The exceptionally helpful book provides a comprehensive recipe for making a top-down, no-sewing raglan in your size and in the yarn of your choice, from sportweight to chunky. The patterns come in finished bust sizes from 44 to 61 inches and include options for waist and hip shaping, A-line choices, sleeve circumference adjustments, body length options and much, much more.
But thisbook is more than just a recipe. You'll love the designs, which are all top-down and no-sew (yes, Teresa, there is a Santa Claus). Deb gives us a go-to cardigan option in the Basic Cardigan. This is the one I'm going to make; in fact, I've already started.
The Panel Cardigan comes in two different motifs, one lace and one cabled. These two beautiful sweaters below show a summer and winter version of the Panel Cardigan.
I predict the most popular design will be the Lace Frock. It reminds me a bit of the February Lady Sweater, but Deb's lace skirt version actually fits! If you've ever wanted to make the ubiquitous February Lady, make this lady instead.
Oh! And meet Deb. Here she is modeling the cap sleeve version of the Lace Frock.
You can purchase Deb's book from Patternfish; it comes in both soft cover and electronic versions. After you buy the book, come join our new Deb's Need A Plus Cardigan knitalong on Ravelry. The knitalong begins September 15 so you've got time to get the book and your yarn, too.
And, last but not least, I'm doing another book giveaway! I've got one electronic copy of Need a Plus Cardigan? that I'll be happy to send the lucky winner. Just leave a comment below telling me the sweater from this book that you'd most like to make. I'll pick a winner on August 30. Good luck!
Posts
I love the cap sleeve version Deb is wearing, but first I will knit the lace version of the panel cardi.
ReplyDeleteI already bought a copy, so don't include me for the prize.
I love the panel cardigan, although they are all great! anythingbutsnow on Ravelry
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited about this, Julie! The patterns are fantastic! I also already bought it, so don't include me in the drawing. :D
ReplyDeleteI think I would start with the basic cardigan. Love the simplicity and it should go with a lot of outfits.
ReplyDeletecandy
I can't wait to make the Panel Cardigan. Mine will be in a winter blue sport weight wool with 3/4 sleeves.(ready to swatch!!!)
ReplyDeleteI own both the pdf and hard copy, so don;t put my name in the hat.
No seaming....aaaahhhh!
t_a
I will make the panel cardigan with lace. Then work my way thru the book- I need more plus sweaters.
ReplyDeleteI would start with the Basic Cardigan.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a perfect pattern book! I would begin with the basic pattern using my own handspun yarn...they would be perfect together.
ReplyDeleteI would love to knit a basic cardigan that fits well. I've knit one, but it doesn't fit so well.
ReplyDeleteI was about ready to give up on cardigans for myself but this book could make me rethink that.
ReplyDeleteSarahsMom (Ravelry)
I would make the basic plus cardigan with collar.
ReplyDeleteI like the cap sleeve version of the lace frock. I would love to wear it over my t-shirt weight turtleneck shirts.
ReplyDeleteI like the panel cardi with the cabled panels.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make the lace frock but extend the sleeves to 3/4 length.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to make the Lace Frock in some wonderful, substantial, rustic-y yarn ... like a Briggs & Little sportweight, or a Harrisville Shetland. Pairing the refined design with a hearty, long-lasting yarn is my idea of a perfect fall-into-winter cardigan that could go it alone as a jacket on milder days, or be a cozy curl-up kind of sweater on blustery nights.
ReplyDeleteI think the Lace Frock would be on my needles, perhaps using the hand spun I am working on right now.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the cables! I love cables and a cardigan with cables that didn't add extra bulk would be lovely! Thanks!
ReplyDeletedianen
I'd like to make the Lace Frock - someday. I'd love to have the book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't worked myself up to a sweater yet but when I jump in I think the basic cardigan would suit me best.
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning toward the cable cardigan myself. What a nice basic sweater.
