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Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves
 
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Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves (Hardcover)

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4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thanks to Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer’s collection of clever, figure-flattering patterns, you’ll no longer need to struggle to resize patterns that weren’t designed with you in mind. With their guidance on how to choose the best designs for your shape, and how to modify patterns that are intended for someone else’s, they guarantee that you’ll never again knit a sweater that makes your big top look like The Big Top." —Debbie Stoller, author of the Stitch ’n Bitch series and editor-in-chief of BUST magazine

"I can’t sing enough praise for Big Girl Knits. More than a collection of beguiling knitwear for the curvy lady, more than a good read (and a good read it is), this book is full of information that might change your attitude about knitting, dressing, and (dare I say it) simply being!" —Pam Allen, editor-in-chief of Interweave Knits magazine and coauthor of Wrap Style

"Big Girl Knits is one small stitch for woman, and one big, beautiful sweater for womankind." —Wendy Shanker, author of The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life

"Big Girls don’t cry, and why would they when they can knit kick-ass, curvalicious projects like those in Big Girl Knits?! No matter what size you are, you’ll appreciate the beauty and attention to detail that is paid to each and every design in this book. Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer have proven that big girls not only knit, but also look hot doing it!" —Vickie Howell, host of DIY’s Knitty Gritty and author of New Knits on the Block

"I love this book! It brought tears to my eyes—both with its delicious humor and its loving attention to the subject. The technical stuff is handled wonderfully—with intelligence and clarity and a big heart. The variety in the patterns that follow is a delight. Jillian, Amy, the contributing designers, and the bodies this work will adorn are to be celebrated." —Sally Melville, author of The Knitting Experience books (Knit, Purl, and Color) and of Sally Melville Styles

"If you want to learn how to make garments that fit and flatter your body and you like to laugh while you’re learning and knitting, this smart, witty book’s for you." —Melanie Falick, author of Handknit Holidays and Weekend Knitting


Product Description

Big Girl Knits features twenty-five unique patterns for women size 14 and up. From flattering pullovers and sexy tees to sleek skirts and fun accessories, this book is overflowing with options for knitting up an entire wardrobe to compliment your shapely shape.

Part knitting instruction, part fashion guide, Big Girl Knits is packed with expert advice to help you make the most of the three Bs: Boobs, Belly, and Butt. All the garments and accessories featured in the book are proportioned to fit and flatter a big girl’s body. Learn two fabulous adaptations to add to your knitting toolbox that you can apply to any sweater pattern. The book also features an easy-to-use measurement guide and tips to help you choose the right yarn, colors, and styles for you.
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Potter Craft (April 18, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307336603
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307336606
  • Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #292,668 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Amy R. Singer
Amy R. Singer
Jillian Moreno
Jillian Moreno

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Customer Reviews

64 Reviews
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 (42)
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (64 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
166 of 167 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Big Girls, Don't Cry! Sweaters to fit your shape and style, April 18, 2006
By Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)      
Over the last number of years, quality knitting magazines and books have occasionally dealt with the issue of fitting hand knits to the larger figure. Bigger people are proportioned differently; knits made to fit need to be designed to accommodate necklines, bust, shoulders, arms. The design has to be customized to flatter a round or curvy figure; these knits are not hanging from rake-thin shoulders draped over a flat board of a chest. As a biggish sort of person who is tall as well as large, I welcome "Big Girl Knits" as a great help to anyone who wants to knit something that fits a big girl.

