The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges - Softcover

It's not often that we'd suggest this might be the only pattern book you'll ever need but, flicking through it, we're tempted! Ann Budd's masterpiece, published in 2004 as a follow-up to the best-selling The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, presents easy-to-follow charted instructions for eighteen jumpers, three in each of the six most popular constructions - drop shoulder, modified drop shoulder, raglan and seamless yoke. What's more, each style is provided in 15 sizes and in five different tensions. Add the fact that there are numerous variations to play with, and you've got more than 1500 design options! All this means that, not only is this book a definitive resource for knitting all kinds of jumpers, it's also a fantastic starting point for designing. It gives you classic wardrobe staples and then invites you to add your own imagination to create new variations. The handy 'Expanding your options' section encourages you to experiment, explaining how to make adjustments for body or sleeve length, for different tensions and for knitting in the round, as well as showing how to add stitch or colour patterns. It may not be the last pattern book you buy but, armed with this book and a little imagination, you'll have enough jumper designs to last a lifetime.-The Knitter

Both a pattern book and a reference book, The Knitter's Handy Book Of Sweater Patterns has been created for knitters who want standard sweater patterns in a variety of sizes and gauges, as well as those who want a template from which to develop their own design ideas.

This sequel to the phenomenal bestseller The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, presents easy-to-follow charted instructions for eighteen sweaters, three in each of the six most popular sweater constructions: drop shoulder, modified drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, saddle shoulder, raglan, and seamless yoke. Each style is provided in fifteen sizes (in two-inch graduations) from a 26-inch chest circumference for a two-year-old child to a 54-inch chest circumference for a large adult. Each size is further divided into six possible gauges: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stitches per inch. If you're counting, that's 75 options for each of the six styles, or 450 patterns in all (all with yarn yardage estimates). Add the cardigan and neckline variations, and you've got more than 1,000 patterns! Even more variations are possible by adding different neck finishes, edgings, waist shapings, and color or stitch patterns.

Detailed diagrams for finished dimensions are included, along with a glossary of techniques and a chapter on design considerations. If knitting sweaters is your passion, look no further-this book is your definitive resource.