ReplyDeleteTeri (Junebug859 rav name)
The Panel Sweater! I fell in love with a sweater called Shiraz because it too, has panel shaping. But it's built for small bodies. I've been waiting & waiting for this book hoping for something to take my mind off Shiraz & there it is - the Panel Sweater! I wanted to download it the moment it was up!! But I've been fighting the battle between BOOK that can be taken everywhere, fondled, read in bed etc & DOWNLOAD which is immediate gratification but doesn't always work well with my Kobo & I have to print everything anyway. Sniffle
ReplyDeleteI do like the lace frock!! :)
ReplyDeleteA book whose time has come. Hurray for Deb G. Thanks for the contest opportunity, Julie!
ReplyDeleteVery hard to choose - I like them all, but I would try the panel cardigan first
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to try out the Twist Panel Cardi! I would probably modify it to have 3/4 sleeves - it gets warm in school!
ReplyDeleteI like 'em all, but that lace frock is my favorite. SO nice to see patterns in "our" sizes! Whoop de dooooooooo!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just finished spinning the yarn for her Top Down Swing Coat #603 from Cabin Fever. I would love to knit a few more of her designs. The Lace Frock is my favorite of the book ones.
ReplyDeleteI plan to finally make a sweater that fits me! Which pattern is unimportant. I want a cardigan that flatters my bustline, accentuates my waist and skims my hips. With all the shaping options in the book, I am hopefull that it will rise above the "made at home" look.
ReplyDeleteThe Lace Frock! Love it. I'm most impressed with how well the knitted samples fit the models. So many "up sized" patterns, the sleeves are either wayyyyy to wide, or too small, and these look just right. Way to go Deb!
ReplyDeleteYup! The Lace Frock for me as well - I'd love a half or 3/4 sleeve version.
ReplyDeleteLove that Lace Frock! I also love top-down cardigans, so this book would be really enjoyed and used. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the pattern for the Lace Frock. The cap sleeve version is calling me!
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to make myself sweaters but am always so disgusted with the fit that I wind up frogging them, then the yarn sits until I get a little more knowledge and try again. This looks like the way to go.
ReplyDeleteFirst Congratulations on becoming a Rathlete. Second, this sounds like a great book I'd love to have. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteLove the panel cardigan with the lacy bits!
ReplyDeleteThe book itself looks really great and I'd love to own it! Many plus size friends including myself that would benefit from this book! :)
I think I'd like to make the Paneled Cardigan.
ReplyDeleteI have been holding a stash of Lion Boucle just for a cardigan for me.....for several years but have hesitated to actually do something with all the bright and beautiful yarn. As a plus woman, I worried if it would work. This book would give me the incentive to make something for ME!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would wear the cap-sleeved lace frock over my nice tees for teaching in the winter. And I would knit a bunch of others of these for my mom and aunts and other plus sized ladies in my life.
ReplyDeleteIt's too hard to choose! I would probably start with the basic cardigan, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jennie
rav name dayartist
Well I think the time has finally come to make a sweater that fits ME! I usually knit socks or shawls because I don't have to worry about the fit. I think I have 4 sweaters I have started in the past 6 months all set aside because they do not fit right. I love the look of the panel cardigan. I think I would start with that one but I would probably end up casting on 3 or 4 at once just from the excitement! Thank you for this book Deb and thanks to you, Julie, for promoting and getting the word out for us plus size pretties!
ReplyDeleteOMG, don't know where to start. I like The Panel Cardigan with lace motif and cap sleeve version of The Lace Frock. Beautiful patterns!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity I found this blog too late to enter the prize draw.
ReplyDeleteDown here in the South Pacific (New Zealand) larger size knitting patterns are very hard to come by. I surf the web in search of ladies who have solved my problem already - and here you are.
When so many on-line retailers sell only synthetics in larger sizes, isn't it wonderful to have the ability to create our own warm and wonderful woolly garments and thumb our noses at the purveyors of plastic "wool"!