Swing, Swagger, Drape: Knit the Colors of Australia

Swing, Swagger, Drape: Knit the Colors of Australia
by Jane Slicer-Smith

Swing, Swagger, Drape: Knit the Colors of Australia
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Book Summary Information

Author: Jane Slicer-Smith
Brand: XRX Publishing
Photographer: Alexis Xenakis
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-10-01
ISBN: 193306417X
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Xrx Books
Product features:
  • XRX-64178
  • 9781933064178
  • Brand New Item / Unopened Product
  • XRX Publishing

Book Reviews of Swing, Swagger, Drape: Knit the Colors of Australia

Book Review: Simply Stunning!
Summary: 5 Stars

This is one of the most stunning and inspiring knitting books I have bought in a while. Like other reviewers, I agree that the photography alone is amazing, truly capturing the inspirations from nature and architecture that are reflected in the patterns.

Aside from this visual appeal, the book also offers great insight to a designer's vision. The basic patterns for the jackets and sweaters are shown with the directions and graphs for multiple colorways. Also for each pattern, are multiple lengths, with accompanying fotos and graphs, as well as choices for collar, cuff, and edge options. Several of these patterns also have an internet tool on their website with a black and white line drawing of the article which you can click and add your own colors to make your own pattern. Very nice tool for those who always end up tweaking patterns they knit to suit their own tastes. The fabrics are created by 4 basic foundations: 1) Simple intarsia to create "stripes" or blocks (3 jackets and wrap with multiple variations on each), 2) miters (coat/vest, wrap and sweater all with many variations that are absolutely striking), 3) texture through stitch variation including cables and drop stitches (coat, vest, jacket, tunic, skirt, drape), and 4) complex intarsia reflecting shapes and colors in either nature or architecture (jackets, drape, sweaters, vests).

If this isn't enough, there is also a section with tips on the techniques (i.e. miters) where they show visually an actual piece in progress. Another section gives tips on style and fit, and how to adapt a pattern (more advanced if you are new to knitting). It's very light on stitch tutorials - just 4 pages of the basics at the back - which I find appropriate since the patterns are also intermediate to advanced, and most knitters doing these patterns most likely already know these stitch techniques.

To top it off, at the end is a simple tutorial on making your own matching artistic buttons from polyform clay using simple kitchen tools to finish your masterwork, with some nice pictures showing button examples on some knitted fabrics. Finally there is a short piece on making matching hats (3 choice styles) to complement.
This book would be a challenge for new knitters, but an inspiration none the less, and must have book for the more experienced knitter and knitting book collector.

Summary of Swing, Swagger, Drape: Knit the Colors of Australia

A long-awaited collection of 30 designs by Australia?s leading knitwear designer is showcased in this instructional knitting handbook utilizing classic yarns, which features on-location photography of the Australian flora and fauna that inspired her work. Small projects with step-by-step instructions introduce the techniques used in the garments, such as intarsia, miters, and textured patterns. Designer notes explain the logic of the shapes and highlight opportunities for customizing the fit. Alternate colorways are also shown for most garments along with distinctive shapes for jackets, coats, and simple wraps that flatter and fit.

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