knittingthestash Book Review Roudup: Sweater Design

[@FourPinesKnitting]

I was so happy to see you reccomend Sweater Design in Plain English. I don't see it come up a lot when people discuss knitting books, but I found it to be an amazing resource.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh wonderful to hear I'm not alone with this one--it's such a great book :)

[@marciadehoog1018]

Thank you for this video. The Knitter's Guide to Sweater Design would be the right book for me at this time, but I cannot find it anywhere....

[@JessG247]

Thanks you! I find these books so interesting, some you talk about are new to me. 3 more that I thought were good: 'Knitting in the old way' by Priscilla Gibson Roberts, describes a bunch of different traditional styles and has a little sweater outline that you can trace and use to design to scale your own versions. 'Superstar Knitting' by Debbie Stoller talks you through how to design and draft the common sweater structures, including math for drafting a set in sleeve cap that I think is thorough, and not the same directions you see every day. (I think you get just about the same thing as in Sally Melville's book, which I thought was unique too, but just with a different way of getting there. By the way, Sally's set in sleeve cap has you matching st per st until you get to the top-ish part, easy to seam, and pretty cool if you are doing stripes.) Also one of Stoller's other books, 'Stitch n Bch Nation', (sorry, I don't want youtube to think I'm calling someone names) has a great intro to modifying existing patterns, to the point you are practically designing.

[@krankywitch]

Thank you. I've been wondering lately if I've made the best choices buying knitting books and it seems I have. My library consists of Maggie Righetti's Knitting in Plain English & Sweater Design in Plain English, Ann Budd's Knitters Books of Handy Sweater Design, and Knit to Flatter by Amy Hertzog. One day I will have the time to work through them instead of just dipping in when I need to know something. I have big ambitions - I also have both the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible's. Lots of dreams, not much time 😆

[@tammyk.stresslessjoy1524]

Wonderful thanks so much for narrowing it down for the beginner sweater modification and design

[@knittingthestash]

Best of luck with your designs!

[@beckyb76563]

That was so helpful thanks. I want all of them!

[@adelegalaxi7895]

Thank you for this comprehensive review of the sweater knitting books. I am a beginning knitter. I also loved your clear and concise presentation of the books. Thank you!

[@knittingthestash]

Wonderful to hear, Adele!

[@lindajames6043]

Ordered and just received Sweater Design in Plain English , thanks so much for the review and suggestion. What a wonderful resource for modifying and fitting sweaters in addition to sweater design.

[@knittingthestash]

oh, excellent, Linda!

[@emmadobbs2638]

This was really informative, thank you. It's really helpful to know why your recommending them and for whom they would be most useful. I know where my book budget is going to be spent over the next few months!

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks for the inspiration, Emma!

[@ladydlc550]

I ordered Sweater Design from Abe Books after your review and received it today in the mail. This is one of the best knitting book investments I've made. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I can see from reviewing the book myself that it is a confidence builder for designing my own sweaters. Thank you for sharing such an important book. And frankly, Interweave should republish the book because the copyright is from 1989.

[@knittingthestash]

Wonderful to hear, Dolores! I love that book--it's just so clear and helpful and unpretentious.

[@celestegarcia486]

Wow! That was a great review of your sweater design books. I have seen the Maggie Righetti book when I checked it out of the library. I think it's time to check it out again. Tail wags to you and your pups. Thanks so much!

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Celeste! The pups had a long hike today and are soundly sleeping. They send their regards :) Let me know what you think of the Righetti book once you have another look.

[@mauras8848]

You gave a fabulous list of books for designing. I would add one more book: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without Tears as it the first book to help knitters with designing and fit without becoming a "blind follower".

[@knittingthestash]

Yes! An excellent addition, Maura! Thanks for adding it to this list--it completely belongs!

[@8531022]

Wonderful episode, as I’m just starting to build my knitting library. Thank you!

[@knittingthestash]

So glad to hear it's helpful--there are so many wonderful books out there to explore. Sometimes I think I enjoy knitting books *almost as much as yarn!

