Modern Top-Down Knitting: Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts & Accessories Inspired by the Techniques of Barbara G. Walker

by Kristina McGowan

For decades, knitters have been constructing garments using the wonderfully efficient top-down technique made famous by Barbara G. Walker in her renowned tome Knitting from the Top. But never have the results looked as glamorous and city-chic as they do in Modern Top-Down Knitting. In this sophisticated wom­enswear collection, designer Kristina McGowan presents streamlined, feminine dresses, tunics, and skirts; elegant cardigans and pullovers; and stylish go-to accessories such as hats and mitts. Also included are step-by-step photo tutorials that make top-down techniques easy to understand and sizing and style adjustments a cinch to achieve. Detailed instructions are also included for finishing garments with couture-quality trims and linings, so they look just as elegant on the inside as they do on the outside.
 "Kristina McGowan presents a charming collection of original designs in knitwear, to inspire knitters of all levels of skill. Her work incorporates the two essential qualities of good knitting (1) her ideas are fresh, fashionable, and interesting; and (2) her instructions are clear and easily followed. Hers is an excellent book." Barbara G. Walker

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, How To

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of seamless knitting, especially top down knitting, & I'm definitely a Barbara Walker fan as well. I got this book out of the library after seeing some of the projects people made on Ravelry, because I've been itching for a new top down project.

There are some gorgeous, but impractical projects in the book - Jill's dress comes immediately to mind. I love the simple, classic lines, one color, in a multitude of sizes from 32" to 51" (finished measurements). But... the fact remains, how many people are going to actually knit a dress, at 5 sts/inch, using a beautiful, but expensive yarn? As a knitter, I definitely know that it's more often about the process then the finished object, but in the case of a dress... I do think it's going to be a lot about the finished object. A quick google search yields me an average price of $9/skein - which isn't too bad, really, but you need 10 skeins for the smallest size, yielding a dress of $90. In my size, however, that quickly jumps to almost $110. Of course you can always sub yarns, but this is a dress after all... Considering I buy my dresses at the thrift store, I won't be making this anytime soon, no matter how gorgeous I think it is.

I also really like the Blueberry Cardigan, that calls for Blue Sky Alpaca Silk, that averages $13/skein. I love the stitches used in this, but I'd personally mod the cardigan so much, my finished object would bear little with the original.

Looking for a smaller project? There's a cute hat, Mulberry Hat, that I really like... but there are a dozen very similiar, free hats available online (ditto the Pigeon hat).

My conclusion? If this technique is new to you &/or you don't have any other top down books in your library, then it's definitely worth buying for the infomation, but if you are already familiar with top down knitting... get the book from the library.

[Wendy Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book features great photo tutorials as well as clear, concise writing by McGowan, who shows interesting techniques in working with elastic cord and reversing the knit to achieve a more fitted, feminine silhouette. She also shows how she customizes garments by dip-dyeing finished hats, creating decorative "seams" with crochet, and adding beautiful finishing touches such as velvet and silk ribbon trims. It's a really wonderful book with great projects, although it was a little unusual that many of the models are photographed with relatively neutral expressions--a cozy but flattering dress would definitely earn a much warmer smile, no matter how modern the woman might be! Nevertheless, the author's capable, friendly tone and well-written tutorials make this an easy and pleasant book for any knitter who wishes to tackle projects that are both classic and fashion-forward.

Check out my Q & A with the author over on my crafts blog! She talks about the advantages of knitting using the "top-down" technique, as well as her inspiration behind the book. You can also find the link to a cute mulberry knit hat, using a free pattern from the book.

An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having this book on my shelf for a while I thought I would take another look at it. It was published in 2010, and most of the styles have held up pretty well. Others have not.

Each project, sweater, coat, hat, etc. teaches some little technique that will help a moderate to experienced knitter add to her bag of tricks. Some of the yarns called for are even still available, and those that aren't are easy to find substitutes for.

I will donate this to my library booksale. It will go quickly.

[Carla (There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be purchasing this fabulous book!

[Lovestoswatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am rating this book highly mostly for the projects - the introduction to top down knitting is valuable, but most of the book is devoted to projects, rather than to the general techniques, though it does cover the basics.

The various projects then apply these, so it is a case of learning by doing. There are 26 projects, with many (lovely!) dresses, which aren't that easy to find, and the silhouettes are relatively classic, but with a twist, which I think will make the design "durable" and keep them in fashion for a while.

The book concludes with a section on trims and crochet to embellish seams.

Note that all the projects are for women.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

When knitting garments, I greatly prefer top-down and seamless knitting, and Modern Top-Down Knitting is geared toward that style. McGowan's style here strikes me as very urban, with some of the pieces being fairly dated to 2000s style and others with more classic lines. If I ever decide to knit a dress, I'd probably start here. McGowan is a fashion designer, so her patterns have a little more panache than some books I've seen. She has interesting ideas for techniques, too, such as lining inner edges with ribbon/lace/trim for stiffness and a nice finish.

[Phylwil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually did read everything but the actual patterns--the inspiration for the book Barbara Walker, of course), the overview of the technique and specific instructions as well.

Good, even excellent, description of top-down knitting of set-in sleeves but I only like 4 of the 20 or so patterns--mostly seem to be for the slender and youthful among us. Or impractical but decorative hats.

[Water Knitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I’ve knit one skirt and two dresses from it (well, nearly two: WIP), and it’s the one resource that finally allowed me to regularly execute short rows. I checked it out from my library many times, before buying my own copy, which I’ve since marked up with extensive technical marginalia. I recommend it highly!

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Took exactly one note: the pattern of the tummy section of the first dress. Other than that: nah. (also, knitted rings??)

[Brittany Wouters · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok; like a lot of modern fashion knitting, the designs are always hit or miss. McGowan has elected to use crocheted 'seams' and velvet trim to the extent of their power.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the styles in this book.

[Cassi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do Not Buy Kindle Version!
This is a scam by the author and or publisher!
The Kindle version is nothing but a bad scan job of the print copy!
Shame! Shame! Shame!

[Tilden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the concept of knitting top down is a good one. Too bad the patterns are so ugly. A hat and a cowl are the only patterns I would knit out of this book.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many things I want to try!

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

scanned book

It is just a scanned book, and the patterns aren’t very nice either. I’m glad it was on Kindle Unlimited and I didn’t pay for it.

[Louise Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my favourite knitting book, and it was a present from my boyfriend!

I would rate myself as a beginner/intermediate knitter, so although I found a few techniques a little confusing at first, there wasn't anything that couldn't be solved with a quick search online.

Being 24 years old, I sometimes find it hard to find a complete book of clothing that I'd like to make, so this book is a complete winner in that regard. I'd like to improve my knitting skills a little more before investing in the yarn needed to make some of the larger items such as skirts and dresses, but once I'm more confident, I'll definitely be giving them a try.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful! The designs are stunning and the photographs are inspiring. If I had unlimited resources and time, I would knit several of the projects - dresses, sweaters, skirts, etc... The designers have created a fabulous selection of stylish, modern and funky patterns that take knitting from grandma's homespun to big city chic. Top down knitting also means no seaming (and oh how I HATE stitching seams) making this book all the better. The instructions are clear and I love the anecdotal stories that accompany each pattern. This book is definitely suitable for intermediate or advanced level knitters.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, with great photo instructions for top down knitting techniques. The sizing is mostly all right for me at a size 20/22, but would not work for most women who are larger than me. And many of the patterns are for dresses, which, well, no. Not knitting a dress. However, the beauty of top down knitting is that you could make things any length you want, so you could convert a dress to a pullover fairly easily.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the technique information in this book is interesting and well photographed, but not anything that you couldn't find some place else. I really thought that most of the patterns were unflattering. Who, except for the photoshopped size 0 models in the book, is really going to wear multiple knit skirts and dresses. Let's be real!

[Nadiaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this doesn't count as "reading a book." I just wanted to add this because it's such an awesome book with a lot of beautiful designs and hopefully I will be able to undertake one of these projects. Lots of pretty (and helpful) pictures! weee
p.s. I took this out of the library, but I would definitely buy it if I were an advanced knitter.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

These designs are very clever. The pictured samples are stylish and sophisticated, but all the models are tall, wispy girls with no extreme curves. There are quite a few dresses that could also be made as tunics, some hats, and a few other items. The jewelry knitted from wire was interesting to think about.

[Carrie Rolph · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some cute patterns in here, and lots of dress patterns, should anyone ever be crazy enough to knit an entire dress. I like top down patterns. I'm a fan of anything you can try on as you go and doesn't require seaming at the end.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very nice garments, but as usual, no bust shaping. Do all knitting book authors have smaller breasts than I had when I was 10? My three-star rating is a compromise between the nice projects (5 stars? can't say as I've not made any) and the book's utter uselessness to me (zero stars.)

[Gaile · Rating 5 out of 5]

More projects to while away a boring TV program!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! I really love the subway hat.

[Laurie Traverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you seriously dislike finishing up your knitting projects - seaming, etc., then this book will serve you quite well. Easy to understand, excellent patterns.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice patterns, but I would have liked more theory/how-to.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just wasn't my style.

[MichelleCH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute stuff..although not sure how committed I am to knitting a dress. Made the subway hat, super cute and very fast. A keeper.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This type of knitting is still beyond my skill set (with having to use crochet needles to pick up stitches and such...), but some of the dresses/sweaters she made were very nice.