hundreds of sweaters but have never knitted the same one twice. Most of them sprang from the same roots, but something always changed: the yarn, the size, the shape; usually all three. As I spoke with other twisted sisters, I found that, as handspinners, most of us had to adapt either our yarn to fit a pattern or the pattern to fit our yarn."

This is one of the more frustrating parts of knitting with handspun yarn if you're just getting your feet wet. I attempted to solve some of that frustration in Spin to Knit: The Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn, particularly in my Faux Fair Isle sweater pattern -- by making just the yoke in handspun, for example, you know you're not going to run out halfway through the sweater and be stuck without more of the same "dyelot" -- or "spinlot," if you prefer. But Lynne and her Twisted Sisters take it a step farther, brilliantly, with the Knitter Fitter system.

(A sidenote: Some of the sweaters in the book were on exhibit at a gallery when I was down to take pictures of Lynne's dyeing class for Spin to Knit, and I can attest that photos don't (cannot) do them justice).

There's valuable sections on knitting with handpainted yarns and calculating how much yarn you'll actually need. But the cornerstone of the book is the Knitter Fitter system, comprising the Fitter List and the Sweater Map. The List is measurements you need to know to get started, and the sweater map, not surprisingly, shows you where you're going with those measurements.

If you like using noncommercial yarns, if you're a spinner or just a fan of handspun, you will adore this book. If you've got a massive stash that varies in yarn shape and style? You can use this book to help create some truly one of a kind stashbusting sweaters. No matter what your personal knitting style and yarn preferences, The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters will give you both great information and inspiration to use.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted Sisters Works for Guys, October 3, 2007

By 

James Hampton "Jamie" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters (Knit to Fit Workshop) (Paperback)

As a guy I hesitated to buy this book at first because most of the styles are simple shapes designed for women, but as I read further I found so much information I needed to knit sweaters that fit my proportions. As I'm fairly muscular with a slim waist, I have a hard time finding patterns that do me justice. But I wanted to know how to design form fitting knits too. Then someone turned me on to Vogel's Fit Central blog where she goes the extra mile to explain how to design fitted torsos and sleeves. Now all I need is yarn and needles. Thanks Twisted Sisters.