Cover Image: The Art of Circular Yokes

The Art of Circular Yokes

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Member Reviews

So stunning. Loved almost every pattern but these are definitely for an intermediate level or higher. Can’t wait to make one soon.

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Very good collection of patterns. From colorwork to cables and lace, with many different ideas. I knitted the sweater from the cover of the book, and it came out well and was easy to customize to my yarn and to my liking. I enjoyed knitting it and wearing it. Make sure you check the patterns and what other people knitted using them on ravelry. The book explains how sweaters with circular yokes can be constructed and how to make them become your own. How to take measurements, calculate stitches and make the pattern. Then there are patterns. Top down and bottom up, knitted flat and in the round, all kinds of goodness for many tastes.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley, but then decided to buy my own copy when the book came out.

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Destined to be a classic on the shelves of a library or knitter’s home library, The Art of Circular Yokes is both a reference manual for how to design yoked sweaters and a beautiful collection of sweater patterns. The reference section delves into math and design elements, discusses historical changes, and presents a variety of solutions to the problem of shaping knitting to the human body. The pattern collection features a wide range of sizes on most of the patterns, and includes size and ease information for the models, which is particularly helpful. This book has me dreaming of my next knitted sweater project.

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I received this book first as an e-book ARC from the publisher via NetGalley back in May 2019, but only a few pages in, and I had decided that I had to have a hard copy, and immediately pre-ordered it through Amazon.
This book is not designed for beginners, but could be bought for knitters early in their career as inspiration for future projects. There are 15 different jerseys to knit – all here modelled on adult women. But I see no reason why at least some of the patterns could not equally well be adapted for men or children. All the patterns are for circular yokes, but there are a variety of styles: fair isle, arran, cable, lace, and slip stitch. Most the patterns are for jerseys, but there are three cardigans.
Flexibility is the key to this book. Because each pattern requires at least five body measurements from the intended wearer – all shapes of body can be taken care of. So, you have fat (skinny) arms, big (small) bust, tiny waist (or muffin top), or even an asymmetrical body – the patterns can be adjusted to fit. I have a knitter friend, who has also bought the book, who intends to use it to make jackets for her dogs! Because each pattern requires you to make a swatch to establish the gauge, you could conceivably use any wool (cotton, other yarn) that would suit the pattern, likewise any appropriate size of needle. Quantities of yarn required are given in lengths as well as weights – again allowing for more flexibility if using a different yarn to that suggested. Once you have all your measurements, the book gives clear instructions on how to calculate your pattern (including a helpful reminder of the order of operations in a mathematical equation).
There is a list of abbreviations near the end of the book, followed by a glossary (with diagrams) giving types of casting-on, binding-off, seaming and other stitching methods. Measurements, calculations and needle sizes are given in both metric and imperial
Once you have mastered one or more of the patterns, there is no reason to stop there. You could use practically any stitch, or knitting style, and any pattern. All you need is a knitting dictionary and imagination, and the world is your oyster.
I would love to have knitted and worn any – or all – of the featured jerseys, but unfortunately for me, this book was published a number of years too late. When I was younger and able-bodied, I knitted a lot. I come from a family of knitters – and would have so much loved to have bought this book for my mother, aunt, grandmother … all sadly now dead. I am still alive, and had hoped this book would inspire me to get back to knitting. I’d put off reviewing the book until I could at least do some of the swatches and plan some jerseys. Regrettably, even the swatches are beyond me now.
I would have also loved to have had this book when I was still teaching high school maths. It would have made great practical lessons, getting pupils (probably in groups) to measure their bodies, design a simple fair isle style pattern (there are five examples in the book), measure up the gauge on a supplied swatch (or knit their own is possible!) and then calculate the pattern to fit their own bodies. A bit of practical mathematics!
Do I regret buying a book I can no longer use? Not for a second. This is a beautiful, inspirational book, that I will flick through repeatedly – and dream.
Very highly recommended to all knitters – and to those who would like inspiration to begin.

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The yokes in this book are absolutely lovely. There is a combination of beautiful colorwork and more geometric single-color patterns using twisted stitches and cables. I haven't had a chance to actually knit anything from it yet (thanks to a toddler that keeps me way too busy for big knitting these days), but I have several of the sweaters marked for later. I'm especially excited about the Altheda pattern.

