Knitting For Dummies

The bestselling guide to knitting brilliant, timeless pieces This revised and refreshed third edition of Knitting For Dummies features new knitting patterns, refreshed and additional projects, a new bibliography and suppliers list, and improved step-by-step knitting instructions. Plus, from the book, you can access step-by-step instructional videos online that enable you to see and practice the knitting techniques found in the book. From casting on to knitting in the round―and more―this new edition provides refreshed content and new images and access to online videos to help you follow along with the text. The book's user-friendly online instructional videos empower you to get started knitting immediately. Includes refreshed knitting projects Empowers you to confidently knit your own handmade creations A brand-new edition of the bestselling guide to knitting Experienced and novice knitters alike can benefit from the step-by-step instructions and informative videos included in this new edition of Knitting For Dummies! P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you're probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Knitting For Dummies (9781118661512). The book you see here shouldn't be considered a new or updated product. But if you're in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We're always writing about new topics! Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 Getting Started with Knitting Chapter 1 Two Needles, a Ball of Yarn, and a Little Know-how Why Knit? Knitting up good karma Inspiring a feeling of accomplishment Keeping your mind and hands occupied Creating a one-of-a-kind piece What Knitters Need The tools An understanding of the basics An understanding of knitterese Teaching Yourself to Knit from a Book Swatching Putting it into practice Chapter 2 Tools of the Trade Yearning for Yarn: The (Quick) Consumer’s Guide Fixating on fiber fundamentals A weighty matter: Considering yarn weight Looking at yarn packaging Choosing yarn for a project Selecting Knitting Needles Exploring needles Sizing them up Accounting for needle makeup and tip type Collecting Gizmos and Gadgets Stocking up on the essentials Examining nice-to-have extras Eyeing Blocking Equipment Organizing Your Equipment Chapter 3 Taking the Mystery Out of Patterns and Gauge Reading Stitch Patterns Deciphering Knitterese: Common abbreviations and shorthand Following written stitch patterns Reading charted stitch patterns Gauge: Getting the Size Right Knowing what affects gauge Making a gauge swatch Measuring your gauge Matching your pattern’s gauge Designing with gauge in mind Part 2 Knitting Primer Chapter 4 The Fundamentals: Casting On, Knitting, Purling, and Binding Off Casting On Two-strand (or long-tail) cast-on Cable cast-on (cable co) Thumb (or e-loop) cast-on Now You’re Knitting and Purling Knitting know-how Perfect purling Knitting and purling, Continental-style Binding (or Casting) Off Standard bind-off Yarn-over bind-off Helpful hints for binding off Chapter 5 Basic Stitches You’ll Use Again and Again Go-To Stitches: Garter, Stockinette, and Seed Stitches Garter stitch Stockinette stitch Seed stitch Adding Stretch with Ribbed Stitches 1 x 1 ribbing 2 x 2 ribbing 4 x 2 and 2 x 4 ribbing 4 x 4 ribbing Chapter 6 Techniques Every Knitter Should Know Slipping Stitches Making a Yarn Over Between 2 knit stitches Between a knit and a purl stitch Between 2 purl stitches Between a purl stitch and a knit stitch Twisting Stitches: Knitting through the Back Loop Working Increases Bar increase, or knit in front and back Working a make 1 Knitting into the stitch below Making a double increase Increasing at several points in a single row Doing Decreases Knitting 2 stitches together Purling 2 stitches together Slip, slip, knit Pass slipped stitch over Making double decreases Chapter 7 Oops! Fixing Common Mistakes Stopping Mistakes or Catching Them Early Dealing with Dropped Stitches Finding and securing a dropped stitch Rescuing a dropped stitch in the row below Saving a dropped stitch with a crochet hook Ripping (Your Heart) Out Ripping out stitch by stitch Ripping out row by row Chapter 8 Knitting in the Round Why Going in Circles Can Be a Good Thing Choosing Needles for Circular Knitting Casting On for Circular Knitting Joining the Round Joining on a circular needle Joining on double-pointed