Knit Kimono - 18 Designs with Simple Shapes Vicki Square Publisher Interweave Press Edition Paperback Size 216 x 228 mm Illustrations 130 Pages 128 Vicki Square of Fort Collins, Colorado, learned to knit from her grandmother more than 30 years ago and has been designing her own garments ever since. Her designs have been both self-published and featured in Spin-Off and Fashion Knitting magazines. She won the 1990 National Knitting contest sponsered by Fashion Knitting and has shown her pieces in juried art shows in Colorado, Oregon and Illinois. Vicki has taught knitting for more than ten years, as well as painting and drawing at Colorado State University. If you can knit a simple rectangle you can knit an elegant kimono wrap that looks good on any body type. From casual to formal, the kimono shape has endured for centuries as a staple form of dress for peasantry and nobility alike. The classic boxy shape is recognized worldwide as an icon of Japanese life and culture, and is used as a canvas for colour, pattern and design. For each kimono in this collection, Vicki Square has created a knitted interpretation of a style or feature of traditional kimono. The styles and shapes of the garments run the gamut from short to long, rectangular sleeves to shaped, straight or overlapping front opening, with sleeves or without, casual to dressy. The knitted fabric matches traditional kimono design as much as possible - yarns composed of natural fibers (silk, cotton, linen, bamboo and wool) and stitch patterns that drape and move much as their woven counterparts. In addition to 18 new kimono projects, Knit Kimono offers a brief history of the traditional kimono shape and how it has endured through centuries of political and social change. Although the projects may look difficult, they are based on simple rectangular shapes that require very little shaping on the knitter's part. These are ideal first garment projects for knitters wanting to venture beyond scarves. These are also ideal projects for experienced knitters wanting classic, wearable garments. Learn the evolution of kimono shape and style and how it related to the changing political climate. 18 original patterns based on the simple kimono shape are appropriate for a variety of body sizes and types, and are deceptively easy to knit. Clever details in construction, stitch patterns, edgings and closures add sophistication and elegance to the simple silhouette. The Textile Directory Bookstore postal charges: UK 1 book = £2.50 2 books = £4.50 3 books = £7.00 4 books or more = £9.00 Overseas 1 book = £6.00 2 books = £10.00 3 books = £14.00 4 books or more = £18.00 To read a review of this book please click here Price: £17.99