Knitting for Dummies

Discover the joys and comforts of knitting and create brilliant, timeless designs

Wouldn't it be great to make hand-knit items for family and friends — or, even better, for yourself? Using easy-to-follow illustrations, knitting pro Pam Allen demonstrates basic knitting stitches — and then shows you how to decipher patterns, work with multiple colors, get creative, and much more! For more plain-English advice, see:

The Dummies Way® Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

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"If you think knitting is complicated, this book simplifies all." Julia Roberts

"An excellent book for new knitters and those who want to know more" Debbie Bliss, knitwear designer and author

Here's your step-by-step guide to becoming an expert in today's trendiest craft: knitting! This great guide featurespatterns and tips and a hands-on approach to learning how to knit. An 8-page color insert and 2-color illustrations throughout highlight the artistry and style of current knitting techniques and patterns. And this book focuses on not just the mechanics of knitting, but also on designing and creating practical and stylish pieces for you and your friends.You'll also see how to maximize current technology to increase your speed and accuracy.

Explains the basic stitches and offers advice on selecting materials, reading patterns, fixing mistakes, finishing projects, and personalizing patterns with color and texture.

More than four million people take up knitting every year. This practical and friendly guide offers beginners a step-by-step approach to learning how to knit and design stylish pieces, from sweaters to hats, mittens, socks, and more. The book includes more than 100 illustrations and numerous patterns, including cable, eyelet, slip stitch, and lace.

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.

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

Foreword.

Introduction.

PART I: Knitting Primer.

Chapter 1: Two Needles and a Ball of Yarn.

Chapter 2: Knits and Purls: The Bricks and Mortar of Knitting.

Chapter 3: Oops! Fixing Common Mistakes.

Chapter 4: Tools of the Trade.

Chapter 5: Friendly Math (Gauge) for Knitters.

Chapter 6: Getting Started with Simple Projects.

PART II: Manipulating Stitches.

Chapter 7: Vital Stitchtistics: Manipulating Stitches.

Chapter 8: Shaping: The Ins and Outs of Knitting.

Chapter 9: Cable Musings: Knitting Over and Under.

Chapter 10: Let the Sun Shine In: Knitting Lace.

PART III: Color Me Knitting: Working with More than One Color.

Chapter 11: Color 101: Earning Your Stripes.

Chapter 12: Color 201: Advanced Color.

PART IV: Making Garments: Working with Patterns.

Chapter 13: Knitting Patterns: Helpful Blueprints or Hieroglyphics?

Chapter 14: Following the Blueprint: Knitting Your First Sweater.

Chapter 15: Fearless Finishing: Putting It All Together.

Chapter 16: Defining Details.

Chapter 17: Knitting in Circles.

Chapter 18: Working from the Blueprint: Starter Garments.

PART V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 19: Ten Great Knitting Books.

Chapter 20: Ten Unkinking Exercises for Knitters.

Appendix A: Knitting Resources.

Appendix B: Practicing with More Samplers.

Appendix C: Some Thoughts about Color.

Index.