Knitting For Dummies^®

by Pam Allen

• ISBN13: 9780764553950
• ISBN10: 076455395X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Knitting is a relatively simple process requiring a minimal set of tools two needles and a ball of yarn. Its basic structure of interlocking loops couldn't be less complicated. Yet the possibilities for design and pattern innovation seem endless. Now is a great time to learn to knit. Never before have you had so many lovely and imaginative yarns from which to choose and so many stylish and sophisticated patterns to work with.Sure, grandmothers knit, but so do movie stars, football players, doctors, and lawyers. They know what our grandmothers do: Knitting does more than just provide you with warm and cozy things to wear. Knitting also Stirs your creativity Gives you an ongoing sense of purpose Teaches patience Soothes the soul from the stresses of everyday life Practice and perfect your knitting skills with Knitting For Dummies. This friendly, hands-on guide will lead you through the following topics and more: Mastering the four elemental moves of knitting Deciphering knitting patterns Fixing common knitting mistakes Getting started with simple projects Expanding your horizons with stripes and details Relaxing stiff shoulders and fingers Every chapter explaining a specific knitting technique includes a Knitting Notebook of sample patterns to show you some of the different ways it can be used and a section of Practice Projects that gives step-by-step instructions for simple and attractive knitted accessories nearly al of which are features on the pages of the color insert. Most projects end with a list of project variations ways to expand on your understanding of how to craft and design projects on your own.

Author Biography

Pam Allen has been designing sweaters since 1985. Her patterns appear in Vogue Knitting, Family Circle, and Women's Day, among other publications.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xxv
Introduction	1	(6)
Part I: Knitting Primer	7	(100)
Two Needles and a Ball of Yarn	9	(22)
Knits and Purls: The Bricks and Mortar of Knitting	31	(20)
Oops! Fixing Common Mistakes	51	(10)
Tools of the Trade	61	(26)
Friendly Math (Gauge) for Knitters	87	(8)
Getting Started with Simple Projects	95	(12)
Part II: Manipulating Stitches	107	(82)
Vital Stitchtistics: Manipulating Stitches	109	(14)
Shaping: The Ins and Outs of Knitting	123	(26)
Cable Musings: Knitting Over and Under	149	(22)
Let the Sun Shine In: Knitting Lace	171	(18)
Part III: Color Me Knitting: Working with More than One Color	189	(30)
Color 101: Earning Your Stripes	191	(10)
Color 201: Advanced Color	201	(18)
Part IV: Making Garments: Working with Patterns	219	(100)
Knitting Patterns: Helpful Blueprints or Hieroglyphics?	221	(12)
Following the Blueprint: Knitting Your First Sweater	233	(12)
Fearless Finishing: Putting It All Together	245	(28)
Defining Details	273	(16)
Knitting in Circles	289	(12)
Working from the Blueprint: Starter Garments	301	(18)
Part V: The Part of Tens	319	(8)
Ten Great Knitting Books	321	(2)
Ten Unkinking Exercises for Knitters	323	(4)
Appendix A: Knitting Resources	327	(4)
Appendix B: Practicing with More Samplers	331	(8)
Appendix C: Some Thoughts about Color	339	(4)
Index	343