Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27950 in Books
• Published on: 1996-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

Fabulous book
I grew up watching my Russian grandmother knit everything from the top down. In fact, like many Russians, she's never even considered knitting from the bottom up. I myself have always been too scared and lazy to bother with calculations, so I followed printed patterns. I don't find grafting and weaving difficult, but at the same time I found that adding seams to babies' and kids' garments is unappealing. If yarn is bulky, and the size is small, seams become obtrusive. So, I got B. Walker's book, read it from cover to cover, and now I am knitting a skirt from it for my little daughter. The book is absolutely clear and comprehensive without being too wordy. My only "complaint" is that it has no pictures of actual garments, only diagrams. I would have loved to see some pictures of the described designs.

Beginners, take note - this book assumes that you know how to cast on, cast off, increase, decrease, etc. If still unfamiliar with basic techniques, you will need another intro book.

Why knit from the top down?
EVERYONE begins a sweater from the ribbing up, right? Wrong, Barbara Walker takes you through a method to start from the neck down. This isn't just to be contrary, there are definite benefits to knitting top down.

One thing you can do is check the length while trying it on. Yes, you can do this. Put the unfinished stitches on a strand of yarn and slip the sweater over your head (or the head of the recipient.) You will quickly see how much more you need to knit, or whether you should add "short rows" (extra half rows that add a bit of ease) to cover a tummy or get rid of the dreaded riding up in the back. The book has methods for saddle shoulder sweaters (easy the top down way), raglan, drop sleeves, etc.

The book also has great methods for doing leggings, tights, skirts and other items you might want to knit but don't know how to. With a simple gauge-and-circumference technique you can make nearly any garment for anyone.

This is a revised edition. The original had some very dated 70's patterns and the new edition has been modernized.

Knitters, Take Control of Your Craft!
Reading this book has helped me to grow from a "blind follower" of others' patterns to a thinking knitter. I despise fininshing knitted garments and have been able to avoid all but the most insignificant finishing tasks by using Walker's seamless designs. The designs are easily adapted to fit anybody from infant to adult ( and I should know -- I have four children ranging in age from 18 mos. to 11 years!). Walker's books are invaluable to knitters.