English designer Ann Kingstone has created a
beautiful collection of 12 patterns themed for the
seasons of the year. A wonderful variety of garments and
accessories is shown to perfection in the stunning
photography by Verity Britton. The designs include 3
tops and a coat which have been sized for 32-58 inch
chests. A remarkable size range! Shawl lovers have 3 to
choose from, while socks, gloves and slippers provide
plenty to delight gift knitters. Ann is justifiably
known as 'a knitter's designer', creating patterns
incorporating up-to-date knitting techniques and
construction methods. Thus the patterns in this book are
all entirely seamless, and the sweaters and coat are
knitted top-down with integrally knitted sleevecaps. As
is typical for Ann's work, the collection includes
extraordinary lace, cable, colourwork, icord, and
feather and fan details. Though Ann's work is generally
regarded as best suited to intermediate to advanced
knitters, her pattern writing style is so clear that
even inexperienced knitters have found themselves able
to undertake new techniques following her
straightforward, succinct instructions. Japanese short
rows, applied icord, and one-row buttonholes are made
easy with brief yet careful directions where they occur.
The book also contains some musings about appropriate
fibre and projects for each of the four seasons. Though
Ann is an English designer, the patterns all include
imperial as well as metric measurements, and American as
well as English knitting terms and needle sizes.
However, British spelling is used throughout, and Ann is
culturally unable to call a jumper a sweater! If you can
forgive her for this you will love this book.
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