I’m a big fan of Bristol Ivy‘s designs. Not just because they are full-out gorgeous and wonderfully designed, but because Bristol is sort of genuinely good person that you want to see succeed in life. I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple years ago, and she is just a delightful, funny, warm person. So when Pom Pom Magazine asked if I would be interested in reviewing the collection and maybe doing a giveaway, heck yes, I was interested.
Her latest collection is Knitting Outside the Box: Drape & Fold. Drape & Fold focuses on 6 clever patterns that use origami-style folding to shape the knits, as well as a variety of directional knitting to shape and create these gorgeous knits. Sizing runs healthy, with all patterns suitable for bust sizes from 32″-61″.
Every single one of these patterns is gorgeous, and it isn’t just the stunning model or the phenomenal photography. Each design has a balance of interesting stitchwork- visually interesting cables or lace- along with stockinette and garter stitch, and then puts them together in fascinating configurations. This combination makes for modern knits that don’t just look beautiful, but are interesting to knit.
The jaw-dropper is likely Gres, a stunning pullover with swooping side panel and deep afterthought pockets, and a beautiful cable up the sleeves. This is deal for you if you love everything about this and enjoy knitting stockinette, and are fine with seaming.
My personal favourite is Yuko, a stunning sweater shrug that I feel would look good with everything I own. Don’t even try to convince me otherwise. Do yourself a favour and click over to the pattern page and check out the photos of the back, too. I’m swooning over here.
And a close second to my favourite is Mihara, a beautiful shrug that looks like it would be perfect all summer long. Also, let’s bring back shrugs, people! We need them! Especially when they are s gorgeous as this. I love the unusual, elliptical sort of eyelet fabric of this stitch, as well.
Of the 6 patterns, three of for DK weight yarn, two are for light fingering, and one for sport weight yarn. Rei (the light fingering cowl, below and on the left) and Tomoko (DK brioche cowboy cowl, below and on the right) have the least amount of yardage, both at under 500 yards each. They would be the fastest knits of all, and would be great gateway patterns to explore this collection.
Should I get This? I Should Get This.
If you have been knitting for at least a couple of years and have some techniques down, then this collection is going to knock your socks off and expand your mind on what you can do with a knitting pattern. If you have been knitter forever and feel like you are in a slump, these patterns are definitely slump-busters. It’s challenging in all the best ways, and you could make modifications to swap out different stitches if you wanted. Careful studying of the schematics mean you could even make some modifications to the shapes, if you wanted, as well.
Suitable For Beginners? Nope.
I don’t recommend this collection for the beginner knitter – It requires a solid foundation of pattern reading, seaming, cables, lace, and finishing techniques that you will develop if you knit a variety of different patterns. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t aim high!
You Said Something About a Giveaway, Right?
You can purchase the hard copy edition (that also gets you a digital copy) here, or just the pdf straight into your Ravelry library here.
Thanks to the fabulous folks at Pom Pom Press, we are having a giveaway! Please leave a comment here let me know which pattern from the collection you are most excited to knit! You can get an extra free entry by leaving a comment on the instagram post about the giveaway, too!
Contest will close at midnight Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, February 1st. Winner will be announced on Monday, Feb 3rd.
I’m so in love with Gres! I love everything about this design 🙂
I really love Rei. Bristol is very inspiring
The back of Yuko is stunning and would be a great piece for working in air conditioning, yeeesssss to all the shrugs.
For me too, my favorite is Yuko, which I would knit perhaps in a little bit lighter shade and a little shorter, because I love layering looks.
But over all, all patterns are inspiring and I would love to knit them all.
Thanks for the wonderful give away and the great opportunity.
Greetings from Germany, Petra
So hard to decide! If I had to pick one it would be Yuko.
Oh my! The cover is stunning. Yuko would be first in my queue but Rei might end up on the needles at the same time. Gorgeous!
I really love Vionet! It looks cozy. The pattern on collar and back are gorgeous.
I love them all, Bristol Ivy is such a genius.
Definitely Gres. That sweater is gorgeous!
I will definitely be knitting Yuko!
I like the shrugs especially Mihara , the lace is lovely . Great summer sweaters.
Thanks and Happy Knitting.
Yuko is beautiful! It would be perfect for cool summer evenings.
I am excited for Gres!
Oh definitely the Gres! Knitting one of Bristol’s patterns now, the Waits sweater!
I’d love to knit Mihara. It looks interesting to knit, and would fit well over many of my summer tops and dresses. I think shrugs need a come-back, too!
I want a Yuko!
I would love to knit Mihara!
Also, Gres! I’m tall and the interesting angles tend to look good with skinny jeans!
I would definitely start with Rei–that cable with that little pop of lace!! So beautiful. Love Bristol Ivy’s designs too.
Gres is impressive but I think I would have more fun knitting and wearing Yuko!
My favourite is Gres. Stunning!
I love the Mihara shrug. Shrugs are so versatile. I love them all year long with dresses. Linen in the summer is great with a Lace pattern. It would be delighted to knit that.
I like the Cowl–REI. What a cute and so useful item at this time of the year. I love the way it lays and the yarn. The design is what caught my eye though.
The Mihara shrug is just what I need in my wardrobe!
Mihara. Hands down. That construction looks fascinating!!
Such beautiful knitwear! I love them all, but Mihara would be first up. It’s so lovely and feminine with the lace, just perfect!
They are all so beautiful but I love knitting cowls & haven’t tried brioche so my hands got twitchy when I saw Tomoko.
Love the Tomoko cowl! I’m learning to make peace with brioche!
These are amazing, not sure I could every decide on just one!!!!
