The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns by Ann Budd

Both a pattern book and a reference book, this has been created for knitters who want standard sweater patterns in a variety of sizes and gauges, as well as those who want a template from which to develop their own design ideas.

This sequel to the bestseller The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns, presents easy-to-follow charted instructions for eighteen sweaters, three in each of the six most popular sweater constructions: drop shoulder, modified drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, saddle shoulder, raglan, and seamless yoke.

Each style is provided in fifteen sizes (in two-inch graduations) from a 26-inch chest circumference for a two-year-old child to a 54-inch chest circumference for a large adult. Each size is further divided into six possible gauges: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stitches per inch.

If you’re counting, that’s 75 options for each of the six styles, or 450 patterns in total (all with yarn yardage estimates). Add the cardigan and neckline variations, and you’ve got more than 1,000 patterns! Even more variations are possible by adding different neck finishes, edgings, waist shapings, and color or stitch patterns.