knit, Swirl! Uniquely Flattering, One Piece, One Seam Swirl Jackets; Foreword by Cat Bordhi

This 2011 hard-cover book with dust jacket has semi-glossy pages, all of which contain either color photos, or other pages which show black-print with neutral colors for whole-pattern graphics.The author, Sandra McIver, begins her Introduction with a definition: “Swirl? What is a swirl? A swirl is a uniquely flattering, one-piece, one seam, circular jacket with sculptured shaping and fluid fit.” For McIver, the swirl concept came about while she was ‘playing’ with and modifying a rectangle. The result is something deceptively simple, much like Elizabeth Zimmerman (EZ) in her ‘Surprise Jacket’, while she was also ‘playing’! (Please see my reviews of EZ’s “The Opinionated Knitter”: https://www.amazon.com/Opinionated-Knitter-Elizabeth-Zimmermann/dp/0942018265/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8  The Opinionated Knitter & “Knitting Around” https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Around-Elizabeth-Zimmermann/dp/0942018036/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8  Knitting Around  .)The designs in this book fall into 2 main categories: circles and ovals. These two are then subdivided to create the following 4 subdivisions: 1. Centered Circle; 2. Off-Center Circle; 3. Centered Oval; and 4. Off-Center Oval.All designs contain sleeves and a rolled, shawl collar.On page 207, there is a great Resource section; it was so good that I wish that it had been longer. This section includes: good books (they ARE!), links (I’d love MORE), yarns, etc.On page 208, the Abbreviations page lists the stitches used in the patterns: cast-on/ long-tail cast-on; stockinette stitch, purl stitch, reverse stockinette stitch, yarn over, decreasing, and binding off.*Note that there are no stich graphics to demonstrate how to make any stitches or perform any knitting-related functions, even though these stiches are easy, so this book would not be a ‘Beginner’s’-level book.** Also, the needles used are circular, so a knitter’s level of expertise would also have to surpass ‘Beginner’s’ level.***Page 17 of the book lists the book’s web site address: knitwirl.com. The web site is a great adjunct to have for buyers. The right side-bar of the Tutorial section contains, among other things, the 4th and most current errata. (Note that all patterns of any type have errata.) Print off the 4th errata and keep the copy inside of the book, so that when you make a pattern, all of the bugs have been worked out.This book has 2 pre-Chapter sections: ‘Forward by Cat Borhi’ and ‘Let Me Take You for a Twirl’.The 6 Chapters follow these: Chapter 1. ‘Silhouettes and Sizing’; Chapter 2. ‘Tips and Techniques’; Chapter 3. ‘Centered Circles’; Chapter 4. ‘Centered Ovals’; Chapter 5. ‘Off-Center Circles’; and Chapter 6. ‘Off-Center Ovals’.The knitting patterns for Chapter 1 are: 1. ‘Winter Waves’; 2. ‘Going Green’; ‘Mink in Motion’; ‘Tangerine Rose’; ‘Depth of Field’; and ‘Forrest Fiesta’. Buy the book to see the patterns for the remaining 5 chapters.After the Chapters with patterns, there are 3 post-Chapter sections:A. Bountiful ThanksB. Resources (discussed earlier)C. Abbreviations (discussed earlier)One of the best things that this book offers is the knitswirl.com website for tutorials (****these are printed information only and don’t contain any videos), the 4th printing errata, and other related topics. This website, if viewed by future buyers. is a good ‘nudge’ to buy this gorgeous book!This book belongs on all HK enthusiasts’ bookshelves.

