Myshelf.com
Sept 13
Do you have vintage knitting books or patterns that you would like to make up but cannot find the yarns? Or maybe you have bought a new pattern but want to alter part of it or change the size. Help is at hand with this innovative new book. There are many knitting books around these days, but this is something new. It starts with a brief overview of what to expect from the styles dating from 1900 to the 1960s, and how to obtain some vintage patterns of your own. Think about your figure type, and if it will flatter you and go with what you already own how about that long vanished yarn? There are clues all over patterns that you can follow, rather like in a detective story, to work out what modern substitute you can get instead. This is all, to my mystery-loving soul, rather fascinating. Learn, too, how to deconstruct a pattern and work out how to add in the all-important missing details so as to know what the exact size will be and whether it will fit a modern figure. There is more detective work to delve into as you find out about vintage yarns and their modern equivalents, work out pleasing color schemes when your pattern is in black and white, and adjust the pattern in other ways. The author recommends this book to beginners and intermediate knitters, but I would place it firmly with the latter; this is not a book on how to knit, and you need quite a few garments under your belt to get the best out of it. When you have had fun with your vintage pattern and are proudly wearing your creation, the rest of the book shows you how to retro-style modern patterns. There are sections at the back on how to add certain features to modern patterns for a vintage look, and various other hints and tips. Now all you need to do is head out to that jumble sale. A very unique and rewarding book; I can imagine all knitters wanting to own.
Knit Today
Sept 13
The vintage look is hot! Do you want to adapt vintage patterns to suit current yarns and sizes? Or perhaps you'd like to add vintage touches to the modern patterns in your collection? That's what Geraldine's book enables you to do. She provides you with patterns for vintage elements including puff sleeves, box pleats and frilled gauntlet cuffs. There's also invaluable advice on mixing and matching these sleeves, necklines and collars to create your own designs. Geraldine also runs www.skiffvintageknittingpatterns.co.uk, a website selling 1930s-1960s patterns.
sewingisforgirls.blogspot.com
April 13
'Knit back in time' by Geraldine Warner is a must have for anyone who loves vintage and knitting. You may be thinking it contains lots and lots of vintage style jumper and cardigan patterns - if you did you would be wrong. 'Knit back in time' is a textbook which informs you how to do two different things - how to update vintage patterns to suit modern sizes and yarns and also how to customise modern patterns for vintage-style elements. You may have noticed, if you shop in thrift or charity shops, that there is usually a box of old patterns for about 20-50p each. This book will tell you exactly how to alter the pattern slightly and substitute yarn. For example, in the latter half of the book she has featured the same modern jumper but she's included four different retro vintage sleeves to put with the main body, a puff sleeve crown (my favourite), a pleated sleeve crown, a box top sleeve and a fitted long sleeve. At the back there are tips for finishing, such as blocking and sourcing the right buttons as well as the different types of buttonholes you can knit or crochet. There is a page with 11 embroidery stitches if you want to get artistic and five fair isle patterns including a very cute cherry. There are also patterns for cuffs, collars and pockets. If you are looking at starting to design jumpers this is a really helpful introduction and a comprehensive guide to begin with.
Mollie Makes Magazine
Issue 25
Hark back to the good old days thanks to the customising techniques in Knit Back in Time. Whatever the garment, learn how to transform it into a modern knit, that fits!
Machine Knitting Monthly
Apr 13
Essentially for hand knitters, this is indispensable reading for machine knitters. It offers invaluable advice on vintage knits; creating knitter's graph paper; blocking; mixing and matching sleeves, necklines and collars to create our own designs. There's a wealth of information in this fabulous book.
Knitter, The
Issue 55
This excellent book is the complete toolkit for knitters who want to update vintage patterns to suit modern body shapes and yarns. It starts with a detailed guide to making an accurate 'deconstruction' of an original pattern, to create an accurate template to work from. Substituting vintage yarns is also examined in detail. Next, Geraldine shows how to adapt the sizing and shape to suit you for example, widening the bust measurement or lengthening the armholes providing the calculations you need to change the stitch counts. The book also takes a close look at vintage design elements and how they can be applied to modern patterns. Step-by-step instructions show how to calculate stitch counts to incorporate features such as waist shaping and bust darts, or how to add vintage-style sleeve shapes, pleats, pockets, collars and necklines.
Craft Business
Jan/Feb 13
This book encourages you to not be limited by what is available online or in the shops. It shows readers how simple it is to change lengths, take out waists, shorten sleeves, and substitute for yarns that are no longer in production. Knit Back in Time reveals two crucial secrets for knitting vintage-style projects: how to update a vintage pattern to suit modern sizes and yarns, and how to customise modern patterns to give them a vintage look. It also provides patterns for vintage-style elements, offering invaluable advice on mixing and matching sleeves, necklines, and collars to create your own designs. With the vintage trend in full swing, this book is a must-have for any follower of fashion.
Knitter, The
Issue 55
This excellent book is the complete toolkit for knitters who want to update vintage patterns to suit modern body shapes and yarns. It starts with a detailed guide to making an accurate 'deconstruction' of an original pattern, to create a accurate template to work from. Substituting vintage yarns is also examined in detail. Next, Geraldine shows how to adapt the sizing and shaping to suit you for example, widening the bust measurement or lengthening the armholes providing the calculations you need to change the stitch counts. The book also takes a close look at vintage design elements and how then can be applied to modern patterns. Step-by-step instructions show how to calculate stitch counts to incorporate features such as waist shaping and bust darts, or how to add vintage-style sleeve shapes, pleats, pockets, collars and necklines.
Knit Now
Issue 18
If, like us, you're forever falling in love with and collecting vintage patterns but you're not sure how to go about finding the right yarn, resizing it to fit or adapting it to make it a little more wearable, this is the book for you. It's absolutely stuffed full of clear, helpful and clever instructions, beautiful photography and illustration, and inspiring knits. The only thing it doesn't have is the actual patterns but it does include lots of mix and match elements to create your own unique twist on retro styles.
Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts
Jan 13
Vintage is still big. This book shows you how to use vintage patterns and update them to today's yarn and sizing. It also shows you how to customise patterns. Included is a guide to vintage knitting patterns from before the 1920s to the 1960s plus vintage yarns and colours. Tension, swatches and measurements are all discussed. Patterns for sleeves, collars, pleats, pockets and necklines are included. There are also some stitch patterns. This is recommended for those who want to alter patterns, it is not a pattern book as such.
