Member Reviews
This knitting book is a great guidebook for circular yokes. In addition to the patterns included (which vary in not only sizes—as a plus sized knitter, that’s important—but also by yarn weight), there is a breakdown of the logistics behind just a plain circular yoke in such a way that someone looking to create their own easily could. The yokes are also a variety, some being color variations, others being cable and/or lace designs, which gives a knitter more flexibility.
I received a free copy of THE ART OF CIRCULAR YOKES (A Timeless Technique for 15 Modern Sweaters) edited by Kerry Bogert in exchange for an honest review. The book begins with the basics of constructing both top-down and bottom-up sweaters with decorative yokes. Yes, it includes the dread math. The patterns included give examples of colorwork, texture, lace, cables, and some combinations thereof. I only liked a few of the patterns; it was just a matter of personal taste. The format provided for the review was unwieldy and I did not get to see many of the diagrams and photographs because they either did not download or were blurry. Frustratingly enough, the glitches all happened on the patterns I actually liked. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are interested in the techniques used in creating either top-down jumpers/sweaters/cardigans or jumpers/sweaters/cardigans with yokes.
#TheArtOfCircularYokes #NetGalley
This is a fabulous book, with lots detail and wonderful patterns on how not just to knit your own garments with the yoke, but also enough information and will enable you to design your own knitted article with a circular yoke.
There is a whole chapter explaining the measurements, design, how to incorporate a pattern and the maths. It is well explained and easily understood, with diagrams to help visualise the instructions.
There are 15 ready to follow patterns, if you just want to knit a jumper or cardigan. Again easy to follow and beautiful items to knit. Once you have made one of this items, you will be hooked, with little sewing and no pesky stitches to pick up or sleeves to set in, these garments are real winners.
Great pictures with simple backgrounds to better showcase the sweaters. The illustrations and directions were clear. I learned about several bind-offs I had never tried before. I was happy to see some of the patterns included sizes above XL. I was given an ARC for my honest review.
The Art of Circular Yokes is the latest pattern and design book from Interweave. The premier knitting book publisher in my opinion. Their books always include great diagrams and measurements along with detailed chapters on how to adjust patterns and the math behind the design.. This book is no exception. The opening chapter is titled, Math of Circular Yokes and proceeds to give a primer on design and math in both inches and centimeters. The full benefit of this chapter would be understood by an intermediate knitter, who has used short rows and knit a sweater or two.
Following the chapter on math an design, fifteen patterns showing the use of lace, color work, cables and slip stitch. Pullovers dominate this book with one or two cardigans thrown in for variety. It would have been nice to include a chapter on steeking and button bands, then every sweater could be either. Detailed diagrams that include lots of measurements allow the knitter to adjust fit and gauge of each pattern.
The book lives up to the claim in the introduction, “...this collection acts as your master class to knitting the finest circular yoke pullovers and cardigans...”.
I received an advance digital copy of this book for review purposes only, I am a librarian and experienced knitter.
When I was a girl in the 1950s my Mom made crocheted collars for herself and her sisters, and the occasional one for one of us girls. I had not thought about them for years until the unflappable RBG became a household persona. The cover of this book brings back so many memories~!
For the experienced knitter, these instructions are simply followed and makes what looks like a ton of work simple to execute. I love the idea of this simply executed yoke. Thank you, Kerry Bogert, for bringing back this awesome style. I now have the confidence to make these 15 yoked sweaters OR just yoked collars!
I received a free electronic copy of this how-to book from Netgalley, Kerry Bogert and Interweave. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this book of my own volition, and this review reflects my personal opinion of this work.
I received an ARC from Ms. Bogert, NetGalley.com and Interweave. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.
The Art of Circular Yokes, edited by Kerry Bogert is a beautifully done knitting resource. The photography is gorgeous, the patterns beautiful and you'll want to spend the day swatching yokes.
Sure to become a necessary part of the knitter's reference library, you'll feel confident in your sweater making with this book.
5 out of 5 stars.
