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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Knitting Reimagined

August 14, 2014 1 Comment

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

This book isn’t so much on trend as it is beyond trend. Legendary knitwear designer Nicky Epstein’s new book Knitting Reimagined presents 25 innovative patterns that are conceptualized differently than a lot of knitwear you might have encountered on your knitting journeys. Knitting your way through this book would be an amazing way to get inspired to do something new next time you’re feeling bored with knitting yet another cardi or wrap.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

The book’s skill levels and structure

Every pattern in Knitting Reimagined has two symbols at the beginning: 1, 2 or 3 balls of yarn or clocks. The fewer the balls of yarn, the more beginner-friendly it is. The fewer clocks, the quicker you can finish it. Easy peasy.

The book’s 25 patterns are divided among 4 chapters. The first chapter, Directionals, focuses on using only rectangles, angles and squares to form capes, tunics, shawls and sweaters. I think chapter 2, full of patterns with particularly interesting approaches to shape, is the one I might learn the most from knitting through. It’s got such cool ideas that are straight up made differently than patterns I’m used to making. Chapter 3 incorporates elements of knitting woven together to create neat effects. And even though a couple of these might look like entrelac at first glance, they aren’t. The pieces are physically woven together and sewn or appliquéd to complete the garment. (Epstein is known for designing with this technique.) Finally, chapter 4 includes “interesting and unique stitches, color work, an edgings that all go beyond ‘business as usual’ stitches.”

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

My thoughts

As an aspiring knitting and crochet designer, I have respect for everything Epstein does. She’s very much a legend in this field. In the introduction, she says “there comes a time to break new ground, a time for experimentation and improvisation, and a time to rethink and reimagine typical structures and shapes in hand-knitting. My goal was to fill this book with chic, wearable, but uniquely atypical garments that will appeal to knitters of all skill levels.” If there’s anyone I trust to do this, it’s Nicky Epstein.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

For me, a number of the patterns in this book were a little too avant garde for everyday wear as-is. Epstein was clever enough to include a “reimagine it” call out at the bottom of each pattern’s intro, offering suggestions like, “Keep the lace pattern and construction, but try using a fabulous subtly colored, hand-dyed yarn. Add a different button and closure choice for a completely new look.” I think less adventurous knitting fashionistas might opt for reimagining a couple of the garments before heading out in their handmade creations.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

My favorite pattern in the book is the Directional Vest, not only because bright blues always catch my attention (I even had the perfect color yarn in my stash already). The vest is the type of design that hits right at the waist, so it will likely flatter many body types. The cabling along the upper back and edges is really beautiful as well!

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

Last but not least, I love the design of the book. The photography is amazing! The modern meets vintage meets whimsical settings and lovely lighting combine to make a really beautiful book. And the graphic design, from the font choices to curlicue edgings, is really lovely.

You can get Knitting Reimagined by Nicky Epstein for $29.99 at Random House. Blogging for Books provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: book, book review, craft books, knit, Knitting, knitting books, knitting reimagined, librarian, nicky epstein

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Sky Turtle

    September 6, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    That vest looks amazing! Are you thinking about making it? Last year I fell in love with a vest from Wool and the Gang, but didn’t do anything about it :/

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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