Product Description

Both a pattern book and a reference book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns has been created for knitters who want standard sweater patterns in a variety of sizes and gauges, as well as those who want a template from which to develop their own design ideas. This sequel to the phenomenal best seller The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, presents easy-to-follow charted instructions for eighteen sweaters, three in each of the six most popular sweater constructions: drop shoulder, modified drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, saddle shoulder, raglan, and seamless yoke. Each style is provided in fifteen sizes (in two-inch graduations) from a 26-inch chest circumference for a two-year-old child to a 54-inch chest circumference for a large adult. Each size is further divided into six possible gauges: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stitches per inch. If you're counting, that's 75 options for each of the six styles, or 450 patterns in all (all with yarn yardage estimates). Add the cardigan and neckline variations, and you've got more than 1,000 patterns! Even more variations are possible by adding different neck finishes, edgings, waist shapings, and color or stitch patterns. Detailed diagrams for finished dimensions are included, along with a glossary of techniques and a chapter on design considerations. If knitting sweaters is your passion, look no further - this book is your definitive resource.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20596 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• 224 pages

About the Author
Ann Budd is managing editor of Interweave Knits magazine. She received the Master Knitter certificate from the Knitting Guild of America in 2000. Ann lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and three sons, who accept - but do not share! - her passion for knitting.

Customer Reviews

Excellent springboard for developing your own designs...
This book has finally given me the confidence to have a go at designing my own knitwear. Although it looks confusing initially, with pages of number tables, once I'd read through the 'user guide', it all came clear and is so easy to use. I've already started my first cardigan using the guidelines in this book, and it's looking good!

You just swatch in your chosen yarn until you get an even number of stitches to the inch, choose your basic style (mostly based on sleeve type - drop shoulder, set in, fully shaped, raglan, circular yoke) and size, and you're off. There are also instructions on how to work out patterns if you've got fractions of stitches to the inch and want to stick with that stitch tension.

I'd recommend this to anyone who is confident with knitting techniques, but who might want a bit of help in the design department.

You'll never buy another pattern book again!
This is the book that I should have bought years ago. It's perfect for anyone, whether a new or seasoned knitter. The basic sweaters are all stocking stitch, so anyone can knit them, or add your own stitch patterns. With the choice of sleeves, neck styles and any yarn you fancy, this book is indispensible. And best of all - the charts are sized up to 54" so unlike certain similar books, it caters for those knitters who aren't a perfect size 10.

Wonderful Resource for New Knitting Designers
I am just finishing up a sweater made with this book. Rather than finding a pattern I like and then having to buy the yarn specified for that pattern, this book allows you to pick a yarn you love, and then design your sweater or cardigan around it. I've been knitting for years, but this is the first time I've tried to "design". It's been a learning experience, and it's been great, and I couldn't have done it without this book. If you're a bit of a nervous knitter, this book with give you the confidence to try revising a pattern on your own to achieve what you want.