needles Tidying up the first and last stitches Working Common Stitches in the Round Using Steeks for a Clean Break Sewing in a steek Crocheting a steek Cutting your fabric after you steek Measuring Gauge in the Round Chapter 9 Practicing with Simple Projects Everywhere Bag in Garter Stitch Materials and vital statistics Directions Variations Bias Knit Scarf Materials and vital statistics Directions Variations Scalloped Scarf Materials and vital statistics Directions Variations Button Pillow Materials and vital statistics Directions Variations Mistake Rib Scarf and Fingerless Mitts Materials and vital statistics Scarf directions Fingerless mitts directions Variation Projects Knitted In the Round Simple Textured Cowl Two-way Hat Part 3 Techniques for the More Experienced Knitter Chapter 10 Adding Interest with Stripes Seeking the Story on Stripes Textured Stripes, or How to Stand Out in a Crowd Reverse stockinette stitch stripes Garter stitch stripes Knitting Colorful Stripes Picking colors for your project Counting rows Joining colors Dealing with old colors and loose ends Knitting Stripes in the Round Stirring Up Stripes: Combining Texture and Color Varying your stitch pattern Making waves Striping any which way Practice Striped Projects Bold and Bright Scarf Slouchy Hat with Pompom Two-row Striped Shawlette Chapter 11 Cable Musings and Interesting Twists Cable Basics Twisting to the right or left Reading cable charts Checking gauge in a cable pattern A Cornucopia of Cables Standard (rope) cable Open cable Double cable Wave cable Chain cable Honeycomb cable Braid cable Varying a cable Making Twists Twisting to the right Twisting to the left Practice Cable Projects Cable Hat with Pompoms Horseshoe Cable Hand Warmers Horseshoe Cable Cowl with Buttons Chapter 12 Let the Sun Shine In: Knitting Lace Reading Lace Charts Yarn-over increase and decrease symbols No-stitch symbol Knitting Different Kinds of Lace Eyelet patterns Open lace patterns Faggot lace Incorporating Lace into Other Pieces Lace insertions Lace edgings Avoiding and Correcting Mistakes When Working Lace Patterns Finding the error Ripping out lace Blocking Lace Practice Lace Projects Scarf with Faggot Lace Lace Leaf Shawl Simple Eyelet Lace Market Bag Chapter 13 Fair Isle and Intarsia Techniques Knitting Fair Isle Charting the Fair Isles General rules for successful Fair Isle knitting One-handed or two? Ways to work Fair Isle Managing the back: Catching floats Painting with Yarn: Getting into Intarsia Charting intarsia Knitting intarsia Using intarsia in motifs Ending the Ends Weaving as you go: The quick method Weaving in later: The slow method Practice Projects Hit the Slopes Headband Fair Isle Leg Warmers Intarsia Tooth Fairy Pillow Chapter 14 Fulling Fun: Making Your Project’s Presence Felt Distinguishing between Fulling and Felting Creating the Right Conditions to Full Knitted Fabric Finding a fulling-friendly project Choosing your fiber Getting the right fabric gauge Controlling water temperature, soap, agitation, and time The Fulling Experience: How to Full Hand fulling Machine fulling Practice Fulling Projects Fulled Cabled Bag In-the-Round Fulled Scarf in Horseshoe Lace Part 4 Making Knitted Garments Chapter 15 Anatomy of a Sweater Pattern Picture This: Studying the Garment Photo Assessing the Pattern at a Glance How hard is “easy”? Level of difficulty How big is “big”? Knitted measurements Materials Gauge Special pattern stitches Schematics and charts Knitting instructions Finishing Chapter 16 How to Knit a Sweater, Step by Step Gathering Your Materials A good pattern Yarn Knitting needles Other supplies to have handy Before You Cast On Step 1: Pick a size Step 2: Find your gauge Knitting . . . at Last! Knitting the back Knitting the front Putting the front and back together Knitting sleeves The Big Picture: Keeping Track of Where You Are Chapter 17 Getting It Together: Blocking and Assembling Your Pieces Tying Up Loose Ends Weaving ends up the sides Weaving the ends horizontally Weaving ends into a bound-off edge Better Blocking Getting your blocking equipment together Steam, dunk, or spray? Deciding which blocking method to use Wet blocking Spray blocking Steam blocking Three-dimensional blocking Basic Techniques for Joining Pieces Three-needle bind-off (head to head) Grafting stitches (the Kitchener stitch) Mattress stitch Sewing seams