Providing technical guidance as well as fun, creative patterns, this resource tackles handpainted yarns, identifying the many challenges—and many opportunities—they provide for knitting socks. Focusing on how to make the most of these much-loved yarns, it explains how to design projects with hand-dyed material versus other types of yarns, how to avoid the pitfalls of pooling and splotching, and how to combine multicolored hand paints with other types of yarns. Fresh, modern sock patterns from a variety of contributors illustrate their successful techniques, showing that with creativity and a little technical know-how, knitters can fully take advantage of these beautiful, yet sometimes tricky, yarns.
New knitting books, some of my old favorites and a few web sites I have found with great patterns.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski
Providing technical guidance as well as fun, creative patterns, this resource tackles handpainted yarns, identifying the many challenges—and many opportunities—they provide for knitting socks. Focusing on how to make the most of these much-loved yarns, it explains how to design projects with hand-dyed material versus other types of yarns, how to avoid the pitfalls of pooling and splotching, and how to combine multicolored hand paints with other types of yarns. Fresh, modern sock patterns from a variety of contributors illustrate their successful techniques, showing that with creativity and a little technical know-how, knitters can fully take advantage of these beautiful, yet sometimes tricky, yarns.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques by Margaret Radcliffe
At times, a single, perfect color is just what a new knitting project needs. But more often than not, the creative knitter envisions exciting color palettes that make her handmade hat unique or add special meaning to a gift for a loved one. Adding fabulous color combinations to a handknit item can be as simple as working with multicolor yarn or as intricate as applying the technical concepts of knitting intarsia.
Knitting teacher and author Margaret Radcliffe presents a world of color techniques in a single comprehensive reference that knitters will consult every time two or more yarn colors are in play. Stitchers of every ability — from the determined beginner in need of clear instructions to the experienced crafter ready to take on a new challenge — will benefit from the color-combining methods and handy tips and secrets revealed in The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques.
Multicolor knitting techniques are explained with step-by-step illustrations and photographs accompanied by instructive text. Complete chapters on stripes, stitch effects, knitting with multicolor yarns, stranded knitting, and intarsia cover the general theory and how-to behind each method as well as creative solutions for handling tangled yarn, estimating yarn quantities of each color, handling all those ends, and stunning finishing techniques. An additional chapter describes less common techniques such as helix, shadow, mosaic, and modular knitting.
Whether the goal is a softly striped throw in nursery pastels, a pair of cozy socks in team colors, or a sophisticated cashmere wrap in a jewellike pattern, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniqueshas all the answers for adventurous knitters.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Jelly Yarn by Nick Greco, Kathleen Greco
Offers approximately 20 knitting and crocheting projects for girls, including purses, belts, a diary cover and a jump rope, all made from Jelly Yarn®. Jelly Yarn is a popular new type of yarn made of pliable vinyl that comes in bold, bright colors and is perfect for knitting and crocheting fashion accessories. The inventors of this innovative yarn have written this unique book, and included instructions for how to work with Jelly Yarn, plus knit and crochet techniques and abbreviations are also included in this great guide for youthful yarn work. First time knitters and crocheters will find that the colors and projects provide tons of fun and adults will discover great gift ideas for the girls in their lives.
Jan Messent's Have You Any Wool? by Jan Messent
Start to Knit by Alison Dupernex
Because there are only a few techniques to learn, this introductory guide to knitting is perfect for young crafters eager to start a new hobby. Featuring a chapter devoted to basic terms and definitions, absolute beginners can quickly learn how to make brilliant knitted items—from scarves, belts, and bags to purses and beanie hats. Each project is set off by bright, full-color photography, lively designs, and creative ideas for adapting the patterns to other one-of-a-kind projects.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Knits for Bears to Wear : More Than 20 Fun, Knit-to-Fit Fashions for All Teddies and Toys Including 18-Inch Dolls by Amy O'Neill Houck
There are only a few things a teddy bear truly needs to be happy, not the least of which is a warm and cozy sweater. It’s a small to thing to ask for, considering all they do for us. Now knitters of all levels can bring a little style and happiness to their Build-A-Bear Workshop® bears, Vermont Teddy Bear Company® bears, American Girl® dolls, and other teddies and toys with Knits for Bears to Wear—twenty-four patterns for a trunk-full of fashions including sweaters and ponchos, pajamas and formal wear, even a mermaid costume and a wizard’s cap and gown.
Patterns are written for the most popular teddy size, and easy-to-follow sidebars allow you to custom-tailor garments to a variety of popular toys—including 18-inch dolls—ensuring a perfect fit. With instructions on how to measure your bear or doll and tips on sizing, Knits for Bears to Wear provides all the tools readers need to be sure their favorite toys are always in style.
Expectant Knitter : 30 Designs for Baby and Your Growing Family by Marie Connolly
Stitch your way through the nine months of pregnancy—and have the best-dressed baby on the block!
Whether you already love knitting, or are eager to learn to knit so you can whip up adorable outfits for your soon-to-arrive baby, The Expectant Knitter is the perfect companion for all stages of your pregnancy. Sharing 30 projects arranged by trimester (simpler patterns for the first and third, when fatigue or discomfort may get in the way of nimble knitting, and more ambitious patterns for the feel-good second), Marie Connolly also offers practical tips and information about your pregnancy and your baby. At each step—and stitch—of the way, you'll find reminders to take your folic acid, helpful hints on which tests to get when, instructions on how to properly swaddle an infant, and suggestions for combating morning sickness.
