Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

BonniR — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:05:23 GMT

Dear 'British' Kate,
Thank you!
We women in the states tend to think in terms of numbers far too much. I am a size 16 bust, a 12 waist and a 14 hip, and a hot 50 years young. I am so trired of hearing women in the 40+ age range who are looking for "mature" fashions. My mother-in-law just turned 80 and there are plenty of mature fashions for her to wear. As long as she (and women in her age bracket)are keeping those manufacturers in business, I will feel comfortable wearing the "young" fashions I love. My husband would drop dead from shock and disapointment if he came home one day to find me wearing something more appropriate to his mother; and quite frankly I would have to hang head in shame if I left the house in the boxy, unatractive, shapeless garments made for "women of a certain age."
As for women who don't want to expose certain parts of their bodies, how about wearing a lovely T (silk maybe?) underneath? And, who are we kidding? Wearing those baggy shapes doesn't conceal a thing; it only draws attention to our figure 'flaws' (AKA humanity.) No, it is not necessary to wear immodest or constricting garments, but take pride in who YOU are, and let your fashion sense show it.
And Kate, if you are ever in the states, look me up, we can go shopping together!
Bonni

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

BonniR — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:33:48 GMT

I was not at all disapointed to discover that Zelda was discontinued. I found great substitutes at elann DOT com, and was especially pleased with the "Linus," the "Pamir," and though it doesn't have the same super-textury effect that Zelda does, the "Tweedy Silk" does yield a great nubbly fabric that is necessary to make the basic shape of this jacket "pop." The color selection was more than I could have hoped for in these yarns, and I can knit 3 of the jackets for the same price I could have done 1 in the Zelda. (And, no, I don't work for elann, but I couldn't knit nearly as much as I do, or in the quality yarn that I love to work with without their prices.)

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

JudyM@5 — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:24:44 GMT

Would Lion Brand Lion Boucle or Bernat Tweedsome yarn work for the Sophisticated Rustic Jacket?
Judy

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

Ladyjet — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:57:15 GMT

I'd like you to feature the Printed Silk Cardigan. It's an elegant sweater and has a neckline that will enhance most women/girl's necks/shoulders. This is the first time I've commented though I enjoy your Daily Knitting ezine very much. Thanks for your writing. Sandy, you do a darn good job!!! Thanks again.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

SueG — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:50:05 GMT

I just received my issue by mail, THANKS so much! and as usual spent quite a bit of time devouring the articles, tips & patterns. Like many of your readers I am in the mid-50s crowd & find some of your styles more suited to the younger age group. But I also see inspiration from these designs that are very much adaptable to more mature tastes. What I'd like to see in IK is a tutorial showing the process of adding a sleeve to a vest or cap sleeved top, or changing a flared hip peblum to a sleeker below-the-waist area. It seems that many readers might make your sweaters if they were able to adapt them to THEIR body type/age based style. I plan on knitting one of your sweaters with the sleeve of another so suit ME - after all it's just a pattern, not a ready to wear garment that would need to be taken apart. This where are creative juices come in! Keep the galleries coming so we can preview the final results so there are a few less UFOs sitiing around collecting dust.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

KristiB — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:13:54 GMT

Finally, IK is putting out more tailored/fitted styles. I love this issue and have recently started knitting since I picked up the magazine two years ago. Although, I don't have a problem finding my size (small-frame 35-28-37) in IK with the exception of a few patterns that only feature two sizes or like the Twinkles' patterns, I would like to see articles that show us how to resize or alter existing patterns. Furthermore, I don't knit for others but for myself and I like IK the way it is. There are many magazines out there that feature children's patterns, home dec., and boxy styles for mature women. IK should continue to be different from the rest and stay fashion forward.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

HeatherN — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:59:42 GMT

Reading the comments on this post I see a lot of people saying that while they think the patterns are pretty they wouldn't knit any of them for themselves because it seems as though the patterns would only look good on skinny women with smaller breasts. I disagree completely!

Looking at the preview of this coming issue I am excited because to me this looks like a bunch of patterns that would look absolutely fantastic on super curvy ladies like myself!

Yeah all of the models are thin, straight lines, but isn't that always the case? I was under the impression that the whole point of the galleries was to show off the patterns on women of different shapes and sizes, to illustrate how they look with different amounts of ease. With all of the galleries presented in the past people have constantly been amazed at how good the patterns have looked with a good amount of negative ease, i.e., not on stick thin models.

Because of these things, and the fact that you are doing galleries, I think it is absolutely ridiculous for people to immediately jump to the conclusion that none of these patterns are going to look good on women with curves!

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

Chandra — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:32:32 GMT

There are plenty of magazine that feature dowdy, frumpy patterns (I live in the UK and every magazine published here comes to mind).

Please don't change IK. Some of us, no matter our ages and body shapes, have an interest in sophisticated yet classic fashion, and IK is the only magazine I've found that fills that niche.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

LyndaH — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:22:27 GMT

I just looked at the items for the gallery voting. I have to agree with a lot of the comments here...the garments tend to be geared toward the younger crowd and not for those over 40. I like some of the styles, just not for me. I voted for 5, but will probably only knit maybe one of them. Can you up the age and size range on the garments?

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

SallyH@2 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:51:26 GMT

Please don't feature a pattern when the yarn recommended is no longer available or a substitute cannot be found. I really loved the pattern in this mailing, but won't try it if the yarn can't be found for it.

I really enjoy your knitting daily report. Thanks!

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

LeslieR — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:25:38 GMT

I have to vouch for IK. It is a great magazine for people who want to learn more about knitting. The sweaters always feature interesting construction techniques and stitch details and they're designed by the best knitters in the business. I haven't seen the Spring issue yet, but I hope it hasn't veered that far from the IK tradition.
As far as camisoles, etc. Yes, I'm getting past the age where maybe I shouldn't wear them any more. But the lace is great fun to knit and there's much less knitting than a traditional front, back, two sleeves sweater. I tend to actually get them finished.
As far as being too fashion-oriented, there are other knitting magazines out there -- at least one that was once a long-time beloved favorite -- that I don't read any more because it's too much fashion and not enough knitting. IK is far and away better. No comparison.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

SueK@2 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:22:14 GMT

I don't think the problem is a matter of age as much as what you want to expose. I'm 55 and a size 16 (and have always been, even in my 20s), and I like many of the patterns, but I don't want to expose my flabby upper arms, my drooping midriff and my more than ample formerly pregnant belly. But when I was in my 20s I also didn't want to expose some body features. I still like the designs, though, so defining "young" and "mature" patterns is somewhat bewildering to me. I'd be willing to bet there are still plenty of designs that could appeal to all knitters, we just need a balance of designs. Oh, and about the kid patterns, one feature per issue wouldn't detract from IKs reputation of being a sophisticated knitting mag, now would it? I think IK has to try to appeal to everyone a little bit.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

JuneM — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:46:34 GMT

I'm 52, not thin nor particularly shapely. I love most of these patterns and plan to knit several of them. Such a wonderful departure from the frumpy, utilitarian garments that many associate with hand knits.
I love IK's direction.

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:07:10 GMT

Dear Sandi, I think that all of the sweaters are very nice for a younger girl as indicated by very low necks, camisole tops etc. But what about the older women knitters who just don't won't to dress like the young girls for obvious reasons. Will there ever be an issue with anything for us

re: Vote For The Spring Gallery Garments!

DavidA — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:59:06 GMT

As always, I have to wonder where are the knits for men, if there are any at all?