The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques by Margaret Radcliffe

Published 2008

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.

Kristin Knits: 25 Inspired Designs for Playing with Color by Kristen Nicholas

Published 2007

Color is the most personal element a knitter brings to her work. Vibrant colors combined in exciting patterns can make a project sing; dull colors or jarring combinations can just as easily break the same project. Yet even experienced knitters often feel uncertain about stepping outside safe but predictable color choices.Noted knitwear designer and color connoisseur Kristin Nicholas encourages readers to conquer their color inhibitions, learn a little basic color theory, and create personally satisfying fiber palettes. Once awakened to the glories of color, knitters begin to see new possibilities in nature, at museums, in full-color books and magazines—everywhere that color makes a powerful statement. Any beautiful display can become the inspiration for an upcoming knitting project!The fresh collection of 25 designs for hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and sweaters that Kristin has created for Kristin Knits showcases her extraordinary feel for color. Her distinctive palette, influenced by Indian and French provincial textiles, is recognizable in fi ve exciting designs for each type of garment. Whether using Kristin's favorite colors or applying exciting personal choices, knitters will be thrilled to create these projects.Kristin's innovative stitch combinations are another hallmark of her fearless ways with knitted color. She adds stripes and checks to rib stitches, bobbles and fringe to edgings, and even embellishes entire projects with a few basic embroidery stitches. Welcome to a Technicolor world of knitting!