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Jean
Frost Jackets:
Fabric,
Fit and Finish for Today's Knits
by
Jean Frost
Anyone
who knows Coco Chanel will want to at least glance through
this book. If you have a shape that can handle the classic
Coco Jacket, this is your book. Jean Frost never hides the
fact that her influence is Coco and what is often referred
to as Classic Cuts for women.
The
word "Jacket" is a bit deceptive. These designs can be worn
as jackets and/or sweaters as additions to or part of the
total outfit. The yarns vary from fingering weight to worsted
with the majority being sport or worsted weight yarns. The
patterns are simple and understated.
I
think most of us understand that we're not going to like
every pattern in a book, but this one comes darned close.
I admit I bought it for the sweater "Siobahn," the only
lace pattern in the book using linen yarn. It's a lacy leaf
pattern and is marked Advanced. I had never knitted a lace
pattern when I purchased this book, but that pattern inspired
me to learn. It's just simple elegance that would look wonderful
on figures of many shapes and sizes.
If
you're a subscriber to Knitters Magazine, then you'll be
familiar with the format of the patterns and instructions.
They're generally good, but certainly not long on detail.
As much as I enjoy Knitters and their sister-publications,
I don't think they are "beginner knitter" friendly. But
that could just be me... there are times I know that the
expression "somewhere a village is missing their idiot"
applies to me. So, if you're more of an intuitive knitter,
you'll be fine.
The
one tip I found absolutely invaluable and have used ever
since I purchased the book is Jean's seaming instructions.
For those of you who absolutely hate seaming in mattress
or kitchener stitch - this is for you! She shows a simple
seaming technique using a slip stitch crochet that I have
used exclusively ever since I learned it. (I hate kitchener,
hate kitchener... I know, my father always said never to
use the word "hate" because it is a strong word. So. I really
really really dislike the kitchener stitch. And for those
of you that have no problem with it. Well. Good for you.
'Nuf said.)
Browse
the book at Amazon and see what you think - it's a good
purchase if these styles interest you and flatter your frame.
Respectfully
submitted, Robin Connolly-Medici
Buy
this book from Amazon.com
Click
here for corrections to Jean Frost's Jackets book.
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