So how well does "Big Girl Knits" fit the bill? There is an introduction by Wendy Shanker (author of "The Fat Girl's Guide to Life") about her own difficulties finding ponchos to fit her 18-20 size body. Then the first section deals with considerations when knitting for someone who is generously sized. For example, you are going to be using more yarn, in some cases, a lot of yarn. So, consider how heavy that yarn is because the weight of the garment may not be pleasing. Likewise, yarn is not inexpensive, so using extra amounts of a pricey yarn may be a bad idea for something you don't plan to wear for years. The section goes on to explain the "B3" system (boobs, belly and butt) and how to choose a design based on what is emphasized in your figure. The authors discuss hemlines, flattering lengths, good necklines and hiplines. There is a section of top ten list of things you might want to knit:

1. Sweaters that skim the body, flattering your curves
2. Wrap sweaters (again, they show off pretty curves)
3. Fine gauge yarns, reduce bulk, skim the body
4. V-necks--great vertical line to distract the eye and flaunt the cleavage if you choose,
5. Shaped sweaters (see 1 and 2)
6. Sweaters that end before or after the widest bits. (If you land ON the big bits, it makes them seem bigger.)
7. Vertical elements--again, draw the eye up and down not round and round.
8. Details that emphasize the "parts of you that are excellent."
9. Colors that make you happy. Black is good for chadoors. Black does not make you look thin--a myth. Choose a color that flatters you or that you love.
10. Knit what you love--if you want a corset sweater, knit it. If you hate cables, don't knit them!

The first chapter ends with a comprehensive measurement section on how to measure, what to measure and how to adjust patterns based on your measurements. Much space is given to short rows, partial rows of knitting that add shaping much the way darts on sewing do--and make a flat piece become three-dimensional to fit your shape.

Now to the patterns. The book is sectioned into:

Pullovers
Cardigans and Coats
Tanks and Tees
Bottoms (pants, skirts)
Accessories (bags, socks, gloves) and there is a reading list, abbreviation list and shopping guide to follow the patterns.

What ABOUT those patterns? There are 25 of them, and I am going to ding some of them--I didn't like them all, but don't despair; this book has incredible value whether or not you knit anything at all the way it's presented here. The colors were not ones I found exciting; in some cases, I think they were chosen to photograph the detail rather than to flatter the wearer. This made the picture clear to see detail of the garment, but the colors were not pleasing (ie, the wrap sweater, very lovely shape but in a dull, nasty gray.) You will have to imagine that sweater in YOUR favorite color (a ballerina pink? luscious grape?) The shapes are diagrammed well so you can design your own and not use the trim or other decorative elements if you don't like them. There were many things I didn't admire, but the shape diagram would let me design my own easily enough. Some of the styles were goofy to me (but they will please the fashion-adventuresome) and of course not all patterns suit all body types. The good thing about the "goofy" patterns is that this is not a boring vanilla book but will excite the young knitters that are revitalizing the craft.

I did really like a v-patterned cardigan with a striped chevron front. The colors were like Joseph's coat and the v-shape would flatter any wearer. I also adored a skirt (chevron patterned again to drag the eye away from the butt line) and there are YOGA PANTS. HELLO! Have you tried to find yoga gear in large sizes (except for big sweat pants?) These lovely loose pants could be knit in a light hemp or silk blend yarn and they look drapey and elegant as well as comfortable.

The shapes are varied; there is a top with a directionally-knitted v-neck that is very sexy, and a strange tee-shirt of hemp with a lot of Shar-pei folds and laced shoulders. The coats, even if not knit in yarns I loved, are useful for shape and proportion. These could be knit in a variety of yarns for a beautiful Spring or Autumn jacket.

What would I knit? The chevron cardigan, the wrap sweater for sure, the pants and maybe one of the tanks. Would I recommend this book to another Big Gal? Yes, I absolutely would. Despite the fact I didn't like some of the designs, there is SO MUCH in this book that is useful and adaptable for the ample figured knitter that I think this book will be flying off the shelves and staying put as a new classic of knitting. Thanks, Jillian and Amy, for putting together a valuable book for Big Girls.

Joanna Daneman
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90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars No more boxes!, April 18, 2006
By Shannon Okey "knitgrrl.com" (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
I'm almost ashamed to think of how many sweaters I've knitted for myself over the years with boring, boxy shapes! Knitting something that actually fit my (extremely wide) shoulders would inevitably hang over my (relatively flat) chest. Never a good look! No more... Big Girl Knits is brilliant...it's got all the shaping information you'll ever need to make yourself flattering, fashionable handknits. Whether you have a big chest, a beer gut or a booty like mine, there's something for you in this book. Jillian Moreno and Amy Singer's clever writing and excellent technical data encourages knitters of all skill levels to take off the tents and knit things that really fit!