with backstitch Determining the Order of Sweater Assembly Joining back to front at the shoulder Attaching a sleeve to a sweater body Making side and sleeve seams Chapter 18 Finishing Touches: Neckbands, Edging, Buttonholes, and More Picking Up Stitches to Knit Picking up stitches along a horizontal edge Picking up stitches on a vertical edge Picking up stitches on a diagonal or curved edge Picking up: A reality check Bring on the Bands Bottoms up! Vertical bands Horizontal picked-up bands Hole in One: Buttonholes All-purpose horizontal buttonhole Simple vertical buttonhole Round (eyelet) buttonhole Button Up! Plotting button placement So happy together: Keeping your buttons buttoned Sewing on buttons Chapter 19 Starter Garments Women’s Easy Top-Down Raglan Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Baby’s Layette: Cardigan, Booties, Hat, and Blanket Cardigan Booties Hat Blanket Chunky Cabled Vest with Hood or Collar Materials and vital statistics Special stitches Stitch patterns Directions Finishing Option: Hood Option: Ribbed Collar Variations Part 5 The Part of Tens Chapter 20 Ten Quick Knitting Projects and Gifts Large-Gauge Wrist Warmers Materials Directions Log Cabin Swatch Potholder Materials Directions Swatch Scarf Materials Directions Braided Novelty Yarn Scarf Materials Directions Knit Journal Materials Directions Recycled Sweater Mittens Materials Directions Thrift Store Sweater Bag Materials Directions Drink Cozy Materials Directions Felted Checkbook Cover Knitted Flower Pin Materials Directions Chapter 21 Ten Unkinking Exercises for Knitters Five Ways to Slough Stress from Your Shoulders and Arms Five Ways to Relax Your Hands and Wrists Part 6 Appendixes Appendix A: More Stitches and Cool Effects Appendix B: Knitting Resources Index EULA An illustrated guide showing how to create beautiful, timeless pieces, whether you're picking up needles for the first time or a seasoned pro looking for advanced patterns From scarves and sweaters to bags, pillows, and more, you'll find lots of projects for practicing and perfecting your knitting skills in Knitting For Dummies, which includes an instructional online video showing you the actual knitting techniques being done step-by-step. Experienced and novice crafters alike can benefit from the book's step-by-step instructions that explain knitting in plain English. For anyone new to knitting, this hands-on friendly guide shows you how to Cast on, knit, purl, and bind off -- the four basic skills needed to complete any knitting Decipher pattern instructions and charts Combine knit and purl stitches with increases and decreases for different effects Create different kinds of cables, lace, and more Read the language and graphics in knitting patterns and charts Increase and decrease stitches and use these techniques to shape a project and create design It also shows you what to do if you drop a stitch or inadvertently add one. If you know the basics of knitting and want to expand your skills to include stitch patterns with more complexity, you've come to the right place: Combine stitch increases and decreases to create lacework Get familiar with Fair Isle patterns and simple intarsia motifs, which involve working in more than one color in one row Practice with plenty of projects to perfect your advanced knitting techniques Learn to add interest with stripes Have fun with fulling and felting Make sweaters, from blocking and assembling your pieces to adding finishing touches like neckbands, edging, and buttonholes Knitting For Dummies includes ten quick projects to make for gifts and exercises to'unkink'your neck and shoulders should you lose yourself for hours at a time in your craft! Finally, the book ends with a couple appendixes showing you more cool effects and a list of knitting software and helpful online resources. If you're itching to start stitching, grab this book to start crafting your knitted masterpiece today. **The bestselling guide to knitting brilliant, timeless pieces** This revised and refreshed third edition of __Knitting For Dummies__ features new knitting patterns, refreshed and additional projects, a new bibliography and suppliers list, and improved step-by-step knitting instructions. Plus, from the book, you can access step-by-step instructional videos online that enable you to see and practice the knitting techniques found in the book. From