Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………… 1
About This Book…………………………………………………………………………………..1
Foolish Assumptions…………………………………………………………………………….2
Icons Used in This Book……………………………………………………………………….3
Beyond the Book………………………………………………………………………………….3
Where to Go from Here…………………………………………………………………………4
Part I: Getting Started with Knitting………………………… 5
Chapter 1: Two Needles, a Ball of Yarn, and a Little Know-how . 7
Why Knit?……………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Knitting up good karma……………………………………………………………….8
Inspiring a feeling of accomplishment………………………………………….8
Keeping your mind and hands occupied……………………………………… 8
Creating a one-of-a-kind piece………………………………………………………9
What Knitters Need………………………………………………………………………………9
The tools…………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
An understanding of the basics………………………………………………….10
An understanding of knitterese………………………………………………….11
Teaching Yourself to Knit from a Book………………………………………………..12
Swatching…………………………………………………………………………………..13
Putting it into practice……………………………………………………………….13
Chapter 2: Tools of the Trade 15
Yearning for Yarn: The (Quick) Consumer’s Guide……………………………..15
Fixating on fiber fundamentals……………………………………………………16
A weighty matter: Considering yarn weight………………………………..20
Looking at yarn packaging………………………………………………………….21
Choosing yarn for a project………………………………………………………..25
Selecting Knitting Needles…………………………………………………………………..27
Exploring needles………………………………………………………………………27
Sizing them up……………………………………………………………………………29
Accounting for needle makeup and tip type……………………………….30
Collecting Gizmos and Gadgets…………………………………………………………..31
Stocking up on the essentials……………………………………………………..32
Examining nice-to-have extras……………………………………………………34
Eyeing Blocking Equipment…………………………………………………………………37
Organizing Your Equipment………………………………………………………………..38
Chapter 3: Taking the Mystery Out of Patterns and Gauge . 41
Reading Stitch Patterns………………………………………………………………………41
Deciphering Knitterese: Common abbreviations and shorthand….42
Following written stitch patterns……………………………………………….45
Reading charted stitch patterns…………………………………………………47
Gauge: Getting the Size Right………………………………………………………………48
Knowing what affects gauge……………………………………………………….50
Making a gauge swatch………………………………………………………………51
Measuring your gauge………………………………………………………………..52
Matching your pattern’s gauge…………………………………………………..53
Designing with gauge in mind…………………………………………………….54
Part II: Knitting Primer………………………………………… 55
Chapter 4: The Fundamentals: Casting On, Knitting,
Purling, and Binding Off . 57
Casting On………………………………………………………………………………………….58
Two-strand (or long-tail) cast-on………………………………………………..58
Cable cast-on (cable co)…………………………………………………………….61
Thumb (or e-loop) cast-on………………………………………………………….62
Now You’re Knitting and Purling…………………………………………………………64
Knitting know-how……………………………………………………………………..65
Perfect purling……………………………………………………………………………68
Knitting and purling, Continental-style……………………………………….69
Binding (or Casting) Off………………………………………………………………………74
Standard bind-off……………………………………………………………………….74
Yarn-over bind-off………………………………………………………………………75
Helpful hints for binding off……………………………………………………….76
Chapter 5: Basic Stitches You’ll Use Again and Again 77
Go-To Stitches: Garter, Stockinette, and Seed Stitches………………………..77
Garter stitch………………………………………………………………………………78
Stockinette stitch……………………………………………………………………….79
Seed stitch…………………………………………………………………………………81
Adding Stretch with Ribbed Stitches…………………………………………………..82
1 x 1 ribbing……………………………………………………………………………….84
2 x 2 ribbing……………………………………………………………………………….84
4 x 2 and 2 x 4 ribbing………………………………………………………………..85
4 x 4 ribbing……………………………………………………………………………….86
Chapter 6: Techniques Every Knitter Should Know 87
Slipping Stitches…………………………………………………………………………………87
Making a Yarn Over…………………………………………………………………………….88
Between 2 knit stitches………………………………………………………………89
Between a knit and a purl stitch…………………………………………………90
Between 2 purl stitches………………………………………………………………90
Between a purl stitch and a knit stitch……………………………………….91
Twisting Stitches: Knitting through the Back Loop……………………………..92
Working Increases………………………………………………………………………………93
Bar increase, or knit in front and back……………………………………….94
Working a make 1……………………………………………………………………….95
Knitting into the stitch below……………………………………………………..97
Making a double increase…………………………………………………………..98
Increasing at several points in a single row………………………………..99
Doing Decreases……………………………………………………………………………….100
Knitting 2 stitches together………………………………………………………100
Purling 2 stitches together……………………………………………………….101
Slip, slip, knit……………………………………………………………………………102
Pass slipped stitch over……………………………………………………………103
Making double decreases…………………………………………………………104
Chapter 7: Oops! Fixing Common Mistakes . 107
Stopping Mistakes or Catching Them Early……………………………………….107