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A good collection of patterns,including cables and colour work, giving plenty of variety. There is even instruction on how to make your own design. Each of the patterns are done by different designers so you would have to watch the fit, but there are clear instructions on how to get a good fit.
Excellent reference book that I will return to on my next circular project.

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I did not like the cover that much but I'm so glad that didn't stop me. The book is wonderful. One design better than the other one. I discover many new knitters that I already started following on Ravelry, Instagram, etc..
Incredible amount of inspiration.

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I've never knitted a sweater, but I am on the verge of giving it a try. The Art of Circular Yokes is a comprehensive book that gives instruction on the construction of different sweaters and provides lots of detail. This manual isn't for beginner knitters, but an ambitious beginner/intermediate knitter or an advanced knitter could definitely benefit from the wealth of information contained in this book.

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A beautiful book for knitters of any experience really, and excellent instructions for knitting a variety of circular yoke sweaters. Creative and beautiful.

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A good selection of patterns. I struggle with yokes a bit and the instructions were easy to follow. This should be beginner friendly enough to follow if you haven't worked with circular needles or in the round before. The patterns were interesting enough that I would want to wear them and be motivated to complete the project to do so.

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A set of lovely patterns, suited to beginning and intermediate knitters, and definitely adaptable for those who like to knit off-script.

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This book is such a wonderful resource! The photography is gorgeous, the instructions are well written, and there is a terrific intro to circular yokes and all the math behind it.

This book would be better for someone who has some experience knitting, I would not recommend this for a beginner. What I love most about this book is the math behind the yoke patterns, so essentially you can figure out how to tweak any yoke pattern into a size that fits you!

There are 15 beautiful yoke patterns shown, many in extended sizes. I would highly recommend this book and can't wait to get started on my next sweater!

Thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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I loved that this book focuses on the how and why circular yoke sweaters work in a mostly easy to understand way. Knowing that it is basically three tubes and the funnel can help people shape sweaters that fit them rather than simply following a pattern. I also really liked some of the patterns included. They've got a great range and I think that most people picking up this title will find inspiration in at least one of the patterns if not more of them!

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The Art of Circular Yokes is a knitting guide that teaches how to calculate and knit circular yokes on fifteen individual sweater patterns. After having read through it, I think this would be a valuable tool for the expert knitter. The volume begins with the extensive use of mathematics needed to knit circular yokes. The patterns are original and well-explained with detailed instructions, tips, charts and beautiful photographs. Also included are abbreviations, a glossary, introduction of the designers and yarn sources. All in all, a well-designed knitting book that most knitters would love on their bookshelves. Thank you to F + W Media and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The book is in two parts. One is a detailed design how-to, which reviews the anatomy of a circular yoke sweater, and the various ways they can be modified to accommodate different body types, as well as historic methods for yoke shaping. The second part is a collection of circular yoke patterns.

If you are looking for a traditional color work design, you will find it here, but there is much more to explore, including lacework yokes and intricate cabled yokes. Modern designers are using short rows to improve the shaping of traditional designs, and the sweaters in this book are intricate wonders of fit and fashion.

Even if you don’t plan to design your own sweaters, this book will make you more knowledgable in assessing the patterns you use, and why they will work or not for your body.

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Bright, crisp images of 15 sweater patterns, each featuring a circular yoke, though they have different silhouettes, styles, and fits. An explanation of the mathematics behind planning for circular yokes precedes the patterns.

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I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Art of Circular Yokes is edited by Kerry Bogert contains a collection of 15 lovely sweater patterns by a delightful assortment of designers. I am a big fan of the circular yoke sweater for because of minimal seaming and fit as it is a style that seems to flatter most body types. This book provides a nice assortment of patterns, top down and bottom up constructions, cardigans and pullovers, Lace, cables, stranded colourwork, traveling and twisted stitches are all covered with beautiful photographs and clear instructions. I will definitely be adding this book to my collection. #NetGalley #KerryBogert #TheArtofCircularYokes #FWMedia #Interweave

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This is a great book! LOTS of great patterns, well explained and easy to understand instructions, and clear diagrams. It exceeded my expectations. I received a review copy from NetGalley but will possibly buy a hard copy of my own.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Marvelous and inspiring. A must have for every serious knitter. Techniques and great patterns that let you create and customize the perfect yoked sweater.

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Wonderful book about knitting pullovers and cardigans with a circular yoke. I especially liked the first part where the maths behind the circular yoke construction is explained. This will enable experienced knitters to further individualise their knitting projects.

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