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Giveaway: Plus-Size Knitting Books

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plus size knitting book giveaway

Our winner is knittingdancer!

If you’re a knitter who needs patterns that fit a larger frame than many knitting books cover, you’ll want to check out this week’s giveaway.

I’m giving away a copy of Go Big Knits, which I told you a bit about last week, and a copy of Martin Storey’s Big Knits. That link is to the book on Ravelry so you can check out the patterns. I haven’t really read it but I did give it a quick flip through and noted that it has 20 patterns, mostly for tops and some accessories, in the range of 36 to 48 or 50 inches for the chest measurement.

The book uses a variety of shapes and the projects often have a lot of details like allover lace, cables, textured stitches, beading and color blocking, though there are a couple of more basic designs, too.

If you’d like a chance to win these books, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Nov. 20. I’d love to know if you have a favorite designer who designs for larger sizes or what problems you have had with fit in knitting patterns in the past.

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

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Comments

  1. Honestly, I’ve never found one designer who makes patterns with ladies like me in mind. Maybe I’ve not looked hard enough, but the patterns I’ve seen have been much like the clothes you find in the stores. No adjustments for plus size builds, just more fabric, longer arms(??), etc. I’d love to finally get my hands on some patterns designed with me in mind.

  4. While I’m a 5’3″ Grammy, my daughter and granddaughter are 5’10” tall with wide shoulders. Knitting for them can be a challenge. Perhaps this book is the answer! Thanks for the offer.

  5. It is hard to find patterns that flatter my curvy figure. I see a couple in here that look like they will be great for me.

  7. It’s so discouraging to finally complete a plus project to find it didn’t allow enough ease to look right. All that work and expense wasted. Hopefully this book can help!

  8. I’ve been hesitating to knit garments for myself because it is so much work to complete only to discover that it doesn’t really work for a plus size. These books are wonderful.

  11. I would love these – its nice to know that designers are working on patterns for everybody.

  14. This would be wonderful to have. I’m plus size lady and I’m always looking to find more patterns.

  15. Well, let’s just say that the 50’s have shown up in my waistline. It has been a challenge to feel good about how I look. These “big knits” might be just what I need to look my best. I could definitely rock a beautiful sweater!

  16. It’s nice to know there are larger patterns out there. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

  17. I haven’t knit a sweater for myself yet, but I am plus sized and would love to knit something designed to look good on bigger figures.

  18. I really don’t have a favorite designer. I am very arc to fit as I’m a bit busty. I’ve hesitated to make myself a sweater because of this. I’d love to have one of these books.

  19. Plus size clothing is next to impossible to find so this book is like a miracle for those of us in need!!!

  20. It is so hard to find patterns that flatter. Most just look like the equivalent of a hessian sack. I’d love to be able to make warm knitted items to keep me warm.

  21. Don’t have a favorite designer, pretty much like everything!! Love to see designers write patterns for those of us that aren’t stick models.

  22. Usually the problem I have with the fit for larger girls is a lot of designers assume that big women are also big chested. That’s not the case with me!

  23. Knitting is fun. Everyone loves a beautifully knitted muffler and front open cardigans at home. We make our own. It is time consuming but once the pattern & color is decided, it’s exciting to see it happen. In our country, most women have big structure over all. It all starts with size 34 onwards and there’s no end. Choices of pattern gets limited most of the time due to this. It will be marvelous to get the book. It will be wonderful to be able to get an insight about what Go Big Knits has to offer and then to try it. 🙂

  24. I’ve never found patterns that fit a larger frame so I never knit for my daughter, just for my granddaughter.

  25. When I have looked at patterns, they usually are for smaller women — or, they are waaaaay toooo looong. I read the review on this publication and it looks GREAT! thanks for the opportunity to participate.

  27. Many Thanks for the opportunity. I have given up trying to enlarge knitting patterns & getting a good fit!

  28. These look like great books! I’m a curvy girl and so is my daughter, but each curvy in her own way. It can be hard to find patterns not designed to look like big boxes which will still be versatile enough to make for different people.

  30. I find more and more designers include somewhat larger sizes, at least the 44 to 48 inch range I need. But shoulder shaping/fit can be an issue. Nothing makes a sweater look sloppier than shoulders that droop down to the elbows/waist.

  31. I don’t like snug, tight fitting sweaters. So I’m so happy to hear about this idea! Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.

  32. I’ve pored over knitting books at the library and would love to have one that don’e merely add a few stitches to upsize to fit my curves.

  33. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I have not had a lot of luck finding plus size knitting patterns that don’t look like a tent.

  34. Oh my gosh, these look amazing! I’d love some patterns that don’t need too much alteration to fit me. I’m a big fan of Amy Herzog’s tips on how to knit things that flatter your shape but to be honest I sometimes just want a simple knitting project that doesn’t require hours of calculations… So recently I’ve mostly been knitting hats and shawls. And that’s fine, but I’d love to knit a cardi or sweater again.

Have you read?

Add a Little Lace to Your Knitting Patterns

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.