[@metaspencer]

A book and yard lover's dream! Well done ... gotta collect a few more now

[@knittingthestash]

you're a sweetie

[@laurataylornyc9]

Thank you! Such a helpful resource!

[@teresat.8145]

Thanks for the recommendations, Melissa. I am interested in understanding the whys and how’s of a sweater design. I hope to be able to adjust patterns as I get more confident in my sweater knitting skills. I ordered Maggie Righetti’s~ Sweater Design in Plain English to further my knitting knowledge. Growing my knitting skills one stitch at a time! :)

[@knittingthestash]

Oh wonderful, Teresa! I hope you enjoy it :) Good luck with the sweater knitting!

[@jeantompkins67]

A wonderful review. I love the scholastic twist you add and as an old school (pre internet and web) graphic artist I loved your comments on paging styles and I am so glad to hear your thoughts even on the paper used! Thank you so much and have a wonderful day.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Jean! I appreciate that very much. I worked in the Prod Dept at Cornell UP for a summer back in college and feel like I learned so much. It must have rubbed off on me :)

[@judymiller6083]

Fascinating and informative presentation--thank you! I have committed to knitting from my stash in 2021 and this was helpful.

[@knittingthestash]

Great idea, Judy! I appreciate it!

[@tamaragrottker7677]

nice. I have your last 2 books. Shirley's book I found several years in the books store, and the other from a used bookstore. I also found a cool book about sweater design styles for different countries which is rather interesting. Some of the other books I have not seen before, so that was great!

[@knittingthestash]

So glad to hear this! I LOVE finding books at used bookstores--you're a woman after my own heart :)

[@KwirksbyKay]

Thank you for such a detailed description. I lean more towards crochet than knitting, but sadly haven’t been able to find a decent pattern construction book, so I’m going to try to extrapolate the knowledge given in these knit books to my crochet designs. Just downloaded my ebook for Knitwear design workshop coz I want to take math head on. Perhaps I’m foolish, trying to gauge crochet math with a knit book but ones gotta make the most of what’s available, right? And who knows perhaps this book will take me back to knitting, 😅😊 Thanks a Ton! Next task: Following you on IG. 😁

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Kay! Very kind of you to say. And I hope the crochet maths work out well . . . I feel like crocheted sweaters have had a revival in the last couple of years, but maybe the actual pattern/technique books haven't yet caught up.

[@silvamint]

I love the Shirley Paden book, but have been wanting to add others to my library-thank you for this super-helpful roundup! Just ordered Maggie Righetti and The Knitters Guide.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh excellent! I hope you like them--I'll be curious to know what you think of the Righetti book!!

[@maxwelladekoje1726]

Great review consider these two books 📚 Higher Is Calling & Just eat the worm by Maxwell Adekoje for personal development. Happy New Year 🎊

[@knittingpoppy]

I really enjoyed that Melissa. I knit my first sweater using a Craftsy Course by Amy Herzog and it which taught me a lot. I don't think I'll be designing any time soon, but I feel I'd like to get better and more confident at modifying.

[@knittingthestash]

So glad to hear you are modifying with confidence, Louise! I enjoyed Amy's Craftsy class as well--she has some nice ideas about sweater fit :)

[@johannapfeiffer6676]

Fabulous! Thank you, I already have two books and bought your favorite!

[@knittingthestash]

Excellent, Johanna!

[@andreamagill7034]

Thank you for sharing your books. I really enjoyed this. Please do consider another book review vlog. 🧶😊

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks so much, Andrea! I'll have to have a look at the knitting library :)

[@tinekejoldersma]

Thanks for the advice.

[@newmoonjlp]

I got the Paden book a few years ago but was a little intimidated by it. Now that I have some sweaters under my belt, I'll check out the Craftsy class and take a fresh look!