Dealing with Dropped Stitches………………………………………………………….108
Finding and securing a dropped stitch……………………………………..109
Rescuing a dropped stitch in the row below…………………………….110
Saving a dropped stitch with a crochet hook……………………………113
Ripping (Your Heart) Out………………………………………………………………….116
Ripping out stitch by stitch………………………………………………………117
Ripping out row by row……………………………………………………………117
Chapter 8: Knitting in the Round . 121
Why Going in Circles Can Be a Good Thing……………………………………….121
Choosing Needles for Circular Knitting……………………………………………..122
Casting On for Circular Knitting………………………………………………………..123
Joining the Round……………………………………………………………………………..124
Joining on a circular needle……………………………………………………..125
Joining on double-pointed needles……………………………………………125
Tidying up the first and last stitches………………………………………..126
Working Common Stitches in the Round…………………………………………..126
Using Steeks for a Clean Break…………………………………………………………..127
Sewing in a steek………………………………………………………………………127
Crocheting a steek……………………………………………………………………128
Cutting your fabric after you steek……………………………………………129
Measuring Gauge in the Round………………………………………………………….129
Chapter 9: Practicing with Simple Projects . 131
Everywhere Bag in Garter Stitch……………………………………………………….131
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….132
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………132
Variations…………………………………………………………………………………134
Bias Knit Scarf…………………………………………………………………………………..136
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….136
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………136
Variations…………………………………………………………………………………137
Scalloped Scarf………………………………………………………………………………….137
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….137
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………138
Variations…………………………………………………………………………………138
Button Pillow…………………………………………………………………………………….139
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….139
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………139
Variations…………………………………………………………………………………140
Mistake Rib Scarf and Fingerless Mitts………………………………………………140
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….140
Scarf directions………………………………………………………………………..141
Fingerless mitts directions……………………………………………………….141
Variation………………………………………………………………………………….141
Projects Knitted In the Round……………………………………………………………141
Simple Textured Cowl………………………………………………………………142
Two-way Hat…………………………………………………………………………….143
Part III: Techniques for the More Experienced Knitter……147
Chapter 10: Adding Interest with Stripes 149
Seeking the Story on Stripes……………………………………………………………..149
Textured Stripes, or How to Stand Out in a Crowd…………………………….150
Reverse stockinette stitch stripes…………………………………………….151
Garter stitch stripes…………………………………………………………………152
Knitting Colorful Stripes……………………………………………………………………153
Picking colors for your project…………………………………………………154
Counting rows………………………………………………………………………….154
Joining colors…………………………………………………………………………..155
Dealing with old colors and loose ends…………………………………….156
Knitting Stripes in the Round…………………………………………………………….158
Stirring Up Stripes: Combining Texture and Color…………………………….159
Varying your stitch pattern………………………………………………………159
Making waves…………………………………………………………………………..160
Striping any which way…………………………………………………………….160
Practice Striped Projects…………………………………………………………………..160
Bold and Bright Scarf……………………………………………………………….161
Slouchy Hat with Pompom……………………………………………………….162
Two-row Striped Shawlette………………………………………………………165
Chapter 11: Cable Musings and Interesting Twists 167
Cable Basics……………………………………………………………………………………..168
Twisting to the right or left………………………………………………………168
Reading cable charts………………………………………………………………..169
Checking gauge in a cable pattern…………………………………………….170
A Cornucopia of Cables…………………………………………………………………….171
Standard (rope) cable………………………………………………………………171
Open cable……………………………………………………………………………….173
Double cable…………………………………………………………………………….175
Wave cable……………………………………………………………………………….176
Chain cable………………………………………………………………………………177
Honeycomb cable…………………………………………………………………….177
Braid cable……………………………………………………………………………….178
Varying a cable…………………………………………………………………………179
Making Twists…………………………………………………………………………………..180
Twisting to the right…………………………………………………………………180
Twisting to the left……………………………………………………………………182
Practice Cable Projects……………………………………………………………………..183
Cable Hat with Pompoms…………………………………………………………183
Horseshoe Cable Hand Warmers………………………………………………185
Horseshoe Cable Cowl with Buttons…………………………………………187
Chapter 12: Let the Sun Shine In: Knitting Lace . 189
Reading Lace Charts………………………………………………………………………….189
Yarn-over increase and decrease symbols………………………………..190
No-stitch symbol………………………………………………………………………191
Knitting Different Kinds of Lace…………………………………………………………192
Eyelet patterns…………………………………………………………………………194
Open lace patterns…………………………………………………………………..195
