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.
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