Armenian Knitting

This exciting new book offers designs in the knitting technique used to create fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli’s famous Bowknot sweater. Authors Meg Swansen and Joyce Williams were enchanted to find that the Schiaparelli sweater had not been knitted using Intarsia. Instead, Armenian Knitting (named by Elsa) was used; the motif color is carried throughout the plain part of the garment (trapped across the back) until it is needed. A large and exciting window of design possibilities opens up through this application of trapping. Three practice hats teach you the Armenian technique and Joyce and Meg offer 8 contemporary designs resulting from their work in this discipline. The Armenian Knitting book contains Joyce Williams’ Knit/Purl and Olive Branch pullovers, and a lovely, long Lily Jacket (based on the Japanese Haori style jackets). Plus, from Meg Swansen, two versions of a Monarch pullover and three vests, among them, a sleek Cossack knit in the beautiful gray and black Icelandic Unspun. Innovative garment shaping details are spotlighted; all techniques are described fully including three different methods of how to trap. Additionally, there is a stop press from one of Elsa’s knitters regarding the Armenian technique.