After two years of pouring her heart, soul and mind into her soon-to-be-released book, The Knitter’s Sweater Fitting Bible, local yarn dyer and knitwear designer Kim McBrien Evans said the guide is filled with tips and tricks that might help fellow makers out of a bind.
The publication releases on most online formats and at Indigo Dragonfly Aug. 25. It’s been a two-year project for McBrien Evans, who called it a technical guide designed to walk people through challenging aspects of a sweater’s design.
“This is about trying to help knitters learn specifically about how sweaters work and what they can do to change the design to fit their bodies properly,” she said.
Knitting since she was four, McBrien Evans said she’s largely self-taught. Many of the designs featured are her own, though there are others from eight contributors from across the country. They gathered in the County together earlier this summer to stage pictures for the book, captured by local photographer Sarah Bell.
Flicking through the finished product, McBrien Evans said it provides plenty of ideas for people trying to figure out what they want on their sweater – it doesn’t have to be just a single colour, the author noted.
Formulas printed in the book can also be adjusted, ensuring a perfect fit for the finished product.
“There are lots of designs, but the patterns and suggestions in the book are not set in stone either. They’re templates made to measure, so people can use any yarn they want and plug in all their body measurements, and the results will be a pattern that fits you as you are,” she said.
Shunning fashion industry standards, McBrien Evans said she rejects ideas such as avoiding horizontal striping for larger people.
“In knitting, I believe there are no rules at all. I look for things that we’ve been told our whole lives we shouldn’t wear and try to find ways to make them work,” she said. While she doesn’t sell her finished sweaters, the hobby has brightened up her closet.
She said her guide would be perfect for newcomers just getting into knitting.
“It is everything you’ve ever wanted to know about making sweaters – from taking good measurements, to understanding why patterns don’t fit, fixing them so they do fit, and finding ways to put your own creative stamp on your work,” she said.
An early book launch event is being held at Haliburton Highlands Brewing in Carnarvon on Saturday (Aug. 16) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a book signing, pop-up trunk show, a yarn pinata and cake.
