Stashbuster Knits

A popular instructor and designer outlines a variety of imaginative projects that use yarn odds and ends, explaining how to use specific yarn weights and techniques ranging from lace and cables to colorblocking and fair-isle to make creative wearables for every member of the family. By the author of Mastering Color Knitting. Original.

There’s no such thing as too much yarn. As renowned knitwear designer Melissa Leapman knows all too well, every knitter has a stash of yarn that they just can’t bear to part with: the one or two extra balls of yarn bought “just in case,” or the bits and pieces leftover from completed projects. Stashbuster Knits gives you the absolute best way to use—and enjoy—your treasured yarn collection guilt free. Leapman offers valuable step-by-step guidance on organizing and shopping your stash to inspire creative new knitting ideas and color combinations. Then she gives you 21 ingenious projects for men, women, children, and home that are designed so no one will ever guess they were made from odds and ends. Included are projects both large and small, from a glorious Fair Isle sweater for your favorite guy to a chic little scarf made with a Magic Ball. Each yarn weight has its own chapter, from super fine to super bulky, ensuring that knitters will find a way to use every piece of stored-up yarn. Filled with tips and hints on customizing projects and ideas to use even the tiniest bits of yarn, Leapman’s Stashbuster Knits will help transform your beloved stash into projects you’ll love even more. So dive into your closets, dig into your bins, rifle through your drawers, and bring your precious yarn out of hiding. Let’s begin putting that stash to good use!

For knitters who want to know how to make use of their stash and avoid waste, this collection of patterns has the answer. Every knitter knows that sometimes you have yarn left over after finishing a make – maybe a whole ball, often slightly less than a ball, but either way too much to just throw it away and not enough to return it to the seller. Then there's the yarn you buy without a particular make in mind, just because it's a beautiful colour, or you love the feel of it, or it was in a flash sale. But what can you do with all these lovely bits and pieces? Knitting Stashbusters has the answer: 25 lovely projects specially chosen to use up your yarn. Some can be made with one ball, others use up smaller amounts of several different shades, but all of them are chosen to save you from wasting what you already have in store. You can make a cute garland of hearts to brighten up a room, or knit a penguin toy for a new baby. Perhaps you'd like to make all sorts of cosies, or knit storage pots and a pencil case. Or you could choose to make a cute cottage doorstop using colours that match your own house. And once you've reduced the size of your stash, what better excuse could you have to go out and buy more yarn!

Easy Knit Dishcloths teaches knitting through a step-by-step illustrated "knitting school" and a collection of 13 easy, modern, stashbuster projects.

Beloved knitwear designer Melissa Leapman offers a comprehensive stitch dictionary and guide with more than 300 original knitting patterns, including slip stitches, cables, and lace. Knitters love their stitch dictionaries. Melissa Leapman, known for her knitting references, shares 300 of her favorite stitch patterns developed over her long career. With basic step-by-step knitting instruction, information on how to most effectively use a stitch dictionary, and a wealth of original stitch patterns, this book will appeal to all levels of knitters looking for a comprehensive, yet portable volume. The book includes stitch patterns in five categories from imaginative novelty stitch patterns to traditional knit designs. Each stitch pattern includes a gorgeous photograph as well as written and charted instructions.

The world’s first comic-strip knitting book, Knitstrips presents 22 original patterns, boundless humor, and seriously appealing knitting instruction Inspired, original, and laugh-out-loud funny, knitstrips are patterns and knitting instruction mixed with advice and humorous commentary—and presented in illustrated comic book panels. Launched in 2016 on the mega-popular knitting site Modern Daily Knitting, the strips gained instant popularity and have attracted thousands of avid fans. The book includes 22 brand-new patterns and is designed to mimic a bound collection of comic books in a series: each “issue” with its own cover and wry theme—from yarn stashes to binge knitting—that is close to the heart of knitters. Issues offer four to six knitting patterns each, plus designer highlights and a variety of stories and technical discussions. The result is a fresh, lively knitting adventure that is like nothing the fiber world has seen before.

Dive into a must-have for handknitting and interior design enthusiasts. Makes a perfect gift, too! Add personality and interest to any room with beautifully designed and handcrafted knitted pieces from Ruth Cross's Knits at Home. You'll enjoy exploring different handknit patterns--from throws to fitted covers, elegant wall hangings to floor rugs that have a beautiful, organic feel. Starting with the very basics of simple knitting and purling and progressing to add further texture and embellishment, Ruth guides you through a range of stitch patterns and techniques that can be adapted to different shapes and sizes. Ruth not only offers elegant and appealing home decor projects; she also gives you the techniques to design organic and freeform home items of your own. Taking an experimental approach, Ruth combines traditional stitches with new stitches she has devised herself, with unexpected and striking results. With help from Knits at Home, you'll create completely personal pieces that will light up any room.

Chicks, start your sticks! This time it’s all about knitting Stop letting worry knit your brows, ladies. Let go of your fear of knitting, and take hold of The Chicks with Sticks® Guide to Knitting. With more than 30 simple, chic projects plus simple step-by-step instructions, this book is the complete guide to starting and enjoying this fun, rewarding hobby. New knitters can finish up their first projects in a weekend; more advanced beginners (that is, the ones who have knitted scarves before) can move to the next level. Call your posse and settle down in the living room or at the coffeehouse. The Chicks with Sticks will take care of the rest, from essential tools and materials to basic lessons to more than 30 doable projects, including cool belts, beautiful scarves, felted bags, stylish wraps, and snuggly sweaters.