Do
you have vintage knitting books or patterns that you
would like to make up but cannot find the yarns? Or
maybe you have bought a new pattern but want to alter
part of it or change the size. Help is at
hand with this innovative new book.
There
are many knitting books around these days, but this
is something new. It starts with a brief
overview of what to expect from the styles dating from
1900 to the 1960s, and how to obtain some vintage patterns
of your own. Think about your figure type,
and if it will flatter you and go with what you already
own – how about that long vanished yarn? There
are clues all over patterns that you can follow, rather
like in a detective story, to work out what modern substitute
you can get instead. This is all, to my mystery-loving
soul, rather fascinating. Learn, too, how
to deconstruct a pattern and work out how to add in
the all-important missing details so as to know what
the exact size will be and whether it will fit a modern
figure. There is more detective work to delve
into as you find out about vintage yarns and their modern
equivalents, work out pleasing color schemes when your
pattern is in black and white, and adjust the pattern
in other ways. The author recommends this
book to beginners and intermediate knitters, but I would
place it firmly with the latter; this is not a book
on how to knit, and you need quite a few garments under
your belt to get the best out of it. When
you have had fun with your vintage pattern and are proudly
wearing your creation, the rest of the book shows you
how to retro-style modern patterns. There
are sections at the back on how to add certain features
to modern patterns for a vintage look, and various other
hints and tips. Now all you need to do is
head out to that jumble sale. A very unique and rewarding
book; I can imagine all knitters wanting to own.
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