Knitting to the Next Level

In the Knitting & Crochet Blog Week posts, we were encouraged to answer questions about skills we'd like to learn, projects we hope to make, etc. Over and over my answers revolved around learning to modify patterns.

When Shirley Paden's new book was announced, I knew this would be the answer to all of my questions about modifications: how do you lengthen a waist (I'm long-waisted and short-legged)? How do you change three-quarter to full length sleeves? How do you change a neckline? Knitwear Design Workshop does all of that and more.

 

What made me finally click the "place order" button for the book was the section on skirts, for both straight and A-line styles. I've just finished the first lace stripe pattern on the bottom of my pink A-line skirt, and completed the first decrease row. I'll knit 7 rows of the ivory stripe, and then begin the block pattern -- no problem. The questions begin after that block pattern. The skirt decreases a little more, then increases as it goes up to the hips, and then decreases again from the hips to the waist. If you look at the finished skirt on Ravelry in photos where it lies flat (i.e. not modeled), it has a sort of bubble shape with a ruffle effect at the bottom. This is not shown in the schematic. Not good.

What I want to do is to do decreases every so often from the hem to the waist, without that increase-then-decrease again bit, to get a straight A-line. I also want to remove the ivory stripe that would otherwise sit right on the widest part of my backside. Egads. This book provides a chart for a "Hip to Waist Taper Schedule" with decrease row, garment row, and stitches remaining. It assumes you have a hip measurement, which I don't -- the pattern I'm using gives the hem measurement (45") and a waist-before-elastic-is-sewn-in measurement (33"). So I'm going to have to do some ugly math. But the author breaks everything down into step by step instructions that even I, math phobic that I am, can understand. With lots of cups of tea and a good night's sleep beforehand.

If you already know how to do these modification tricks, I think you'd still appreciate this book for the design aspect. Perhaps you've seen a ready-made sweater in a store you'd like to make. Or you want to design your own item from just an image in your head. This book will tell you how.

Two quick things, one related, one not:

Vogue Knitting sent an email today advertising their "early fall" issue. I about had a fit -- it's not even Memorial Day yet! Do they want to strike me down unconscious and have to send me to a Facility?! We are *all* about the long hot summers here; fall is a four letter f-word only slightly more tolerable than things like death and taxes. :)  When I recovered and looked at the patterns, I realized a clever marketing trick. They've been reading all the blogs that say "Spring/Summer issues don't do anything for me" and decided that if they put mostly light-weight garments in an issue called Early Fall, they would get your attention. Several of the pattern stories have lacy or short-sleeved garments knit in pink, lavender, and yellow -- not exactly fall colors. Whew. 

In an earlier post, I mentioned my foot pain, and received a lot of helpful comments. I went for my first therapy sessions this week, and was happily surprised. Instead of just hooking me up to the machine that does the medication patch, the therapist manipulated my foot in all sorts of ways, and decided that some of the muscles are tight and are causing the problem. So he gave me fun exercises to do to stretch them, like picking up marbles with my toes (for some reason this makes me laugh; I feel like I'm five!) and I'm off to get a shoe insert to support the arch of my foot. I am so happy that for now, the cortisone shots don't seem to be in my future, and I can get back on my bike without pain!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

Comments

[Beth]

I got that book for my birthday back in March and haven't had time to read it yet. But I'm really looking forward to using it.

So glad your foot is feeling better. Exercises are great! When Steve sprained his ankle, he was given a schedule of exercises to do and they really helped.

[2paw]

I ahve Ann Budd's Jumper (sweater) book and I use it all the time. This book sounds useful too.
Love the start of your skirt!!!
Happy Feet!!!

[Chris]

Great news about your foot!

[Sarah]

That sounds like a good book. I'm glad you've found the answers to your skirt construction questions!

[yarnstylist]

Sounds like a fabulous book. Thanks for sharing. And that is WONDERFUL news about your foot!

[Karen]

Wow, that shaping sounds like quite an undertaking - but it looks like the book will help you pull it off without a hitch!! Great news about the foot stuff - I'm glad you may be able to avoid the cortisone. Here's hoping your back in tip-top shape soon!!

[Sydney]

I'm glad you found a solution for your foot pain that doesn't involve cortisone shots!

This sounds like a good book. I'll have to check it out.

[Brigitte]

I LOVE Shirley Paden, and if anything, I'm sure the designs in the book are absolutely beautiful.

Who's that lovely face in the photographe?!

[Bubblesknits]

That sounds like a fabulous book. I always feel intimidated when modifying patterns.

[Suitcase of Courage]

LOVE the pic (of course)!

[robin]

Glad to hear that your foot is on the road to recovery soon! Thanks for the info about the Shirley Paden book as well. Sometimes there's no avoiding math, though!

[Erin]

I still need to pick up this book. When I was at Interweave I had the opportunity to drive Shirley Paden to Denver (about an hour drive) and she told me all about this book and what her intention was in writing it. A very talented woman and I think a much needed book for anyone interested in adjusting patterns.