I have here a review copy of Knits that Fit: Instructions, Patterns, and Tips for Getting the Right Fit edited by Potter Craft. This 144-page book is due to be released a week from today, on April 26.
This is a combination of a collection of tips and tutorials for fitting hand knits as well as 23 patterns from such designers as Lily Chin, Annie Modesitt, Berta Karapetyan, and Sally Melville.
The first chapter is all about fit and includes a lot of great information on customizing patterns, measuring for a perfect fit, the different sweater shapes, and other tips for achieving a good fit. These sections are written by Sally Melville, Amy R. Singer, and Jillian Moreno. Chapters Two, Three, and Four contain patterns — for pullovers, cardigans and cover-ups, and short-sleeve and sleeveless sweaters, respectively. All of these designs have lovely details that help ensure a great fit. A few of my favorites:
The “Corded Sweater” by Berta Karapetyan has lovely waist shaping and cable detailing.
And the ” Sea Shell Cardi,” also by Berta Karapetyan, is a masterpiece of shaping.
Mary Weaver’s “Audrey Pullover” has a classic shape achieved with darts.
In the back of the book it states that portions of the work were originally published in other books — Big Girl Knits and More Big Girl Knits both by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer, Knits Three Ways by Melissa Matthay, Mother-Daughter Knits by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter, Romantic Hand Knits by Annie Modesitt, and Runway Knits by Berta Karapetyan. This is a great compilation of the best of those volumes.
I have most of these other books, so I am giving away this copy of Knits that Fit. Who would like it?
To be entered in the drawing to receive this book, leave a comment to this blog post by 11:00am Eastern Time this Sunday, April 24, 2011. At that time I’ll draw a name at random from the comments posted.
My Current WIP
My current work in progress is, shockingly, another shawl knit from the bottom up, but this one is a little different from the last few I’ve done.
I am using laceweight instead of fingering weight, and using a smaller needle — a U.S. size 3 (3.25mm). Here it is:
This is Dragonfly Fibers Squishy Lace (100% merino wool, 870 yards per 4 ounce skein) in the Villainess colorway. Love the name of the colorway!
Lucy is resting up because she knows at some point in the near future more shawl-blocking will ensue!
Looks like a book that should be on my shelf. Thanks for the opportunity to win! Can’t wait to see your latest shawl blocked!
You’ve named some of my favorite designers! I’d really really love to win the book because I’ve had to promise myself not to buy any more books until I’ve made at least one thing from every book I already have. But if I won the book…
Oooh, I’d love to win that book! I’m in the mood to knit a sweater.
Always enjoy seeing what knits you are up to – and I have a cat that looks VERY much like Lucy.
Love the green shawl you just started; I’m a fan of non-triangle shawls, and the crescent shape is my current favorite.
As a plus-size gal, I could really use a book to help me customize the fit of sweaters! Pick me, pick me!
That book sounds awesome! I’m fairly new at knitting, and the only sweater I’ve made had armholes that were so tight that it cut off circulation. Sigh.
Your shawl in progress looks gorgeous, and that green color is stunning. I can’t wait to see it finished.
What I lovely book! Being extremely short waisted it is hard getting regular sweater patterns to fit me.
Amazing designers! Amazing patterns! Amazing techniques!
How amazing it would be to get a copy of this book !!!!
Let’s hear it for sweaters that fit! Haven’t had luck in that area hope this book helps! You must be the fastest knitter ever!
I would love to have it. Like two of the three you referenced is on my wishlist…
I would love to know how to make my knitted items fit me better. This book is just what I need!
Thanks Wendy for keeping us informed about all these kinds of resources.
A wonderful book to add to my collection
wouldn’t we always LOVE to have our knits fit LOL?
thanks, as usual, for the giveaway!
I’m getting into garment knitting so I’d love the book
Sounds like a great book!
