Monday, November 24, 2014

Knitting Book Recommendations for Pattern Drafting and Alterations



I was recently asked for my best recommendations for books on how to alter patterns for fit. It helps to get a good understanding of pattern drafting first. You don't need to draft from scratch but the knowledge of how to, makes the concepts of fit alterations fall into place much more quickly. My design-a-long series starts here for a simple overview.

I don't have a single book I can recommend because they all have such different approaches but these three are really good.

Shirley Paden Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits. This one has the most silhouettes and may be the most comprehensive.

Sally Melville Knitting Pattern Essentials: Adapting and Drafting Knitting Patterns for Great Knitwear.  Sally's book favours slimmer figures in the concepts she shares, especially her sleeve cap design.

Amy Herzog Knit to Flatter: The Only Instructions You'll Ever Need to Knit Sweaters that make You Look Good and Feel Great! Amy focuses more on curvy figures and flattering shapes for a variety of figures. It is more an alteration book while the first two focus on design and drafting.

You can also look at sewing books for info on alterations.

My topic index for my blog lists many specific areas for expanded knowledge of fitting from busty figures to sloped shoulders and thin arms.

The topic index on my blog is here


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