Fitted Knits - A Review

Fitted Knits - by Stefanie Japel

As the cover tells us, this books contains 25 patterns. Of these 25, there are:

• 5 tanks/shells/tees
• 4 sweaters
• 10 cardigans/jackets/coats
• 1 dress
• 2 vests
• 1 suit (comprising of a skirt and jacket)

Of these patterns there are twelve i would knit and wear (and one of which i already have done).
The size range is from a bust of 34" to 40, 42, 44, 46.5"

The layout is very attractive - this is a darn pretty book. The photos show the items well - none of this arty-farty blurry, weird poses that distort the clothes.
Shaping and detailing is easy to see, and there are plenty of pictures of each item. You will have a good idea of what you are making before you finish seaming ;)

There is a really good opening guide about knitting items so that they fit your shape! If you've never quite had the guts to do the maths and are sick of boxy sweaters this is for you! Stefanie is clearly a knitter first and has a lovely no-stress approach to the whole thing. her patterns are straigh-forward top-down pieces so you can try them on as you knit - definitely a plus!

Drawbacks?
While the styling for the book is gorgeous and VERY glampyre... the point of the book is knitting clothes that fit your precise proportions, and quite obviously the pictured knitwear was not made for the models! While this is a totally understandable thing - who would knit for the models??? it does mean that some of the pictures dont look as fabulous as they could and you need to use your brain a little - if you work to your measurements then you shouldnt have problems, but it does help to have some idea of what suits you.

Favourite Patterns: These will give you a good idea of the shapes in the book, as well as Stefanie's knack for detailing.

Tested Pattern: Airy Wrap-Around Lace Sweater (my photo is blurry, not hers).
This is marked as a 'challenging knit' because it contains a little cables and lace. This would probably be a good first cable/lace project because the needles are big and results are quick!
It knit up very swiftly but if i made it again i would either make the ties shorter (they are both over a metre!) or included a keyhole at one side to feed the tie through. I dont need too much bulk around my middle.

Here is mine (have a tremendous zit today and refuse to pose):


Rating: A+. This is a bloody good book. Even if it ain't your style do have a read of it. She has shapely design down pat and a few words from the wise can never hurt. Not for the timid beginner... but if you are a timid beginner then go out on a limb! yarn doesnt bite! (except for that fun fur crap, that stuff'll kill you... or your taste anyway).

Back soon with more about my life. Thanks to everyone who said nice things... i'm feeling much better and have been offered a more permanent position at school - HURRAH! Karma is my biatch!

Ms Spider