I love to go to your website because you are sooooo productive; you have written books I have; and I love to see Lucy. She reminds me of my late cat Buckwheat who was a Birman with a look like Lucy, but with white paws. I miss her very much, but Lucy will “have to do” for now, I would like to win the book being offered as I have trouble getting the right fit. Thank you for the opportunity to have a chance, though the chance is slim…….Ruth
I would LOVE this book! I have a lot of yarn to make sweaters and only one that is on the needles and almost done. I’m worried that with my curves that it won’t look right and I will have wasted all the time knitting it.
Shaping help might be needed!
Jill M in Ohio´s last [type] ..15 Minute Challenge – April 19th
I love this book and would like to thank you for showing some of the patterns inside. I would love a copy should my name be drawn.
I’d be very glad to have a copy of this book if only for the Sea Shell Cardi!
Love that Seashell cardi.
Thanks for the giveaway! I love your blog but this is the first time I’ve commented…sorry!
Julie L.´s last [type] ..FO- Rochefort Chapeau
The book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway!
Always looking to learn more//choose me//
I’d love this book! Sounds like it has a lot of great tips in it.
Love your patterns-working on the JGS now.
I’d love to look at that book. Thanks for offering it up!
You are on quite the roll with your shawls lately! Lucy must be lovin’ it.
I’d love the book.
pdxknitterati/MicheleLB´s last [type] ..Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival
Knits that Fit looks like a very helpful book! Would love a copy.
How wonderful that you have raised over $5000. for Japan!
Book looks interesting count me in for the draw
I love this book! Hopefully, I’ll win. But if not, it will go on my Christmas wish list.
Please put me on the list for the book. Have been really enjoying all of your shawls. Can’t wait for your book!
Looks like a great book.
This looks like a wonderful book and I would certainly love to be the lucky winner! BTW, your shawls are all so lovely–do you use them all yourself?
How did you know I need this, right on the same day I was wishing I had a book to help me make sweaters that look good on me? I’m going to add it to my amazon list, just in case, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed about winning it, too.
Pick me! Pick me! Thanks for the giveaway!
Pepper the cat says ‘my human has turned on the AC- ahhh”
That looks like a great book – would love to win!
ooh, ooh, ooh, I would LOVE that book. Pick me, pick me!
I love that seashell sweater! Lucy has the life. She has such responsibility overseeing the blocking and since you produce so many knits, she’s a very busy supervisor.
I’d love a copy of that book!
This sounds right up my alley. I hope I’m the lucky “drawee” this time!
Very interesting book – would love to add it to my library!
I would love this book! I’ve knitted sweaters for myself that just don’t fit right.
Thanks for the chance!
Looks like a very usful book. I would love to have it!
I really love the Seashell Cardi and the color!
I would love to win this book.
I hope I win!!
I’m on an eating improvement program, and have lost 12 pounds – a third of m goal. Would love to have one of these lovelies to reward myself. With the added bonus of having time to finish it before winter. (UGH) I am in Minnesota and we are getting snow this week. (UGH UGH)
Dear Wendy…How I do like the shawls that you have been making. It is going to be hard to choose which one I want…each one is prettier than the one before it. Yes, yes, yes…I would love to have the new book “Knits that Fit”. Maybe I would be able to make a sweater that fits me. Thank you for your biogs…I really enjoy them.
So love all the shawls you are making and the color choices are fabulous…!
Wow – great looking projects! (Also, love the cover of the new book!)
Merie´s last [type] ..Fish Quilt finally
Oh- please enter me in the contest. The book looks like the best of the best.
The new shawl looks great!
I would love a copy of the book. It looks like a great addition to a knitting library.
Love that Sea Shell Cardi!
Would love to win the book. Beautiful shawl. Love the color!
I am enthralled with your shawls. What do you do with all of them?? Do you wear them? I would love the new book
Thanks,
Sue
Love the new shawl and would love a chance at winning the book
would love the book! any way to fit my petite yet curvy frame would be wonderful!
Would love to be able to shape my sweaters better so I would enjoy them more.
joan
I would LOVE that book! Thank you for the giveaway!
The book would be great!
