Product Description

"Fitted Knits" features 25 projects, beginning with simple T-shirts and shrugs and then moving on to more advanced jumpers, cardigans and skirts. It includes a comprehensive section covering the skills necessary to create a will-fitted garment, removing the guesswork from customising patterns. Each project includes customisation tips and tricks, describing to the knitter how to tell when and where increases and decreases should be placed to create the most attractive shaping.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39231 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

About the Author
Stefanie Japel's designs have been featured on popular knitting sites, such as Magknits.com and Knitty.com, and in books including Stitch 'n Bitch Nation (Workman, November 2004). At least six of her patterns have been used in knit-alongs on sites including Craftster.org and Bust Lounge.

Customer Reviews

This book could change the way you knit
I've considered books with "top down" patterns in the past but never having knit using the method before I've always been a little apprehensive of the technique. I bought this book on the basis of the beautiful front cover photo and have knit one of the sweater designs already. If the ease and speed with which I've been able to produce a finished product is anything to go by I may be tempted to switch to top down knitting in the round permanently.
The book covers a variety of designs (all for women) from a beautiful lace panelled bustier to a dress and a business suit. A couple of the sweater designs, whilst pretty and shapley are quite similar, but the purpose of this book is to encourage knitters to tailor the designs to their own body shapes and tastes. A confident knitter armed with a glossary of stitch patterns could easily make more unique items from Stefanie's simple and flattering designs.

Of top down raglans and such things
Ms. Japel is one of the modern designers I can get behind. She understands that we knitters want stuff for our wardrobes, and will like to use yarn that doesn't break the bank. The designs are very much Ms. Japel's aesthetic, in terms of using purl bands to break up stocking stitch and adding texture, as well using yarn overs for increases with a decorative effect. Ms. Japel's style is definately her own, and different from what you get on the high street.

Strangely, I rather like the patterns that I've seen people do online, rather than in the book itself at first, but the latter has grown on me. What Japel does is give the knitter a launching pad for using her own creativity in stitches and shaping. Her patterns can be used as a template for one's own creativity. There are instructions in terms of how to do shaping, and how to make the pattern work for you.

Japel's commentary in the book is good natured, as she states her reasons and aims for the clothes presented. The book has patterns grouped into seasons - sleeveless or shortsleeved for summer, and a slip over for fall.

If there is any unhappiness on my part, I guess it's the fact that all the topdowns are raglans. Don't get me wrong, I love a good raglan, but I would have liked to see a topdown knitted using the inset sleeve method, because I find that a bit more flattering.

Good book though. I'm glad that I broke down and bought it.

Good designs in a badly designed book.
Despite the fact that I've knitted three of the Fitted Knits from Stefanie Japel's book, I can only give it two stars I'm afraid, and for the following reasons:

1. This is really just a collection of patterns. Absent are the expected illustrations, close-ups, tips, or explanations. There are some glossy photos of the models wearing the garments, but they weren't that helpful.
2. If you live in the UK and can't get hold of the advertised yarn, then you are heading for a headache, I'm afraid. I don't know how many tension squares I've knitted with yarns from the UK, but it's been a major frustration for me. I think it's both wrong and lazy to use specific yarns. Leave that to the pattern books, surely!
3. There is a section on `how to fit your knits'. It is unintelligible gibberish, confusing and badly written.
4. There are quite a lot of mistakes in the patterns. You'll need to go to Ms. Japel's website to check them before you embark on anything.
5. I've made the garments despite the book - with the help of the Ravelry community and other websites, blogs and authors. A big thank-you to them.

I expect more from a book, I suppose. I don't want a collection of patterns - I want a workbook. I want close-up photos and explanations. I want the author to recognise that I'll be knitting with the yarn of my choice - and not their sponsors' choice. I want to know how to fit the garment properly - not in general terms but in specific terms.

In summary, you have a lovely collection of designs but a lot of hurdles to overcome if you want to knit them.