[@knittingthestash]

Yes, Judy! Go for it! I feel the same way, given that I started with her (accidentally) so many years ago. I want to re-tread all of the material :)

[@eileen5631]

Sweater knitting 101 by Cheryl Brunette. She was the bond knitting machine teacher back in the 70’ s. Her book is a lot like all the ones you showed. My first.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh, thanks, Eileen! I am not familiar with that one and will have to look it up! Thanks :)

[@johannetessier2767]

Thank you!❤

[@KittenWAW]

Ann Budd's book has been indispensable for me, with my improv knitting style. I've even turned to it in the middle of a project, which is sometimes when I decide what I'm doing. I've been able to reverse the instructions to make a top down, but I should probably just get the other book (which I didn't know about, so Thank You!) and save myself some time. I have (yes, sadly HAVE) to say that Maggie Righetti's Knitting In Plain English was my most disappointing knitting book purchase. I picked it up for $1 at a thrift shop, and still felt I'd overpaid. I'm just going to take your word about the design book.

[@knittingthestash]

so interesting to hear how differently we respond to different books and styles of teaching/explaining! I have experienced this a bit with my students who sometimes like very different science fiction from me--and I have learned a lot by following up on their suggestions :) BTW, it's so totally cool that you have reverse engineered the Ann Budd book!!

[@GLAMTHATFACEWithLALAxoxo]

thank you so much for this video , very helpful .

[@knittingthestash]

excellent! Thanks so much :)

[@diannariley8430]

I have been trying to find the book “Sweater Design in Plain English “ but I can’t find it anywhere! It’s out of print. Can you point me in the right direction on where to find it?

[@aeastman59]

thanks Melissa!

[@knittingthestash]

thank you, Amanda!

[@ThePattiw]

Maggie Rigetti and Sally Melville are my choices!

[@knittingthestash]

yes! great choices!

[@alanhaenni]

Still love your videos. Can you recommend a "beginner" friendly sweater book that has patterns that aren´t so completely dominated by women's patterns? I picked up the Anne Budd book (top down) but there is very little in the pattern section for me....

[@knittingthestash]

Great question, Alan--let me do a bit more research and get back to you! Maybe even on the next podcast as a follow-up!

[@olive5890]

Hi, can you tell me the main differences between Ann Budd's two books: "The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns" and "The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top Down Sweaters"? Does the first one only have bottom-up and seamed sweaters? Would much appreciate if you could tell me the differences

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Olive--I'm a little late here, but yes, I believe the difference you describe to be accurate about the difference between the two books

[@lizurquhart4105]

Hi Melissa, thank you for the book reviews. I have been looking for the book I heard about that help you determine the size in a pattern to knit based on your gauge. I am a beginner/intermediate knitter. I have knitted 1 adult TD sweater and will be starting my second sleeve on a Ragland TD cardigan knit flat. For example , I want to learn how to knit this bulky sweater that in lighter weight yarns. Which of your books would you recommend? I was thinking about the Ultimate Sweater Book??? Thank you.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Liz! Apologies for the late response. I would think something like Amy Herzog's books would be helpful as she focuses on fit (and if I remember correctly) on using different yarn. The main thing would be gauge swatching and then re-doing the math for the pattern with the same ratios in mind.

[@lizurquhart4105]

@@knittingthestash thank you

[@facultysuccesscoach]

PS: Did you knit the sweater you're wearing? I love it. :)

[@knittingthestash]

Yes! Thanks for asking. It's an LB Handknits test knit from a few years back: Scéal Grá :)

[@allisonhodge4576]

Agreed!!! Adorable!

[@vindeljay]

Great information.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Jenny!

[@sherriepaulsonmiles8461]

Oh, your office appears to have been transformed back to knitting vs. teaching! Yeah!

[@knittingthestash]

little bit by little bit . . . though I do have two classes to teach "from the yarn room" this spring! I hope you're well, Sherrie!

[@loriflaglor5686]

Thank you. Very interesting. What is the pattern of the sweater you’re wearing?

[@knittingthestash]

It's an LB Handknits test knit from a few years back: Scéal Grá :)