Thanks and count me in again.
Beverly´s last [type] ..Beads- Beads Everywhere
I would love to win the book. Thanks for all your information and for turning me on to Clean Eating and Toe up socks.
I would love to win a copy of the book.
I would love to have this book…that seashell cardi is very cool!
I am trying to help a friend branch out into projects other than scarves this book looks like it would be helpful. I hope I win it.
Everyone loves “Knits that Fit”! Perhaps this book will shed some light.
I would love to have this book. Please enter me.
Oh, to knit a garment that fits well and is flattering. I would love to win this book!
That looks like an awesome book. The seashell cardi is very interesting. I want it! Thanks.
I would love to learn how to adjust patterns. Being quite tall and most of my height is in my torso, I cringe at the idea of embarking on something like a sweater without knowing how to adjust it so that I’ll still want the thing when I’m done!
Becca J´s last [type] ..This is the Scarf that never ends
Sounds like a GREAT book!
long time lurker. Would love to take the book off your hands : )
I really like that corded sweater!
sure hope the ‘simple shawl’ is really simple. i’ve been wanting to knit one and am a little apprehensive to knit one. can’t wait till you write up the instructions.
Wonderfully useful book!
Looks like a great book; loaded with good information.
Add me to the drawing.
Each new shawl you do; I think…”That’s the one I’m going to do next!” And then …. you do another one.
I think of myself as an advanced beginner and I really really want to knit a sweater for my daughter that fits her classic European figure ie an ample bosom, narrow shoulders, small waist and lovely hips. I think I need this book to help me figure out how to.
The shawl is a beautiful color! And of course, that book looks awesome.
this sounds like a wonderful book to help me figure out how to knit for my body!! thanks for letting us know about it so we can look for it!
This sounds like just the book that I need. I hope that you pick my name!
Why I would like it, thank you for asking!
Love, love , love the color and design of your current WIP….Please place my name for the book draawing…
HI LUCY!!!!
Love ya
Ooh, I really want to make that seashell cardi!
I have been reading about this book and would love to have a copy. I have some fitting problems (since I was a teenager) and this would help me a lot in getting a good fit for clothing for myself. I’ve had Sally Melville’s fitting class in the past, but I know there is much more available on the topic. Thanks. And I love the ‘villainess’ colorway name too!
LOVE that corded sweater! Thanks for a great giveaway.
Susan´s last [type] ..Loose Ends
cool! the patterns look amazing!
Would love the book. Love the color of the new shawl. Beautiful. Can’t wait to see more.
Love all the shawl knitting going on…you are quick with the needles!
Please enter me in the drawing…would love to have my knits fit well!
Count me in too!
Goodness, yes! I need a book on fitting myself properly. I’ve remade this one little cardi three times and still can’t get it small enough (and I’m a [smallish] plus size!) I NEED that book (and will put it on my wish list for Mother’s Day if I don’t win!!) Thanks for sharing.
Maybe this is my lucky month??? Big birthday, laid off from job, got new job within 2 weeks, meet a nice guy. Winning this would really be awesome.
Wendy, your time management skills blow me away! You work full time, knit faster than anyone I know, teach classes, turn out your beutiful patterns and books, post to your blog on a regular basis and even made time for your own EZ Anniversary KAL! I salute you! Thank you for your inspiration and your book drawings, too.
Oh, this looks like a great book!
Love the color of Villainess. I like fitted sweaters and would love to have this book. Your speed at turning out shawls amazes me. And they all look so nice.
Nicola
I’d be interested in being entered for this one…
Mary´s last [type] ..Donation Letter
OMG! That sea shell cardi is beautiful!! I think I have to have this book!
Dana´s last [type] ..Born Confused- Tanjua Desai Hidier
The book looks so great! I love the cardi!
Barbra´s last [type] ..New project bags… and the projects in them!
Love all of your new bottom up shawls (will be buying them asap. Would also love the book and am sending winning thoughts out to the winds.
This book looks amazing. Thank you for the give away