Book picks similar to
Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti
knitting
reference
non-fiction
crafts
Respect the Spindle
Abby Franquemont - 2009
With step-by-step instructions, this essential manual details the basic steps of spinning and then advances to the more complicated spinning wheel, showing how to use the spindle to make specific types of yarn, explaining traditional spindle spinning techniques, and detailing five simple projects designed to instill confidence in creating a variety of yarns with this simple tool. Combining fascinating historical narratives, traditions, and cultures from around the globe with vivid photography, this all-encompassing tour of the spindle also boasts easy-to-follow, contemporary techniques and styles that affirm the tool's enduring legacy.
Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock, and Goth Knitting Projects
Alyce Benevides - 2007
Indulge your girly side with the Ready Steady Go mini skirt, rebel with Feel the Pain wrist cuffs, or channel your inner rock star with the very same Mohawk hat Depeche Mode's Martin Gore wears on stage. Whether you're new to knitting or a veteran desperately seeking patterns with an edge, you'll find projects here for every mood and every genre. With step-by-step instructions, helpful technical illustrations and intarsia graphs, plus high-fashion photos of all the finished projects, Pretty in Punk is the only authority on anti-authority knitting.
The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak
Barbara Albright - 2007
Albright takes readers on a rich journey through the joys of all-natural fibers - materials that can make an incredible difference, both in your knitting and in the health of our planet.
Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting
Ann Hood - 2013
They share their knitting triumphs and disasters as well as their life triumphs and disasters…These essays will break your heart. They will have you laughing out loud." —Ann Hood, from the introductionWhy does knitting occupy a place in the hearts of so many writers? What’s so magical and transformative about yarn and needles? How does knitting help us get through life-changing events and inspire joy? In Knitting Yarns, twenty-seven writers tell stories about how knitting healed, challenged, or helped them to grow. Barbara Kingsolver describes sheering a sheep for yarn. Elizabeth Berg writes about her frustration at failing to knit. Ann Patchett traces her life through her knitting, writing about the scarf that knits together the women she’s loved and lost. Knitting a Christmas gift for his blind aunt helped Andre Dubus III knit an understanding with his girlfriend. Kaylie Jones finds the woman who used knitting to help raise her in France and heals old wounds. Sue Grafton writes about her passion for knitting. Also included are five original knitting patterns created by Helen Bingham.Poignant, funny, and moving, Knitting Yarns is sure to delight knitting enthusiasts and lovers of literature alike.
Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time
Betty Christiansen - 2006
They call the work they do charity knitting. This work tells the stories of 28 knitting-for-peace endeavours, with smaller, more anecdotal stories shared in corresponding sidebars. It also offers practicial, hands-on information, including 15 patterns for easy-to-knit charity projects.
Knitting from the Center Out: An Introduction to Revolutionary Knitting with 28 Modern Projects
Daniel Yuhas - 2012
The book features 28 mesmerizing projects, ranging from baby blankets and lace shawls to sweaters and stuffed toys, and also includes tutorials for the minimal skills required for center-out knitting, such as special cast-ons, increases, and decreases. Throughout the book are enlightening explanations of the underlying math and the architecture of the flat and dimensional shapes. Clear instructions and beautiful photography and illustrations assure that knitters of all levels and inclinations—whether they are technique junkies or not—will want to have this book. Praise for Knitting From the Center Out: “Though he delivers almost thirty projects in this premiere volume, Yuhas is just warming up. We'll be hearing more from him: Someday we'll look back and say, this is the book that launched a thousand cone hats.” —Vogue Knitting “It’s not often I find myself wanting to knit a whole bunch of projects from the same book, but there are plenty of things here that would be fun to explore in the knitting and that I’d enjoy wearing and using as well. I’d knit all the toys for my daughter.” —About.com “Odd. Even geeky. Yet there’s no question that Portland-based revolutionary knitter Yuhas is onto something. His premise is simple: start knitting at the middle/center of the item, which he categorizes into five shapes: tubes, cones, circles, domes, and ruffles. What’s so odd? His mathematical sidebars (on Fibonacci, for instance) and a few titles in his recommended reading: Michael S. Schneider’s A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe (1994), for one.” —Booklist Starred Review “His passion for the topic is apparent, and adventurous knitters will appreciate the opportunity to learn something new here.” —Library Journal “Clear instructions and beautiful photography ensure that knitters of all levels and inclinations—technique junkies or not—will want this book.” —Modern Day Moms “We love the sorting hat . . . You can be the Gryffindor of your dreams. . . . He has figured out the science . . . and we can all benefit from that.” —Knitcircus podcast “So I commend Yuhas for writing a ‘revolutionary,’ original book with lots of good new ideas that will give new and experienced knitters alike lots of challenges and pleasure. The book retails for about $28, which comes out to $1 per pattern; well worth the price. This is a Melanie Falick Book from STC Craft. I have to say, Melanie picked another winner with this one.” —MyCentralJersey.com “The best part about this book was the section ‘Tutorials.’ Hey, if you are like me and get stuck on a pattern for days, it is nice to have step by step instructions + pictures.” —Sweetly Made (Just for You) “I would everyone to check it out. I like this guy [author Daniel Yuhas]. I like his voice. I felt a kinship.” —Knit Knit Cafe “The patterns are killer, lovely and unusual all in one. The Half-Moon Mittens, Heel-Up Socks and Tree of Life Afghan are must knits for me. The Leaf-Yoke Sweater is so spectacular that I show the pattern to every knitter that comes to my house saying, ‘Let’s knit this!’” —Knitty.com “I was sent an advanced copy of the book Knitting from the Center Out by Daniel Yuhas and can I just say Holy Wowza! (Yeah, sometimes being a craft blogger has its perks!) This book is pretty awesome.” —Smashed Peas and Carrots blog “This book should be required reading, just to expand your own knitting repertoire. The more you know and understand knitting, the e
Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn
Carol J. Sulcoski - 2009
Focusing on how to make the most of these much-loved yarns, it explains how to design projects with hand-dyed material versus other types of yarns, how to avoid the pitfalls of pooling and splotching, and how to combine multicolored hand paints with other types of yarns. Fresh, modern sock patterns from a variety of contributors illustrate their successful techniques, showing that with creativity and a little technical know-how, knitters can fully take advantage of these beautiful, yet sometimes tricky, yarns.
Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women
Jo Packham - 2005
Like the bestselling Business of Bliss, it's practical, inspirational, and beautiful to behold.Research by Craft Trends Magazine reveals that 89% of all crafters are women, and that they want to work in an environment conducive to creating their art. This invaluable and very special guide helps them achieve that goal, whatever their passion. It goes straight to the experts: successful women who have made their mark in more than 10 different creative fields. These top designers and artisans offer insights gleaned from years of experience, reveal how they constructed their own creative spaces, and explain how the reader can make practical use of these decorating, organizational, and inspirational techniques as they go about designing their own work areas. Among the pertinent questions they answer: Where did you like to work as a child? What's the most important thing about having your own place to work? Are women's creative spaces different from men's? How important is it for you to organize your work, and how do you do it? Do you listen to music when you work--and what kind? The featured designers include Wendy Addison, Dena Fishbein, Jill Schwartz, and Suze Weinberg and their fields range from paper crafts to gardening.A Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club & the Homestyle Book Club.
Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft
Tara Jon Manning - 2004
Ten original and enjoyable knitting projects--each complemented by a meditation exercise.
The Weaver's Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom
Jane Patrick - 2010
The Weaver's Idea Book presents a wide variety of patterns for the simple rigid-heddle loom, accompanied by harness drafts for multishaft looms. The techniques include leno, Brooks bouquet, soumak, and embroidery on fabric. Each chapter contains weaving patterns along with swatches illustrating the techniques, accompanied by step-by-step photography.The book is arranged by structure or type of weave, from variations on plain weave to doubleweave. With traditional patterns from around the world, bands, and fabrics woven on two double heddles, The Weaver's Idea Book brings together a variety of ways to create exquisite cloth. Weaving tips and tricks help weavers at all levels achieve their textile dreams. In addition to pattern drafts, Jane offers project ideas that guide the reader through creating functional woven projects, from wearables to home decor.Weaving, especially on rigid-heddle looms, is enjoying a resurgence, and contemporary weavers are in need of a book to bridge the divide between basic books and complex text designed for advanced weavers with sophisticated tools. Celebrating the immense potential for creativity possible with the simplest of tools, The Weaver's Idea Book opens new avenues for exploration on both the rigid-heddle and multishaft looms.
The Big Book of Knitted Monsters: Mischievous, Lovable Toys
Rebecca Danger - 2011
And in the closet. And anywhere else you've stashed yarn. They're friendly little monsters, and they're ready to come out and play! Popular designer Rebecca Danger presents 20 patterns for the most adorable monsters ever to climb off a pair of knitting needles. All are shown in two colorways, and most are done in two yarn weights, to help you pick the perfect yarn to suit your monster's personality.
Knitting with Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man
Michael Del Vecchio - 2006
Includes 25 projects.
Geek Knits: Over 30 Projects for Fantasy Fanatics, Science Fiction Fiends, and Knitting Nerds
Joan of Dark - 2015
And if you're less into the culture and just need something unique to hold your comic book collection, author Joan of Dark has that covered, too. Inside you'll find fun and funky projects modeled by some very familiar faces, including René Auberjonois of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and his Blue Box Scarf, John Carpenter and his Asylum Comic Book Cover, and George R. R. Martin with his trusty knitted Dire Wolf!Whether you consider yourself aligned with the Chaotic Good or take a more Neutral Evil approach to life (and knitting), Geek Knits has everything you need to dress the part.
Woodland Knits: 20 enchanting projects to make and share
Stephanie Dosen - 2013
Today's avid, busy knitters love small patterns that knit up in a day or a weekend—and Stephanie Dosen’s clever knits fill the bill. Right now, knitters also love animal-themed knits, and they can’t seem to get enough of Stephanie’s delicately beautiful patterns that incorporate deer, fox, owl, and other woodland themes (plus pretty flowers and vines) and look like nothing else on the market. Here are 20 cute, contemporary projects to knit—including all the quick-to-make favorites—hats, scarves, wristlets, bags, wraps, and mitts. Traditional, straightforward stitches combine with wonderful yarns and clever patterns to produce accessories with an expensive boutique look.
Knockout Knits: New Tricks for Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, and Other Accessories
Laura Nelkin - 2014
Small knits are also the perfect way to try something new--an unusual stitch pattern, wild multi-colored yarn, or even a touch of sparkle. Laura Nelkin is well-known for designing these fun-to-knit little projects introducing her students and fans to advanced techniques with her signature "You can do it!" enthusiasm. In her first book, she share her 3 favorite types of knitting using wrapped stitches, lacework, and beads. Each chapter begins with a quick knitted cuff to lay the foundations, then gradually ramps up to more complicated designs. The result is an all-new collection of wearable, feminine knits with a slightly rustic aesthetic. Give them as gifts, stockpile for a chilly day, or dress up a casual outfit--these are knockout projects to enjoy knitting again and again.