Review on 🧶 Lightweight and Layered Knits: Elevate Your Style with 19 Sophisticated Designs for Every Season by Angela Rodriguez

When I ordered LIGHT & LAYERED KNITS I was expecting a set of patterns for layered pieces that needed to be stacked on top of each other that would be shown on models dressed in layers. Instead, it's a collection of lightweight tops (and a few jumpers) that's mostly for layering. (I guess a cardigan worn over a dress is an example of "layering".) What initially drew me to this book were the bold, directional knit designs: Pier 37 (cable cutouts front and back); Ruffle Shell (diagonal ruffle from neckline to lower front); zigzag shell (two-tone inlays on front with contrasting colors ending in bold, false zigzag on center front); origami flower (two-tone front with flowers crossing on a diagonal stripe in the third color from shoulder to waist); Tuscan lace (keyhole detail pictured on cover) and Kathmandu (princess peplum bodice). Unfortunately "directional" patterns are not knitted in one direction and are therefore not very interesting from a technical point of view. With the exception of Kathmandu (where high stitches are used), the directional effect is achieved by knitting curly pieces or stripes, fitting the pieces together like puzzle pieces, and sewing the pieces together. (Zigzag Shell has irregularly shaped front halves knit in one piece as intarsia, but the zigzag stitch is then accented with an attached, separately knitted i-cord.) Some non-directional patterns I'm like Jane Austen Spencer (lace cropped jacket with U- neckline and narrow sleeves); Lace Finery (sleeveless bodice with ribbed asymmetric lace collar); Celtic Queen (bodice with cap sleeves decorated with Aran braids); Tailored Pleats (an elegant V-neck sweater with peplum folds); and Wrap Blouse (an elegant wrap sweater with 3/4 sleeves, waistband with linen seams, V-neckline, and offset diagonal hem). There are also patterns for plain and embellished t-shirts, a zip-up jacket, a pair of tunics and a pair of cardigans. for adult clothing). The rest of the design (bold aran) is crocheted in medium worsted yarn. In general, this is a good collection of patterns for easy-to-wear lightweight sweaters and tops. which are differently suited to be worn over or under normal clothing or jackets. I rate it 4 stars ("like” on the official Revain scale).