Book Review: Go Big Knits

It can be really difficult to find nice knitting patterns that are designed for larger women. Sometimes patterns that were originally designed for smaller sizes are graded up to fit a wider range of figures, but that conversion isn’t always successful. A larger chest measurement doesn’t guarantee proportionally larger arms, for example.

Go Big Knits: 20 Projects Sizes 38-54, collected by the editors of Marie Claire Idées magazine, eliminates that problem because the designs started out with larger sizes in mind. The book was originally produced in France and uses Bergere de France yarns, but there are many options more widely available in America if you do a little hunting.

The projects are sweaters, vests, shrugs, ponchos and cowls. About half the patterns are shown on one model and half on another. It might have been nice to see the projects on a wider variety of bodies. Most of the projects are pretty simple, straight sided garments without waist shaping, but many are also designed to be closer fitting than is often seen when patterns are upsized to fit larger figures.

Some of my favorites include a boatneck sweater worked in garter stitch; a long tunic worked mostly in Stockinette; the long cardigan, featuring an easy dropped stitch pattern;the open front collared jacket, which uses a fun fuzzy yarn; and the jacket with square collar, which has a ribbed eyelet pattern.

This book has a lot of great wardrobe staples for larger women, many of which are easy to knit and look great. If you’re plus sized (or even not plus sized, since the projects start at a size 36 or 38) and want to knit yourself sweaters and other great garments that will look and feel amazing, this book is a great choice.

About the book: 96 pages, paperback with interior flaps, 20 patterns (8 of the patterns are flagged as “easier to make”). Published July 2016 by Trafalgar Square Books, retail price $18.95.

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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