Custom Knits: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Top-Down and Improvisational Techniques (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kimball Hall (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Along with being pleasurable and satisfying, knitting can sometimes be frustrating: the turtleneck that looked so fabulous on the model is too bulky for your body, or the cardigan you spent countless hours on just doesn’t fit right. Herein lies the beauty of Custom Knits, which teaches knitters how to use improvisational techniques to achieve spectacular results—and to unleash their inner designers.

 

Wendy Bernard, creator of the popular blog Knit and Tonic, provides 25 original designs for sweaters of nearly every type, plus variations, most knitted in one piece starting at the top, a method that allows you to try on as you go, alter as desired, and essentially design on the fly. “Make It Your Own” prompts in each pattern suggest easy alterations to suit your style and body type. And an in-depth reference section teaches how to alter key sweater elements, for example, change a crewneck to a V-neck, add sleeves to a vest, and much more. For the truly adventurous, the book concludes with guidelines for knitting sweaters with no pattern at all.

 

Bernard’s friendly writing style and photographer Kimball Hall’s lively images create an inviting book of beautiful designs and key techniques that a knitter can use to customize nearly every garment she knits from now on.

About the Author

Wendy Bernard’s work has been featured in the online pages of Knitty and Stitch Diva Studios, in the book No Sheep for You, and in Interweave Knits and Knitscene magazines. She lives in Thousand Oaks, California.

 

Kimball Hall is a Los Angeles–based photographer with 25 years of editorial and advertising experience. Among his clients are Four Seasons Hotel, American Express, and Bank of America.

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Product Details Hardcover: 168 pages Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (September 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1584797134 ISBN-13: 978-1584797135 Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,454 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > Designers #11 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Fashion #31 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Knitting

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	82% buy the item featured on this page: Custom Knits: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Top-Down and Improvisational Techniques 4.8 out of 5 stars (37) $18.15
	6% buy Knitting from the Top 4.4 out of 5 stars (38) $20.00
	4% buy Inspired to Knit: Creating Exquisite Handknits 4.8 out of 5 stars (22) $16.47
	4% buy Sweater Design in Plain English 4.9 out of 5 stars (14) $14.93

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Customer Reviews

37 Reviews 5 star:  (34) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (37 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 113 of 113 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Nice, Classy Designs, August 22, 2008 By  Deb B., Morris County (New Jersey) - See all my reviews Most of the book is women's sweater patterns. All of them are knit in one piece, most of them from the top down, which is by far one of my favorite methods-it makes it so much easier to try on for size, not to mention not needing seaming later. One of my favorite things is that each design comes with suggestions for things you can do to personalize it, and, the designs themselves? I think they're lovely. In fact, there's not a single one that I did NOT like, even if I'm not itching to pick up my needles and knit every single one of them. The final chapter is one of my favorites. It's titled "Unleash Your Inner Designer" and then breaks down the structure of the different top-down designs ... what you need to do a raglan for top down, what you do to do a set-in sleeve from top down-all the math and the schematics necessary. Not to mention a very nice section of instructions on what to do to change a neckline, or the depth of an armhole, to make a design more personal. This, I think, is my favorite part of this book-that it not only has nice designs, but that the author thoughtfully spells out what you need to do to make the sweaters more "you." She gives you good designs, and then gives you the tools you need to take them to another level-tacit permission to PLAY, instead of trying to make sure you never vary from the designs she gave you. Really, about the only thing I DIDN'T like was that there was no index or listing of patterns, making it tricky to find a specific one later on. 41 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic new book, August 24, 2008 By  Brandy Fortune (Altanta) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I have read Wendy's blog for years now and I had great expectations for this book. I was not let down. I adore this book. It is full of loads of patterns any women or young adult would want to knit. The best part is how each pattern has a "make it your own" section explaining how to modify the neck line, sleeve length or length. The book is separated into sections so you have several raglan top down sweaters, a few yoke, set-in sleeve and even a saddle neck sweater. The very back of the book explains how to modify and design your very own knits using existing patterns or just designing on the fly using your inspiration and creativity. This book would very easily pass as a "knitting designer" primer. I adore it, it's going to sit right next to all my favorite knitting books by Elizabeth Zimmerman and Nancy Bush. Oh and I nearly forgot to mention the wonderful section on how to create your own duct tape mannequin for your bust. I had first seen this on the craftster.org a while ago and other various website, and it's wonderful to see a very nice tutorial that I can keep in my book collection and not have to worry about a link disappearing. Great job Wendy!! I can't wait for more. 34 of 34 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Already one of my favorite knitting books of all time!, September 2, 2008 By  anon-new-yorker (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews I am absolutely IN LOVE with this book and have ordered yarn for a bunch of projects. It is the most stylish seamless knitting book I have ever seen. I hate to sew in sleeves, and this book uses all the classic Elizabeth Zimmerman techniques (raglan, etc.) to make the most beautiful, luxurious women's sweaters. My favorite patterns are the classic tank, the lacy beach coverup, the lion's neck cardigan, the retro pullover and the cute little ruffled short-sleeved top. I'M IN LOVE, I tell you. Also, as some other readers have written, there's a wonderful section at the end of the book for creating your own projects to your specifications. Maybe I will be brave and set my own sleeves in the round into some of those Interweave Knits patterns.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for me I'm a fervent knitter, but not yet an experienced knitter. I have always knitted my garments based on written patterns. Read more Published 13 days ago by H. Vu 5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Book! I want to make every single pattern in this book. I've been pouring over this since I received it a couple of weeks ago. Read more Published 25 days ago by North Sloper 5.0 out of 5 stars I've gotta get this book! I just got this book from the library and am definatly going to purchase it at the next possible opportunity. Read more Published 3 months ago by Shelly 3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but lacking I bought this book because of all the five-star reviews. If I knew before I bought the book that the author had a blog, I would've taken the reviews with a grain of salt and... Read more Published 4 months ago by Marcy L. Stevick 5.0 out of 5 stars So much more than expected! This is an incredible book both in quality of patterns, and in instructions to improve knitting skills. Read more Published 4 months ago by D. Heinz 5.0 out of 5 stars a fabulous knitting primer plus gorgeous patterns, too As a plus-sized, 50-year-old woman, I never dreamed this book could work for me. In fact, I didn't even want to waste my time looking at it! Read more Published 4 months ago by Julie Matthews 4.0 out of 5 stars Modern and wearable sweaters The patterns in this book are all top down seamless and ABSOLUTELY YUMMY! I want to make every single one of them. Read more Published 6 months ago by Gnomenapper 1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed I was really disappointed in this book. Everyone had given it 5 stars and there wasn't a single item in it that I would want to make. Read more Published 6 months ago by dasolanogirl 5.0 out of 5 stars Best "top-down, bottom up, etc" book I love to knit from the top down and bottom up. It is not always easy to find patterns with these techniques that are fashionable. This book is amazing. Read more Published 7 months ago by dam 5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!!!!! This book is a great book if you love top down knits. The author gives simple and concise instructions on how to customize your own sweaters. Read more Published 7 months ago by Pamela G. Keegan Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584797134
• ISBN-13: 978-1584797135
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,454 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > Designers
  #11 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Fashion
  #31 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Knitting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice, Classy Designs, August 22, 2008

