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Resources for Ample-Knitters

Books
Magazines - Special Issues & Articles
Pattern Sources
Wardrobe Tips & Sewing for Large Folks
General Knitting on the WWW
Size-Positive Links
Size-Positive Books

I want to have as much information in this resource guide as possible, so if you know of other good articles, pattern sources, etc. please let me know so that I can include them.

These resources are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to be an “official” endorsement of any of these products or vendors. I have no affiliation with any of them except as a satisfied and frequent customer!

Books

Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves
Jillian Moreno, and Amy R. Singer
2006, Potter Craft
From the back cover: “Celebrate your curves with sassy, stylish knitwear. Part knitting instruction, part fashion guide, Big Girl Knits is packed with expert advice to help youmake the most of your three Bs: Boobs, Belly and Butt.” Includes designs from at least three Ample-Knitters: Emma Crew, Joan McGowan-Michael, and Jaya Srikrishnan. Nice schematics and generous sizing.

Classic Knits for Real Women: Versatile Knitwear Designs for Plus Sizes
Martin Storey & Sharon Brant
2005, Rowan Yarns
A reprint of an earlier publication. The largest of these sweaters are sized for a 46" bust, though finished measurements are somewhat larger than one might imagine. Schematics included.

Sweater Design in Plain English
Maggie Righetti
1990, St. Martin’s Press
Great information (and lots of it!) on taking accurate measurements, estimating how much yarn you will need, adapting patterns to take into account your figure peculiarities, and knowing in advance what styles will flatter.

Designing Knitwear
Deborah Newton
1992, Taunton Press
In-depth information on every aspect of designing knits, including emphasis on shaping and fitting garments. Includes a section on designing for the full figure. The schematic drawings are particularly clear and helpful. Excellent information on many different sleeve styles, including dropped shoulder, indented, shaped indented, dolman, gathered, fitted, and shallow cap sleeves. Newton puts a lot of emphasis on planning before you start knitting to avoid disasters and surprises.

Knitting from the Top
Barbara G. Walker
1996, Schoolhouse Press (Originally published in 1972)
Sweaters, skirts, even pants, all knitted from the top down. As Walker explains, every sweater hangs from the neck and shoulders and if you get that right at the beginning, you have only to knit down until the garment suits you. Walker’s top down method “makes it possible for you to make all parts of your garment not just nearly right, but exactly right.”

Elizabeth Zimmermann
Zimmermann developed EPS (Elizabeth’s Percentage System), a method for mathematically determining sweater shaping relative to a “key” number that represents the circumference of a circular sweater. She and everyone she knit for in her immediate family were of modest girth, and her system needs some modifications for more ample sizes. Luckily for us, several knitting designers, including Medrith Glover and Sidna Farley have explored these needed modifications. Elizabeth’s daughter Meg Swansen, a talented and prolific designer in her own right, offers all of Elizabeth’s books (and MANY others) at Schoolhouse Press, 6899 Cary Bluff, Pittsville WI 54466; Customer Service: 715/884-2799, Orders: 1-880-YOU-KNIT. Elizabeth’s books, all treasure troves of information, include:

Knitting Without Tears, 1971 Charles Scribner’s Sons
Knitter’s Almanac, 1975 Dover
Knitting Workshop, 1981 Schoolhouse Press
Knitting Around, 1989 Schoolhouse Press

Seamless Sweaters: Detailed Instructions for Designing and Knitting Sweaters Using EZ’s Percentage System
Sidna Farley
1988, Lynn Press
More information than you can imagine to help you understand and employ the mathematics of EPS to make sweaters that fit your measurements. According to an advertisement in the Fall 1999 issue of Knitter’s Magazine, the Revised Third Edition of this publication is available directly from Sidna Farley; 2314 Kearney, Dept. K; Denver CO 80207. (303/377-9661). The postage-paid cost is $17.00 to the U.S. and $18.00 to Canada.