casting on to knitting in the round―and more―this new edition provides refreshed content and new images and access to online videos to help you follow along with the text. The book's user-friendly online instructional videos empower you to get started knitting immediately. * Includes refreshed knitting projects * Empowers you to confidently knit your own handmade creations * A brand-new edition of the bestselling guide to knitting __P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you're probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Knitting For Dummies (9781118661512). The book you see here shouldn't be considered a new or updated product. But if you're in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We're always writing about new topics!__ The Bestselling Guide To Knitting Brilliant, Timeless Pieces This Revised And Refreshed Third Edition Of Knitting For Dummies Features New Knitting Patterns, Refreshed And Additional Projects, A New Bibliography And Suppliers List, And Improved Step-by-step Knitting Instructions. Plus, From The Book, You Can Access Step-by-step Instructional Videos Online That Enable You To See And Practice The Knitting Techniques Found In The Book. From Casting On To Knitting In The Round—and More—this New Edition Provides Refreshed Content And New Images And Access To Online Videos To Help You Follow Along With The Text. The Book's User-friendly Online Instructional Videos Empower You To Get Started Knitting Immediately. Includes Refreshed Knitting Projects Empowers You To Confidently Knit Your Own Handmade Creations A Brand-new Edition Of The Bestselling Guide To Knitting Experienced And Novice Knitters Alike Can Benefit From The Step-by-step Instructions And Informative Videos Included In This New Edition Of Knitting For Dummies! Knitting For Dummies (9781119643203) Was Previously Published As Knitting For Dummies (9781118661512). While This Version Features A New Dummies Cover And Design, The Content Is The Same As The Prior Release And Should Not Be Considered A New Or Updated Product. An illustrated guide showing how to create beautiful, timeless pieces, whether you're picking up needles for the first time or a seasoned pro looking for advanced patterns From scarves and sweaters to bags, pillows, and more, you'll find lots of projects for practicing and perfecting your knitting skills in Knitting For Dummies , which includes an instructional online video showing you the actual knitting techniques being done step-by-step. Experienced and novice crafters alike can benefit from the book's step-by-step instructions that explain knitting in plain English. For anyone new to knitting, this hands-on friendly guide shows you how to It also shows you what to do if you drop a stitch or inadvertently add one. If you know the basics of knitting and want to expand your skills to include stitch patterns with more complexity, you've come to the right Knitting For Dummies includes ten quick projects to make for gifts and exercises to "unkink" your neck and shoulders should you lose yourself for hours at a time in your craft! Finally, the book ends with a couple appendixes showing you more cool effects and a list of knitting software and helpful online resources. If you're itching to start stitching, grab this book to start crafting your knitted masterpiece today. "Create unique, hand-knitted hats, scarves, sweaters, and more! Want to learn how to knit? This hands-on, friendly guide shows you how to create beautiful, timeless pieces, whether you're just picking up needles for the first time or a seasoned veteran looking for more advanced patterns. From scarves and sweaters to bags, pillows, and more, you'll find lots of projects for practicing and perfecting your knitting skills. Plus, you get online access to step-by-step videos demonstrating knitting techniques and how-to tips to create projects in the book." -- page 4 of cover "Learn to: cast on, knit in the round, measure the gauge of a knitted piece, and more; master techniques with step-by-step instruction; practice your skills on projects and patterns included in the book; view step-by-step knitting demonstrations online"--Cover. This friendly, hands-on guide shows you how to create beautiful, timeless pieces, whether you're just picking up needles for the first time or a seasoned veteran looking for advanced patterns.