As a knitter, I have always had a fondness for top-down knitting patterns. These patterns allow you to knit your sweater from the top down, starting with the neck and working your way down to the hem. This method of knitting has many benefits, one of the biggest being that it allows you to try on your sweater as you go, ensuring the perfect fit. It also means you can easily adjust the length of your sweater or sleeves as you knit, and it eliminates the need for seaming at the end.
In “The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters:
Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges,” Ann Budd offers instructions for knitting five basic sweater types: circular yoke, raglan, modified-drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, and saddle shoulder. These patterns are offered in multiple sizes and yarn gauges and for a broad age group, making it a great resource for knitters of all skill levels.
The book also includes three diverse patterns from top designers that illustrate some of the many ways that instructions can be used as springboards for creative expression, including color, texture, and shaping variations. For intermediate to advanced knitters, there are personal design touches, detailed charts, clear instructions, and quick tips to expand knitting possibilities and maintain creative originality. Overall, this is a key reference for knitters and a must-have on any knitter’s bookshelf.
