I was delighted when I heard about this book nearly a year ago. Friends were raving about Big Girl Knits, by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer. It sounded great: a book of patterns of knitted clothing for for those of us who take bigger sizes. I finally got my hands on a copy of the book this week.
My impressions are mixed. I see a decent variety of patterns, for cardigans, pullovers and jackets, short-sleeve and tank tops, skirts and yoga pants, and a few accessories. The size range is pretty limited, though, with most patterns offered for 1X, 2X and 3X.
Yes, it's great to see sizes that aren't commonly represented in clothing ranges, but as is so often the case, I'm very aware of all the people who wouldn't be able to fit into these sizes. Why not add a few more, 4X, 5X, 6X, for example? For experienced knitters, modifying patterns to adjust size may be no big deal, but I'd like to see a book with patterns that can be used as is for a greater range of sizes.
The book emphasizes flattering fit, but makes blatant generalizations about body types and who should wear what, and how to draw the eye away from larger parts of the body. I have little patience for these rules that tell women to wear only certain styles, and find the advice patronizing and not particularly fat-friendly. That said, I think there are many people who will appreciate these tips, and so this is a good book for them.
I'm told that the authors are currently collecting patterns for a new book, More Big Girl Knits, due in bookstores next spring.