Knitting in the Old Way
Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts
1985, Interweave Press Tour-de-force exploration of traditional ethnic sweater shapes and patterning. Clear drawings of sweater shapes and details: sleeves, necklines, collars, etc. Gibson-Roberts uses a system very similar to EPS, based on the circumference of the sweater.

Big Knits and Great Big Knits
Dawn French and Sylvie Soudan
1990, Century & 1992, Trafalgar Square
Patterns for larger sized sweaters. Mostly drop-shouldered, oversized sweaters featuring Rowan yarns. Great photography of larger models! Big Knits is now out-of-print.

Knitting for Real People
Ferne Geller Cone
1989, Interweave Press
Extensive section on knitting skirts, including a basic a-line skirt knitted in 2 or 3 panels, a gored skirt, a flared skirt, a pleated skirt, and a tiered skirt. Geller Cone talks explicitly about how to design a skirt that will be flattering, discusses how to get accurate measurements, and offers suggestions for ease.

Making Knitwear Fit
Pat Ashforth & Steve Plummer
1996, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd

Sweater 101: How to Plan Sweaters that Fit... & Organize Your Knitting Life at the Same Time
Cheryl Brunette
1991, Patternworks, Inc.

Plus-Size Sweater Wardrobe in sizes 14 to 4X
Kathleen Power Johnson
2001, American School of Needlework
Some quite nice sweaters and vests in generous sizes. Set-in sleeves on many, and good schematics. Written for Lion Brand yarns.

Fashion-Plus Knits: 8 Flattering Designs in Sizes Large to 4X
2003, Leisure Arts
More larger-sized designs written for Lion Brand yarns. Designs by Susan Esser, Kathleen Power Johnson, and Kennita Tully. Features vests, sweaters, and shawls. Schematics included.

Style at Large: Knitting Designs for Real Women
Carol Rasmussen Noble
2003, Martingale & Company
While the cover says the book features sizes "Medium to 2X," some sweaters have finished measurements above 60". A good variety of designs, and the book features schematics.

Creating Made-To-Measure Knitwear: A Revolutionary Approach to Knitwear Design
Sylvia Wynn
2002, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications
From the back cover of the book, “The revolutionary ‘dimensional knitting’ system described by Sylvia Wynn in this ground-breaking book allows for individual bust, hip, and shoulder measurements, enabling you to create stylsh garments that fit the body you actually have. This ingenious approach is based on a series of simple panels, adjustable to any size...”

Magazines - Special Issues & Articles

Size Matters: Knitting for the Amply Blessed Woman
Joan McGowan-Michael
Cast On Magazine, Winter/Spring 2002

This special three-part series is authored by Ample-Knitter Joan McGowan-Michael, the designer responsible for White Lies Designs, a collection of terrific patterns in larger sizes. Great going, Joan! Cast On is a publication of The Knitting Guild of America, now under the editorship of another Ample lister and designer, Hélène Rush.

“Fashion Doesn’t Stop at 40 Inches”
Deborah Newton
Threads 18, August/September 1988, p. 50
An “oldie,” but still my favorite article on making sweaters elegantly fit ample bodies. Newton recommends making a knit fabric mock-up to fit shoulders and sleeve caps and explore design options before knitting. This issue of Threads is out-of-print. It’s worth tracking down at the library or a used bookstore. The article was also reprinted in the Taunton Press book Hand-Knitting Techniques from Threads Magazine.

“Multi-sizing Sweaters for Everyone!”
Knitter’s Magazine, Spring 1999, No. 54
A special issue on sizing with the headline Large-sized wear with PIZZAZZ includes several useful fitting articles: “Speaking of Sizing,” “The Multi-Size Merry-Go-Round,” and “Befitting Knitting.” There are also a number of ample sweater patterns in this issue, including a Lily Chin sweater sized up to a XXXXXL, 75”. Several more are sized to a XXL or XXXL.

Do-It-Yourself Fit for Every Shape & Size
Knitter’s Magazine, Fall 1999
This excellent article by Kathleen Power Johnson is part two of a series of articles that began in Knitter’s Spring ’99 issue.

