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Title: Design it, Knit it
Author: Debbie Bliss
Date Published: 2009
Review Date: July 17, 2009
Who is this book for?
Fans of Debbie Bliss will be as captivated by the personal conversation with this noted designer as they are by her trendsetting knitwear. As a best-selling author of more than 30 books on knitting designs, Debbie Bliss is one of the most admired knitwear designers in the market. Well known for tasteful, sophisticated garments, Debbie Bliss’ aesthetic designs blend contemporary flair with classic detailing. In Design it, Knit it, Debbie shares her expertise in a warmly personal and conversational style as she guides knitters along the creative and practical path she follows when designing a hand knit. Knitters of all levels will find new insights in discovering her secrets of knitting design, from creating an attractive silhouette to selecting yarns, reading patterns and charts, using color for impact, and adding transformative details.
What Yarns does it Feature?
Debbie Bliss launched a line of high quality yarns to complement her designs, and these yarns are featured in the 15 designs presented in Design it, Knit it. The yarns are available from the worldwide distributors listed in the appendix, and more information is available at www.debbieblissonline.com. All Debbie Bliss yarns are also available online at www.yarnmarket.com. Debbie Bliss uses fibers and yarns that produce the drape and stitch detail that are the foundation of her designs. Before substituting different yarns, Debbie cautions knitters to consider the differences between wool, cotton, acrylics and other fibers, and how these differences may affect the clarity of stitch, elasticity of the fabric, or drape of the garment.
What’s Inside?
In Design it, Knit it, Debbie Bliss explores the core elements of design: body shaping, impact of color, texture, special considerations in designing for kids and using details for effect. Three carefully chosen designs demonstrate the lessons in each chapter, giving the reader a choice of 15 inspiring new patterns. A designer’s workbook with design templates, knitters’ graph paper, stitch gauge and helpful information about buying and caring for yarn, completes the book. Throughout the book, Debbie Bliss shares expertise developed over 25 years of designing knitwear and an art college education in fashion and textiles. Debbie shares personal stories like the inspiration she gains from a mid-19th century English farmer’s smock, a Christmas gift from her husband. Other reminiscences and anecdotes about designs successes and failures add a personal touch and help to clarify the design principles. We also learn that effective knitwear design is a process that begins with sketching and swatching, and is sure to involve ripping and trying again!
Using It
Design it, Knit it is a hardcover book with semi-concealed spiral binding that lies flat. The high quality photographs, sketches, and pleasing color palette are enticing. Each chapter is introduced by a colorful heading and photograph of the designer’s studio. Chapter divisions are easily recognized by color-coded icons that separate the chapters, allowing the knitter to flip through the chapters sequentially or separately. The chapters can stand alone as separate lessons in design. For example, those who are more interested in details than color pattern will be able to skip ahead without feeling they have missed valuable content. The knitter who wants to learn by doing can refer to the table of contents or chapter summary for a photograph and quick description of what design element is emphasized in each pattern. Whatever the approach to this book, readers will be rewarded with kernels of advice and insight into the design process.
Best Pattern
The chapter on fit and sizing is well worth the price of this book. It includes essential information that all knitters should know about proportion, balance, and shape, and how patterns or yarn choices affect the outcome of designs. Shaping details can improve fit and drape to create flattering silhouettes for different body types. In this chapter, Debbie Bliss offers one of the most discursive arguments for swatching, advice knitters are often offered, but generally ignore. Different yarns, needles, stitches, and patterns affect gauge. Designers put a lot of time and effort into the shape they are creating, but these design elements will be lost if gauge is different from the sample. According to Debbie, “any differences in gauge will mean the length and width of the finished garment will be different from that intended by the designer and you won’t end up with the same knit you saw and liked.”
Recommendation
For the many knitters who have collected Debbie Bliss’ books and knit her designs, this book is like a warm conversation with an old friend. Knitters who itch to design their own projects can observe the processes followed by a professional designer and use the helpful designer’s workbook to start designing. All knitters can more fully develop an aesthetic that informs choices in yarn, color, texture, shape and details for success in every knitting project.
Overall Recommendation 
The 15 timeless patterns offered in this attractive book plus insight into effective design and good fit earn this exceptional book a #10 rating.
Where to buy Design it, Knit it: Yarnmarket.com
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