Things to wear

[enmac]

Can anyone recommend a book with good patterns for sweaters and cardigans? Things you'd actually wear? I have not had much luck with my local library and bookshops.

I have seen a couple of books on Amazon which looked OK and got good reviews - I think one was by Susan Huxley and another by Melissa Leapman. Anyone seen any of these?

[pfirsch]

What help am I if I own both books and haven't made anything from either?

If you only had to buy one, I'd go for Crocheted Sweaters by Susan Huxley. You can experiment a bit more with some of the patterns because they seem to be meant for people who have little experience with crocheting sweaters; so, no complex stitching or shaping.

I'm sorry if I'm not help whatsoever. What kind of sweater are you looking for? There are some online that could get you started.

Have you seen these? Crochet Pattern Central (http://http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/women.php)

Okay, I'm done rambling now.

Pfirsch

[enmac]

Hi Pfirsch, thanks for the review.

Hmm, what kind of sweater am I looking for? I'll know it when I see it :D Something more fitted rather than large and baggy. Either a very simple pattern in which case I'd use a fancier wool, or something with a bit more texture, or maybe even lacy. Preferably all one colour or with simple colour changes. A sweater with a v-neck or a short cardigan/jacket with a collar. Long sleeves.

I have been looking online but haven't so far found anything to meet my extensive requirements :D

By the way, I get an error from that link. I'll try again later.

[pfirsch]

There was an extra httpin there... Here it is again:
Crochet Pattern Central (http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/women.php)

Also have a look at Free Patterns.com (http://www.freepatterns.com/). All the directions use the American conventions, but there are plenty of links online to help you "translate" the pattern into Australian.

Unfortunately, the best place to find good form-fitting patterns are from the 1970's crochet patterns. I say it's unfortunate because I have lots of those at home in the US, but I'm in Germany now; so, can't run back so quickly to pick them up. ;)

I'll keep trying to help as best I can.

[Donna]

Crochet with Style: Fun-to-Make Sweaters for All Seasons

I just bought this book, so I haven't crocheted anything from it yet. I think the patterns in this book are beautiful and really show that crochet doesn't have to be dowdy! There are 24 sweaters and only a couple of them are baggy.

I found five sweaters in this book that are now on my future projects list!

In the way of cardigans, it has Ida's Springtime Cardigan, which is a long-sleeved V-neck done in Coats and Clark's Lustersheen (fingering weight, 100% acrylic).

There is also a Dressy Chenille Cardigan, round neck with one button at the top. It's done in Lion Brand Chenille Sensations (heavy worsted weight, 100% acrylic).

Then there's my favorite -- Melinda's Textured Short-Sleeved Cardigan. It has a V-neck and is done in Paton's Cotton DK (light worsted weight, 100% cotton).

There are more cardigans in the book, but those are the ones I like best.

[enmac]

So I ended up ordering both Crocheted Sweaters and Crochet with Style. I tried my local bookshop and they said it would take 10 weeks to order them and quoted some horrific price, so hurray for Amazon <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif" />Thanks again for the reviews.

[enmac]

My crochet books arrived in the mail this week. <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/jumpy.gif" /> I like Crochet with Style. There are a couple of patterns I definitely want to try. But I really love Crocheted Sweaters. The colours, textures and shapes are just beautiful. I'm so inspired by this book. Must go buy some wool. <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />