Knitwear designer Ludwig debuts with an inspired collection of women’s sweater patterns. Each project includes instructions for sizes XS through XXL, making it easy to tailor garments for different body types. The items range in difficulty from easy to advanced; on the former end of the spectrum is the “easiest cardigan in the world,” which consists of rectangular blocks knitted in a ridge pattern and seamed together. Experienced knitters up for a challenge will be eager to create the “Allegra” sweater, the sleeves of which include intricate lace insert strips. The more traditional articles include a seamed “short-sleeved narrow summer top” primarily comprised of garter stitch with some ribbing, a top-down raglan hooded sweater featuring increases “worked at the sides to create an A-line shape,” and a “circular yoke sweater with simple cables.” Other projects use “contemporary construction methods,” as with a turtleneck sweater that doesn’t require seaming. The diversity of techniques finds abundant variety in the sweater form, and a detailed section covering knit and purl stitches and how to bind off provides a thorough refresher for knitters of all experience levels. This has much to recommend it.

– Publishers Weekly

Knitwear designer Ludwig debuts with an inspired collection of women’s sweater patterns. Each project includes instructions for sizes XS through XXL, making it easy to tailor garments for different body types... The diversity of techniques finds abundant variety in the sweater form, and a detailed section covering knit and purl stitches and how to bind off provides a thorough refresher for knitters of all experience levels. This has much to recommend it.

– Publishers Weekly

Sweater knitting is probably the pinnacle of knitting. Beginners look forward to the time when they can knit their first sweater, and many experienced knitters have whole wardrobes full of handknit sweaters (raises hand).

Sweaters don't have to be complicated, and it doesn't take a lot to alter a basic pattern to add colorwork, change up a stitch pattern or otherwise make it your own.

Essential Knit Sweaters by Frauke Ludwig is subtitled Patterns for every sweater you ever wanted to wear every day, which is a pretty bold claim, but nonetheless it contains 21 patterns with somewhat interchangeable features that gives you plenty of options and possible combinations to make a lot of great sweaters.

The book opens with a lengthy section describing knitting techniques that might be needed in the patterns including casting on and binding off, making basic stitches, increasing and decreasing, as well as things like making buttonholes, changing colors, making swatches and finishing and caring for finished garments.

A page on finding the correct size shows the standard measurements the designer used to size the patterns, which come in six sizes, ranging from a chest circumference of 33.8 inches/86 cm to 50.8 inches/129 cm. The numbers on the actual patterns vary quite a bit (the first two patterns in the book, for example, have size extra small as a chest circumference of 35.4 inches/90 cm and 32.3 inches/82 cm). Readers will need to consider their own measurements and how much ease they prefer in a garment when picking the appropriate size to knit.

The patterns are generally pretty simple in design, opening with a trio of garter stitch projects worked flat in pieces (a boxy cardigan made only of rectangles, a fitted short sleeved top and a shorter cardigan with a collar and belt for tying.

From there the book explores top-down raglans, circular yoke sweaters and other constructions (bottom up in the round, boatneck, deep round neck, V-neck cardigan, cropped cardigan with cable facings, and a curved hem to name a few). The projects are shown worked in neutral colors (black, white and gray) so that readers can imagine their own color palettes, add stripes or otherwise make it their own.

Some of my favorites include Tiana, a hooded raglan with A-line shaping thats longer at the sides; Ulla, a cozy top-down cardigan with garter ridges; Marie, a circular yoke sweater with easy eyelets; Elise, a boxy pullover with boatneck, long cuffs and a split hem; and Dorita, a slim fitting turtleneck with little tied cord bows at the wrists.

I would never say you only need one book of sweater knitting patterns, but if you’re in the market for one to get you started, this is a good option.

– craftgossip.com

I would never say you only need one book of sweater knitting patterns, but if you’re in the market for one to get you started, this is a good option.

– craftgossip.com

Originally published in Germany, this title contains a variety of adaptable sweater patterns. Knitting pattern designer Ludwig provides a wide-ranging and deep introduction to knitting techniques. A highlight is that it explains why specific methods are used. She gives an overview of the book’s patterns, along with instructions for modifying them. There’s even a chart that shows which elements from different patterns can be recombined to create a different look. Pattern sizes range from XS to XXL and are modeled by a variety of people. The patterns are grouped by construction methods, including those knitted flat and seamed, top-down raglan styles, sweaters with circular yokes, and more. With the exception of a lace panel in the final sweater, none of the patterns are charted, and the standard terms for yarn weight are not listed with the suggested yarn. Some of the terms are different from those generally used by knitters in the U.S., and the system for designating pattern difficulty is not explained. VERDICT For knitters who already have general knowledge about standard terms for this craft form. Readers interested in understanding how and why different construction elements are employed will especially enjoy this title.

– Library Journal

For knitters who already have general knowledge about standard terms for this craft form. Readers interested in understanding how and why different construction elements are employed will especially enjoy this title.

– Library Journal

This book starts with a really useful chapter on techniques which enables the knitter to brush up on uncertain skills and to learn new ones.There is a comprehensive section on how necklines can be interchangeable which is great to customise your own jumper.

The jumpers and cardigans in this book cater for a range of tastes and abilities.The designs are both modern and traditional. The patterns use a good variety of yarns from a fine merino to an aran weight yarn and some projects are knitted on straight needles and others on circulars. There are patterns for a top down jumpers as well as the more common bottom up ones.

This is a great book to browse through and then choose a jumper or cardigan to knit as your next project.

– Monica Russell, The Knit Knacks, Knitwear Designer

The jumpers and cardigans in this book cater for a range of tastes and abilities. The designs are both modern and traditional...

This is a great book to browse through and then choose a jumper or cardigan to knit as your next project.

– Monica Russell, The Knit Knacks, Knitwear Designer