Classic Knits Book Review for Unwound

A very big “thank you” to Kelli at Unwound for the book give-a-way. I selected...

Classic Knits, Fifteen Timeless Designs to Knit and Keep Forever, by Erika Knight.
Publisher Potter Craft, Copyright 2006

Amazon offers the book for $13.97, not a bad value for an aesthetically pleasing hardback book. The pages are all a soothing blue. There is a nice section of color photographs at the beginning of the book with a blue and white (versus black and white) photograph with each pattern. Most of the photos give you a nice view of garment details and pretty good idea of what the finished product will look like. The only exception is the Wraparound jacket. The model is leaning back on a pile of pillows with the jacket fanned out around her. It’s impossible to tell how this piece will look when a person is standing up in it.

Classic Knits is true to its word. The patterns are all classics with very subtle updated twists. I agree that these are pieces you will wear again and again.

Fifteen patterns are offered in “Classic Knits” which include pullovers, cardigans, a vest, scarf, socks, glove, jacket, turtleneck, camisole, and shoulder bag. My personal favorites are the casual sweater, the deep “V” vest known in the book as a tank top, and the mademoiselle jacket.

Yes, there’s a lot of stockinette stitch in these pages. However, that is to be expected with classic patterns. On the other hand, there are well-placed details included throughout. For example, the scarf is a single cable scarf with a pass-through slit. The Mademoiselle jacket has two different pocket styles with lovely ribbon details.

Sweater sizes are provided in inches and centimeters. You are first given the “to fit bust” sizes, then the actual bust size. I like this because it gives you an idea of the desired fit. For example, if the “to fit bust” size is the same as the “actual bust” size, your piece will fit snuggly. Whereas, the cardigan shows a “to fit bust” size of 36” with an “actual bust” size of 38. This indicates that the sweater will fit a little more loosely.

Many of the projects call for Debbie Bliss and Rowan yarns. Of course, you can use the yarn of your choice if you take care with the gauge and try to keep with a similar yarn weight. The suggested fibers in “Classic Knits” include wool, wool blends, cotton blends, silk, and mohair in various weights.

I’m very happy to have this book in my collection. It’s one of those titles that you will always be able to grab off the shelf and use for classic projects and gifts. Thank you again, Kelli.