Weardowney Knit Couture

Weardowney Knit Couture
Published by Batsford
ISBN: 978-1-84340-420-0
Price: £20.00
Reviewed by Ruth Singer

Knit Couture is very much what you might expect from the title; a stylish book of knit designs for the fashion-conscious. Weardowney are a fashion and knitwear design duo, who aim to make both knitwear and hand-knitting super stylish. The designs are by Gail Downey, former knitwear designer for John Galliano while the co-author is journalist Henry Conway. Weardowney’s other half is ex-fashion model Amy Wear. The book is a natural development from their London boutique and regular knitting journal/magazine and is presented more like a Vogue fashion shoot than your average knitting pattern book.

The book starts with an entertaining history of knitting, written by Henry Conway. This essay, while easy reading and well illustrated, sits rather oddly with the fashion-focus of the rest of the book. The profiles of contemporary fashion designers including Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano are more interesting and relevant to the book, as is the modern history of knitting in both fashion and contemporary art.

The designs are very much fashion-focused with the majority being retro-style cardigans with some figure hugging dresses and tops plus a couple of complex lace skirts. They are generally designed for a youthful figure and most of the patterns are provided in sizes small and medium only or are one size - which will delight petite knitters. A couple of rather mainstream men’s sweater patterns complete the book.

The patterns make extensive use of Weardowney’s trademark use of lurex yarns, which makes for original designs that are rarely seen elsewhere – and the restrained colour palette including copper, black, dark blue and cream is lovely. The patterns vary in skill level and the more complex ones should certainly satisfy experienced knitters while the easier patterns are fresh and vibrant for beginners. This hardback book is so glamourous and stylish that it would look good on a coffee table and it would be a perfect gift for any knitter with a passion for fashion – or to convince anyone who thinks knitting is for grannies only.