Beautiful designs! that Mihara shrug is lovely!
My favourite pattern from Knitting Outside the Box: Drape & Fold is Vionnet – such a beautiful collar design!
I’m in love with Yuko – that BACK is everything!! Mihara is also gorgeous.
I would have to say Yuko. A beautiful shrug is an awesome accessory!
I love Mihara, it looks perfect for spring dresses! Thanks for the give away!
I’m interested in Mihara. A shrug would be comfortable and fun to wear. I’m so pleased so see these items worn by someone not wearing a small size but someone more my size!
I think Mihara, with warmer weather in the coming months, that’s perfect for your shoulders in a cool restaurant or store.
Oooh, I just fell in love with Vionnet. It looks like the perfect “secretly wearing a blanket to work” sweater!
I agree, the back of Yuko is stunning!
I’m a big fan of Gres.
Yuko, with that swoopy back (how gorgeous is that!) would be perfect for me – I live in an area where it doesn’t get really cold in winter, and many jumpers are just too hot. I’d love to try it!
I would love to make Tomoko because I want to try brioche.
I’m in the middle of two sweaters for my boys right now, so something with rapid gratification like Rei would be perfect— that said, I’ve eyed Gres ever since I saw this collection on Ravelry. 🙂
Amazing and beautiful designs. Hard to pick…maybe Yuko?
I love mihara!
I love Mihara. The design looks like something that would keep my interest and that I’d wear year round.
It’s Mihara for me as well, although all the designs are wonderful.
I love Gres.
Oh, definitely Gres…I can already see myself wearing that one!
Tough call as they are all lovely. If I had to chose just one it would be…Yuko. Definitely Yuko. Or maybe Mihara.
I’ve loved gres since I saw it! Such a stunning design!
I’m in love with the Gres – that sleeve detail is divine and I love the added length to the side near the hips which is everything I’ve been looking for in a boxy jumper!
Perfect!
Thanks for hosting such an awesome giveaway and for you review details on the patterns too.
I do love Bristol Ivy….esp. the Gres. I hope I win. Mary in Cincinnati
Hi!
Definitely Gres, this would look so great worn with a good legging and boots. Plus, cables always get me, I am drawn to them like a moth to a light.
Definitely Rei!
Both Gres and Rei are speaking loudly to me, which is interesting because I don’t do “tight” cowls (I usually do infinity scarves and wrap them) and Bob knows I have enough sweaters in my queue…..but they’re delightful.
Yuko in a neutral to wear in chilly offices!
My favorite one is Yuko as well!
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Yuko! There’s nothing like it in my wardrobe.
Tomoko looks like a fun knit! one of my goals this year is to improve my colour work knitting~
thanks for a chance to win.
The Rei is calling my name!!
I love so many of them! My favorite, or the first one to knit would be Yuko
Yuko would be get so much use in my wardrobe
I’m crazy about Yuko as well, and Mihara is a close second. I’m one of those people who is always cold, and these look like just the thing to throw on over a long sleeve tee in late winter or a tank in spring. Thanks for the review. I have the first Knitting Outside the Box, and my mind was blown wide open by Bristol. I’ve been knitting for 18 years, all kinds of shapes, and she gave me a whole new way to think about knitted shapes. I can’t wait to see what the sequel has to offer.
Such beautiful patterns! Have just done a brioche workshop so Tomoko is something I’d love to make
I think I could actually figure out and knit Yuko!
I love Gres but I am not a fan of seaming or acres of stockinette so I’d be more likely to go with Mihara.
Mihara! I love how it has little sleeves and the back is gorgeous!!!
GRES! I love this pattern, oh how I love it. And thanks to Bristol for the size range! I know for those of us who wear large sizes it is a big commitment in both time and money to knit a sweater, but with patterns like this it is worth it in so many ways. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am very curious about Bristol’s creative process and designs. I would feel spoiled to received her beautiful book.
I’m imagining all the Mihara options! That said the whole collection is beautiful!
I love Yuko, the back is awesome.
Tomoko caught my attention but they all look great.
Gres is my favourite : )
It looks perfect for the kind of inbetween weather we usually have in Ireland!
Yuko is my favorite. I’m sure I will make this one in 2020.
My favorite it Tomoko. Love the design and keeping my neck warm is a must!
the tomoko or gres , too hard to decide, lovely works of style.
Eenie Meenie Miney ToMOko! I think that would be my “starter” choice, but they’re all beautiful!
Vionett!! I’d wear that every day!
Yuko is definitely my favourite. I have already made 2 of her designs from her first book.
I love Great!
I really like Vionnet!!
This collection looks lovely! I would start with Rei, but Yuko & Gres are close behind.
I would love to knit the Gres top. Not sure if I have enough experience but willing to give it a try.
I love the rei cowl
I love the Tomoko brioche cowl! Stunning!
Thank you Bristol Ivy for recognizing although we may imagine we are all willowy supermodels in our head, in the Real we need bust measurements and patterns that adapt to the bodies we have!
This collection would look great on everyone I know-and all their wonderful variety of shapes.
I’m not a shrug wearer but I’m thinking maybeeeee……
Yes Gres is the number one fav. And personally, all those rows of stockinette help me maintain gauge and increase speed (yeah, can you tell I try to convince myself of the nearly improbable lol)
Thanks PomPom for reaching out to Knitted Bliss and sharing!
I would love to knit Yuko, but the all look fabulous!
Bristol Ivy is a genius! I love Gres. Also Salinas, which is not part of this collection, but still—gorgeous!
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So many beautiful choices! Gres is a stunner..