Texture: 20 Timeless Garments Exploring Knit, Yarn, and Stitch

by Erika Knight

A timeless collection of 20 knitting patterns that invites you to slow down, celebrate texture, and immerse yourself in each stitch from renowned knitwear designer Erika Knight.

Join fiber artist Erika Knight as she takes you on a personal journey through the landscape of knitted fabrics and examines the urban and natural landscapes that have inspired her designs throughout her career--through the city, country, and coast. Knitting designs can often feel frumpy and out of touch but the patterns of Texture will be an inspirational breath of fresh air for beginner and experienced knitters alike.

First you will learn about the basics of creating knitted garments from choosing the right yarn to properly blocking and finishing your garment. Next, learn how to turn a graphic rib, an intricate lace stitch, and a traveling cable into a covetable collection of sweaters, gloves, vests, and scarves. With simple and stylish shapes, Erika dispenses her designer tips for creating a series of modern yet timeless garments. Including inspiring photography that showcases the beautiful designs, this book is the ultimate source for knitted texture and belongs on every knitter's bookshelf.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 21, 2021

About the author

Keep it simple, chic and contemporary! So says Erika, textile designer and fashion design consultant, whose trademark has been the traditional with a twist. Coming into knitting via fine art training, she is highly regarded in her field and works for many international companies designing ready-to-wear ranges. Author of Comforts of Home (Martingale), her latest book is Simple Knits for Cherished Babies (Collins & Brown).

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited about this one! The format of the book is lovely (the pages are so satisfying to touch) and I loved that the big thing for the creator is that the sustainability of handmade clothing is so important. Yes!

And then we got to the patterns. I would've thought someone who was so big on being in touch with yourself while you make, and the sustainability of it would've made an effort in their sizing being inclusive but NOPE. Not even close. Such a shame.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to be wowed by this book. Despite the artsy layout and sections, I felt the patterns themselves were ok, if not sometimes uninventive. Maybe a good gift for folks who have done a few standard patterns and want to add a splash of something new to their work.

[Turniphead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well organised/imformative book and the patterns are interesting! Wish I didn't hate blocking and swatching so much or I might be better at knitting🙃

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a knitting book with the name texture I was expecting more texture - some interesting patterns, and liked how the patterns were grouped based on location - city, country coast.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

some nice modern patterns

[Minnesinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed, but will award the book 3 stars to be generous.

Given the title, I thought there would be more variety of textures. And given the word “timeless” in the subtitle, I’d hoped more of the designs would be just that—classic and timeless, not so avant-garde. There are a few basics like a pair of plain, unisex gloves, fingerless mitts, a plain scoopneck cardigan and a garterstitch cardigan with faux welt pockets, but many are either shapeless and and oversized (Welcome back, 1980s!) or too ‘out there’ with contrast-color threads dangling from the garment at various places. Frankly, I doubt they would flatter any figure other than the waif-like. Definitely not for me.

Knight is a popular knitwear designer and has published many books of her designs. I just happen to find her earlier designs more attractive than the ones contained herein. (Except for the men’s jumper/pullover, which is multi-textured and has a more traditional fit.) I would not recommend purchasing the book if one has limited resources. But you could suggest that your local public library purchase the book, then check it out. That is what I did, and my local library system (in a large-ish U.S. metropolitan area) ordered it in both hardback and ebook formats.