1000 Sweaters

by Jane Crowfoot

Book Overview

Whether fond of long and sleek or short and snug-hoods and pockets or cuffs, knitting enthusiasts have the opportunity to design and create the perfect sweater with this book. Offering instructions... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873497163
• ISBN13: 9780873497169
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Krause Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.1" x 11.5"

Customer Reviews

A Neat Concept for a Book

This book has a really neat concept. It's a nominaly 128 pages of patterns. But what that doesn't say is that the patterns are broken down into parts. The top two thirds or so of the page is a picture and instructions for a basic bodice design. The bottom third is split separately so that it can be set to multiple sleeves, pockets, necks or whatever that fit with the bodice shown on the top of the page. As a result, there are sixty four or so basic designs (picture on left, instructions on right, each in four sizes from 21.5 to 40 inches in bust size) and to go with them are another sixty four (I guess you would call them) accessories. Although I'm not so sure that a sleeve is an accessory. Combining all of these options enable you to make over a thousand different sweaters. All of the patterns are set in the same gauge (22 stiches x 30 rows over 4 in.) and are calculated to produce this gauge using size 6 needles.

Terrific addition to my library.

I have spent part of my day playing with the mix and match possibilities of this book. I now have 5 sweaters I "have" to create yesterday. The only slight drawback - and then only if you have already bought yarn of a different gauge - is that all the sweaters in the book are in one gauge (22sts x 30rows = 4inches). Other than that, this is a terrific addition to anyone's knitting library and I know I'll be "playing" with it for a long time to come. Roseann Bucca - Brooklyn, NY

1000 Sweaters

I agree with several of the other reviewers in that I have mixed feelings about this book--I'm not much on knitting from a chart--but I heartily disagree with them on other accounts. The sizes are a bit limited, although I'm having problems in the other direction, trying to adjust a finished pattern of 36"-37" down for a 30" bust and a much shorter torso than that listed for the small size. I've gone down to size US3 needles to do so, and in spite of this I have been working on the rather intricate cable pattern sweater for about three weeks and have finished the front and half the back. (And I am neither Republican nor British nor overly endowed with free time.) I think the patterns in this book are both clever and what you make of them--if you want a sweater that looks like it's from TJ Maxx, you could assuredly knit it from one of these patterns, but the range of fashions possible is limited only by the knitter's own imagination. Definitely preview this book in person before you buy it, but I warn you, there is a distinct danger of creating more sweater combinations than you could ever possibly knit.

A very versatile book.

I have just received my copy of 1000 Sweaters and am very happy with it. For those of us who live in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom it is wonderful as it uses 8 ply yarn (DK or double knitting) which is the most common type of yarn in our countries. You can use any type of 8 ply, including wool, cotton, mohair or synthetic as long as it knits to a tension (gauge) of 22 sts per 10 cm. It allows you to mix and match a large variety of body, sleeve and neckline styles to create the sweater or cardigan you want. Most of the body choices are fitted in style with a maximum finished width of 102 cm. However, there are also oversized styles of sweaters and cardigans up to a finished size of 125 cm. You also have the choice of short or longer body lengths. I personally prefer short, fitted sweaters, but oversized are also included. There are sweaters, cardigans (buttoned or zipped), a bolero, a wrap top, short, long or medium sleeve choices. You can make everything from a classic style to a more funky style. The only thing you can't make is a thick, chunky knit, which is fine for me as I live in a fairly hot climate. Overall a great book!

Contemporary designs and superb styling

This is a *strange* pattern book, but it has a definite allure, particularly for those who enjoy adapting refined patterns to suit their own designer tastes. It's quite different from, say, Ann Budd's Book of Patterns, where you choose your guage and knit away at a simple shape. Amanda and Jane present 28 superbly styled body shapes, sleeve shapes and neck treatments in separate sections, to be knit in medium weight yarn. You choose your desired body shape, which has a certain kind of sleeve (set-in or raglan) and neckline (round, scoop, square, v-neck, square v-neck or 'keyhole'). Then you choose the sleeve treatment from a large selection (14 different styles in all), and do the same with the neckline treatment (28 different styles), adding pockets (5) or belt (2) as you wish. There are clear explanations on how to use different stitch patterns. The sweaters coming out of this collection are really fresh and exciting, due, I think, to the attention to detail in shaping the bodies and very carefully designed sleeves and necklines. The Rowan thoroughbred touch is instantly recognizable. The only possible drawback is that the sizing only goes up to fit a 38" bust (40" finished size), apart from an additional 3 unshaped oversized sweaters / jackets (actual size 45" or 49") with square sleeves, which can have any of the necklines. As far as the other 28 designs are concerned, a tension of 20sts per 10cm would bring the finished size up to around 42" for an XL size, without doing any damage to the way the pieces fit together. All instructions are clear and easy to follow.