The first fully detailed, full-color, comprehensive history of knitting in America from colonial times to the present, the book conveys the social and historical realities that the craft embodied as well as the emotional narrative that unfolded at the hands of the nations knitters. With vintage patterns and designs typical of each era, Knitting America comprises a knitted history of American society. Here are the trends and the shortages, the historical happenings and the social movements, the advertising and economic developments that affected knitting and style.Also included are 20 historic knitting patterns for todays knitters. Beautifully illustrated with vintage pattern booklets, posters, postcards, black-and-white historical photographs, and contemporary color photographs of knitted pieces in private collections and in museums, this book is a treasure of history and craft, an exquisite view of America through the handiwork of its knitters.

    Projects are broken down into four different categories by style and include hats, mittens, purses, wraps, tops, sweaters, and socks--all of which are simple to make and require minimal yarn. Tips are provided for embellishing each project with different fabrics, edgings, and stitching patterns, making personalization easy, even for novices. Beautiful photographs and color illustrations detailing how to create each piece, as well as contemporary designs and small, quick projects make this guide a must-have for the gift-giving knitter.

    900+ vivid photos & illustrations.

    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

    Each chapter focuses on a different technique, inviting you to dip in, experiment, and then apply your newfound skills to create a custom piece designed by these crochet luminaries. You’ll learn Hairpin Lace from Stitch Diva Jennifer Hansen, discover the intricate color work of tapestry crochet from Carol Ventura, and explore free-form crochet with renowned fiber artist Prudence Mapstone. Filled with expert instruction, inspiring stories, and projects created exclusively for this book, Crochet Master Class is your guide to the incredible range of crochet possibilities. Techniques include:Filet Crochet • Hairpin Lace • Tapestry Crochet • Aran Crochet • Entrelac Crochet • Fashion Crochet • Tunisian Crochet • Woven Crochet • Double-Ended Crochet • Tassels • Bullion Stitch • Overlay Crochet • Bead Crochet • Bruges Crochet • Painted Crochet • Free-Form Crochet • Irish Crochet • Wire Crochet

    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.

    . . What is remarkable about this book is that a history of knitting can function so well as a survey of the changes in women's roles over time."--The New York Times Book ReviewAn historian and lifelong knitter, Anne Macdonald expertly guides readers on a revealing tour of the history of knitting in America. In No Idle Hands, Macdonald considers how the necessity--and the pleasure--of knitting has shaped women's lives.Here is the Colonial woman for whom idleness was a sin, and her Victorian counterpart, who enjoyed the pleasure of knitting while visiting with friends; the war wife eager to provide her man with warmth and comfort, and the modern woman busy creating fashionable handknits for herself and her family. Macdonald examines each phase of American history and gives us a clear and compelling look at life, then and now. And through it all, we see how knitting has played an important part in the way society has viewed women--and how women have viewed themselves.Assembled from articles in magazines, knitting brochures, newspaper clippings and other primary sources, and featuring reproductions of advertisements, illustrations, and photographs from each period, No Idle Hands capture the texture of women's domestic lives throughout history with great wit and insight."Colorful and revealing . . . vivid . . . This book will intrigue needlewomen and students of domestic history alike."--The Washington Post Book World

    Stunning patterns are arranged by season, reflecting the colors and beauty of nature that inspire feminine designs. From an amber-beaded cardigan that captures the feeling of hay fields drying in the sun to a long, belted coat with a spray of coral roses inspired by flowers in local markets to an intarsia jacket that evokes memories of a fall hike in a forest, each pattern is rich with color, detailing, and romantic knitting style. The design workshops throughout this guidebook challenge knitters to find inspiration in their surroundings, build color palettes, swatch creatively through knitting and sketching, and finesse their style and fit.

    Among landlubbers as well, these sweaters are perennially popular, but, especially in this country, it is often hard to find practical instructions for the patterns that are traditional in Britain. Here is a book that presents fully 82 different genuine folk patterns for both the lighter weight Jerseys and the heavier Guernseys, and diagrams many more patterns that you can use in your knitting. The author gives the names of the stitches and patterns traditionally used in making Jerseys and Guernseys, and she tells you exactly how to knit every sweater in this book using those patterns and stitches. Here you will find patterns taken from sweaters found in Yorkshire, Norfolk, the west coast of Ireland, the Scottish Hebrides, and the Aran Islands. These are sweaters that have often been handed down from father to son for several generations, they wear so well. Instructions for these sturdy sweaters are given row by row for knitting fronts, backs, sleeves, and necks, in the traditional fashion. Each set of instructions is accompanied by a diagram of the pattern and, often, by a photograph of the finished sweater. All of these sweaters can be worn by either men or women, but the author has also provided full directions for making two sets of sweaters and cardigans expressly adapted for ladies' wear. Mrs. Thompson also includes interesting information about the people who gave her the patterns for this book.

    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.

    Lavishly illustrated... particularly strong in its coverage of both basic techniques like increasing and decreasing and more advanced techniques like knitting cables without a cable needle and working with charts... excellent knitting reference.' - Library Journal Beginners will find everything needed to make their first items, and experienced knitters will love the sensuous photos of the creative process and the finished projects.. From needles to fabrics, all the essential techniques appear, along with a variety of stitches and weaves - not only the basics but also intricate double-face, jacquard, and intarsia. Add buttons and buttonholes, zippers, borders, and pockets. Weave or embroider one of many popular designs onto the fabric. Finish off with charming touches like pompons, piping, fringes, and tassels. The projects, all accompanied by charts and patterns, are breathtaking: colourful socks, gloves and mittens; sweaters; vests; polos; and pullovers.

    A chapter on understanding color principles offers novice spinners the skills needed to easily work with color while providing advanced spinning techniques for the expert dyer. A gallery of finished pieces as well as appendixes on dye workshops and metric conversions are included.

    This is the perfect book for the experienced knitter who is looking for new stitches that yield spectacular results! This Japanese knitting book features a wide range of rewarding and intricate stitches including:cablespopcorn stitchestwisted stitchesedgingsand many more…A set of detailed, step-by-step diagrams show you how to execute all the basic stitches. Instructions and diagrams for a series of small projects offer practice working with large patterns, lacy patterns, pattern arrangement and round yokes among other things. The knitting projects include:A classic hat made using large patternsAn elegant scarf in lacy patternsThe ever-popular fingerless mittensThick socks that can be made using various patternsA feminine collar using round stitchingAnd much more!This Japanese stitch dictionary represents a whole new adventure for knitters and is sure to become a valued reference for experienced knitters.

    In this charming collection, acclaimed toymaker and popular blogger Hillary Lang presents a captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Each pattern includes clear illustrations and pattern templates to ensure perfect results.

    By using Mary Jane Hall's Graduated Stitch Method, along with the correct size hook and yarn, anyone can make flattering, form-fitted items! Different stitch heights do all the shaping for you, without the hassle and confusion of figuring out increases and decreases. With this method you are essentially building garments with squares and rectangles, but the finished product doesn't look at all boxy.33 step-by-step projects feature a wide variety of patterns for adults and childrenAn illustrated stitch guide get even beginners started quicklyDetailed instructions make it easy to adjust the patterns to suit your shape (or others') because one side doesn't fit all!Easy enough for a beginner and stylish enough for the more experienced crocheter, these are projects you'll enjoy making and feel good wearing. With fits like this, you'll never think about crochet in the same way again!