Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

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

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?

Book Review: Knitted Safari Friends – 20 Adorable Animals to Make

If you have a weakness for knitted animals wearing tiny clothes, Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen is going to be very difficult to resist.

This colourful collection includes 20 safari and savannah animals to knit, including a lion, tiger, elephant, flamingo, hippo, crocodile, rhinoceros, zebra and giraffe.

And yes, many of them have their own little outfits.

The lion in purple overalls is probably enough to sell me on the whole book.

Cute Animals With Plenty of Personality

What I like about this collection is that the animals are clearly designed as characters rather than realistic wildlife models.

They are bright, friendly and a little quirky, which makes them particularly appealing as handmade gifts for children or animal-loving adults.

Looking at the sample pages, the hippo and flamingo patterns have a cheerful illustrated layout, with the finished animals shown in little safari scenes alongside the practical pattern information.

There is also plenty of variety in the shapes, which means you aren’t simply knitting the same basic body 20 times and changing the ears.

If knitted animals with interchangeable clothes are already your thing, have a look at our Knitted Wild Animal Friends book review. That collection includes elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, zebras and other animals with an entire wardrobe of tiny knitted clothing.

Is Knitted Safari Friends Beginner Friendly?

The publisher describes the patterns as easy to follow, and the book includes a techniques section, abbreviations and knitting conversions to help you through the projects.

I would still put this more in the confident beginner to intermediate category rather than recommending it as someone’s very first knitting project.

Toy knitting usually involves shaping, joining pieces, stuffing and finishing neatly, and that finishing stage can sometimes take almost as long as the knitting itself.

Ask anyone who has ever had a finished knitted animal sitting in pieces on the craft table for three weeks waiting for its legs to be sewn on.

For knitters who are still learning the basics of toy making, our Knitted Amigurumi Animal Friends review is another useful option, with smaller animals and simple clothing pieces.

A Great Gift Knitting Book

These would make lovely handmade gifts for children, particularly if you matched the animal to their favourite safari creature.

You could also knit several of them together as a nursery display or create your own little safari collection.

The clothes and accessories add another level of fun, too. Once you’ve knitted an elephant, there is something wonderfully satisfying about then deciding what that elephant ought to wear.

Apparently this is where my crafting priorities are now.

My Take

I think Knitted Safari Friends is one of those books that you buy intending to make one project and then immediately start planning an entire knitted zoo.

The bright colours, cute facial expressions and tiny outfits give the animals loads of personality, while the variety of creatures should keep the knitting interesting.

Sarah Keen has been designing knitted toys for years, and that experience shows in the way these animals have been turned into characters rather than simply miniature versions of real wildlife.

If you enjoy toy knitting, handmade gifts or anything involving animals in overalls, this one is definitely worth a look.

Knitted Safari Friends: 20 Adorable Animals to Make is written by Sarah Keen and published by GMC Publications. It was released on April 21, 2026, with a listed RRP of $26.99.