Customer Reviews

Designing Knitwear

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I worked very hard on a child's lace-trimmed sweater from a pattern only to be very disappointed by the result. The dropped shoulders had no shaping and a clumsy-looking knitted seam, the back rode up, and the button band was too narrow to control the curl of the edge. That was when I thought, "I could do better than this." I decided to start designing my own stuff. "Designing Knitwear" has a lot to offer someone who wants to design their own knitwear. Newton's ideas are inspiring. I don't particularly like the majority of projects she gives directions for, but I learned a lot about the design process from her, and about producing looks that are way beyond the run-of-the-mill. One thing I don't like about the book is that Newton takes the sewing approach, with the flat-knit pieces sewn together, the edges sewn on, etc. I like to keep sewing to a minimum in knitted garments.

First, the good: there is a lot of information here about different fibers, explanations of silhouettes, ease, and different styles that is very helpful. There are tips on sketching and charting your own designs, as well as structural details of different styles, e.g. set-in sleeves, saddle shoulders. Much of the information is opinionated, but the author usually explains her reasoning.

The bad: I found many of her technical explanations incomplete and/or difficult to follow (and I've been knitting for about 10 years). I also found the many (many, many) self-gratulating personal references a bit tiresome. 'This is how I do this,' 'I like to do that,' 'Let me tell you all about a perfectly brilliant design idea I had one day while waiting for the bus,' etc. Somehow I got the impression the author has an air of superiority, as if to say her way is NATURALLY the best way, if not the only way. Maybe this irritated me more because I disliked most of her designs and thought them all but unwearable. If you're into 'haute couture' or 'wearable art,' you might enjoy them more; I prefer to design garments which are more subtle.... or, as she might say, 'bland and pedestrian.' (If that means saying "No" to big bulky coats knitted of fuzzy chartreuse mohair, complete with giant buttons, then color me bland and pedestrian.)

Bottom line: For the technical and structural elements of design, this book is worth looking into, but I'm still looking for a better knitting design book.

First, I would like to clear up a few misunderstandings about this book. The author does not trash dime store knitters. She simply states that she finds them to be part of the folk art land scape. However, her constant admonition throughout the book is to buy the best you can afford. You can't cook a gourmet meal with bargain basement ingredients, can you?

Also, swatching is an absolutely essential part of the designing process. (Some designers even go so far as to suggest dedicating an entire ball of yarn to swatches) A designer who does not swatch will never know the full potential of a yarn. This is simply a fact. If you don't like swatching (and I don't) the author offers alternatives. However, she makes her swatches so pretty that I am almost tempted to change my mind.

The author offers her design system so that [novice] designers can borrow some or all of it until we come up with our own. The system is methodical and seems a great deal of fun. We find inspiration, find a yarn and swatch swatch swatch.

I hope everyone will give this book a fair chance. Knitters are artists and artists are not helped by being thin skinned or afraid to try something new.

AS noted by other reviewers, this book is not for the total beginner. You are expected to be knowledgable of basic knitting techniques as well as fibers etc.

This is another wonderful and inspiring book from Deborah Newton. I find some of the designs gorgeous and others hmm not.. I believe this an essential book that will offer all knitters a window through which to peer for inspiration and the way to know what to expect, rather than, as I always have done, blunder along on a hope and a prayer.

I am only a beginning knitter but I've checked this book out of the library several times in the past couple of years. The photos are gorgeous; even the pictures of swatches are eye-candy. This is not a book of patterns, rather, it is a sort of 'how-to' book for design inspiration using various sources; old photographs, coutour fashion, sewing patterns, and of course beautiful yarns and fibers. Don't pass this up if you are not ready to design your own knits. It will inspire you to keep knitting and treat yourself to some gorgeous yarns even if it is only one skein to make swatches from. This book is as much about the process, or journey as it is about the finished product. I was tickled the first time I checked out the book and discovered the author was from Rhode Island. Since then, I've wondered if she still lives here and holds workshops.

Here is a fascinating peek into the way one designer, Deb Newton, does her knitwear. Her designs are very recognizable--interesting stitch texture, shapes from couture. She even cuts and sews knitted "fabric" into garments.

If you are an experienced knitter and want to design using those tempting stitch dictionary patterns, and if you like the fit and shape of garments to be tailored more than the standard raglan pullover, then this book is for you. The drawings are especially interesting, showing how Newton goes from swatches of yarns knitted in pattern, plus inspirations to a finished garment.

If you want a "how to knit your own" sweaters for simpler knitting techniques, I don't recommend this book. You can knit your own sweaters using the percentage technique found in "Knitting Without Tears" or "Knitting Around" by Elizabeth Zimmermann, or you can try "The Sweater Workshop" by Jackie Fee. But if you want more high-fashioned, structured design, this book will be a great resource.

This book is loaded with many great ideas and a good design method, but I had hoped, from the title, that it would include some ideas and methods used by other designers. "How I Design Knitwear" would be a more appropriate title. And how she serves anyone by trashing synthetic yarns and craft fair knitters and a another designer who doesn't (gasp!) swatch is beyond me. She is a good writer and teacher and designer, and I don't regret stepping over the trash to get to the many treasures.

This book is really interesting to read, and has several projects in it, so you can easily see how she designs things.

My only complaint is her reference to the "dime store" school of knitting, referring to those who knit with the inexpensive acrylics rather than natural fibers or very costly acrylics.

This is a good book for later on down the line, not for beginners.

I have been knitting since I was 6, (30 years), and this is the first book I have found for a really long time that actually does what it says. It is a must for new or old knitters. It is absolutely inspiring, it has sound technical advice and innovative ideas for garments considering shape texture and colour. It discusses all areas of knitting, things that a beginner or even experienced knitter may not have even considered. The section on cutting and sewing knits to make garments is an extra bonus as this is a much neglected area, and most of us have had to learn through our mistakes. This book should make your knitting life less stressful and more enjoyable. I would reccomend it to everyone. It is the first book in years that is full of innovative ideas, and sound technical advice rather than one little bit of good information.

Rarely is a book published on designing your own knitted sweaters (the last I can recall is Michelson's Guide to Knitted Sweater Design, sadly long out of print but an excellent reference). Newton goes in depth into sweater design, teaching as well as inspiring, with how-tos and calculations as well as sketches that one can adapt for one's own ideas. Many details on handling all sorts of details such as different cast ons and bind offs, pleating, etc. A wonderful book to browse as well as use to create your own designs.