Bountiful Beauties
Knitter’s Magazine, Fall 1998 to Summer 1999
Knitter’s did a special series of four larger-sized sweaters, one in each issue. Ample-Knitters did a group “Knit-along” with one of the patterns from this series: Sidna Farley’s “More Than a Sweatshirt”.

“Have it Your Way -- Your Style, Your Fit”
Interweave Knits, Summer 1998 Special Issue
Includes terrific articles on “Up-Sizing” and on using short-rows for darts and other fitting concerns. It’s been agreed in earlier Ample-Knitters discussions that the directions for the bust darts are “backwards.” Both the picture and the written instructions for these darts would give you the opposite of what you want: fullness in the side seam, rather than fullness over your breasts. With that small caveat, this is a most helpful article for those of us who need to learn to “shape” our knitting for better fit. Be sure to check out “Create Your Own Fashionable Sweater by Up-Sizing” by Ample-Lister Diana Hrvatin on page 42!

“Darts Add Shape to Knitted Garments,”
Lily Chin
Threads 56, December 1994/January 1995, p 66
More on short row shaping from another early issues of Threads, also out-of-print. This article was reprinted in Great Knits: Texture and Color Techniques, one of the Threads compilations from Taunton Press.

Pattern Sources

The American School of Needlework’s booklet, “Plus-Size Sweater Wardrobe,” by Kathleen Power Johnson, features sweaters in sizes 14-4XL. The advertising for this book says, “This collection of knit sweaters was specifically designed for real women sized 14 to 4X. Includes ten sweaters that women actually want to wear.”

Pam Scriber has compiled an amazing list of ample-sized knitting patterns offered in various publications over the years. The listing is available from her by email.

Just One More Row designer and Ample-Knitters lister Jill Vosburg has many terrific patterns including the “Diamond Patch Sweater,” the “Magical Mitered Vest,” and “Moonstone Beach Vest,” all either already sized for amples or with notes about modifications for up-sizing. The list has had lots of fun doing group projects with Jill’s vests. Many of us are now addicted to modular knitting and to Jill’s designs, so beware!

Ample-Lister Joan McGowan of White Lies Designs has debuted a site with lovely romantic knits designed for amples. The site includes free patterns for a skirt, shrug, tank top, and a tee. Joan’s designs have appeared regularly in national magazines over the past few years, including the cover suit featured in the Winter 1998 Interweave Knits.

Medrith Glover has been designing lovely patterns in ample sizes for years. Many of her patterns were featured in early issues of Knitter’s Magazine, and a lot of those issues are now out-of-print. But Medrith has kept the patterns available in what she refers to as her own “wordy” form: the text directions for the patterns on colored paper along with line drawings of important construction and design details. The patterns are available directly from Medrith at her shop, The Woolroom; PO Box 353; Quincy CA 95971. Her phone is 530/283-0648, and she’s open Tues & Thurs 10-6 & Sat 10-4 (PST). Most of Medrith’s patterns are designed for, or adaptable to, large sizes. Taking off from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s EPS system with modifications for larger bodies, her patterns have you take your gauge and multiply by your measurements to create your own pattern as you go along. Included in her offerings are the “Circumnavigated Cardigan” and “The Graceful,” both of which have made quite a splash on Ample-Knitters. If you order the “Circumnavigated Cardigan” pattern, be sure and also order “Unlace and Hot Flash,” which includes another version of the sweater and additional directions for the rate of sleeve decreases for larger sizes.

Download Medrith’s current “Descriptive Price List” in Adobe pdf file format (You’ll need Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded at Adobe.com)

List member Sue McCain has created a lovely line of patterns that run to a 6XLarge. Check out Vermont Fiber Designs for details and photos of the patterns and ordering information. Patterns for women and men are featured, with pullovers, cardigans, and related sweaters that make twin sets.

