One day while shopping at the mall with my teenage granddaughter, I looked around and saw inspiration hanging from every rack . . . a chance to rethink, re-style, and focus my attention on designing knits for a new generation. Trends and styles may change, but one thing remains constant: girls love clothes and fashion.
We, the parents and grandparents, have knit and designed for babies, toddlers, young children, and adults, but few and far between do we find patterns for older girls and young juniors.
Teens who want to learn to knit are hard-pressed to find patterns that suit their taste as well. Although some sweaters, jackets, hats, and scarves might interest a young knitter, they are usually photographed on older models. I believe that pictures play a big role in how we view knits and how we, or our intended recipients, think we might look in them.
All of the patterns in this book are written with easy-to-follow directions. If you can knit and purl, there isn’t anything you can’t knit with a little help. Number counts are given on all of the patterns, but please don’t worry if you’re off a stitch or two, unless you’re working on a lace pattern where the numbers really do matter.
For the experienced knitters who prefer not to seam, patterns can be adjusted to be worked in the round.
Not all of the patterns are quick to knit, but the mindlessness of the process will allow for enjoyable meditative thought, or a good movie, or a book on tape while knitting. Not only will moms and grandmas enjoy knitting these fashions, but my hope is that the girls themselves will want to learn to knit so they can feel the satisfaction of creating their own stylish wardrobe. We all know the benefits of knitting, and Knits for Girls and Young Juniors will satisfy not only the numbers of teen knitters growing by leaps and bounds, but all of us knitters who are looking for something new to knit that our loved ones will wear.
If you have questions or need advice, please feel free to contact me at leegantknits.com. I’d love to help.