(Added bonus: it takes more yarn to knit a tent than it does to knit a shapely sweater. Less money spent on one project equals more for the next one!)

I can't wait for the sequel!
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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I am all furklempt, April 23, 2006
By lesa (LaPorte, IN United States) - See all my reviews
I was in tears over this book. Really, I sat down and cried. Finally, knitwear designs that get it! Big boxy Volvo sweaters make fat girls look ginormous, and they use TONS of yarn. Big girls can have hips too, and if they don't there is nothing wrong with a little shaping to suggest hips.

This book tells you that the designs won't make you look skinny; they will make you look GOOD! The patterns in this book are not about making Kate Moss fashions big; they are about fashion for big girls. Rather than covering up your curves with boxy, shapeless sweaters (that flatter no one), Big Girl knits works with the shape of your body. The designs will camouflage what you are not happy with on your body and flatter what you love.

The styles are classic, with a twist. No miles of ugly, furry yarn. Instead, the designs focus on worsted and DK yarns knit in becoming shapes. In addition, because the sweaters have shape, they will actually use less yarn than the big box sweater, saving us big girls a little money (or making it easier to buy quality yarns). The designs are not about fads. Rather, they are about what really works are larger bodies.

Big Girl Knits has more than just sweaters; mittens for bigger hands, and shawls that actually cover a big girl. There is even a sock pattern that addresses big calves and small feet.

A word of warning, the patterns use a lot of shaping. There are revealing necklines, flattering shaped bodices, and interesting textures. None of these patterns are made from simple rectangular pieces. While none of the patterns are challenging, one does need to be comfortable reading a pattern to create these lovely shapes.

In all the years I have been knitting, this is the first time my husband wanted to look at the pattern book too. That is a clue to how flattering and sexy these sweaters are. The publisher has already asked for a second book. May I request a book for big men too?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars *Some* beautiful patterns, but not pleased, I won't buy it.
I found a copy at the library and I was excited when I first found it because of the sweater on the cover and the title. I immediately grabbed it and began looking. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rhonda Renay Thomas

2.0 out of 5 stars Kind of sorry I bought it
I bought this knitting book and was excited by the photos, the information, the sizing of the sweaters(1X,2X,3X), practical information on how a big girl like myself should dress... Read more
Published 1 month ago by afoiee

5.0 out of 5 stars a fun book
I bought both big girl knit books and I find them very informative and inspiring. I am new to knitting and can't understand a lot of the patterns, but I do appreciate the effort... Read more
Published 7 months ago by big lady

4.0 out of 5 stars Technique is more valuable than pretty patterns.
This book is worth it for the advice on altering patterns alone. I don't plan on making any of the garments in the book but it has empowered me to make other sweaters that i was... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Wendy Kroy

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute, flattering designs for plus-sized "girls"
This book is fantastic. It gives good explanations about what to accentuate and what to avoid in terms of plus-size knit wear. Read more
Published 11 months ago by nclovely1

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Learning Material
After reading about the book on Ravelry, I had to purchase it.

As a basically P shaped person, I'm all heavy on top and nothing down below. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Concetta Phillipps

5.0 out of 5 stars Sassy, smart and superbly designed
A landmark in knitting culture, this book is the definitive resource for those making plus size garments. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Katherine Reid

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous basics
This book gets to the dirt on what looks good with which curves. Better than that, it give suggestions of how to modify patterns to work with the curves, not against the curves... Read more
Published 18 months ago by A. Hickey

5.0 out of 5 stars big girl knits
Someone who was in my Kniitng Group before she moved away to another area had this book, I paged though it and ordered it... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Edith J. Antoninich

2.0 out of 5 stars designs don't follow the book's own advice
This book has a lot of really good fashion tips for "big girls". What to wear that is flattering on plus-size body types, etc. Read more
Published 20 months ago by MamaG

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