Faggot lace……………………………………………………………………………….198
Incorporating Lace into Other Pieces………………………………………………..199
Lace insertions…………………………………………………………………………199
Lace edgings…………………………………………………………………………….200
Avoiding and Correcting Mistakes When Working Lace Patterns……….200
Finding the error………………………………………………………………………201
Ripping out lace……………………………………………………………………….202
Blocking Lace……………………………………………………………………………………203
Practice Lace Projects………………………………………………………………………203
Scarf with Faggot Lace……………………………………………………………..203
Lace Leaf Shawl………………………………………………………………………..204
Simple Eyelet Lace Market Bag…………………………………………………205
Chapter 13: Fair Isle and Intarsia Techniques . 209
Knitting Fair Isle………………………………………………………………………………..209
Charting the Fair Isles………………………………………………………………210
General rules for successful Fair Isle knitting……………………………213
One-handed or two? Ways to work Fair Isle………………………………214
Managing the back: Catching floats…………………………………………..217
Painting with Yarn: Getting into Intarsia……………………………………………219
Charting intarsia………………………………………………………………………220
Knitting intarsia……………………………………………………………………….220
Using intarsia in motifs…………………………………………………………….222
Ending the Ends………………………………………………………………………………..222
Weaving as you go: The quick method……………………………………..223
Weaving in later: The slow method…………………………………………..223
Practice Projects……………………………………………………………………………….223
Hit the Slopes Headband………………………………………………………….224
Fair Isle Leg Warmers……………………………………………………………….226
Intarsia Tooth Fairy Pillow……………………………………………………….228
Chapter 14: Fulling Fun: Making Your Project’s Presence Felt 231
Distinguishing between Fulling and Felting………………………………………..232
Creating the Right Conditions to Full Knitted Fabric………………………….232
Finding a fulling-friendly project……………………………………………….232
Choosing your fiber………………………………………………………………….233
Getting the right fabric gauge…………………………………………………..234
Controlling water temperature, soap, agitation, and time…………235
The Fulling Experience: How to Full…………………………………………………..236
Hand fulling………………………………………………………………………………236
Machine fulling…………………………………………………………………………237
Practice Fulling Projects……………………………………………………………………239
Fulled Cabled Bag In-the-Round………………………………………………..239
Fulled Scarf in Horseshoe Lace…………………………………………………241
Part IV: Making Knitted Garments………………………… 243
Chapter 15: Anatomy of a Sweater Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Picture This: Studying the Garment Photo………………………………………..245
Assessing the Pattern at a Glance……………………………………………………..246
How hard is “easy”? Level of difficulty………………………………………247
How big is “big”? Knitted measurements………………………………….247
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….248
Gauge……………………………………………………………………………………….249
Special pattern stitches……………………………………………………………249
Schematics and charts……………………………………………………………..250
Knitting instructions…………………………………………………………………252
Finishing…………………………………………………………………………………..252
Chapter 16: How to Knit a Sweater, Step by Step . 253
Gathering Your Materials………………………………………………………………….254
A good pattern…………………………………………………………………………254
Yarn…………………………………………………………………………………………254
Knitting needles……………………………………………………………………….255
Other supplies to have handy…………………………………………………..255
Before You Cast On…………………………………………………………………………..256
Step 1: Pick a size……………………………………………………………………..256
Step 2: Find your gauge…………………………………………………………….257
Knitting . . . at Last!……………………………………………………………………………258
Knitting the back………………………………………………………………………259
Knitting the front……………………………………………………………………..263
Putting the front and back together………………………………………….264
Knitting sleeves………………………………………………………………………..264
The Big Picture: Keeping Track of Where You Are…………………………….267
Chapter 17: Getting It Together: Blocking and
Assembling Your Pieces 269
Tying Up Loose Ends…………………………………………………………………………270
Weaving ends up the sides……………………………………………………….270
Weaving the ends horizontally…………………………………………………272
Weaving ends into a bound-off edge…………………………………………273
Better Blocking…………………………………………………………………………………275
Getting your blocking equipment together……………………………….276
Steam, dunk, or spray? Deciding which blocking method to use…. 276
Wet blocking…………………………………………………………………………….277
Spray blocking………………………………………………………………………….281
Steam blocking…………………………………………………………………………281
Three-dimensional blocking……………………………………………………..282
Basic Techniques for Joining Pieces………………………………………………….282
Three-needle bind-off (head to head)……………………………………….283
Grafting stitches (the Kitchener stitch)…………………………………….286
Mattress stitch…………………………………………………………………………290
Sewing seams with backstitch………………………………………………….292
Determining the Order of Sweater Assembly…………………………………….294
Joining back to front at the shoulder………………………………………..295
Attaching a sleeve to a sweater body……………………………………….295
Making side and sleeve seams………………………………………………….297
Chapter 18: Finishing Touches: Neckbands, Edging,
Buttonholes, and More . 299
