May 09, 2013

Knit to Flatter Winner!

Hi All! Things have been busy between the Frambuesa release and attending Maryland Sheep and Wool for the first time, but now that the bustle is dying down, I have a winner for the Knit to Flatter contest - Kristin EM! I have contacted Kristin via e-mail, and await her response. Kristin, if you have not received an e-mail from me, please check your spam folder. Thanks so much to everyone for participating. It sounds like this is a book that would benefit a lot of people out there. I highly recommend it, and I love the craftsy course as well. They are good companion pieces. I feel like the course has very detailed information and the advantage of showing Amy in person going through the steps with you, whereas the book covers the highlights of knitting to flatter and also includes many lovely patterns that you can modify. My own patterns can be challenging to modify because of the intense patterning going on in many of them, but the cardigan that I am currently working on (due for release at TNNA in late June) is going to be easily customizable using Amy's methods, so keep an eye out. If you enjoy my patterns and are ready to try to make a first sweater, this will be a good one (while still retaining my love of texture). Thanks again for participating in the contest. It was great to hear from all of you!

April 21, 2013

Frambuesa Shawl Release!

Wow, you peeps really came out of the woodwork to have a chance at winning Amy's book. You should - it's great! She also has a craftsy course that I am in the middle of viewing, and that is fantastic, too. I will be announcing the winner of the Knit to Flatter contest soon, but right now I have a little news of my own. Frambuesa has been released!

Frambuesa is my ode to spring. It's a crescent shawl available in two sizes, a shawlette to drape over your shoulders, and a larger full shawl size to wear wrapped around you on those still chilly nights. It is available as an individual pdf or as part of the Fire Collection, which includes Corazon and Mexican Wedding. If you previously purchased one or both of those patterns, the price of the collection will be discounted by the amount of your previous purchase(s).

Frambuesa is suitable for intermediate lace knitters. Instructions are both written and charted. The shawlette sample is shown in SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash Sock in the "Raspberry" colorway.

April 15, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: Knit to Flatter

Photos courtesy of Karen Pearson.Knit to Flatter wholeheartedly embraces the phrase “variety is the spice of life.” In it, Amy Herzog guides us through the process of determining what shape we really are (and it may be different than you think, so do the exercises), and making choices in style and fit that will best flatter us.

Amy divides the womanly figure into three basic, easily-identifiable categories: bottom-heavy, top-heavy, and proportional, and goes into detail with respect to which design elements are most flattering to each shape. I think we’ve all found that certain neckline, length, and sleeve treatments are more appealing to us than others. Knit to Flatter will help explain why that is, and possibly even break you out of a routine choice that may not make the most sense for your shape.

I'll be sharing favorites throughout the post. These are Chimera and Cypress.

Each of the three shapes has its own chapter that includes several sweaters designed to flatter that body type, and emphasizes the aspects of the sweaters (and in one case a skirt) that make them aesthetically pleasing. The patterns also include text boxes where Amy discusses how to modify the patterns to flatter other body types, so that if a sweater catches your eye, but does not appear in “your” chapter, it is not out of reach. Within each of the three main body types, there are variations – some women will be bustier, others may have a little “junk in the trunk,” as I like to say about my own “enhancements.” Amy has a chapter that covers these variations in detail as well.

The coup de grace is the chapter that brings it all together, where Amy discusses how to make the alterations that you will find yourself wanting to implement in all of your sweater projects. This is the chapter that will get dog-eared by many, as they use it over and over again. It covers waist and bust shaping (darts and short rows), changing the position and/or shape of a neckline, and changing the length of the bodice and sleeves. The information is clearly and simply presented, and geared to the average knitter who has not modified a sweater or does not do it on a regular basis.

Flutter and Elora. I looove those sleeves.

The variety in Knit to Flatter is not limited to body types, however. The book includes 18 patterns (15 designed by Amy herself, and the remainder by well-known designers Elinor Brown, Kirsten Kapur, and Caro Sheridan). It is clear that care has been taken to provide a variety of details within each body type section and throughout the book. There are some factors that are constant. Amy prefers a seamed, bottom-up construction with set-in sleeves (I am also in this camp – give it a try, ultimately you may be, too), and ample use of Stockinette stitch in key places for ease of modification. All of her sweaters include vertical darts, which can be further modified.

Dansez and Stoker.

Within the base patterns there are 8 cardigans, 2 wrap sweaters, 6 pullovers, a tank, and a skirt. At least two of those patterns have alternate patterns included, one of which is a vest version. There is great variation in necklines – crew, scoop, V-neck, U-neck, turtleneck, square neck and cowl neck. Body lengths vary, as do sleeve lengths – full, flutter, ¾ length, short, and sleeveless. There is something for every knitter: 6 sweaters employ cables, 5 utilize lace, 3 are textured, and 1 involves colorwork. The patterns are very accessible, and are all the type that will become wardrobe staples – perfect for work or weekend. Knit to Flatter is a book that every knitter who wants to understand modifications should own. And one of you can! Leave a message in the comments telling me what routine modifications you either make or want to make to enter to win a copy of the book. Comments will stay open until the 22nd, and I’ll choose a winner by the 30th.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about Knit to Flatter and Amy Herzog you can catch her on her blog tour:

Monday, April 15: Rock and Purl - Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
Tuesday, April 16: Mind of Winter - Julia Trice
Wednesday, April 17: Mary Jane Mucklestone
Thursday, April 18: Moth Heaven - Julia Farwell-Clay
Friday, April 19: Baby Cocktails - Thea Colman
Saturday, April 20: Knitting At Large - Julie Matthews
Sunday, April 21: ADD Knitter
Monday, April 22: Savory Knitting - Amy Christoffers
Tuesday, April 23: Carole Knits

April 13, 2013

On the horizon

This is Frambuesa, a crescent shawl that I hope to have published within the next two weeks. Griffin kindly agreed to model it for me so I'd have some project shots to share. He is such a little ham. It cracks me up. Pink is his favorite color, so he was really into this one. Frambuesa will be offered in both shawl and shawlette sizes (shown). It's a quick, fun knit and adds a perfect touch of spring in SweetGeorgia Superwash Sock in the Raspberry colorway.