Starting with conception, when you’re quietly dreaming of and planning your pregnancy, you’ll learn to knit beautiful pieces like a Christening Gown or a Knitted Pinwheel Quilt. Come the end of the first trimester, you can move on to Her First Party Dress, a Cashmere Romper, and Alphabet Block Toys. When you’re loving your bump in the second trimester, work on the Shawl Collar Sweater or a Big Sister, Big Brother, or Dog sweater for the other loves in your life. Then the waiting game begins, so bide your time in the third trimester knitting itty bitty baby socks, wee washcloths and bibs, and a Shawl Sweater for Mom (you, too, deserve something special).
The ultimate knitter’s guide to pregnancy, The Expectant Knitter is a treasure of delightful patterns that will make for beautifulkeepsake items, enhanced by sidebars with sound information on the growth of your baby at each stage.
Beautiful Embroidered and Embellished Knits by Jane Davis
Explore ideas for adding embellishments to finished knitting with beads, embroidery and more in approximately 30 projects. The variety of ideas and designs will inspire knitters to dress up their stitches with beautiful embellishments including beads, fringe, smocking, appliqué or embroidery with thread or yarn-making their basic knitting dazzle. Jane Davis clearly illustrates over twenty embroidery and embellishment techniques in the basics section and includes a knitting review for quick reference. Includes fun, quick and easy projects, such as hats with beads, a bag with smocking, a gathered pillow with a large 3-dimensional flower, and an embroidered and fringed shawl.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Country Weekend Knits by Madeline Weston
Fashions come and go, but some designs are truly timeless. Country Weekend Knits features a collection of twenty-five classic patterns that showcase the rich heritage of traditional British knitwear. Many of these beautiful patterns are based on original designs dating as far back as the eighteenth century, which have been passed down through generations of knitters, and reinterpreted here in contemporary colors and yarns. The rich textures, the soft natural colors, and intricate patterns of these appealing knits instantly conjure up a host of comforting images while evoking the serene charm of the English countryside.
Beautifully photographed, the designs and patterns are interspersed with evocative, scene-setting photographs of the coastline and the countryside. With complete step-by-step instructions for every sweater.
Baby Beanies: Happy Hats to Knit for Little Heads by Amanda Keeys
Whatever their activities, we think you’ll agree: babies should wear hats. Mainly because they look so darned cute in hats! And they look really, really cute in Baby Beanies. Author and photographer Amanda Keeys designed these enchanting toppers for her professional portraits of babies, and her simple patterns use bright colors, lush textures, and quirky embellishments to rise to the top. Directions for basic stitches and techniques are included, so even beginning knitters can easily whip up a present for a special baby. Readers will enjoy the engaging text and the adorable photos. Go beyond blue for boys and pink for girls—make them something nice from Baby Beanies!
Knitting Noro : The Magic of Knitting with Hand-Dyed Yarns by Jane Ellison
Noro yarns are often called the “world’s most exciting yarns,” and their popularity is staggering. Each ball of this exquisite, multicolored yarn is individually dyed to produce a unique palette of vivid and subtle hues. No two balls are exactly alike.
In Knitting Noro, designer Jane Ellison presents more than 30 patterns to knit with Noro yarns. Designed to let the glorious colors of the long repeat variegated yarns take center stage, the garments are divided into six classic silhouettes with variations for each. From the Pullovers chapter, readers can make a striped sweater with ribbed details or a turtleneck sweater dress; from the Classic Jackets chapter, both a zippered hoodie and a long textured coat can be made.
From tanks to wraps, the patterns are accompanied by beautiful photographs and clear instructions. The figure-flattering shapes of these garments and the vibrant colors of the yarns are sure to make Knitting Noro a book that knitters of all skill levels will come back to again and again.
Cute Knits for Baby Feet: 30 Adorable Projects for Newborns to 4 Year Olds by Whiting
Fun and fast projects fill the pages of Cute Knits for Baby Feet. Divided into categories such as "Animal Magic", "Warm and Wooly" and "Fun for Feet", every pair of socks has a unique character quality that parents and children will both enjoy. Thirty different projects provide plenty of variety and most styles are unisex. Crisp photography, colorful yarns and detailed patterns make this an ideal book for knitters looking to create quick, adorable projects for their own children or to give as gifts.
Knitted Jackets: 20 Designs from Classic to Contemporary by Cheryl Oberle
These 20 patterns, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced, take knitters on a world tour of coats, jackets, and wraps. Inspired by open-front garments and textiles from around the globe—including Austria, England, Japan, Peru, and Norway—these figure-flattering designs bring a contemporary edge to a variety of knitting traditions. Step-by-step instructions and copious photographs illustrate how to use standard stockinette, garter, and cable stitches. More advanced techniques for fanciful lace and colorwork and the history behind beach pattern is also included.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Loop-D-Loop: More than 40 Novel Designs for Knitters by Teva Durham, Adrian Buckmaster (Photographer), Adrian Buckmaster (Photographer)
Teva Durham began knitting as a hobby. It wasn't long, though, before she became mesmerized by the craft. Now, as an extraordinarily innovative designer, Durham is at the forefront of the widely heralded new era of knitting. In Loop-d-Loop, she presents more than 40 fresh, modern designs for adults, children, and the home, a mix of simple projects with high-fashion impact sure to inspire beginners and more complex projects for those who want to test and expand their virtuosity.
Focusing on a wide range of clever technical applications, the patterns include a spiral scarf, a cardigan with a "dreamcatcher" web carved out of the back, a buckled tartan kilt, and a slipcover that transforms a folding chair into a throne. With more than 70 lush color photos and a thought-provoking text that brings together eclectic references to philosophy, art, and popular culture, the book creates a contemplative, enchanted realm that resonates with beauty and meaning. For knitters who enter the Loop-d-Loop world, the way they knit-and think about knitting-will never be the same.