Picking Up Stitches to Knit………………………………………………………………..299
Picking up stitches along a horizontal edge………………………………300
Picking up stitches on a vertical edge……………………………………….301
Picking up stitches on a diagonal or curved edge……………………..302
Picking up: A reality check……………………………………………………….303
Bring on the Bands……………………………………………………………………………304
Bottoms up! Vertical bands………………………………………………………304
Horizontal picked-up bands……………………………………………………..305
Hole in One: Buttonholes…………………………………………………………………..307
All-purpose horizontal buttonhole……………………………………………307
Simple vertical buttonhole……………………………………………………….309
Round (eyelet) buttonhole……………………………………………………….311
Button Up!…………………………………………………………………………………………312
Plotting button placement………………………………………………………..312
So happy together: Keeping your buttons buttoned…………………313
Sewing on buttons……………………………………………………………………313
Chapter 19: Starter Garments 315
Women’s Easy Top-Down Raglan………………………………………………………315
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….316
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………317
Finishing…………………………………………………………………………………..319
Baby’s Layette: Cardigan, Booties, Hat, and Blanket………………………….319
Cardigan…………………………………………………………………………………..319
Booties…………………………………………………………………………………….322
Hat……………………………………………………………………………………………323
Blanket…………………………………………………………………………………….324
Chunky Cabled Vest with Hood or Collar…………………………………………..325
Materials and vital statistics…………………………………………………….326
Special stitches………………………………………………………………………..326
Stitch patterns………………………………………………………………………….326
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………328
Finishing…………………………………………………………………………………..331
Option: Hood……………………………………………………………………………331
Option: Ribbed Collar……………………………………………………………….332
Variations…………………………………………………………………………………333
Part V: The Part of Tens……………………………………… 335
Chapter 20: Ten Quick Knitting Projects and Gifts 337
Large-Gauge Wrist Warmers……………………………………………………………..337
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….337
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………338
Log Cabin Swatch Potholder……………………………………………………………..338
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….338
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………338
Swatch Scarf……………………………………………………………………………………..339
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….339
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………339
Braided Novelty Yarn Scarf……………………………………………………………….340
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….340
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………340
Knit Journal………………………………………………………………………………………341
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….341
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………341
Recycled Sweater Mittens…………………………………………………………………342
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….342
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………342
Thrift Store Sweater Bag……………………………………………………………………343
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….343
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………343
Drink Cozy………………………………………………………………………………………..344
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….344
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………344
Felted Checkbook Cover……………………………………………………………………345
Knitted Flower Pin…………………………………………………………………………….345
Materials………………………………………………………………………………….346
Directions…………………………………………………………………………………346
Chapter 21: Ten Unkinking Exercises for Knitters 347
Five Ways to Slough Stress from Your Shoulders and Arms………………347
Five Ways to Relax Your Hands and Wrists……………………………………….348
Part VI: Appendixes…………………………………………… 351
Appendix A: More Stitches and Cool Effects . 353
Moss Stitch……………………………………………………………………………………….353
Double Seed Stitch……………………………………………………………………………354
Basketweave Stitch……………………………………………………………………………354
Double Basket Pattern………………………………………………………………………356
Twisted Rib and Garter Stitch Check…………………………………………………357
Ripple Stitch……………………………………………………………………………………..358
Diamond Brocade……………………………………………………………………………..359
Guernsey Knit-Purl Pattern……………………………………………………………….360
Bobbles…………………………………………………………………………………………….361
Chevron……………………………………………………………………………………………362
Fancy Ribs………………………………………………………………………………………..363
Mistake stitch ribbing………………………………………………………………363
Interrupted rib…………………………………………………………………………364
Diagonal ribbing……………………………………………………………………….365
Fisherman’s rib………………………………………………………………………..366
Appendix B: Knitting Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367
Online Resources………………………………………………………………………………367
Beginner websites…………………………………………………………………….368
Yarn, supplies, patterns, and more…………………………………………..368
Online audiobooks and technique demonstrations…………………..368
Software……………………………………………………………………………………………369
Magazines…………………………………………………………………………………………369
Index……………………………………………………………… 371