If mother-daughter knitting makes you think of matching outfits for moms and babies that end up being either too grown up or too juvenile to look matched, think again. Mother-Daughter Knits: 30 Designs to Flatter and Fit is all about grownup knitting designs that adult daughters and their mothers can enjoy.
It's the brainchild of Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter, two knitwear designers who happen to be mother and daughter. They take turns designing projects in the book, providing a nice range of projects for newer knitters (Caddy has only been knitting five years) and for those with more experience.
Knitting Items that Fit
The emphasis of the book from the beginning is knitting projects that will actually look good on you. Most women strive for the hourglass shape -- or at least the illusion of an hourglass shape -- and the book begins by explaining how to get that look with clothing (as well as other flattering shapes).
It describes how to determine the ideal short, medium and long sweater lengths for your body and where to add or subtract length from patterns to make them fit you better.
All of this is a little technical and potentially intimidating for newer knitters, but it's good, important information for those who want to knit garments that fit better.
The Projects
Mother-Daughter Knits includes 30 projects, with slightly more designed by Sally than by Caddy. There's a nice range of skill levels, with four projects for beginners, nine easy projects, 12 for intermediate knitters and five for the most experienced.
All of the projects are for women. There are hair bands, scarves, cuffs, legwarmers, a skirt, a suit and a couple of dresses, a bag and several tops, coats, shrugs and a vest.
The projects usually include four or five sizes, ranging from a smallest small of 22 inches (for one of the skirts) up to around 54 inches.
Some of my favorites, and there are many in this book, include the Classic Shirt, based on a white button-down shirt and knit in mohair and linen (I particularly like the linen version); the Sophisticated Hoodie, which aims to take a classic comfort piece to another level of style; the Reversible Tank Top, which has a deep scoop neck that can be worn to the front or the back; the Lace and Cable Jumper, a cute summery dress embellished all over with lace and cables; and the Mini-Dress, which looks more like a top to me by has cute color definition at the sides and waist that could make almost anyone look shapely.
Bottom Line
This book is a lot of fun because it gives you insight into the way two different designers work and allows you to see what the daughter has learned from the mother and how her style and technique deviates.
This is a great book full of interesting and classic patterns (many derived from or inspired by purchased clothing) that not only are worth knitting in their own right, but the book is also useful to have on your shelf for the tips on sizing, shaping and styling your knits. Get it for your daughter, your mother, yourself or anyone who enjoys well-made knits.
Publication date: March 2009.
