Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

DeniseW — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:44:38 GMT

So true about the importance of how you carry your weight. I've seen curvy size 4s and straight-as-a-stick size 24s. Information about how to adjust patterns would be helpful. Judging from many comments, I'm not the only one who is one size in the bust and at least one size down in the shoulders. Suggestions about how to choose patterns suitable for alteration would also be helpful. Sometimes just borrowing whatever detail or color caught my eye and using it in something else turns out to be more practical.

A belated tip of the hat to Sandi for the t-shirt fit example. A very clear illustration of the wheres and whys of darts.

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

GrandmaT — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:07:42 GMT

Tammy T has it right. Patterns designed to fit a skinny woman may be "sized up" but that doesn't mean it will be flattering. I'm petite, just under 5', and I've found that plus sized patterns have the shoulders halfway to my elbows. Not all plus sized woman are simply plus sized. Some carry their weight evenly, others like me, carry their weight differently - belly, thigh, bust, etc. Pattens designed for this difference would be wonderful. Also, give us finished chart measurments, the amount of ease built in, and a clue as to what figure type the garment would be most flattering on.

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

Catladyluck — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:54:02 GMT

I so *totally* agree with Rebecca S! That is the best way I have EVER seen it put!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

Rebecca S — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:25:44 GMT

I agree with the other comments on size of the models and proportions of the knitwear. I would love to see IK set a new standard here! I really dislike that nearly all patterns in most books and mags are done in the smallest size- us "big" girls have to get books titled "Big Girl Knits" to find proportioned patterns. I am rather offended by it. I am an size 16, which is pretty average these days. What if the smaller gals always had to to get books titled "Skinny Scrawny Knits" to get patterns that fit them well? Or had to spend hours trying to successfully take inches OUT of a bustline. PLEASE IK, be the first to set to step up the plate and provide real world patterns for real world women!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

SalineMIKnits — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:39:50 GMT

1. I wish every issue taught us a different cast-on - knitted or crocheted and what are the pros and cons to these cast-on and when to use them. Is there a book just dedicated to cast-ons - like a cast-on dictionary or something?
2. How many different bind-offs in knitting and crocheting are there?

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

JulieT — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:49:53 GMT

We either need instructions on how to modify the patterns, or else, include a variety of styles in the magazine to match the basic body shapes with size ranges... eg. Hour glass figures with range of sizes from thin to heavy. Pear shaped with range of sizes from thin to heavy women. ETC. Petite/tall should be addressed as well, by the designer. What body type and height was the garment designed for? And, what body types can it look good on, besides it's intended wearer? If you can do this, you will have THE BEST MAGAZINE OUT THERE!! -Thanks for listening to us!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

Cmm760 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:46:50 GMT

I appreciate patterns that fit the full-figured woman (sizes 1x, 2x) I'd like to see more fashionable patterns that flatter this figure type. For example some things that do not work for me are: bulky yarns, tight shoulder seams and short sleeves. I like elbow and 3/4 length sleeves and patterns with a drop or raglan shoulder. Stitch patterns can be 'intersting' as long as they don't tend to accent the upper arms, bust or waist/stomach area. I prefer solids vs. patterns or yarns that will yield those feared, horizantal stripes which accent one's width!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

ChrissieM — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:33:11 GMT

I appreciate that the bust sizes in IK go up to 44+ inches, but I agree with previous posters that I would like to see models with curvier figures wearing the garments. As a 38DDD, I love seeing patterns with short-row shaping and good waist shaping.

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

TammyT — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:36:54 GMT

I'd like to address the plus size issue: I am a medium sized gal (size 14) and I find that the problem is not that you don't offer patterns that "go up to" large enough sizes, it is that you don't offer enough patterns that are MADE FOR an actual woman. A pattern which is designed in such a way that it looks best on a size 4 model with an A or B cup will NOT LOOK GOOD on a shapely woman, period. When you just "size up" a pattern we larger gals tend to end up with a sweater which is way too big in the neck, too snug in the bust and/or which hangs like a sack at the waist and hips and is big enough to drive a truck through at the wrists. A larger bust pulls the garment up so it tends to be too short waisted or just too short in general. It's not so much BIGness that is lacking, it is PROPORTION. Even my dinky size 4 daughter is hard to knit for because she is a D cup. As beautiful as the designs are in the latest issue, I really don't see a sweater that would look good on anyone I actually know in real life- no matter how high you crank the measurements up to. See books like "Big Girl Knits" and the excellent "Fitted Knits" to see what I mean. Shaping is, IMO, no harder than colorwork or cables IF the pattern is designed for it. Clever design with ribs in the right places, etc., are just as good as darts or short rows.

I would actually prefer that you NOT make many of your patterns sized up to a size 20-something. (too many numbers are confusing) I'd just like to see patterns designed for and sized to what most women outside NY and LA are: shapely and middle range (sized 12, 14, 16ish, assuming a size C cup at least). A pattern designed for a shapely mid-size could, with a little math, easily be sized up into an attractive plus sized garment. That would certainly be easier than trying to fit boobs in a garment designed for a stick figure!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

HelenKO — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:55:09 GMT

Yes, it is true the plus size stuff almost never fits me, and I have yet to see a truly plus-size model in any knitting magazine. There are beautiful women and men out there that are XXL and more; I personally don't consider a size 14 plus-size! However, I think Eunny is brilliant, and I will continue to buy IK in any case.

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

MarilynP@2 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:54:20 GMT

How about showing a size 14 model for a couple of the sweaters so we can actually see what it will look like on a curvy person? thanks - Marilyn. mpaarman@ch2m.com

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

jcknitter — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:20:13 GMT

We don't need instructions for more sizes. People of all sizes need to learn how to adapt a pattern to fit their own features. Wasn't that the point of Sandi's tutorial on dart shaping?

The beauty of making your own clothing is that you can make it any way you want or need. I don't go around whining about needing "tall" patterns. I just adjust the pattern to fit.

Eunny, please don't waste precious magazine space with print instructions for every imaginable size. Give us your trademark fantastic instructions for modifying and fitting garments. Your instructions for fitting and shaping lace garments were among the best articles in IK in years!

Jax

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

Jody@2 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:56:48 GMT

Welcome Eunny! As an avid reader of your blog, it is great to see you resurface! I agree that I would like to see the ease measurement for each pattern. It would definitely help decide what size might fit. I am a plus size and hesitate to make sweaters--although I did make the Josephine Top from the Summer issue out of a bamboo yarn and I love it!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

LindaT@2 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:52:39 GMT

I'm wondering why the patterns always say something like pattern shown in size 34? How does that help us decide what size to make if we don't know the bust size of the model? Thanks!

re: Eunny Jang: Working In A Knitting Wonderland

LindaT@2 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:50:38 GMT

I'm wondering why the patterns always say something like