Top-Down Knit Sweaters

Do you remember that advert from years ago, I think it was for razors, where the man said he liked the product so much, he bought the company? Well I liked this book so much I bought it!

The first chapter is a quick run-through of what top-down knitting is and what you will need to make a top-down sweater. The style of the writing is friendly and informal and that continues through the book. The contents are a mix of sweaters, a waistcoat, cardigans, short-sleeved summer tees and jackets. Some have cables, some are plain, and some have little lace or colourwork on them. There are a few interesting twists on the yoke - you may well be imagining these from my description of the contents.

There is a combination of written instructions and charts and there are schematics for each pattern. The yarn appears to be from the USA but there is a description of them and a list of how many metres to a ball, so that ought to help anyone substituting with UK yarns.

I should say that all the models are youngsters, in their late teens I would imagine: the garments all look wonderful on them. Yet they are not so youthful looking that I could not see a large middle-aged woman wearing some of them quite happily. I think the book would definitely suit those with teenagers to knit for. Although some of the patterns are a little complex, any competent knitter would, I believe, feel able to make any of these patterns. I found it a cheerful, bright and breezy read and it really made me want to create some of the garments, hence buying a copy of the book for myself.

-- Rebecca Price * SlipKnot - Issue 1