A lot of knitting patterns out there are relatively plain, aiming to appeal to a wide variety of knitters. But that sort of design decision leaves out the knitters who want feminine details and flourishes on projects they'll love to knit and love to wear.
Danish designer Lene Holme Samsoe aims to remedy that situation with her book Feminine Knits: 22 Timeless Designs. The book offers tops, shawls and wraps, jackets, sweaters and vests, all with an eye to details that women will love.
The Patterns
The 22 patterns in Feminine Knits range from a jacket worked in alternating stripes of mohair and wool to a glittery, lacy top tied at the waist with a pom-pom embellishment, a summery chevron top to a Fair Isle coat.
Most patterns offer a range of four sizes, from somewhere around 34 inches to somewhere around 41 inches, but sizes vary depending on the pattern and its fit. Many of the projects are designed to be close fitting and include waist shaping for a more feminine look and feel.
Because of that, none of these patterns are for absolute beginners, particularly if you don't fall into what the author considers the normal height range of 5'4" to 5'8". The patterns are not ranked by skill level but most include lace or cables, and many require reading a chart to complete successfully. That's not to say determined newer knitters couldn't work these projects, only that they do require some skill.
One of the simplest patterns is also one of my favorites. The Mohair-Edged Sweater is a simple Stockinette sweater knit mainly in a heavy wool, accented with deep cuffs and a huge collar worked in mohair yarn. It's a really cool combination that makes for a sweater that looks like it would be wonderful to curl up in.
Other fave patterns for me include the interesting lace scarf, which is a completely gossamer mohair scarf edged with crocheted lace in sturdy linen; the streamlined Rib Knit Vest, perfect as a top in warmer weather; the sweet, lacy Bolero; and the Short Jacket/Long Jacket, a pattern that offers long- and short-sleeved variations on the theme of lace-edged jackets.
The gorgeous mohair Circular Jacket, which features a large star motif on the back, caught the eye of many an English-speaking knitter back when the book was only available in Danish and Norwegian. But now knitters can work from the English translation and will find the knitting much easier (that happens to be one of the patterns that doesn't have a chart).
Because these patterns were designed with the Danish yarn market in mind, they use yarns you might never have heard of, several of which aren't available in the United States. The book helpfully suggests some yarns you might try that are more widely available, and of course you can make your own substitutions so long as you have an accurate gauge.
Bottom Line
Feminine Knits is a lovely book full of classic designs with feminine details. You'll find tons of lace and plenty of projects incorporating fuzzy mohair and cozy alpaca for even more luxury and comfort.
If you're a girly sort of woman (or knit for someone who loves these sorts of feminine details), this book has some lovely options that are sure to be favorites as soon as they're knit and long into the future.
Publication date: June 2009.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
