Custom Knit Jackets: Casual to Couture

by Jean Frost, Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Elaine Rowley (Editor)

With one master pattern, this resource guides knitters through creating 12 jacket silhouettes in five standard sizes, with four different weights of yarn. Reminiscent of the designer details that have made the Chanel jacket a signature piece for more than 50 years, the details in this book add professional finish to collars, pockets, fabrics, and hand-stitched silk lining. The process to create a perfect-fit jacket requires only simple math and graph paper. Using real-body examples, Jean Frost shows how to adjust patterns for narrow shoulders, long arms, short or long waist, a large bust, and other common fitting problems.

Genres: Knitting

180 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a knitting masterwork. I loved her first book Jackets (which I'll be reviewing next.). Jean Frost is renowned for her gorgeous jackets that look great on women of any age, and just about any shape, with anything from jeans to evening wear. She has put her own stamp on the classic Chanel jacket, and in this book, she tells you exactly how to create one for yourself, to fit yourself, and line it and finish it to a fare-thee-well level of couture perfection.

I wear her jackets to work throughout the year, knit in fibers from wool to cotton, and having worn a few of them to the point of retirement now, I can honestly say the compliments come with every wearing.

In this book she walks you through the process of design and construction to make your own custom-fit jacket. If you have not designed from scratch before, or simply would like to try your hand at it, this is a great place to start. OTOH if you prefer to dive in and knit one of her basic jackets, and modify the finishing to suit your tastes - she tells you how to do that, too. Never have I seen a designer spill her secrets so openly.

Ms. Frost has retired now, and I think of this book as her legacy to knitters. It's not for beginners, but if you've moved beyond the washcloth and scarf stage, and knit a cardigan or two, you might as well step up - this book is for you. If you've been designing your own sweaters for years, maybe using a little help from cookbooks or software - this book is certainly for you. And if you just want a nice jacket that you can wear anywear and it fits you - here you go!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book. I'd love to knit one of these jackets, but I think I'd need to take a class to keep me going through the process.

[Mary Good]

More of a pattern book than I was expecting.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems more dated than 2011. Very structured.

[Heywu · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit old fashion for my taste.