At last count there were eight Delta Burke knitting patterns published by Butterick. These are individual leaflets, each including a design and a significant variation (a pullover and a cardigan, for example). The largest size is a 28/30, or 3X. Many people have found them in their LYS (local yarn shops), and I’ve seen them in lots of catalogs now. Ample-Lister Lois Lloyd at Creative Corner sells the patterns and has put up photos of all eight pattern leaflet covers on her web site. Her phone is 800-277-8427. Creative Corner also carries Patterns by Judith, Just One More Row, Effectiveness by Designs, the Enchanted Forest Aran pattern from Vogue Knitting, and the Ann Norling patterns.

Pat Kirtland of The Yarn Barn, another ample-lister, has her own line of larger patterns called “Amplitudes.” These originals include an interesting tunic-length variation on Jill Vosburg’s Diamond Patch Sweater, a button-front Vest variation of the same sweater, the Babies and Bears Adult Jacket & Vest, an Entrelac Vest in KureoPators and Kureoyn, a Sideways Vest in Kogen/Cash Laine, and a number of others. Pat also keeps a listing of some of her projects, which often includes interesting fitting information.

JoLene Treace distributes her own line of patterns, most in sizes up to 56”. Visit her website, A Time to Knit, or download a PDF of her designs. JoLene's patterns are also available from ThreadBear Fiber Arts and Black Water Abbey Yarns.

Arnetta Kenney, ample-knitters lister and nationally renowned instructor, has designed a number of ample-sized patterns for Plymouth Yarn. I ordered mine from Purls, a shop in Tucson, Arizona. Arnetta says there are several more, and she’s checking on the numbers. I ordered P-116, a seed stitch and cabled cardigan in Plymouth Galway (largest finished size 58”), and A-334, Full Figure Cardigan in Adriafil Foilie (largest finished size 66”). Purls also stocks patterns from Michelle Wyman, Delta Burke, the entire K1C2 line (most of the patterns go up to at least a 54”), Berroco pattern books (which also go up to a 54 inch chest), Jill Vosburg, Ann Norling, and more! Their toll-free number is 1-888-377-8757. Ample-lister Stefanie Hager manages the stores with her mother.

Arnetta Kenney also has her own website now, with a grand opening coming soon. Check out Largesize Knit Patterns.

Cabin Fever
Cabin Fever is a shop in Ontario, Canada that offers a number of lovely unique patterns for larger sizes from designer Deb Gemmell, including the Braids Cardigan, the Sarum Tunic, Autumn Leaves, Ridgeway, Woven Squares and Woodland Tunic. The largest finished size ranges from 58-62”. Several Ample-listers have spoken highly of these patterns.

Lion Brand Yarns asks, “Are you creating for someone of generous size? We have great free patterns to flatter all figure types and we’ve re-done our pattern index pages to clearly indicate which patterns come in plus sizes:” Check out Lion Brand’s Indexes for Knit Patterns, and Crochet Patterns.

Connie Delaney designs a great line of patterns especially for handspinners called SpinCraft Patterns. She also publishes a regular newsletter. These patterns are written for any size yarn and any size body. Some calculations are required, but Connie has done most of the work for us. Ample-listers rave about the fit of these patterns, and of course you can use commercial yarns as well! As Connie explains her philosophy, “My favorite thing in designing knitting patterns is to create an interesting shape which can be created in a three dimensional whole to fit the body. I hate to sew seams or have complicated finishing work to do on a sweater when it is done. I want to just put it on and go dancing!”

Many of Michele Wyman’s Effectiveness by Design patterns come in sizes up to 2X. Her “Summer Shimmer Sleeveless Shell” and “Mixed Metaphors Vest” have gotten excellent reviews on Ample-Knitters.

The Fall 1999 issue of Interweave Knits includes an article by Colleen Davis entitled “Thirteen Ways to Color a Kimono.” The magazine features beautiful pictures of real-sized ladies wearing the sweaters they made from Colleen’s knitted adaptation of a woven “Sixteenth Century Japanese Patchwork Jacket.” This jacket is also featured in Prism pattern book #23, “Night Lights”. This unusual sweater has wonderful possibilities for amples, and many of our listers have discussed making one. Another article on this great sweater has now appeared in Cast On, Spring 2000. The article includes a picture of a group of ladies in their sweaters with the story of how they came to be, a schematic, and brief directions.

