This book is almost as awesome as the first Big Girl Knits book, by the same authors :) I love the frank discussion of fitting challenges on roundy bodies. The authors explanations are clear, and presume that the reader can handle whatever knitting the reader may want to do. The authors have a contagious confidence in their readers. Even if you're neither a girl nor big, the discussion of fit and style is wonderfully informative, and the patterns are lovely.

On a totally irrational note, I've got a crush on at least two of the models in this book. I can't tell if I think I actually want the sweater for myself, or just the model! ( )

The patterns seem fairly straight forward. The instructions in the begining on how to "tweak" a pattern to make it fit are very helpful. Can't wait to get started on some of the projects ( )

If you are a large woman or are knitting for a large woman this is the book for you. It tells you how to flatter the shapes and how to adjust existing patterns while also giving some great patterns to knit. I haven't seen the first installment in this series except on amazon but these are interesting. The sizes run from L to 5X (44in to 67in) depending on the pattern

The first pattern is a customise yourself pullover in Aran Weight
Bountiful Bohus is a cardigan knit in the round, you get to steek (argh!) medium weight here
Susie is a hoodie edged with cables, medium weight this is knit in Tahki Donegal Tweed homespun...
Modular Spiral Jacket is interesting, blocks of colour and great variety, might need a little tweaking for the meticulous
Boo, too is a ruffled cardigan with horizontal stripes in a 2x2 sliip stitch.
Hot Cocoa is a classic jacket. Plain in colour but it has directional knit and pur stitches that make it interesting.
Peapod Aran is a combination cables and bobbles
Cable Love Jacket is an interesting swingy jacket that is screaming for an interesting closure. Pretty and the horizontal band of lace and cables breaks it nicely.
Folly II is a jacket with knitted roses and it's busy.
Twisted Pullover is the cover jumper, lots of detail but nicely simple at the same time
Mirage Pullover is a knit in the round jumper with mock cables and lace running up the sides and sleeves.
No-gap wrap is a pullover that looks like a wrap by using a diagonal openwork band, echoed on the sleeve.
Pastille is an interesting slip stitch pattern jumper and I like how subtle the colours used are.
Slipstream pullover has a slight contrast or shimmery yarn running down the neck, cuffs, sides and bottom to give an interesting look to this plain top.
Guatemalan Floral tunic is for those who like flowers and frill, the sleeves are flowy and unattached.
Summer Chevron is a nice tunic with bias work to make it interesting.
Magic halter even has a bra flap!
Orange Smoothie us a cool wraparound top
Goddess Shawl is a beaded shawl in two colours that is an investment piece both in time and materials!
Perfection Wrap is a simple wrap that looks pretty and interesting
Trellis Diamond Socks are adjusted for bigger calves.
Indian Summer Socks have some interesting features and would possibly be a good way of using small skiens and oddments
Twisty Stitch socks have a gussett in the back for larger calves.
Big Clutch is a multi coloured bag with slip stitch detail.
Gelted Weekend bag is a way to show off your embroidery in wool. Basic shopping style bag with fun details.

Overall interesting patterns and great food for though if nothing else with at least a few patterns that had me itching for needles. ( )

It's subtitled "25 designs full of color and texture for curvy women" - I love color, I love texture, and I loved Big Girl Knits so I knew this one would be well received.

I really enjoyed flipping through the patterns. I have to admit that I completely skipped all the frontmatter, so I can’t comment on that.

I think the patterns overall are very good (yes, there were a couple of duds - one in particular that I couldn’t imagine many larger women would even consider wearing); better than the first book, I think. And, there are more than a couple that I’d definitely consider knitting:
- Hot Cocoa Jacket (a textured blazer)
- Goddess Shawl (a gorgeous cabled shawl completely beyond my skill level)
- Cable Love Jacket (a low-cut, tunic-length cardigan with a bit of cable and lace)
- Twisted Pullover (pictured on the front cover; it looks like something I'd buy in the store)
- Pastille (a pullover with lots of pattern, using colors that aren't too different to make it subtle)
- Perfection Wrap (a light, lacey wrap made with Handmaiden Sea Silk)

I’m intrigued by the Modular Spiral Jacket, but I’m not sure that it’d actually look good on me - I almost wish it was pullover instead of a jacket since the edging seems a bit bulky. I also like the halter top with the special bra-hider flap... though I never wear halter tops. And, I can totally picture my sister in the Orange Smoothie Tank (hers would have to be a deep magenta, though).

Personally I don’t mind the inclusion of socks at all. I particularly thought the Twisty-stitch Socks were relevant as they are perfect for those of us with huge calves - though I’m not so crazy about the idea of knitting socks with Cascade 220. (I also kinda like the Indian Summer Socks, but mostly because the pumpkin-colored Fleece Artist yarn is oh-so lovely).

I was less crazy about the bags (do larger women need special handbags?) and the bulky scarf (yes, it proves a point, but a scarf is a scarf).

- morsie reads ( )