Art Deco Knits

The jazz age of the 1920s and 1930s is a particularly inspiring period in fashion design, well-known for its intricately embellished fabrics and elegant detail. Art Deco Knits aims to inspire the modern knitter who wishes to create a vintage-inspired wardrobe, or simply add a touch of Art Deco glamour to their knitting. Featuring valuable information on styles and silhouettes, fabrics and finishing techniques, this book celebrates the joy to be found in creating knitwear inspired by this most popular of eras, when fashion and self-expression became accessible to more women than ever before. Topics covered include tips on choosing yarns and adapting patterns to fit an Art Deco aesthetic; a collection of Art Deco-inspired stitch patterns; beading and embroidery techniques for creating uniquely embellished knitted fabrics and finally, finishing tips and techniques. Nine original patterns are included, each inspired by a particular facet of 1920s or 1930s style which can be used directly or adapted as a starting point for the knitters' imagination. Jemima Bicknell is an experienced knitting and crochet designer specializing in vintage-inspired designs. It is beautifully illustrated with 150 colour photographs and 64 original sketches.

Stylish knitwear with a timeless appeal! Big city style meets classic design in this gorgeous guide for the contemporary crafter! Inspired by 20th century architectural elements, Urban Knit Collection offers 18 DIY projects for women and men with a decidedly metropolitan vibe. From Art Deco- and stained glass-inspired sweaters to the beaded Ritz Cowl and Skyscraper Hat, author Kyle Kunnecke's innovative designs evoke the beauty of a cityscape in runway-worthy knits that you can customize to reflect your personal style. Written for would-be and longtime knitters alike, Kyle's detailed patterns include tutorials on a variety of construction and finishing techniques, from locking floats and knitting on round needles to reading charts and choosing yarn. Whether your style is uptown, downtown, or somewhere in between, Urban Knit Collection has you covered!

Knitting: colour, structure and design takes a fresh approach to knitting, examining not just the look of a knitted pattern, but how the knitted fabric can be altered with different stitches to change its stretch, drape and thickness. Once understood, the design and application potential of this textile technique is thrilling and endless. Written by a revered craftsman, this beautifully illustrated book encourages and inspires both experienced knitters and those new to the technique to have the confidence to experiment and develop their own designs. Topics covered: basic stitches, including many different ways of casting on and off, both decorative and functional; new approaches to construct fabric in any direction (not necessarily starting at the bottom and finishing at the top) in order to make any shape without sewn seams; an in-depth section on colour giving design ideas and techniques for knitting with colour; advice on dyeing your own yarns, including decorative effects such as dip-dyeing and tie-dyeing yarn; knitting patterns to suit a range of body shapes, with directions for personalizing these to your own requirements; an in-depth look at the technique of hand knitting, what effects can be created from different stitches and the way knitting is constructed by knitting in different directions. Aimed at those new to knitting, as well as advanced experimental knitters, it examines the technique from scratch as if it were a completely new technique to encourage deeper understanding. Beautifully illustrated with 247 stunning photographs and diagrams.

Traditional Fair Isle knitting and design skills were originally handed down from one Shetland generation to the next, with each new generation of knitters experimenting, adapting and extending the repertoire of patterns to develop the Fair Isle knitting we see today. Fair Isle knitting is fascinating - only two colours are used in any single row - yet the patterns and colours chosen combine to create something that is more than the sum of its parts. The distinctive combination of colours and patterns, ranging from the simple to the highly intricate, continues to inspire knitters worldwide. This beautifully illustrated book includes the development of Fair Isle knitting; a collection of Fair Isle patterns and motifs; exercises to develop a sense of colour and apply colour theory to Fair Isle knitting and a detailed step-by-step guide for the techniques used in Fair Isle knitting. Five original designs, with further ideas for their modification and development are included too as well as guidance on adapting and designing Fair Isle projects of your own.

Jean Moss takes us on a journey through the decorative arts of the twentieth century, sharing her insights and design inspirations. The decorative arts are "a wonderful source for the knitwear designer: architecture, theater, furniture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, fashion, and posters all carry the distinctive signatures of their time and creator." The designs take on extra meaning as we read Jean's often informative, occasionally quirky commentary. The journey starts at the turn of the century with the opulence and sinuous arabesques of the Belle Époque. Moving on to the twenties, these curving lines turn sleek and sophisticated with the growth of Art Deco. Our next stop revisits the vibrant offbeat styles of Pop Art in the swinging sixties. Finally, to mark the new millennium, Jean looks with confident eclecticism to sources as diverse as ethnic symbolism and fisher ganseys to create a timeless capsule of contemporary classics that are a pleasure to knit. --From publisher description.

Scandinavian Knitwear encourages the knitter to take inspiration from the brightly coloured and textured designs of the traditional knits and the invigorating landscape of the Nordic region to design your own 'Scandi knits' and create unique designs using traditional techniques. The author takes you through the process of formulating ideas, learning about colour, absorbing the local history and finally creating a piece of knitting that has all the flavours of this fascinating region. With full chapters on Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Faroe Islands, coverage includes: the history of knitting and its development in Scandinavia; explanation of various techniques, such as accurate measuring, stranded colourwork and grafting; a full explanation of colour theory; exploration of the development of knitting and the characteristic styles of each country in the region; A 'Stitch Dictionary' of patterns and motifs, with charts that can be modified to suit the skill and style of the knitter; Nineteen complete, original patterns for garments, accessories, and homeware; a chapter of schematics with advice on design development and sizing options.