Customer Reviews

The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters (Knit to Fit Workshop)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

AS a new spinner I am accumulating lots of homespun wool and wanted to know how to adjust patterns to be able to kit it all up. The twisted sisters do just this in this book. There are a number of patterns but the bulk of the book instructs you in how to make a variety of sweaters to perfectly fit anyone you want to kit for with whatever wool you happen to have or have spun.

After having read this thru, I have come to the conclusion that designing a simple knit is really not that hard if you follow the formula clearly as set out in the book. If you want an oversize sloppy joe, fine just work out how you want your jumper to fit. On the other hand if you want it a tight slim fit no problem, same deal work out what size you want it finished. Just choose your yarn and spend the time knitting a swatch. Couldn't be any easier really. I like the options it gives with doing other styles like a sideways knit too. This book will give me courage to use my handspun yarns that I've been hanging on to.

Lynne Vogel is an outstanding teacher. Several years ago I came across Lynne's first book, :The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting. I was delighted with the Sock Workbook and it gave me the courage to try my first dying attempt (Kool Aid) and my first knitted socks. Then this summer, I took her workshop in Harrisville, NH. It was five days of new experiences, new skills, and learning new ways to use color in my spinning and my knitting. It was also five days of pure fun, with a delightful group of women. I bought the new sweater book from Lynne, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to knit. She is an inspiration. Thanks, Lynne. Keep up the good work!

I would agree with other 4-5 star reviews, but I did find something missing. The traditional cap sleeve is not a variation that is included. Only variations of drop sleeves are included. Given my interests this is a major drawback.

I was interested in this book because it talks about working sweaters to your own size. But the sweaters in this book, although beautifully coloured and so on, are all shapeless and boxy. Definitely not my style.

I've been knitting forever and have a vast collection of knitting books, but this one is the best for its clear explanations of how to design your own. The "sisters" have made all those measurements comprehensible, and the range of different styles is truly impressive. If you get only one book on designing, get this one.

This book is exactly what I've been looking for. I don't like to follow patterns. I make it up as I go and this book helped me do just that. Previous reviewers complained that the patterns were to boxey looking. They obviously missed a few pages. The whole point is to measure where you want the sweater fitted and go from there. I found the book easy to follow, easy to read and simple to master. An excellent book for those who like to make it up as they go.