Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits - Softcover

Praise for the hardcover edition: "Knitters usually begin with simpler items like scarves and move on to more complicated projects like sweaters. But once sweaters are mastered, many experienced knitters want to know how to design their own knitwear--and have it fit. There are a number of books that explain the mechanics and the math of designing sweaters. This one, too, examines commercial patterns, the intricacies and importance of measurement, and the result that comes with various yarns. But this book is particularly comprehensive in that it explains how to adapt different stitches other than the reliable stockinette to make sweaters that are unique to the knitter. This volume--spiral-bound inside sturdy covers--is not for the faint-of-heart knitter, but those longing to take their knitting to the next level will be enthralled. Four attractive projects are included as examples of the many techniques author Paden explains." - Ilene Cooper, Booklist "First Reaction: Blown Away. If you're interested in sweater design, and want to understand everything, you need to look at this book. It's amazing. I have other design books in my library...but this one stands on its own." - KnittingScholar.com "This is a comprehensive guide to getting an idea out of your head and into a knitting pattern. It's also a fantastic resource to use to alter an existing pattern to your specifications." - Knitty.com "Add this to your essentials shelf, next to Barbara Walker and Nancy Wiseman. And make something fabulous." - Twist Collective blog "The book's layout is very clean, clear and attractive, with high quality photos and diagrams, to keep the reader inspired and motivated. Paden writes succinctly and well, packing in a wealth of information." - Crochet Insider "Captivating designs with flattering silhouettes." - Quick & Easy Crochet "If you have even the slightest interest in design or want your garments to fit better, Knitwear Design Workshop belongs on your knitting bookshelf." - Knitting Purls newsletter "Easy-to-follow...Shirley Paden offers detailed techniques for achieving just the look and fit that are right for you." - Detroit News "This book is particularly comprehensive in that it explains how to adapt different stitches other than the reliable stockinette to make sweaters that are unique to the knitter. This volume, spiral-bound inside sturdy covers, is not for the faint-of-heart knitter, but those longing to take their knitting to the next level will be enthralled." - Booklist "If you've ever wanted to knit yourself a perfectly tailored and fitted sweater, this is the book for you. Shirley Paden has created a veritable textbook of knitwear design." - Knitting Purls Newsletter "Shirley Paden wants to empower you as a knitter to be the best you can be." - The Courier-News "Paden delivers a graduate-level course for very serious knitters, using text, charts, annotated schematics, sketches, sidebars, mathematical conversion formulas--every aid at her considerable disposal--to explain the myriad ways of getting exactly the look you're after by marrying the right yarn and stitch pattern to the right silhouette and sleeve type. Exhaustive, comprehensive--mere adjectives don't begin to describe it so I'll stop trying. Paden is simply in a master class of her own." - Yarn Market News "OMG...Just got Shirley Paden's new knitwear design book and I am totally in LOVE with it! Seriously! IN LOVE!" - Yarn Thing via Twitter "Shirley Paden has created a veritable textbook of knitwear design." - Knitcircus Magazine, Summer 2010

Discover how to create your own dramatic and unique knitwear
with Shirley Paden's new book!

Expert knitwear designer Shirley Paden approaches Knitwear Design Workshop as she does her design classes―teaching through example. With her new book, you'll learn all the tricks of the trade for designing with step-by-step instructions for using measurements, calculations, and schematics.

Knitwear Design Workshop is your backstage pass to the world of design. Inside you'll discover:

How to design double-tapered, single-tapered, and reverse-tapered garments with sleeves or sleeves caps that fit
Designing with armholes, necklines, neckbands, and collars and labels
A clearer understanding of commercial pattern instructions
Ways to improve your attention to detail with a meaningful test swatch
Stronger knowledge of proper body or garment measurements
How to handle design challenges in a variety of garments such as cardigans, skirts, and dresses
And much more!

Perfectly packaged in an easy-to-use hardbound, hidden spiral format, Knitwear Design Workshop is chock full of in-depth information, including measuring a gauge, working silhouette and fit, designing with stitch patterns, selecting color, and yarn characteristics. Also included in this helpful resource are four breathtaking projects―great for both design inspiration and creation! 400 pages.