Monday, December 28, 2009

REVIEW: Cardigans

Cardigans
by Louisa Harding
Hardcover: 164 pages
Publisher: Sixth&Spring Books (October 6, 2009)

Cardigans

Love grabbing a little sweater that you can toss on over your tank, tee or dress? Cardigans are the perfect versatile little wardrobe staple that are quickly becoming a fashion favorite once again (thank you Mrs. O!).

In Cardigans, Louisa Harding gives us more than 25 patterns, with variations on many expanding the collection to over 40 unique designs to knit. You will find few traditional button-up-the-front cardigans in this book. Instead, Louisa tosses in a few twists here, turns there... including three-quarter length sleeves, darted waist shaping, one-button closures, embroidery, picot edging, swingy styles, cables, lace and more!

Cardigans is broken up into four sections: Classics; Edgings; Lace, Cables, Fair Isle; and Dressing Up. All of the patterns are written using yarns from Louisa's luxurious collection. A "General Information" chapter at the back includes tips on sizes, yarn and tension/gauge, as well as finishing techniques, a fiber guide and an interchangeable yarn table. The photography throughout is as beautiful as the patterns, using some of the most romantic places on Earth as the backdrop - Venice, London, Portugal, the South of France. Louisa's husband, Stephen Jessup is the man behind the camera. They have been collaborating on photographs from her books since 2003.

My favorites include: Gypsy, a cropped Grecian-inspired little number knit in ribbon yarn; Otello, a classic go-anywhere jacket; Ginger, a 1950's inspired number with a single button closure and cable edging; Minnie, versatile to knit and wear - choose long sleeves or short, cables or lace edging - it would look just as fabulous with jeans as it would over a fancy dress; Kitty, an allover cable and eyelet pattern produces a complex looking sweater and allows the knitter to keep a secret... it's all about mock cables, knitting stitches together on one row and working yarn overs on the next!

About the Author: Louisa Harding is a knitwear designer whose designs have appeared in many magazines, including Rowan Knitting, Vogue Knitting and Knitting. She is also the author of many books on knitwear and has created and marketed her own line of yarns.

1 comment:

SissySees said...

Sounds lovely... Which one are you going to knit first?

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