Maggie Righetti s classic book, completely revised and updated for a new generation If you're tired of making sweaters with sleeves that are the wrong length, necklines that droop, and an overall look that's not quite right, let Sweater Design in Plain English come to your rescue! In clear, straightforward terms, Maggie Righetti shares her knitting know-how and good fashion sense so that no matter what your knitting level, you can overcome the fear of failure, adapt already-existing patterns, and plan and create sweaters that really fit and look terrific. Topics and techniques include: Understanding the nature of yarn and pattern stitches How to tell whether or not a sweater will look good on you before you start Start-to-finish instructions for thirteen classic sweaters. Each technique is illustrated with clear diagrams, sketches, or photographs. Complete with conversion charts and a personal-measurements record-keeping section, Sweater Design in Plain English takes the guesswork out of every creative knitting effort.
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About the Author
Maggie Righetti, a TNNA-certified knitting and crochet instructor, is the author of "Knitting in Plain English" and "Crocheting in Plain English." Her neighbor and knitting buddy, Terri Shaw, is a retired teacher, lawyer, and nonprofit CEO. Maggie and Terri both live in Southern California.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Rosy D.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If, like me, you are interested in getting your knit garments actually to fit, then this is the book for you. This book is sensible and comprehensive. It even tackles issues I had not thought of. The content has a slightly old-fashioned feel but don't be misled. Don't expect super modern designs, but DO expect to feel able to tackle them after reading this.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Sweater-Maker's Bible
13 May 2011
By Bonnie Brody
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love Maggie Righetti's book Knitting in Plain English, Updated Edition and I have the first edition of her new book, Sweater Design in Plain English, Second Edition. The new edition is a real winner. If you are a knitter and love to make sweaters, this is a must-have book. No more will you be knitting sweaters that are too big or too small. You'll know how to do necks and sleeves, utilize the perfect bind-ons and bind-offs, and know just what you're doing the whole time.
Part one goes into what to do before you begin your project. It covers what sweaters are, how to avoid costly mistakes, getting new ideas, understanding body shapes, getting the right measurements, and achieving the right marriage of fiber, fabric and fashion. It also covers gauge, estimating the right amount of yarn to use, and a refresher course on common knitting techniques. In addition, it covers the arithmetic of knitting and final preparation steps for designing your own sweater.
Part two is called 'Doing It - The Actual Designs'. Topics covered include V-necked sweaters, cable sweaters, cardigan jackets, child's sweaters, adult raglan cardigans, neck-down pull-overs, icelandic yoke pullovers, diagonal sweaters, designing your own sleeves, designing your own necklines and collars, and creating your own interesting effects.
This book has EVERYTHING a knitter needs to create a classic, beautiful sweater. I wouldn't be without it. It's a sweater knitter's dream-book and a must-have for anyone who wants to create their own sweater or modify a pattern.
Part one goes into what to do before you begin your project. It covers what sweaters are, how to avoid costly mistakes, getting new ideas, understanding body shapes, getting the right measurements, and achieving the right marriage of fiber, fabric and fashion. It also covers gauge, estimating the right amount of yarn to use, and a refresher course on common knitting techniques. In addition, it covers the arithmetic of knitting and final preparation steps for designing your own sweater.
Part two is called 'Doing It - The Actual Designs'. Topics covered include V-necked sweaters, cable sweaters, cardigan jackets, child's sweaters, adult raglan cardigans, neck-down pull-overs, icelandic yoke pullovers, diagonal sweaters, designing your own sleeves, designing your own necklines and collars, and creating your own interesting effects.
This book has EVERYTHING a knitter needs to create a classic, beautiful sweater. I wouldn't be without it. It's a sweater knitter's dream-book and a must-have for anyone who wants to create their own sweater or modify a pattern.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wish I Liked it More
31 July 2011
By MJ
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
In principle, this is a good book. But there are a lot of generalizations that aren't true anymore, such as never use a sewing pattern as a basis for a sweater design. There are plenty of sewing patterns designed for knit fabric that can be a starting point. Another problem is that all the description of the measurements are based on taking measurements for the new sweater and only the new sweater, which means you have to keep measurements every time you knit another sweater. That's not basic sweater design and if your sweater recipient lives on the other side of the country, you'll have problems making a long sleeve sweater for her if you only measured to the elbow on the last sweater.
I agree with another reviewer - the chatty style got annoying after a while and I felt like she could have put more content in without "Fudge" stories. For instance, she specifically mentions Dowager's Humps in the list of changes you can make but never gets around to discussing the specific changes needed. But what really killed it for me what that the sample projects are all designed to address specific fitting problems to the exclusion of the basic fit itself. It's virtually impossible to figure out what to do if you DON'T have that particular problem.
However, if you have fitting problems, this book probably addresses them. It's extremely detailed and there are plenty of examples. Of course, you could just go buy a sweater design program which requires only the measurements and spits out instructions for any sweater you want.
I agree with another reviewer - the chatty style got annoying after a while and I felt like she could have put more content in without "Fudge" stories. For instance, she specifically mentions Dowager's Humps in the list of changes you can make but never gets around to discussing the specific changes needed. But what really killed it for me what that the sample projects are all designed to address specific fitting problems to the exclusion of the basic fit itself. It's virtually impossible to figure out what to do if you DON'T have that particular problem.
However, if you have fitting problems, this book probably addresses them. It's extremely detailed and there are plenty of examples. Of course, you could just go buy a sweater design program which requires only the measurements and spits out instructions for any sweater you want.
12 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Good Stuff
4 May 2011
By Sassy & Seventy
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Anything that has "Maggie Righetti's" name on it must be "good stuff". I was so impressed with her book KNITTING IN PLAIN ENGLISH! The woman has obviously been around the block a time or two---with knitting needles in her hands.
If you want to test the waters in design, this is a good place to start. Buy it.
If you want to test the waters in design, this is a good place to start. Buy it.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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