Knit, Swirl! is the book that inspired me to grab my needles after an almost decade hiatus from knitting. I can't remember how I stumbled upon Sandra McIver's book during my searching/browsing Amazon, but the gorgeous cover photo and promise of "Uniquely Flattering, One Piece, One Seam" required that I look inside. Once I did, I knew I had to buy it. When I received my copy I was not disappointed.First, the book is beautiful. It's hardbound with gorgeous photographs of the stunning jackets worn by pretty women. It's a coffee table book that is almost too pretty to use -- almost.The patterns themselves are a feat of engineering. They are knit in the round, partially bound off and then worked flat to create the arms then seamed. They are worked in decreasing welts in pattern stitches are simple enough that even beginners need not be intimidated. In fact, a swirl jacket makes a wonderful first foray into knitting wearables. The patterns are well-written with useful charts for the reader/knitter to understand the construction. Note: the first edition does have some errata, so be sure to check the website [...] for the corrections before you cast on. The author herself has been available to the Ravelry group of Knit, Swirl! Fans [...] to answer questions and offer advice on technique, gauge, yarn substitution and selection, etc.So onto the swirl jackets. The book promises Uniquely Flattering, and what is most amazing is that this is true -- no matter your shape or size, these jackets look good on every body. There are guidelines given for which type of swirl works best for your particular shape (centered or off-centered circles or ovals) and the patterns vary in length, collar volume and yarn-weights, but generally can be worn by anyone. The web is full of stories about how the jackets have been tried on by women of all shapes and them looking great -- and photographic evidence can be found on blogs and on Ravelry. Some of the jackets even have the flexibility to be worn upside down (for a jacket worn shorter with a larger collar/cape/hood.)I truly believe that Sandra McIver's book Knit, Swirl!: Uniquely Flattering, One Piece, One Seam Swirl Jackets is going to become a classic among knitters. A basic pattern premise that looks good on everyone? You betcha! Simple to knit? Yes! Oh, they are time-consuming projects (as are most knit sweaters and jackets) but overall simple. There are enough variations in shape and fabric that knitters will find themselves wanting (needing, lol) more than one. There are heavier warmer jackets and even jackets with sheer barely there striped panels. I am working on my first Swirl, but I already have several more that I plan to also knit.

Good bits - the designs look wonderfulThe instructions make sense if you are actually following themBad bits - sizing, you have to take measurements that are a bit tricky by yourself & do loads of swatchesSubstituting yarn is a nightmareThe principle of these swirls is basically the circle jumper, but they are composed in a different way, and the drape of the yarn makes the sizing TOTALLY different, which means that it is easy to make mistakes. A dk yarn knitted firmly will produce a totally different garment from a soft drapey dk knitted to the same tension, given that these take a lot of yarn & are not the sort of jumper you would normally make in a budget acrylic it is a bit daunting to try to work out what size you need to knit and what size needles you should use.If you persevere the end results are good & are practicle, good if your weight goes up and down a bit or your shape is changing, the swirl works well for pregnancy as well and makes a good cover up for breastfeeding after, but you need patience & determination to get started on themCouldn't decide between 3* and 4* decided on 4* in the end because if you do stick with it the end results are good

Knit, Swirl!: Uniquely Flattering One Piece, One Seam Swirl Jackets What a book!! I thought the price was steep for a knitting book.....how wrong wasI !!!! The sheer amount of information in this book is astounding. Having now read this book I would have been happy to pay more! This will certainly keep me busy for a very long time!! A beautifully presented extremely well written title. A definite mix between a coffee table and a knitting book. I am now off to create my own style jacket knitted using this concept. Knit, Swirl!: Uniquely Flattering One Piece, One Seam Swirl Jackets

I already had a copy of this knitting book and love the patterns. My mother was intrigued by the concept, so I bought her a copy for her birthday. I'm sure she will be as happy to see the results as I am.However, please note, these patterns are not something you can just launch into, there is planning required and you need to read the pattern detail and the guide at the beginning of the book, before starting the knit any of the patterns. The results are worth the added effort though!

I've rea it in great detail, some parts several times and think the jackets/cardys are amazing. i'm a reasonably experienced knitter but i think the 1st one i do will be a challenge; no tv on and certainly not having a chat with anybody. the comments about changing the wool doesn't concern me, i think as long as the gauge is taken into account you could try them with cheaper wool. looking forward to knitting one.

This is a hugely impressive book.............amazing patterns, schematics, and the theory behind it all.But not a book to make you grab some yarn & needles & dive straight in .You'll really need to study this book's patterns and take great care over the working -out , but, I reckon if you have the patience you'll end up with a truly stunning one-of-its-kind garment that will gain you compliments for yearrs to come.