Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Exhaustive, comprehensivemere adjectives don't begin to describe it so I'll stop trying . . . Paden is simply in a master class of her own." Yarn Market News
Review
"Exhaustive, comprehensivemere adjectives don't begin to describe it so I'll stop trying...Paden is simply in a master class of her own."
Yarn Market News"First Reaction: Blown Away. If you're interested in sweater design, and want to understand everything, you need to look at this book. It's amazing. I have other design books in my library...but this one stands on its own." KnittingScholar.com
"This is a comprehensive guide to getting an idea out of your head and into a knitting pattern. It's also a fantastic resource to use to alter an existing pattern to your specifications." Knitty.com
"Add this to your essentials shelf, next to Barbara Walker and Nancy Wiseman. And make something fabulous." Twist Collective blog
"The book's layout is very clean, clear and attractive, with high quality photos and diagrams, to keep the reader inspired and motivated. Paden writes succinctly and well, packing in a wealth of information." Crochet Insider
"Captivating designs with flattering silhouettes." Quick and Easy Crochet
"If you have even the slightest interest in design or want your garments to fit better, Knitwear Design Workshop belongs on your knitting bookshelf." Knitting Purls newsletter
"Easy-to-follow...Shirley Paden offers detailed techniques for achieving just the look and fit that are right for you." Detroit News
Review
"Knitters usually begin with simpler items like scarves and move on to more complicated projects like sweaters. But once sweaters are mastered, many experienced knitters want to know how to design their own knitwearand have it fit. There are a number of books that explain the mechanics and the math of designing sweaters. This one, too, examines commercial patterns, the intricacies and importance of measurement, and the result that comes with various yarns. But this book is particularly comprehensive in that it explains how to adapt different stitches other than the reliable stockinette to make sweaters that are unique to the knitter. This volumespiral-bound inside sturdy coversis not for the faint-of-heart knitter, but those longing to take their knitting to the next level will be enthralled. Four attractive projects are included as examples of the many techniques author Paden explains." -
Ilene Cooper, Booklist"Exhaustive, comprehensivemere adjectives don't begin to describe it so I'll stop trying...Paden is simply in a master class of her own." Yarn Market News
"First Reaction: Blown Away. If you're interested in sweater design, and want to understand everything, you need to look at this book. It's amazing. I have other design books in my library...but this one stands on its own." KnittingScholar.com
"This is a comprehensive guide to getting an idea out of your head and into a knitting pattern. It's also a fantastic resource to use to alter an existing pattern to your specifications." Knitty.com
"Add this to your essentials shelf, next to Barbara Walker and Nancy Wiseman. And make something fabulous." Twist Collective blog
"The book's layout is very clean, clear and attractive, with high quality photos and diagrams, to keep the reader inspired and motivated. Paden writes succinctly and well, packing in a wealth of information." Crochet Insider
"Captivating designs with flattering silhouettes." Quick and Easy Crochet
"If you have even the slightest interest in design or want your garments to fit better, Knitwear Design Workshop belongs on your knitting bookshelf." Knitting Purls newsletter
"Easy-to-follow...Shirley Paden offers detailed techniques for achieving just the look and fit that are right for you." Detroit News
This book is particularly comprehensive in that it explains how to adapt different stitches other than the reliable stockinette to make sweaters that are unique to the knitter. This volume, spiral-bound inside sturdy covers, is not for the faint-of-heart knitter, but those longing to take their knitting to the next level will be enthralled.” - Booklist
If you've ever wanted to knit yourself a perfectly tailored and fitted sweater, this is the book for you. Shirley Paden has created a veritable textbook of knitwear design.” Knitting Purls Newsletter
5 out of 5 Stars. This 343 page oversized book is outstanding!” Knitting News
If you have even the slightest interest in design or want your garments to fit better, Knitwear Design Workshop belongs on your knitting bookshelf.” Knitting Purls Newsletter
This priceless information is a gem for any knitter's library.” Machine Knitting Monthly
Shirley Paden wants to empower you as a knitter to be the best you can be.” The Courier-News
Paden delivers a graduate-level course for very serious knitters, using text, charts, annotated schematics, sketches, sidebars, mathematical conversion formulasevery aid at her considerable disposalto explain the myriad ways of getting exactly the look youre after by marrying the right yarn and stitch pattern to the right silhouette and sleeve type. Exhaustive, comprehensivemere adjectives dont begin to describe it so Ill stop trying. Paden is simply in a master class of her own.” Yarn Market News
OMG...Just got Shirley Paden's new knitwear design book and I am totally in LOVE with it! Seriously! IN LOVE!” Yarn Thing via Twitter
"Shirley Paden has created a veritable textbook of knitwear design." - Knitcircus Magazine, Summer 2010
Synopsis
From the initial spark of inspiration to the sewing of the last seam, this advanced manual to knitwear design provides knitters with the foundation to take their projects to the next level. The four exceptional projects demonstrate the level of uniqueness and beauty that can be achieved with these expert techniques and how to achieve the elusive perfect fit” that defines a successful end product. Knitters will gain a clearer understanding of commercial pattern instructions, improve their attention to detail with a meaningful test swatch, and acquire a stronger knowledge of proper body and garment measurements.
About the Author
Shirley Paden is the owner and founder of Shirley Paden Custom Knits. She teaches master knitting classes for the fashion industry and conducts seminars on lace, entrelac, cables, color knitting, and finishing techniques. She lives in New York City.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Planning Your Design
Researching and Refining an Idea
Layout of the Design Idea
Classic Silhouette Worksheet
Dropped-Shoulder Worksheet
Double-Taper Worksheet
Single-Taper Worksheet
Reverse-Taper Worksheet
Chapter 2: Selecting the Fabric
Choosing the Yarn
Choosing a Pattern Stitch
Understanding Pattern Stitch Intructions
The Gauge Swatch
Translating Measurements to Numbers of Stitches and Rows
Chapter 3: Classic Silhouette Pullover
Classic Silhouette
Classic Body Worksheet
Sleeve Worksheet
Chapter 4. Alternative Silhouettes
Dropped Shoulder
Modified Drop Shoulder
Double-Tapered Body
Single-Tapered Body
Reverse-Tapered Body
Chapter 5: Cardigans
Center Closure
Overlapping Front Bands
Independent Overlapping Bands
Overlapping Fronts
Rounded Front Edges
One-Piece Construction
Chapter 6: Skirts and Dresses
Straight Skirt
A-Line Skirt
Dresses
Chapter 7: Alternate Armhole Shaping
Classic Raglan
Circular Yoke
Classic Saddle Shoulder
Chapter 8: Sleeves and Cuffs
Straight Sleeve
Lantern Sleeve
Gathered-Top Sleeve
Short Sleeve
Cuffs
Chapter 9: Necklines
Classic Boatneck
Square Neckline
Round Neckline
V-Neckline
Chapter 10: Neckbands, Collars, and Lapels
Neckbands and Collars
Lapels
Chapter 11: Finishing Techniques
Blocking
Shoulder Seams
Necklines
Armhole Seams
Sleeve and Side Seams
Buttonholes
Zippers
Projects
Appendix