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mtchen
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
564 Posts |
 Posted - 06/11/2003 : 4:02:09 PM
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I also have both books and agree with what the others have said...
The "Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" has basic patterns in different measurements, presented in table/list format, and is useful if you want to knit basic pattern sweaters (i.e. pullover or cardigan) in a stitch pattern of your choosing, with any yarn you want.
But as for designing your own "style" of sweaters, "Sweater Design in Plain English" should be your book. It is quite like Maggie Righetti's other book "Knitting in Plain English" as far as the conversational tone is concerned, and is more about the strategies and tips to designing well-fitting sweaters (for example, it goes into describing people's body types and what kind of sweaters would suit what body type). It does not, however, contain patterns for all sizes/gauges...You can take a look at the Table of Contents for this book here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312051646/ref=lib_rd_ss_TC01/102-7259618-5337765?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader&img=4#reader-link
I would say the latter book has more of an imaginative element to it. However, the former book is practical if you want to know the actual approximate numbers for sizes and shapes (but note that the sweater pattern portion takes up less than half of the pages of this book, while the rest of the book is on other knitted items like scarfs, hats, tams, socks, mittens, gloves, vests...etc.).
I've also seen Deborah Newton's "Designing Knitwear" and that one looks very comprehensive and detailed...
I would say, for your purposes, you should get "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" because you mentioned wanting to make basic sweater styles in different stitch patterns.
Hope this helps! 
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mtchen
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
564 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2003 : 4:02:09 PM
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I also have both books and agree with what the others have said...
The "Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" has basic patterns in different measurements, presented in table/list format, and is useful if you want to knit basic pattern sweaters (i.e. pullover or cardigan) in a stitch pattern of your choosing, with any yarn you want.
But as for designing your own "style" of sweaters, "Sweater Design in Plain English" should be your book. It is quite like Maggie Righetti's other book "Knitting in Plain English" as far as the conversational tone is concerned, and is more about the strategies and tips to designing well-fitting sweaters (for example, it goes into describing people's body types and what kind of sweaters would suit what body type). It does not, however, contain patterns for all sizes/gauges...You can take a look at the Table of Contents for this book here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312051646/ref=lib_rd_ss_TC01/102-7259618-5337765?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader&img=4#reader-link
I would say the latter book has more of an imaginative element to it. However, the former book is practical if you want to know the actual approximate numbers for sizes and shapes (but note that the sweater pattern portion takes up less than half of the pages of this book, while the rest of the book is on other knitted items like scarfs, hats, tams, socks, mittens, gloves, vests...etc.).
I've also seen Deborah Newton's "Designing Knitwear" and that one looks very comprehensive and detailed...
I would say, for your purposes, you should get "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" because you mentioned wanting to make basic sweater styles in different stitch patterns.
Hope this helps!
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2003 : 9:50:44 PM
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Go ahead and pick your book and learn how to design your sweater, but try knitting your sweater while you are studying. Go to this site and follow the directions there and it will generate a detailed pattern for you to follow. It's free. The pattern will have more information on it that you will need because it will also have directions for machine knitting.
http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2003 : 9:50:44 PM
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Go ahead and pick your book and learn how to design your sweater, but try knitting your sweater while you are studying. Go to this site and follow the directions there and it will generate a detailed pattern for you to follow. It's free. The pattern will have more information on it that you will need because it will also have directions for machine knitting.
http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2003 : 9:50:44 PM
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Go ahead and pick your book and learn how to design your sweater, but try knitting your sweater while you are studying. Go to this site and follow the directions there and it will generate a detailed pattern for you to follow. It's free. The pattern will have more information on it that you will need because it will also have directions for machine knitting.
http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/
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