The Art of Circular Yokes is a beautifully curated collection of designs and design instruction for circular yoke sweaters. Edited by Kerry Bogert, with an expected publication date on 11th June 2019, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardback and ebook formats.
The included complete designs are from 13 designers from all over the world with a variety of design aesthetic. There are pullovers which feature colorwork, lacy shaping, cables and more in a variety of gauges and with varied (and gorgeous) yarns.
The format of the book reminds me a lot of the other books I've reviewed recently from F+W Media and Interweave (also edited by Ms. Bogert). The introduction includes really useful formulae and references for designing and realizing original designs. Understanding the underlying theory of construction will allow the reader to make their own unique designs. For readers who prefer to simply pick up needles and yarn, choose a size, and cast on, that option is available by picking one of the included designs.
Most of the sweaters include written and 'Japanese' charted design elements. All of the included tutorial designs are accompanied by multiple clear color photographs from different angles. Interweave photographers and graphics/layout folks are great at their job and this book is no different. All the pictured designs are for women, though some might be adaptable for men. Most of the designs are for pullovers, but there are 3 (by my count) cardigan/button up styles. The patterns are advanced, but I would say (mostly) not beyond the capacity of a keen beginner. There is a how-to-knit chapter at the back of the book.
One additional facet of the book which I enjoyed very much was the links section to the individual web pages for the included designers and yarn suppliers. I spent way too much time on the individual websites and Ravelry pages (and found a bunch of 'must knit' projects which are calling to me). The eARC of the book includes an interactive table of contents and links section, very handy.
I didn't knit any of patterns fully, however, I did swatch three designs and found no errors in the instructions, and the swatches were fine with the called for yarns and gauges.
Five stars. These are classic patterns which will age very well. Luxurious and very well designed.
The Art of Circular Yokes A Timeless Technique for 15 Modern Sweaters by Kerry Bogert
Starts with table of contents where there is an introduction, math solutions and the patterns.
What i like is that the pattern name is also followed by the designers name.
Intro starts with definition of art form and there is a lot of math involved in these patterns.
Take your time and do it right and the sweater is going to fit just perfectly.
There are sketches when the math construction is explained in details.
The measurements are shown using Imperial and Metric measurements.
Shaping is also discussed in detail. Each pattern has it's own pictures and also some show consution pictures.
Summary of the item is described by the designer.
Photos are stunning as are the colors chosen.
Pattern has finished sizes, yarn used, needles sizes and notion. Gauge is also included along with any notes for the specific pattern.
Charts are also included if there are differnt colors in the sleeve and hem sections along with the yoke itself.
Glossary is also noted when it comes to some stitching techniques, that section is at the end of the book.
Finishing brings the whole item together.
Lot of choices to select the one you want to make along with a lot of different sizes.
I felt the patterns are not that difficult, not sure I'd want to tackle this is a beginner.
Love that the format is the same for all patterns. Like some of the patterns enough to want to knit them into an infant afghan for charity.
My favorite to try would be Sigriour because of all the color changes and Modern Art because of the symbols on the yoke and this one is reversible.
Abbreviations are included at the end along with stitches explained that are used in the patterns.
Glossary includes methods of casting on, bind offs, short rows. lifted increases, seaming, and finishings. These are also shown using diagrams.
About the designers is the next section in alphabetical order.
So talented!
Yarn sources are includes with linkable INTERNET access.
Knitting resource books are also listed.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from F+W Media Interweave via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheArtOfCircularYokes #NetGalley
Fabulous! This collection of knitted sweaters is just straight-up wonderful. The patterns are gorgeous and feature a variety of yarn weights. There's colorwork and cables, pullovers and cardigans. And the size range is awesome, with at least one sweater going from x-small up to 6XL. Plus the opening section is all about calculating sizes and doing the math for a perfectly-fitting sweater. I would love to knit, and wear, every sweater in this book.
Nice patterns and lots of information about how to get a jumper to fit well. Good for anyone who wants to go beyond just following the pattern.
