Knitting Classic Style: 35 Modern Designs Inspired by Fashion's Archives

I own a lot (over 100) of knitting books, and have only knitted patterns out of a couple of them. This book is a keeper. I'm well into knitting the "Strawberry Lace Wrap Sweater." I have NEVER seen a pattern for a wrap sweater before! This one is done with an easy lace pattern, an 8-stitch 12-row repeat. I would have bought the book for that single pattern, but this book has so much more that I might make: gloves, vests, nice hats for real people. Even a pair of socks with a divide for the big toe, for those who live in flip-flops. She offers sweaters designed to fit snugly (such as the cashmere twinset) and some designed with more ease. OK, the little girl's A-line jacket (with a hood) has too much ease, but most knitters will figure out how to work with that. The photography is not perfect, but it is very good. Nearly all the designs had nice close-up shots. I strongly recommend this book for advanced beginners who have made their share of scarves and easy hats, and are ready to take their knitting skills to the next level. With this single book, you can make something for everyone in your tribe that they will enjoy.

Reviewed by Janelle Martin "Fashion, as we knew it, is over; people wear now exactly what they feel like wearing." Mary Quant, quoted in the introduction to Knitting Classic Style: 35 modern designs inspired by fashion's archives Véronik Avery had one main goal when creating the patterns in this book- to inspire knitters "to knit whatever it is you feel passionate about wearing." Unlike past fashion periods, today divergent clothing styles are desirable, yet many retail clothing stores offer consumers more of the same. To help fashion individualists find a more personal look, Avery has explored classic designs to create the designs in this volume. For Knitting Classic Style, Avery has focused on four main themes: Fashion Mavens (women's wear); Tomboys (menswear); Global Travelers (ethnic costume); and Thrill Seekers (sportswear). For each pattern Avery discusses the fashion history and inspiration behind the design. The Bias Shell pays homage to Madeleine Vionnet, a cutting-edge couturière from Paris known for her bias garments. Avery's Tabi Socks draw inspiration from Japanese hosiery and speculation that samurai may have knit tabi socks (socks with separate big toes) to supplement their income at the end of the Edo period. Avery includes a wide range of sizes for her designs. Women's patterns range from a finished chest of 29.5" to 52.75" (75cm to 134cm), averaging 34" to 48" (86.5cm to 122cm). Two girl's sweaters (size 2 to 8) and three men's sweaters with a finished chest of 34" to 57.75" (86.5 cm to 147 cm) are included. Accessories round out the pattern offerings with designs for socks, hats, gloves, and wraps. Avery gives her Québec heritage and the Montreal Canadiens a nod with her traditional Montreal Tuque. She reminds knitters to select their colors wisely if knitting for a sports-loving recipient for "in a famous Québécois children's story, The Hockey Sweater, author Roch Carrier recounts his outrage when, as a child, he was forced to wear a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater, received by mistake as a replacement for his beloved but worn-out Canadiens sweaters." Avery recommends knitters research favored team colors prior to purchasing yarn. Armchair Interview says: Knitting, with a nod to the Canadians.

What makes this book special for me is her fair isle cardigan updated with a slim silhouette and set-in sleeves but otherwise knit in the traditional way using border patterns and shetland yarn. Other items I might knit are her shawl, faroese sweater, layered skater's top in lace, her Setesdal sweater modified with set-in sleeves. This book is one of the better ones I've seen this year and includes a 3 page section on special techniques. One quibble is that her yarns don't have any kind of indication as to their size category (sport, worsted, etc). Also my copy came without an outer cover and I have no idea if this is missing or was never made.

Veronik Avery is an extremely talented designer of handknitted garments who has had her designs published by the elite of the handknitting world: Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, and in books published by Stewart Tabori & Chang. She finally has published her own book full of beautiful designs and it's a must have for the handknitter. The majority of the garments are for women, with a handful for men and girls; most are sweaters, with a few accessory items (such as lace socks and a mohair scarf). Avery draws inspiration from fashion history and sources as diverse as a Japanese sash, traditional Scandinavian sweaters and a Victorian corset cover. The styles are updated to reflect more contemporary silhouettes (i.e., set-in sleeves). Techniques such as stranded knitting, lace and cabling are used to beautiful effect, so if you're sick of making boxy drop-shoulder garments out of stockinette stitch, you'll want to check these out. Avery's eye for color is also apparent in the designs using multiple colors of yarn (particularly a gorgeous set of Latvian-inspired gloves). Avery uses a variety of fibers and gauges throughout. There are at least 5 designs that I'm eager to cast on, and several more after that calling to me. The production values of the book are also high. Gorgeous color photography, schematics and color charts, multiple pictures of the same garment, nice sturdy paper and clear typefaces. Throughout the book, shots of Montreal -- Avery's hometown -- provide a lovely backdrop for the models (incidentally, the models are not the typical blonde waifs, but reflect a more urban, cosmopolitan look). I have long loved Avery's design sensibility and already count this book among the favorites in my (extensive) knitting library.

I am exited about this book - picked it up at Borders and HAD TO HAVE IT!In the past, I been searching the knitting publications for Veronik's designs - most of them unique in their elegance, incorporating beautiful finishing techniques. From my experience, her patterns are free of errors.This is her first book - and it is stunningly beautiful. Her creations are highly wearable, as any classic should be.They are also fun to knit and will push an intermediate knitter to grow and master new skills. This book is a true gem to be found in a deluge of mediocre knitting books we have been bombarded with lately.