Embody - Official Preview!

It's with full and happy hearts that we publish Jacqueline Cieslak's debut book, Embody: A Capsule Collection to Knit and Sew! Empowering makers to create clothes that honour their bodies is at the core of Jacqui’s designing practice, and this shines through in her new book. It's an honour to publish Jacqui's designs and words. 

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. With included variations resulting in as many as 25 unique pieces from the three cornerstone patterns, this book encourages 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.

The collection offers a perspective on making which centres versatility, minimalism, and sustainability, both in making and wearing handmade clothes. Celebrate your body and the art of making with Embody as your guide.

We've detailed the yardage and requirements for these patterns below so you can start stash diving and planning your Embody projects - exciting stuff! Please be mindful if you're customising and adapting patterns, as you might need a different amount of yarn or fabric to the yardage listed below. More information is included in the book!

Now, let's introduce the patterns...

Deren Sweater // La Bien Aimée 

Deren Cardigan // La Bien Aimée

 

 Deren Vest // Knit Picks 

 

Deren Tee // La Bien Aimée

Deren Information: 
Yarn weight: sport-weight 
Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking
Needle size: main needles: US 5 (3.75mm) 32”/80cm OR 40”/100cm circular; DPNs for sleeves if not using magic loop; smaller needles for ribbing only: US 4 (3.5mm) 32”/80cm OR 40”/100cm circular; DPNs for cuffs if not using magic loop.
Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Sizes to fit upper bust / chest circumference: 28 (31.25, 34.25, 37.75, 41, 44.25, 47.25, 50.75, 54, 57.25, 60.25, 63.75)" // 70 (78, 85.5, 94.5, 102.5, 110.5, 118, 127, 135, 143, 150.5, 159.5)cm
Yardage: Cropped: 600 (700, 800, 900, 1050, 1200, 1350, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2300) yards; 550 (650, 750, 825, 975, 1100, 1250, 1375, 1550, 1750, 1925, 2100)m. Full-length: 950 (1050, 1150, 1250, 1400, 1550, 1700, 1900, 2050, 2250, 2450, 2650) yards; 875 (975, 1050, 1150, 1275, 1425, 1550, 1700, 1875, 2050, 2250, 2425)m 

For short sleeves, you will need 20% less yarn; for sleeveless, you will need 30% less yarn.

Elsom Shawl // La Bien Aimée

Elsom Information: 
Yarn weight: lace-weight 
Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows over 4”/10cm in main fabric after blocking
Needle size: main needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) 40"/100cm circular
Finished measurements: 18"/45cm wide and 136"/340cm long along bottom edge. Elsom can also be worked for almost any gauge/size according to your preference and stash. Instructions are provided for you to make the shawl according to how much yarn you have in addition to instructions on how to replicate the version shown in the pattern photography
Yardage: approximately 1400yds/1300m

Woolfork Dress // EWE Fibers 

Woolfork Dress (with pockets and ties) // EWE Fibers

Woolfork Top // EWE Fibers

 

Woolfork Tank // EWE Fibers

Woolfork Information: 
Recommended fabric: Woolfork is designed for light- to medium-weight fabric with some drape. It works well in 100% linen, linen blends, tencel, cupro, non-stretch cotton jersey, and cotton gauzes. All fabrics for Jacqui's samples in this book were gently scoured, dyed, and rinsed in rainwater using botanical dyes by Deren Bader of EWE Fibers.
Downloadable patterns: Embody includes digital-only pattern pieces for Woolfork, which can be printed at home, by a local copy shop or mail service pattern printer. On Thursday 25th March they'll be downloadable from our website or Ravelry
Yardage requirements: Crop, Tunic, Dress (without optional pockets and tie), and Dress (with optional pockets and tie)

 

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In addition to the three cornerstone patterns, Embody contains an essay, 'Making To Honor Your Body', and Jacqui shares her styling tips and expertise from years of running capsule collection workshops! 

Embody is now available to pre-order, and we expect pre-ordered copies to begin arriving with makers around Monday 22nd March. This gorgeous book will be available from local yarn and fabric shops from Thursday 25th March, too! You can enjoy the knitting patterns on Ravelry here. 

With thanks to EWE Fibers, who allowed Jacqui to use her studio for to take these gorgeous photos! Jacqui's leopard print underwear set is from Arq. 

Happy knitting and sewing, Pom Pals! Xx