Top-Down Crochet Sweaters: Fabulous Patterns with Perfect Fit

It's not easy to replicate the refined look of hours of hand knitting a top-down sweater in the medium of crochet, but with this book and the excellent Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop, it can be achieved.I have been applying what I learned from Grandma Elizabeth Zimmermann (Knitting From the Top) and Priscilla Gibson-Roberts (Knitting In The Old Way) when it comes to the elegance of top-down construction. The sweater recipes in those revered volumes were traditional, great for men and kids, but overall not terribly flattering or fashion-forward.It was Doris Chan, Robyn Chachula, and Dora Ohrenstein who sold me on the idea of couture crochet.What the author of this book has achieved is revolutionary and makes perfect sense. I have been doing lots of crochet this year, and I love the speed and versatility compared to knitting. But creating drape has been my goal, and my yarn choices have focused on fingering to dk at the heaviest.The author goes this direction too, and provides a detailed primer on this method, with the yoke styles (round, raglan and lots of variations on both), division of stitches for the sleeves, front and back, and from there the specific styles branch off.If you follow the advice here on yarn choices (natural fibers that can be blocked, fibers with both loft and drape, and even budget-friendly choices like the excellent superfine acrylic blends now available), gauge swatches (Just. Do. It.) and stitches that provide the right amount of drape, spring, loft, or all three, you will love your very first top-down, fit as-you-go sweater.I especially loved chapter 3, about wearing ease, styling ease, how to honestly and correctly measure yourself, fibers and fit, making alterations.Part one is all about techniques, and part two begins over 50 pages in, with the easiest patterns first, two versions of each, in very different fibers, all the way up to the most sophisticated styles. It's easy to imagine modifying any one of them.My favorites: Isola, an elegant raglan with cap sleeves, in a sweet lace pattern (and any familiar lace pattern looks fresh with Top-Down, because it's inverted) shown in a gorgeous cotton rayon blend by Designing Vashti.My daughter loves the cardigan version of Isola, Chloe. Luna and Janelle show off a very unusual stitch, like Tunisian alternating with half double crochet. The version in Knit Picks Stroll Sock is affordable and elegant.Even if you're not ready to commit to a large cardi, the fitting tips, construction techniques and overall approach to couture crochet are all a must. If you're nerdy about everything you do, and immerse yourself in learning all you can from the professionals, this book belongs in your library. I would recommend the hard copy here, because the schematics, charts and photos are large and clear.

Another beautiful book of crochet sweaters.The collection shows pullover paired with a cardigan so if you prefer one over the other, you have a win-win choice of patterns.

I bought the book mainly for the sweater patterns. Finding chic and EASY crochet patterns for sweaters is harder than for knitting. There are patterns for lacy crochet sweaters, knit-like sweaters, and easy jackets.The book focuses on shaping techniques based on parts of the sweater--yoke, sleeves, body.This is NOT a book for beginners. There are no illustrations to demonstrate the basic crochet stitches, but those are available on youtube or any web search engine.Reading the patterns provided is DIFFERENT than those provided for free, ie from bottom up. I'm not sure the top to down method is superior, as I have not actually tried any of the patterns, but the overall look of the patterns provided is irresistible for me.Each sweater pattern gets a photo on the model, by itself, and a side view. I am a visual person, and appreciate the many photos.There are suggestions for yarns to choose, but that specific yarn or color will likely be obsolete by the time the book is printed, so having pictures are really helpful for guiding you in your project.I do not regret the purchase and recommend it as a "buy".

Dora Ohrenstein has done it again! She's given us another book that takes an area of crochet from basics techniques to new possibilities. If you have tried top-down adult garments and have been disappointed in the look or fit, this book walks you through the steps to achieve a great sweater that you will be proud to wear.Special attention is paid to how yarn selection affects drape and fit and how how to adjust patterns to fit your shape. The patterns in the book are shown on women with varying body shapes and include a wide range of sizes to accommodate real women. The yarns used for sweaters shown in the book include some fibers that are moderately prices (including as least one available in big box stores) as well as luxury yarns, with suggestions for alternatives base on fiber content and texture.Dora has written clear explanations of how the two types of top down garments achieve their shaping and devotes a chapter to making the sweater fit. The pattern instructions themselves are clearly written and include useful reference point to guide the way.If you are new to Dora's books and designs, this book will introduce you to her well thought out designs for real people along with her clear pattern instruction for achieving your own well-fitting sweater. If you are already a fan of her books and patterns, this book will be a necessary addition to your crochet library

I became a fan of Dora Ohrenstein's sweater designs when I bought her book Custom Crocheted Sweaters, which is as much a master class in sweater making as a pattern book. I loved one of the patterns in that book so much that I made three variations of it, following Dora's instructions!This book follows in its footsteps with 14 new designs that are all made top-down. I love this method of construction because it makes it so easy to try the garment on as you go and make adjustments as necessary. I picked the Luna sweater as my first project from the book, and I am already mentally planning a few others. Dora gives extensive guidance in the book and is very accessible through her Ravelry group, Crochet Insider, which adds immeasurably to the value of her designs.I've bought the book both in the Kindle version here on Amazon and in the hard-copy edition at a book-signing event, and I am glad to have both. The print book is truly a first-class product, with substantial paper and beautiful photography; it's definitely a suitable gift for any crocheter who enjoys crafting women's garments. And the Kindle version lets me take the patterns and tips with me wherever I go!

I love this crochet book. There's so much useful information for proper sizing. My favorite garments are top down and the patterns in this book are exceptionally beautiful. One thing I really, really appreciate about the patterns is that each one comes with a GAUGE PATTERN. Not only do you learn the correct technique for the stitches used in that particular pattern but you get a perfect small sample of your gauge. Most crocheters dislike creating the dreaded gauge swatch, myself included but the way it's presented in the pattern I couldn't wait to create it!

Grande varietà di modelli

El libro tiene varios modelos de jerseys o chaquetas que luego puedes adaptar a otros patrones. Lo mejor es que además de la explicación de las instrucciones es que tienes un gráfico que puedes seguir.El único problema es que está en inglés .

Just got it but so far useful information its going to be handy when creating own patterns I feel.

I love cardigans and Pullover and specially the ones that can be constructed in one piece. I like to see the progress, try it on...This book doesn't disappoint! It does not contain the math behind but instructions are quite clear and if you google around you can find enough information to fill in the gaps should you want to design your own. Having said that, this books provides a lot of information and I would Highly recommended.The designs are Devine and can't wait to try them all! Easy instructions as well. Pages and photography have been done in a very nice way too. A joy to flip through the pages!