Jul
2
We're really thrilled to be the latest stop on the blog tour for Susan Crawford's new book, Coronation Knits. Some of Susan's designs have appeared in our sister magazine, The Knitter, and we've been to some of her real-world book events in the past. Now we, and you, can take part in her latest book event online!
If you're familiar with Susan's earlier publications, A Stitch In Time Volumes 1 and 2 and Vintage Gifts to Knit, you'll know what to expect: vintage and vintage-inspired patterns with all the shaping and detail of knitting patterns from the past, but with a wide range of sizes so more people can enjoy wearing them. (We try to include a wide range of sizes in all our patterns in Simply Knitting - a few of us are plus-sized ourselves - and it can be strange looking at a pattern from the 1940s or 1950s and realising that it's sized for just the one bust size.) The designs in the book are really versatile; we can picture them on people of all ages and body types.
All the patterns in Coronation Knits are inspired by the Coronation, the years around the Coronation, and the young Queen Elizabeth II as a style icon. Each pattern is accompanied by a paragraph of so where Susan talks about the pattern source or her inspiration.
We love this cream lace top, 'Amies', which Susan says was inspired by a glamorous Hardy Amies lace wiggle dress that the Queen wore on her trip to Australia in the early 1950s. If you're daring you can wear it with just a bra beneath, but we'd probably pair it with a camisole or put it over a contrasting slip dress to show off the lace pattern.
Knits for all the family
The book isn't just for the ladies, though: there's an adorable tank top, 'Changing Guards at Buckingham Palace' with a brand of smart Guardsmen in their scarlet coats and busbies and a pink coat 'I've Been to London to Visit the Queen' for children, and for men there is possibly the coolest Jubilee knit we've seen.
Are you ready for it?
Simply called 'Coronation Sleeveless Pullover', in her comments Susan says, "It's the perfect garment for piloting a boat, a fast car or a plane or for smoking a pipe while building a matchstick model of a cathedral." We'll take the James Bond boat, car or plane option, please, Susan!
There are 14 patterns in Coronation Knits in total. You can find out more and buy the book online here.
The next stop on the blog tour is rock+purl - Ruth Garcia-Alcantud's blog.
Want to start the blog tour at the beginning? Here's the list of stops so far:
12th June 2012 - More Yarn Will Do The Trick - Jean Moss
16th June 2012 - JenACKnitwear - Jen Arnall Culliford
18th June 2012 - The Icelandic Knitter - Helene Magnusson
20th June 2012 - Knitting Institute - Knitting Magazine
24th June 2012 - Ingrid Murnane Investigates - Ingrid Murnane
28th June 2012 - Domestic Soundscape -Felicity Ford
29th June 2012 - Sheep To Shawl - Donna Druchunas
And you've got these ones to look forward to:
6th July 2012 - rock+purl - Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
7th July 2012 - Fourth Edition - Karie
10th July 2012 - By gum, by golly! - Tasha
14th July 2012 - tomofholland - Tom Van Deijnen
18th July 2012 - Woolly Wormhead - Woolly
22nd July 2012 - Crinoline Robot - Mim
25 July 2012 - Sexyknitter.com - Sarah Wilson
All images © Susan Crawford
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