Top-Down Knit Sweaters: 16 Versatile Styles Featuring Texture, Lace, Cables, and Colorwork

Extolling top-down sweater knitting as a neater and more customizable process than the alternative, this pattern book from designer Ferguson (Warm Days, Cool Nights) shows how to use hand-dyed yarn and brilliant color combinations to create stitches that will really pop. The 16 projects included are both charted and written out, so knitters can follow along as they prefer, and the photographs of each sweater include multiple, close-up views of stitch patterns, yoke detailing, color work, hem length and/or edging. Moreover, each pattern contains at least one detail—such as a shawl pin or “statement button”—that adds an extra bit of personality. Though projects aren’t labeled by difficulty level, experienced crafters can quickly determine whether they can tackle any given project. Most appealing to beginners will be either the “fast fun knit” shawl-collared “Flora,” or “Lenora,” a “warm and woolly layering piece.” The more complex knits gathered here are the author’s specialty, though, with the reversible “Constance” and the color-worked yokes of “Maude,” “Zelma,” and “Trudy” particular highlights. Ferguson clearly has a knack for color, and it will behoove readers of this appealing collection to attend to its plans and suggestions carefully. (Nov.)