About the Book
Take a break from knitting fussy garments with complicated techniques. Instead, knit simple, beautiful designs with interesting details and silhouettes with Simple Style, a collection of 19 contemporary garments that celebrate stunning results without the intricate techniques.
Following in the footsteps of Wrap Style, Scarf Style, Lace Style, and Bag Style, Simple Style features appealing projects accompanied by beautiful, luscious lifestyle photographs, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, thorough materials lists, and a Design Notebook that covers ways to maximize style while simplifying knitting and finishing techniques. Projects from 16 renowned knitwear designers-including Pam Allen, Véronik Avery, Mags Kandis, Deborah Newton, and Vicki Square-range from pullovers, cardigans, vests, skirts, wraps, and more, all using simple design sensibility for maximum impact.
By using just a few key simple techniques, knitters can create a visually interesting knitted project quickly and easily. From innovative edgings, a well-placed band of color or texture, an unexpected yarn, or creative construction that minimizes seams or maximizes personal fit, Simple Style is packed with clever design ideas. All a knitter needs is a basic understanding of knitting techniques.
Table of Contents:
Simple Patterns: Four-Quarters Pullover by Pam Allen This comfy sweater is worked in four easy pieces - two identical shapes and their mirror images- and then seamed together to add texture and variation down the center. Sixteen-Button Cardigan by Cecily Glowik Knitted in 100% cashmere, this luxurious sweater has a low, broad neckline that fits beautifully whether you wear the sweater with the buttons in front or back. Organic Cotton Henley by Micki Hair This modern take on the traditional Henley pullover uses three natural colors in organic yarn. Playful embroidery and crocheted neck ties are just the right finishing touches. Kazumi Pullover by JoLene Treace Kazumi is a Japanese term for harmonious beauty in which each element is used to its best effect. JoLene was inspired by this principle as she designed this classic ribbed pullover with a delicate eyelet pattern at the hem and cuffs. Kokopelli Jacket by Margaret Hubert This stylish jacket is simple with no stitches to pick up, other than the collar, and no buttonhole spacing to calculate. At fewer than four stitches per inch, this jacket knits up in no time! Kaleidoscope Yoke by Katie Himmelberg Let the yarn do the work for you! The colorwork in the yoke and cuffs is the result of a self-striping yarn, the less stitches the more broad the stripe. To maintain the simple look, the pullover is worked entirely in stockinette stitch and the edges curl naturally. Short-Row Skirt by Kay Coyle This cute A-line skirt is all fashion and no work. It is made up of two identical pieces worked in a series of short-rows across to each seam that stabilizes the skirt. Columns of eyelet give the lower edge a feminine touch. Drawstring Bateau by Deborah Newton A simple shape and easy-to-follow stitch patterns create this innovative vest. The front is knitted exactly as the back and then seemed together, leaving an opening for the neck. A knitted drawstring threaded below the bust through eyelets in the cable pattern lets you customize the fit. Twisted-V Pullover by Alice Halbeisen Sometimes a simple design becomes one of your all-time favorites. A decorative twisted rib adds visual interest and a slimming fit for this short and casual pullover. Kimono Classic by Vicki Square A kimono can be comfy and loose, but it also makes a flattering, elegant silhouette when draped on a female body. The shape of this one is simple and classic at the same time. Tailored Vest by Ruthie Nussbaum This adorable sweater vest complements every figure by stretching in just the right places. Ribbing along the sides makes it seem custom fit and a reversible ribbed belt is added for style. Empire Swing Cardigan by Therese Chynoweth Gorgeous feminine details add to this swingy cardigan, but don't worry those details are not difficult. Knitting wide ribs in the lower body creates the 'kirt' and a drawstring cinches the bodice. Guernsey Skirt by Kat Coyle Inspired by a Guernsey sweater, this simple A-line skirt is worked in the round from the hem up. Richly textured cables, ribs, ladder stitch, and moss stitch add design to the upper half of the skirt. Offset Raglan by Veronik Avery Most of this fun and striking cardigan is knitted in a single piece from the hem to the armholes. Rather than mess with buttons and button holes, large stylish hook-and-eye closures are used instead. Best-Fit Jumper by Katie Himmelberg You will love to knit this adorable jumper- there are no seams or additional edging involved! Ribbing provides a close but flexible fit in the bodice to add just the right amount of shape. Weekend Fair Isle by Anne E. Smith The colorwork in this cozy sweater is kept simple by working only two colors per row and textual interest is added to the dot pattern by working the dots in a two-row sequence. Stay-Put Wrap by Mags Kandis Are you sick of wearing wraps that instantly fall down as soon as you move your arms? This sleeved version will always stay-put and is stylishly accented with a braided cable along one edge. Garter Lace Jacket by Anne Budd By combining the most basic of stitches, the garter stitch, with a soft wool-bamboo yarn and working in a looser gauge you will get fabric with exquisite drape, perfect for this Chanel-inspired jacket. Big Cable Vest by Therese Chynoweth Big yarn plus big needles equals a true 'quick knit.' The double-cable panel on the front grows fast out of the ribbing, and then splits at the base of the neck and up each side of the V. Design Notebook
About the Author :
Pam Allen, former editor in chief of Interweave Knits, is currently creative director for Classic Elite Yarns. She authored the very successful book Knitting for Dummies and Scarf Style. Pam lives in Portland, Maine. Ann Budd is a book editor and the former senior editor of Interweave Knits. She is the author of The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns series and Getting Started Knitting Socks, plus many of the Style series books (all from Interweave.) She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Review :
Use this book not so much for hand knitting, but as inspiration for giving a modern look to classics. The 19 designs have interesting details, good colour combinations and silhouettes. The idea is to take a break from knitting fussy garments with complicated techniques, but almost all of the designs can be adapted for machine knitting. Projects range from pullovers, cardigans, vests, skirts and wraps - all using simple design for maximum impact. Use innovative edgings, a well-placed band of colour or texture, an unexpected yarn, or creative construction that minimizes seams or maximises personal fit. Simple Style is packed with clever design ideas. All a knitter needs is a basic understanding of knitting techniques.-Machine Knitting Monthly Interweave's prolific Ann Budd has released another assemblage of designs in Simple Style. With designers like Pam Allen, Katie Himmelberg and Veronik Avery on board, one expects a high calibre of patterns. But what makes this book unique and a worthwhile addition to any knitter's bookshelf is the 'Design Notebook' found in the back offering simple production and finishing techniques. These provide an excellent foundation for any budding designer or any fledgling knitter. Despite the anticipation generated by the design gurus listed in the table of contents, the patterns are dominated by copious amounts of monotonous stocking stitch yielding both fabulous and frumpy. Highlights include Vicki Square's Kimono Classic which, while appearing 'loose and boxy', uses modified rectangles and a three-needle bind off at the shoulder. The real redeeming quality of the book is the Design Notes section. If you are a newbie knitter with little experience in shaping and finishing techniques or an aspiring designer, this is a great bit of reference material.-Bobbins