Ann Norling is a designer with a number of interesting patterns for amples. These include her “Big Cardigan,” “Scrap Vest,” “Pullover Basics,” and the “Weekend Vest.” These patterns are available at various retail outlets. Paradise Fibers has pictures of these designs along with ordering information.

Patternworks carries a number of larger sized patterns. Patternworks toll-free number is 1-800-438-5464.

Thanks to a lister for pointing out Armadillo Needlecrafts, a shop that carries a number of inexpensive patterns for larger sizes, several of them up to a size 3X, featuring Lion Brand yarns. Click on the link for Adult patterns.

Machine knitters check out Ample-Lister Mina Smith’s page! She specializes in designing for the “generous proportioned,” and some of her patterns go up to a finished size 80. There are lace patterns, fairisle, tuck, and slip patterns.

Paton’s Pattern Books
#921 Great Inspirations: Plus size knit designs for him & her in worsted & sport weights. Sizes to fit 34 to 60 inches.
#309 Fashion Plus: 12 handknit designs for larger sizes (out of print)
Patons’ website includes a store locator to point prospective buyers to e-tailers or stores in their areas which carry their products. (It doesn’t, unfortunately, tell you whether they sell books or just yarn, but it’s a start.)

Be sure to check out the FREE pattern links in the free patterns section!

Wardrobe Tips & Sewing for Large Folks

Life is Not a Dress Size:
Rita Farro’s Guide to Attitude, Style, and A New You
Rita Farro
1996, Chilton Book Company
Farro’s book is lots of fun, and there is much valuable information. She divides bodies into three basic types which she dubs “Ruby Rubenesque,” “Winona Wineglass,” and “Christina Christmas Tree.”

Flatter Your Figure™
Jan Larkey
1991, Fireside/Simon & Schuster
Recognizing that “reality is that 90 percent of us don’t--and won’t ever---look like models or movie stars,” Larkey gives the “rest of us” the information and tools to look our best. “Looking in the mirror and smiling should be your goal every day,” she says, “regardless of age, size, or shape.”

Fantastic Fit for Every Body:
How to Alter Patterns to Flatter Any Figure
Gale Grigg Hazen
1998, Rodale Press
Grigg Hazen promises that “fitting patterns will become easier the more you do it.” Here she offers a wealth of information to get you started. Many of her models are large women (including Gale herself). Hazen also has a video that comes highly recommended, “Sewing for the Less Than Perfect Figure.”

Sewing for Plus Sizes:
Design, Fit, and Construction for Ample Apparel
Barbara Deckert
1999, Taunton Press
Just out! This looks to be a winner.

Sew Big!: A Fashion Guide for the Fuller Figure
Marilyn Thelen
1980, Palmer/Pletsch Associates
Thanks to Sallie King for contributing this offering! She wrote, “I would like to add a book to your large sized sewing books. It is titled SEW BIG, by Marilyn Thelen. My daughter gave it to me several years ago and I love it. It is a Palmer Pletsch book, I don’t know if it is still in print or not. My copy is much loved and very annotated!”

Fashion Patterns by Coni
A complete patternmaking company especially for the plus sized woman. Everything I’ve ever heard about these sewing patterns has been superlative. The women on the Full n Fabulous list swear by them.

Sew News
Special Issue: April 1999
Plus-Size Sewing: Perfect Proportion, Pattern Picks & More

Burda Plus: Fashion for the Fuller Figure
A once a year special publication (available by pre-order only) featuring patterns for larger figures. From Germany, published in English.

Purrfection Artistic Wearables has lots of great patterns, many in larger sizes. They also have all kinds of other interesting things for surface design, stencils, stamps, paints, buttons, etc.

General Knitting on the WWW

Woolworks: The Online Knitting Compendium is the motherlode of all online knitting information. Emily Way maintains this excellent site.

