Book Review: Knitwear Design Workshop

I've been shopping around for awhile for a really comprehensive Knitwear Design book to have in my knitting library. It had to be written in language I could understand with lots of illustrations.  I think I found it in Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits  by Shirley Paden.

This is a hardcover book but open it up and you'll find a spiral bound book within which means the book lies flat when opened -- love that! Shirley caught my attention right in her forward to the book in which she shares the story of how she came to designing and also what her personal style and approach has been.  I knew I wanted to hear more of what she had to share from her knowledge and experience. And it's a LOT.

Chapter 1 - Planning Your design (covers taking measurements, understanding ease, body shapes, and schematics)

Chapter 2- Selecting the Fabric (Fiber Content (and bless her heart she addresses non-wool fibers equally), Yarn construction and weight classification.

Chapter 3 - 5 Covers pullovers and cardigans and all the various options you could imagine with those.

Chapter 6 - Skirts and dressess (all the other design books I've looked at only cover sweaters). She covers the straight skirt, A-line skirt and dresses.

Chapter 7 - Alternate Armhole Shaping (includes Raglan, Yoke and Saddle Shoulder which were not covered  in previous chapters

Chapter 8 - Sleeves and Cuffs (a wonderful variety)

Chapter 9 - Necklines (Classic Boatneck, Square, Round, V-neck)

Chapter 10 - Neckbands, Collars and Lapels (there are 16 types covered here)

Chapter 11 - Finishing Techniques (all kinds of goodies here like blocking, seaming, buttonholes, zippers etc.)

There are 4 patterns as well that highlight the design lessons she's covered.  Oh, and a wonderful appendix with charts and checklists -- can you tell I like this book?  Oh, and I musn't forget, she even shares the famous more or less shaping formula from Cheryl Brunett's book. 

The next step, of course, is to actually try to follow these wonderful instructions and see if I can apply them to needles and yarn. 

So, any other great design books you'd recommend? 

Comments

[Leslie]

This has been on my Amazon wish list for awhile! :)

[Susan]

This looks like a wonderful book Joan and I do love the practical spiral bound style which makes them so easy to work from...I will be so interested to see what you create!
Wishing you a lovely weekend,
Susan x

[Dorothy]

I have Knitwear Design! I really like it, and it makes me think I could actually design something some day!

[Dina]

I'd been eyeing this book too. It sounds like an excellent one to add to the knitting library. Perhaps for my birthday.

[Shellie]

I love this book! I use it a lot. Can't wait to see what you design!