| Plus Size Fashions |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
 Title: Plus Size Fashions
Author: Jill Hanratty Date Published: Spring 2011 Review Date: March 31, 2011
Who is this book for? In Plus Size Fashions, Jill Hanratty presents a collection of tasteful sweaters and tops that flatter and fit full-figured sizes. Here is a group properly sized garments that can be worn with confidence and ease. The projects are all rated easy to intermediate. If you can crochet one, you will be able to follow the patterns for all.
What Yarn Does it Feature? The project models are crocheted in medium or light weight solid color yarns of cotton, cotton blend, and wool blend fibers. Using these standard weights and gauges, you can easily substitute a different yarn to suit your preference in color or fiber. Change the yarn and the color to create different looks for formal, casual or business occasions. Use perky cottons and cotton blends to brighten your spring wardrobe and switch to cozy wool for autumn and winter.
What's Inside This book presents five projects designed to flatter the full figured woman in sizes 1X to 6X. These five projects can translate into an entire wardrobe and include a jacket, cardigan, pullover, short sleeve top and a shell that works as a sweater set with the cardigan too. Each classic design is accented with fashionable elements like a lace inset in the V-neck of the Soft Shell Tee, updated button placement on the Swinging Pearl Jacket, and contrast stitch detail on the Lightning Shell Jacket. The garments feature soft A-line shaping, attractive sleeves, and comfortable necklines. The classic designs can be worn by any age without concern for looking too young. Sharp, crisp lines such as those featured in this collection never look dowdy.
Using It This is a no-nonsense book that presents classically shaped patterns without commentary. The straightforward approach follows a consistent template. Each garment is photographed twice: once worn by a model and secondly flat with suggested accessories. All patterns are skill rated, and finished size is provided as well as the finished measurements of the garment. A schematic diagram is also provided for each garment. Compare the measurements on the schematic and the finished garment to a sweater that fits you well to assure a fit that will satisfy you. The materials list provides information about the yarn used in the model including yardage and yarn weight category. This data is key if you want to substitute a different yarn. Each pattern is well documented with step-by-step instructions, notes on special pattern stitches, and descriptions of finishing details. The stitch guide contains a list of abbreviations and detailed instructions for each of the stitches used in the book. Scan this if you have concerns about your skill level; if you can read and understand these directions, you should be able to crochet the garments featured here. For more information, the publisher offers free tutorials.
Best Advice The author doesn’t venture advice on fit, fashion or style. This book is purely “what-you-see-is-what-you-get.” In this busy world, sometimes that’s all we want. No doubt everyone will choose their favorite style, but this is one of those rare books in which every garment is a classic that will coordinate with the others for a good looking wardrobe. It’s likely that if you appreciate one design in this book, you will like them all.
Recommendation Plus Size Fashions is all about patterns that flatter. It is an excellent resource for anyone who has had difficulty finding a variety of well-fitting patterns. Overall Recommendation This compact book is filled with five great crochet projects for fashionable, versatile garments. Plus Size Fashions rates #8.
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