Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway: Customize Your Knitting

by

Customize Your Knitting by Margaret Hubert review

Lori is the winner!

If you want to learn how to take control of knitting patterns and make projects that better suit your body type, you should check out Margaret Hubert’s Customize Your Knitting.

The book covers the basics of how to flatter your body type in garment shaping, how to measure your body and determine what size to make and how to alter patterns to make them suit your shape and size better.

It also includes four sweater patterns shown with different alterations for different body types (though full patterns for those alternations aren’t given, it just walks you through what to do) and lots of advice for finishing your projects well so they will look their best.

This week I’m giving away a copy of this book. If you’d like a chance to win, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, July 3. I’d love to know how comfortable you feel altering knitting patterns for size or style. Even though I write knitting patterns, I still would rather use a pattern I don’t have to alter much to make it fit me if I’m not designing from scratch.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Save

Next Pattern:

Comments

  3. I am ready to knit garments. As a sewer, I know adjustments to patterns are always necessary.

  5. As a new knitter, I really need help with adjusting pattern and learning new stitches.

  6. I would love to be able to alter a pattern to make items a bit more form-fitting, since I’m very petite. The only thing I’ve done in the past has been tweaking the waistbands and wristbands of patterns, as well as necklines, because I didn’t like what the designer chose, and wanted my sweater a little more form-fitting. I also took a sweater that I loved, and played around with the pattern before, since there was an inset in the front, so I added my own. That was fun, but I’d love to customize further. I’d even like to try making up my own patterns, since I’ve done some rough sketches of sweaters I’d love to make.

  7. I have altered patterns to fit me better, or added lengths where needed-some turned out great-others not so much!

  8. Used to look at a pattern and go ‘shucks, not my size’, then met a group of women who have taught me the JOYS of swatching and adjusting almost any pattern to fit me. Still a lot to learn but am getting there!

  12. I’d over to learn how to customize a knitting pattern. I love knitting and most of my projects come out too big.

  13. I am not real comfortable adjusting a pattern as I’ve not done it much. Especially with a sweater. That is a lot of work to go through if your finished product doesn’t fit right.

  14. I have to say I have never tried to alter a pattern. I would not be confident trying to do that without guidance. This book would be amazing for the information it has!

  16. I quite often admire something about a pattern, but won’t make it because of not wanting to work out the math to change the size, or making lots of adaptations to alter the type of sleeve or neckline. More likely I will just absorb the gestalt of the features I do like, perhaps a stitch or colorwork pattern, and try to work something similar into a pattern of my own. KittenWhiplash

  17. I haven’t done much with altering patterns to fit me. I’ve changed the length of some garments but that’s about it!

  18. The reason I purchase so many books and patterns is because I don’t want to design & calculate… That being said, I almost always fiddle a little with patterns; lengthening sleeves, changing necklines, etc.
    I do love all kinds of books and would love to win this one too!

  19. I have made small changes to patterns and would love to learn how to customize even more!

  20. I do not feel comfortable changing patterns so i stick to them. This would be very helpful! thank you!

  22. Sometimes I feel safe altering patterns. It just depends on how complicated the pattern is. But I would love to get better at it!

  23. I have just begun trying to make adjustments to patterns so the finished garment fits me. I would love more guidance.

  25. I’m very uncomfortable with altering patterns, but would love to learn. It would be nice to have sweaters that fit. lol.

  27. I will make something longer since I’m tall. I would love to learn more on adjustments.

  28. I tweak patterns a bit, but am always nervous of the outcome. This book sounds great!

  29. I never wear snug knits so there’s no need for me to alter knitting patterns.

  31. My body size and type is always different from the pattern sizes so I usually have to change patterns here and there. This book would be extremely helpful.

  32. I would say I’m moderately comfortable altering patterns, but only because there are so many resources available to help me. Books like this one, and the wonderful communities like Ravelry have really opened up my knitting horizons.

  34. This sounds like a wonderful book. I knit and crochet and do alter patterns if I HAVE to. But like you said – prefer and feel more comfortable knitting without alterations.

  35. Thanks for the chance so win. I make simple alterations, like changing the length of something. I don’t know how to alter much more. Would love to see this book.

  36. I have yet to make a garment that I can wear, so I’m not fully comfortable altering patterns but I tend to try new things recklessly.

Have you read?

Felted Bag Knitting Patterns

I feel like felting is a knitting genre that deserves a resurgence. My first knitting book (which came out in 2008, eek!) was all about felting, but I don’t feel like there are a lot of felting knitting projects out there these days. I really like the technique as an easy way to make a thicker, more durable knit fabric, and it’s actually perfect for knitting bags.

The ZZ Bag from yamagara recently caught my eye and got me thinking about felted bags, and maybe remaking one of the bags that was in that book. This one has a fun zigzag pattern and is worked in worsted weight yarn. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

A lot of the other knit and felted bag patterns I could find were older, but that doesn’t make them bad patterns. I’ve always loved the booga bag from Black Sheep Bags (the pattern is on their website but the photo is broken so you can also check it out on Ravelry). This is a fun one because you can use all your leftovers or a self-striping yarn (the original was made with Noro) to give it a colorful look that’s super easy to knit. 

An envelope purse is another easy shape to knit, and this version from Lavender Hill Knits on Etsy comes in different sizes for younger girls and teens or adults. The small version is worked with one strand of worsted weight yarn, while the larger uses two held together.

The Japanese knot bag is a classic, and a felted version is a lot of fun. You can find this pattern from Cindy Pilon on Ravelry and knit one for yourself using bulky yarn. I also love her bag The Curve, which is also on Ravelry and has a fun rounded shape and contrasting handles.

And there’s also the amazing stained glass bag from Knitting Dream, which also uses a Noro yarn, but you could use wool scraps on the different fans to give it a unique look. There are two size options to choose from and it’s not as tricky as it looks.