Kangath Knits
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Patterns
    • Garments
    • Accessories
    • eBooks
  • Book Reviews
  • Inkscape Schematic Tutorial
  • Contact

Kangath Knits

Book Review:  Modern Top-Down Knitting

2/27/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Modern Top-Down Knitting by Kristina McGowan, photography by Gudrun Georges, pub. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2010.

Although this book includes simplified instructions (with color photos!) of a few choice techniques from Barbara Walker's legendary Knitting from the Top, it might be more aptly titled Modern Couture Knitting.  Its reliance on seamstress techniques such as trim and elastic cord and its inclusion of a belt and jewelry which have no identifiable top (as well as a scarf and two pairs of armwarmers, one of which is worked in the opposite direction from the other) make the current title seem out of place.  

Picture
But the book's 26 designs are lovely, simple, and classic.  The simplicity of the knitting makes the sweaters, dresses, and hats a perfect introduction to top-down knitting, while the faux seams, trim, and other finishing techniques lend a dressmaker-like quality.  McGowan feels that the time saved not sewing the pieces together can be used giving the pieces elegant final touches.

With chest sizes from 26 to nearly 54", hip sizes from 34 to 59", and three sizes for most of the hats, many knitters should be able to find a piece to make for themselves.  McGowan also includes customization tips throughout the book.

Picture
The Wrap-It-Up Dress at left is trimmed with silk ribbon (above) which will show when the dress opens slightly.  Its belt is crocheted in two pieces, attached to the dress, and threaded through a slit opening on one side for security.  The Cecily Sweater at right obtains its gathers from elastic cord. The garment is knit in pieces and sewn together afterward.
Picture
I love the Pavement Jacket pictured below, which can be worn with the collar up or down. Described as tailored, the empire waistband is done in twisted garter stitch with no decreases.  The hip shaping is all done on the same row. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Photo tutorials for both top-down and finishing techniques are well laid out and clearly explained.  McGowan also works with dyes to get her desired effects, and provides clear instructions to guide the knitter.  

The photography by Gudrun Georges is exemplary.  Models are well-lit and backdrops well-chosen.  The Chrysler Skirt was knit in a dark color and worn with a dark slip, which diminished the effect of the chevron lace, but McGowan recommends a bright slip in the introduction to the design if the wearer wants to highlight the yarnovers.

Picture
This book is ideal for the knitter who either has or knows someone with sophisticated taste, or the knitter who would like to extend finishing skills to include needle-and-thread sewing and inserting elastic cord and pipe cleaners for shaping.
Picture
This lovely book, beautifully photographed, would also look at home on the coffee table of anyone interested in fashion.


Disclosure:  Kangath reviewed a copy of Modern Top-Down Knitting from her library.  Kangath was not compensated for the preceding review.  All opinions expressed in the review are the blog author's and are not necessarily the opinions of Stewart, Tabori & Chang or Kristina McGowan.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Hi! I'm Kangath--- 

    knit designer, musician, writer, and mother
    ​who loves to experiment in the kitchen.

    Follow @kangathknits
    Picture
    Click here to join the Kangath Knits email list
    for insider updates and special deals.

    Subscribe to 
    Kangath Knits:

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Ruth Roland is a top Baton Rouge, LA music lesson instructor on TryMusicLessons.com!

    Good Reads

    Amy Herzog Designs
    canaryknits
    dull roar
    Knit and Tonic
    Linda Marveng
    needled
    Ramblings
    The Sexy Knitter
    Sheep to Shawl
    Trappings and Trinkets
    Two Sides of the Same Stitch
    Yarn Harlot

    Archives

    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    Fiber Arts Bloggers

    Home/ Join | List
    Next | Previous | Random

    alt-webring.com

    Categories

    All
    Abrams
    Amy Herzog
    Ana Paula Rimoli
    Anna Dalvi
    Annie Modesitt
    Barn Door
    Betty Salpekar
    Book Reviews
    Britt Marie Christoffersson
    Buttons
    Canaryknits
    Cap Sease
    Chantal Garceau
    Cirilia Rose
    Clara Parkes
    Clotheshorse
    Colorwork
    Cooperative Press
    Creative Publishing
    Crochet
    Daniel Yuhas
    Dave's Stockings
    David & Charles
    Deb Buckingham
    Design
    Dream In Color
    Dyeing
    Dylana
    Elizabeth Green Musselman
    Eva Maria Leszner
    Eye Pillow
    Food
    Galler
    Garden Windows
    Genevieve Miller
    Giveaway
    Gluten Free
    Health
    Heidi Adnum
    Herbert Niebling
    Hestia
    History On Two Needles
    Honeymoon
    Hurricane
    Inkscape
    Interweave Press
    Katie Startzman
    Katya Frankel
    Knitting
    Kristina Mcgowan
    Lace
    Lacis
    Ladies Of Mischief
    Laura Lough
    Lena Corwin
    Lesley Stanfield
    Lisa Souza
    Livia Cetti
    Lori Ihnen
    Louise Walker
    Lynne Barr
    Malabrigo
    Manos Del Uruguay
    Margaret Radcliffe
    Martingale
    Martin Storey
    Meandros
    Megan Kreiner
    M'lou Baber
    Mountain Flight
    Nancie Wiseman
    Nancy Bush
    Needles
    Needles And Artifice
    Norah Gaughan
    Other
    Patty Nance
    Poetry
    Pop Knitting
    Potter Craft
    Quadrille
    Rebecca Danger
    Recovery
    Reversible Knitting
    San Graal
    Sarah Barbour
    Schematic
    Schoolhouse Press
    Shannon Okey
    Singular Snowflakes
    Socks
    Song Of Ice And Fire
    Stc Craft
    Stephannie Tallent
    Stitch Dictionaries
    St Martin's Griffin
    Storey Publishing
    Stroke
    Submission
    Summer Party
    Swedish Sweaters
    Tangled
    Tanis Gray
    Taunton Press
    Teresa Gregorio
    Teva Durham
    Theressa Silver
    The Unique Sheep
    Tips
    Toys
    Tutorials
    Universal
    Vanessa Mooncie
    Van Halen
    Vicki Stiefel
    Wendy Bernard
    Willow Yarns
    Yarn

Knitting with a Twist
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Patterns
    • Garments
    • Accessories
    • eBooks
  • Book Reviews
  • Inkscape Schematic Tutorial
  • Contact