Swing, Swagger, Drape: Knit the Colors of Australia

by Jane Slicer-Smith, Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)

A long-awaited collection of 30 designs by Australia’s leading knitwear designer is showcased in this instructional knitting handbook utilizing classic yarns, which features on-location photography of the Australian flora and fauna that inspired her work. Small projects with step-by-step instructions introduce the techniques used in the garments, such as intarsia, miters, and textured patterns. Designer notes explain the logic of the shapes and highlight opportunities for customizing the fit. Alternate colorways are also shown for most garments along with distinctive shapes for jackets, coats, and simple wraps that flatter and fit.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kristine]

this book starts with a serious mix and match and continues on the same trend with many of the pattern sets. I originally requested this because of the modular knitting ideas in it. most of it is not my style. I do like the Harlequin Coat a lot but I'm not sure I could pull it off. but I don't have an urge to do intarsia after reading, it still looks like more work than I'd want to do for the effect. some of the drop stitch stuff is cool, I'd been toting with a shawl idea that had some in it. Oh and making your own buttons out of polymor clay fits well with the styles of these garments.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning colors and motifs make this a gorgeous coffee-table book and will inspire even those who can't knit to pick up a set of needles. Slicer-Smith focuses on three techniques -- intarsia, miters and texture -- and provides for each three or four patterns with a number of increasingly complex variations.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious glorious mitres! I love the book just for those patterns alone, but the dropped stitch patterns are also appealing. Gorgeous photography. As the blurb says, this book empowers knitters by providing a wealth of design explanation and encouragement to explore colour. A friendly book.

[Kimberly Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such cool looking patterns, but as a basic knitter I'm not sure how to pull them off and I'm not sure the instructions would be enough for me. Usually I am willing to jump right in for advanced projects regardless of the hobby but I believe that the instructions are such that you have to already have to know and use the jargon to follow what is being laid out.

[Georgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting and creative books of knitting patterns and techniques I've ever seen.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice but nothing I want to knit.

[Minnesinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blech.

[Leorah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is visually stunning and the patterns look amazing. The last chapter contains detailed instructions about techniques and process. I can hardly wait to choose a pattern in May and knit it up with Karen!