I love knitting top down garments. I also love my hand knit garments to fit great so when Quince & Co. released their latest book - Top-Down: Reimagining Set-In Sleeve Design by Elizabeth Doherty I literally did a happy dance around my office! Top down garments with the look and fit of conventional set-in sleeves? Yes please!!! 

"Top-Down: Reimagining Set-In Sleeve Design, by Elizabeth Doherty, is a collection that takes classic set-in sleeve sweater construction and turns it on it's head, with designs that are worked seamlessly from the top down."

Top-Down makes both the sewer and the knitter in me happy! I prefer to knit top down when making garments and to be able to now make a top-down seamless garment that has the look of conventional set-in sleeves and a wonderful fit makes me excited! The short row sleeve caps look so nice and really brings the fit of a sewn garment into my knitting with out having to seam! 

Elizabeth Doherty has broken this unique construction method down in a user-friendly book. It's filled with a wealth of knowledge for any knitter looking to expand their garment knitting skills. It also features 6 classic patterns - 4 sweaters and 2 pullovers. She also provides information on how to customize the patterns provided to suit your body shape. Top-Down is for sure going to be well loved in my home.

TOP-DOWN: REIMAGINING SET-IN SLEEVE DESIGN FEATURES THE FOLLOWING:

SET-IN SLEEVE BASICS

• the top-down sweater body
• sleeve cap mechanics
• sleeves from the top
• fitting a set-in sleeve sweater

PATTERNS

• san serif
• serif
• underwood
• meris
• copperplate
• clarendon

ADJUSTMENTS AND FITTING

• making modifications
• knitting a gauge swatch
• adjusting for gauge differences
• adjusting fit

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR....

Anyone who is looking to learn how to knit a great fitting garment. A knitter who is looking to expand their garment knitting skill set as well as knitting designers looking to learn a new construction method. In general this book has something for anyone looking to learn more about garment knitting and to make themselves a great sweater or cardigan!

YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK IF....

You love knitting garments. There is info in Top-Down ranging from gauge swatches, making customizations to the garment patterns to suit your body shape, construction methods, tons of information about sleeves and sleeve construction and more! You will walk away with a wealth of new information that you can easily implement into your sweater knitting repertoire.

MY FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT THE BOOK ARE:

The unique construction method and how Elizabeth has broken it down into a user friendly method. I also love the trademark Quince & Co. style/aesthetic and layout of the book. It's clean styling and ease of reading always appeal to me. 

TOP DOWN: REIMAGINING SET-IN SLEEVE DESIGN by Elizabeth Doherty with Quince and Co.

You can purchase a copy of your own over in the Quince & Co. shop HERE. 

I also recommend this great post the author did on the Quince & Co. blog. 

And while you're there don't forget to check out their delicious yarns! You won't be disappointed! One can never have enough Quince & Co. in their stash! 

Are you a fan of top down seamless garments too? Are you excited to try this new construction technique?