By	Deb B., Morris County (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Most of the book is women's sweater patterns. All of them are knit in one piece, most of them from the top down, which is by far one of my favorite methods-it makes it so much easier to try on for size, not to mention not needing seaming later.

One of my favorite things is that each design comes with suggestions for things you can do to personalize it, and, the designs themselves? I think they're lovely. In fact, there's not a single one that I did NOT like, even if I'm not itching to pick up my needles and knit every single one of them.

The final chapter is one of my favorites. It's titled "Unleash Your Inner Designer" and then breaks down the structure of the different top-down designs ... what you need to do a raglan for top down, what you do to do a set-in sleeve from top down-all the math and the schematics necessary. Not to mention a very nice section of instructions on what to do to change a neckline, or the depth of an armhole, to make a design more personal.

This, I think, is my favorite part of this book-that it not only has nice designs, but that the author thoughtfully spells out what you need to do to make the sweaters more "you." She gives you good designs, and then gives you the tools you need to take them to another level-tacit permission to PLAY, instead of trying to make sure you never vary from the designs she gave you.

Really, about the only thing I DIDN'T like was that there was no index or listing of patterns, making it tricky to find a specific one later on.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic new book, August 24, 2008

By	Brandy Fortune (Altanta) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read Wendy's blog for years now and I had great expectations for this book. I was not let down. I adore this book. It is full of loads of patterns any women or young adult would want to knit. The best part is how each pattern has a "make it your own" section explaining how to modify the neck line, sleeve length or length. The book is separated into sections so you have several raglan top down sweaters, a few yoke, set-in sleeve and even a saddle neck sweater. The very back of the book explains how to modify and design your very own knits using existing patterns or just designing on the fly using your inspiration and creativity. This book would very easily pass as a "knitting designer" primer. I adore it, it's going to sit right next to all my favorite knitting books by Elizabeth Zimmerman and Nancy Bush. Oh and I nearly forgot to mention the wonderful section on how to create your own duct tape mannequin for your bust. I had first seen this on the craftster.org a while ago and other various website, and it's wonderful to see a very nice tutorial that I can keep in my book collection and not have to worry about a link disappearing.

Great job Wendy!! I can't wait for more.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Already one of my favorite knitting books of all time!, September 2, 2008

By	anon-new-yorker (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this book and have ordered yarn for a bunch of projects. It is the most stylish seamless knitting book I have ever seen. I hate to sew in sleeves, and this book uses all the classic Elizabeth Zimmerman techniques (raglan, etc.) to make the most beautiful, luxurious women's sweaters. My favorite patterns are the classic tank, the lacy beach coverup, the lion's neck cardigan, the retro pullover and the cute little ruffled short-sleeved top. I'M IN LOVE, I tell you.

Also, as some other readers have written, there's a wonderful section at the end of the book for creating your own projects to your specifications. Maybe I will be brave and set my own sleeves in the round into some of those Interweave Knits patterns.