Embody is not only a knitting book, but also has sewing patterns. This interesting combination was put together by Jacqueline Cieslak using both her knitting and sewing expertise. The ethos behind this collection was to empower makers to create clothes that honour their bodies. Embody consists of three infinitely adaptable patterns — two knitting, one sewing — with bespoke instructions to create customised, perfectly fitted garments designed to be the foundation of any maker’s me-made wardrobe.

Designed to encourage makers to think of a pattern as the starting point for their own creativity — a skill that will change how they approach any given pattern. For this post I will focus on the two knitting patterns and the yarns that are suitable for knitting them. The two patterns are Derren and Elsom. These two patterns are in no way restrictive and that is the nature of the book. Derren has four different forms and within these forms there are different adaptions that can be made, such as bust darts and custom fit formulas. This is a collection for crafters who have been disappointed with the way patterns have fit them in the past and are keen to learn more ways to remedy that.

Derren can take the form of a cardigan, pullover, tee or vest and includes instructions for twelve sizes. At its core is a top down set-in sleeve design with seamless construction. Designed to be fitted in the shoulders and upper chest, with a small range of positive ease at the bust/chest and waist/hips. They are all knit to a sport weight gauge and that can be achieved by holding a sport weight singularly or a a lighter yarn held double and that has been done with some of the examples knitted in the collection. With a gauge of 24 sts and 32 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking.

To achieve gauge I would hold a light 4ply or heavy lace weight double or even hold a mohair lace with one of those strands, its fluffiness helping give body to the stitch. Or simply use a sport weight on its own. Here are a few suggestions that might work for the project but its worth experimenting.

• G-uld No. 4 – (Held double).
• Fyberspates Cumulus – (Held with a lighter strand).
• Socks Yeah! 4ply – (Held double).
• Black Elephant Merino Singles – (Held double).
• Bettaknit Love My Jeans – (Held single).
• Bettaknit Soy Cotton – (Held single).
• Stolen Stitches Nua – (Held single).

There is also a lightweight shawl called Elsom. This elegant trapezoid-shaped wrap starts at one point and increases out. With simple textural stitches that change through the design. Elsom can be worked in almost any gauge or size depending on the yarn you use. The pattern includes yarn requirements and stitch counts to replicate the sample in the photos, but if you choose to use a different yarn at a different gauge, the pattern also includes instructions to work according to how much yarn you have. The sample was knit in a single strand of the lightweight yarn used to make Derren so to replicate that chose from any of the yarns above that you use double.