Classic Knits of the 1980s

Written by the eponymous designer of Sandy Black Original Knits fashion knitwear label from the late 1970s and 1980s, Classic Knits of the 1980s features original, colourful, textural and fun knitting patterns that capture the fashion zeitgeist of the 1980s designer knitwear boom. As well as selling ready-made knitwear to stores, several designers made their patterns available as home knitting kits. Classic Knits of the 1980s features a range of innovative designs from Sandy Black knitting kits, many published here for the first time. The text comprises two parts: Part 1 establishes the fashion and knitwear context of the period and its influence on the development of the designs, examining the entire creative process from inspiration to final pattern, and describes the principal fundamentals of knitwear design. Copiously illustrated with photographs, diagrams and charts, special features include patchwork (modular) designs and intarsia or colour-block knitting, with techniques for pattern calculations, working from charts and handling several colours. Part 2 then offers twenty-one original patterns and designs, with variations, grouped into themes of textural, graphic, heraldic and ornamental, plus the unique Siamese cat, leopard and tiger accessories.