Knitting

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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?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]