Review of Simple Style

I received a review copy of the book Simple Style by Ann Budd from the publisher Interweave Press and want to share my impression of the book. Simple Style has 19 designs and with the possible exception of the Drawstring Bateau by Debbie Newton, the designs are all stylish and fairly simple in design and execution. Although stylish the Bateau looks a little more difficult. If you are looking for a sweater pattern that has enough shaping to keep you from looking like you are wearing your son’s hoodie, but not so much that you are scared off by the tailoring this might just be the book for you.

Sweaters often scare us, especially when you consider the amount of time they take and your experience level. There are so many places where things can go wrong. No matter how perfect your gauge swatch, it is possible that the gauge you get in your swatch may vary on the actual garment. Will the completed sweater look good on the wearer? Will the person who receives it actually take care of and wear it? With all that said you still want to make a sweater, so you then pick a pattern or a book of patterns that appeal to you. Simple Style has classic looking sweaters, with simple techniques and a large variety of sizes, from finished size 30 inches or 76 cm. to 50 inches round or 127 cm.

Having a pattern book with many sizes makes it a versatile book because of the amount of use you can potentially get out of it. In addition, the classic patterns will not go out of style quickly. Finally, simple, fitted, fashionable patterns also allow the designer within us to experiment and make changes. This book offers all of that and a great glossary of the techniques used, but if you want a book of really out there patterns this might not be the book for you. You could use these patterns as a stepping stone though.