This book of yoke sweater patterns give the advanced knitter plenty to sink her teeth into. The designs are lovely and intricate. Most of them are designed for small needles and fairly fine yarn. These are projects that will take a lot of skill, time, and concentration.
This is an awesome book! Extremely detailed and useful for knitters no matter if they want to try their hand at designing or not.
The first part is aimed at designers and knitters who need to modify yoked sweaters. Beware, you'll find maths. Loads and loads and LOADS of maths! All very clearly laid out, and with good examples that makes it easier to understand, but you'll definitely want to follow along with paper and pencil next to the book, as you enter in your own measurements. These are NOT formulas you should ever expect to be able to learn off by heart, but it is a brilliant reference guide, and absolutely indispensable for figuring out where and how to include your increase rows.
But don't worry! Just as it all starts to become too much, and your head starts spinning from all the numbers and formulas, you get to the carrot at the end of the maths - because the second (and larger) part is all about the patterns! 15 absolutely gorgeous pullovers and cardigans, ready to be swatched for and cast on. The patterns are clearly written, with nice, large charts and photos both of the details and of the full length garment. I've found at least 5 I want to cast on right away, and can't wait to go stash-diving for yarn for them.
Sprinkled out throughout the book are quotes from the various designers, with small insights into the specific designs themselves, or their approach to designing in general.
This book begins with the calculations, design decisions, shaping techniques and other procedures needed for designing your own circular yoke sweaters. Then it continues with fifteen patterns for women’s yoked pullovers and cardigans. The patterns are probably not for absolute beginners because they feature colorwork, short-row shaping, lace, cables, charts and waist shaping. Most of the yoke designs are presented in chart format only. The sweaters are knitted either top down or bottom up and there is minimal sewing required. The Glossary explains how to do some of the stitches.
Some of the patterns were of special interest to me. Lace Columns is a cardigan with an all-over lace pattern that starts at the bottom and decreases the stitch count up to the yoke. Modern Art is the sweater on the cover of the book. Not only is it very pretty, but it’s reversible. I don’t work from charts so I probably won’t knit any of these, but there are some nice patterns here and the introductory material about design could be useful.
15 patterns for knitted garments that feature a circular yoke. There are 12 patterns for pullovers and 3 for cardigans. The introductory chapters give a very detailed explanation of how to make sure you get a good fit. The patterns include colourwork and cables and texture and are roughly split equally between top-down and bottom-up construction, so there is plenty of variety. These patterns are written by 15 different designers so the number of sizes offered does vary, but there are at least 5 size options for each garment. The book is well set out and has numerous photographs for each design taken from a number of angles as well as clear charts to supplement the written instructions.
Circular yokes are not my personal favourite (I think that the fit is compromised with this construction) nevertheless this book does have some lovely designs that would appeal to anyone from advanced beginners upwards.
I loved looking at this book! "The Art of Circular Yokes" has amazing patterns, making it hard to decide which one to cast on for first! And it also gives precise information on how you can design your own sweater with a circular yoke. This is definitely a book that every knitter should have in their personal library.
Very, very good knitting book. Both top down and bottom up styles of knitting are covered and as someone new to circular yokes, I was very pleased to have a full breakdown with diagrams showing how they are constructed. This book contains lovely patterns in a variety of styles as well as full instructions on how to design for yourself. The instructions and pictures are clear and easy to follow.
A really good introduction to knitting in the round, top down. The book gives you all the information and help you need to create your own design, or alter the patterns in the book, to suit your measurements. Good clear instructions and explanation of all abbreviations. Nice selection of patterns for fairisle, lace work, and cable.
I didn't have time to try any of the patterns, but they all looked really interesting.
As with other Interweave knitting books, this collection is beautifully shot. Each design is accompanied by multiple photos and those knit with darker yarns include at least one shot that shows the details well. The designs here will not suit all knitters. Circular yokes don't flatter every body shape. I did find a couple designs I'd be interested in knitting for myself, but this would be one I would personally borrow from the library rather than buy.
Thank you to F+W Media and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.