#KnitPetiteProject

http://www.ebay.com/itm/name-/162533854793?roken=cUgayN

Teresa (who I interviewed here) is starting a project to focus on the fitting needs of petite knitters. You can check it out here. Her plan is to "demystify the sizing system we live within today, so we can better understand how to fit our knits to our own bodies." I'm currently working on an interview for the project where I'll be answering questions related to petite fitting challenges. I'm 5'2" myself and have had to figure a lot of this stuff out along the way. 

I've been reading through the material she has provided so far and I have already learned something new from her fit survey information. Many clothing items have a bigger difference in the hip to waist ratio than I have. Pattern making systems often use a ten inch difference and mine is generally seven to eight inches. It turns out this is very common with petites. Understanding these differences is key to developing good fit for our own garments. 

I'll let you know when the interview goes up. 

 

Vintage Design Workshop

I just finished reading Vintage Design Workshop by Geraldine Warner. I had recently been looking through some of the vintage patterns I inherited from my mother and grandmother when I came across the book at the library. 

This is the book description on Goodreads:

"Vintage Design Workshop is the guide that retro-loving knitters have been waiting for-a welcome relief for those who have been frustrated by vintage patterns that come in one size only.

Divided into two sections, this essential book first teaches you how to update any vintage pattern to accommodate modern sizes and gives advice on choosing substitutes for yarns that are out of production. The second section demonstrates how to adapt modern patterns to create a vintage silhouette, teaching how to mix and match sleeves, necklines, or collars to the pattern of your choice to achieve a vintage look.

The author uses one vintage pattern throughout as the basis for separate tutorials on yarn substitution, sizing and gauge, deciding on alterations, adjusting shaping and length, and adding or altering details. Vintage Design Workshop is a key resource for any knitter who is keen on learning how very simple it is to update or customize patterns yourself."

While the book focuses on vintage patterns the information presented on pattern adaptation is valuable to all knitters. Essentially Geraldine recommends deconstructing your original pattern to work towards your final goal, a well fitting flattering garment. This book makes a great addition to any knitter's reference library.


You can find Geraldine's website here: 

http://www.skiffvintageknittingpatterns.co.uk

Her blog posts on adapting patterns can be found here:

http://www.skiffvintageknittingpatterns.co.uk/a-z-of-knitting-pattern-adaptation/