Customize Your Knitting Review

Customize Your Knitting Review
By: Margaret Hubert
Gifted by: Quarto Publishing Group
www.quartoknows.com
Reviewed by: Dana Byerwalter, Editor, FaveCrafts.com

Guarantee your knit project will fit anyone with Customize Your Knitting, a book that teaches you how to adjust patterns to fit a variety of body types. This book from the Quarto Publishing Group includes instructions to increase and decrease stitches in standard patterns to ensure sweaters will fit properly.

Author Margaret Hubert explains that most designers create patterns with the classic rectangle body type in mind. While nearly half of the population matches the standard rectangle body type, over half the population fits another shape. Since the majority of people fit into other categories, a need for variations on patterns is certainly present. Whether you are a triangle, inverted triangle, or hourglass, each body type requires slight alterations to standard rectangle patterns.

This book teaches you how to customize your knitting for body type and also general style preference. Maybe you love the look of a particular sweater pattern but you'd prefer to add a bit of frill at the cuffs. Perhaps you'd prefer to add pockets to an otherwise ideal pattern. Not only will you learn how to adjust patterns for need-based reasons, but you'll also learn how to change them up based on preference, too.

The first section focuses on altering patterns. Four sweaters/cardigans are included and alterations are featured for each body type. Hubert says that once you've mastered the basic techniques for adjusting patterns, you can apply them to any project.

The second section moves into professional finishes. I particular enjoy the Good Habits chapter on page 77. I usually make scarves or other projects where gauge isn't important, but be advised that gauge is crucial for customizing your knitting. Hubert states, "Making a gauge swatch before starting your project is so important that failing to do it pretty much guarantees failure of the project." If that isn't an incentive to get into this good habit, I don't know what is! In this second section you'll also find some common problems and remedies.

In the third section, Stylish Embellishments, you'll learn how to add decorative edges, motifs, ties, and embroidery to your finished projects. Truly customize your knitting with this fabulous collection! Ensure your projects fit and are completely embellished to your liking.

What is the most complicated pattern you've ever tried? What made it so challenging?