Kim Brody Salazar maintains WiseNeedle Compendium which includes a database of yarn reviews, and a glossary of international knitting terms.

Book and pattern reviews: www.knitreviews.com exists to provide a non-commercial online database of user-submitted knitting book, video, article, and magazine reviews and to provide a forum for reviewing and discussing published knitting patterns. The database is designed for both hand and machine knitters.

The Knitting Pages is a non-commercial collection of hand and machine knitting resources intended for beginning knitters and experts alike. You will find an extensive collection of errata and corrections for knitting patterns and books, free knitting charts, a library of links including free patterns to knit, a directory of Local Knitting Resources, knitting news, a gallery, and more.

Knitting.About.com

Sarah Bradberry’s Knitting Site

Knitting Universe
Publishers of Knitter’s magazine, and producers of Stitches events.

Interweave Press
Publishers of Interweave Knits, Spin-Off, and Piecework magazines.

INKnitter’s
Ample-Knitters lister Susan Esser is on the executive board of this relatively new publication. Lots of technique articles, and sweater patterns often include larger sizes.

Vogue Knitting

Family Circle Easy Knitting
The Spring/Summer 1999 issue includes a very nice write-up of Ample-Knitters on pp. 12-13. Thanks to lister Jean Leinhauser for this excellent piece!

Knit ’n Style Magazine.

Knitting NOW
A newsletter for the “serious” knitter.

Size-Positive Links

NAAFA Online
NAAFA (National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance) is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA has been working since 1969 to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support.

Body Positive
Change your mind, change your culture, and let your body be!

Size Wise Seek
Size Positive Search Index. An amazing collection of links, including a great guide to clothing in larger sizes. A member of the “Health at Any Size” web ring.

Kelly Bliss’ Plus Size Yellow Pages. Find everything needed to LIVE LARGE in a small world.

Healthy Weight Network
Brings you the latest scientific information on eating and weight and helps you apply it to your life and your work.

Radiance: The Magazine for Large Women, is an upbeat, positive, colorful, quarterly magazine for women all sizes of large. Since its beginning in 1984, Radiance has grown to become one of the leading sources of support, information, and inspiration in the worldwide Size Acceptance Movement. It is no longer published in a print format, but is available on the web.

BBW Magazine

Amplestuff has lots of products of interest, including 96” tape measures that are *very* handy!

Size-Positive Books

Unfortunately, a number of these titles are out-of-print. I’ve had pretty good luck ordering them from Amazon and have also found several at my local public library or through interlibrary loan. They’re worth the effort to track down.

Well Rounded: Eight Simple Steps for Changing Your Life...Not Your Size
Catherine Lippincott
1998, Pocket Books

FAT!SO?: Because You Don’t Have to Apologize for Your Size
Marilyn Wann
1999, Ten Speed Press

Self-Esteem Comes in All Sizes: How to be Happy and Healthy at Your Natural Weight
Carol A. Johnson
1996, Doubleday

Nothing to Lose: A Guide to Sane Living in a Larger Body
Cheri K. Erdman
1996, HarperSanFrancisco

Live Large!: Ideas, Affirmations & Actions for Sane Living in a Larger Body
Cheri K. Erdman
1997, HarperSanFrancisco

Wake Up, I’m Fat!
Camryn Manheim
1999, Broadway Books

Big Fat Lies; The Truth about Your Weight and Your Health
Glenn A. Gaesser
1996, Fawcett Books

Losing It: False Hopes and Fat Profits in the Diet Industry
Laura Fraser
1998, Penguin USA

Size Wise
Judy Sullivan
1997, Avon Books

Thin is Just a Four-Letter Word: Living Fit-For All Shapes and Sizes
Dee Hakala
1998, Dell Publishing Company

Just the Weigh You Are: How to Be Fit and Healthy, Whatever Your Size
Steven Jonas, Linda Konner
1998, Houghton Mifflin

Great Shape: the First Exercise Guide for Large Women
Pat Lyons and Debby Burgard
1988, Arbor House/William Morrow