The Handknitter S Handbook

A comprehensive guide to the principles and techniques of handknitting.--Title page.

With over 650 practical drawings, this handbook offers step-by-step instructions in all the techniques a knitter needs to know. It includes information for every stage, from casting on to adding the finishing touches, and also advises on what to do when things go wrong.

An essential at-a-glance reference book containing yarn swatches and detailed information about the most widely used types of yarns available to today’s knitters The Handknitter’s Yarn Guide collects all the facts, figures and details that knitters need to know about yarns and gives visual comparisons showing the different effects they create when knitted up. This essential guide for every knitter at any level includes a comprehensive encyclopedia of the most commonly available yarns, complete with full-color photographs of swatches and vital information on how best to work with them. Organized by weight and fiber, the book is divided into three main sections: • Yarn Categories: details the range of yarn weights from super fine to super bulky and advises the reader on what to expect when working with each type. • Yarns in Use: discusses the general qualities of each yarn, the pros and cons of using it, how to care for it, as well as information on gauge and yardage. Includes swatches of each yarn knitted up and vital information on how best to use each yarn. • Reference: offers guidelines on how to calculate yarn substitutions, how to read labels, a comparative US/European glossary of terms, needle information, and much more. The Handknitter’s Yarn Guide is an essential knitting handbook offering both beginners and professionals all the information needed to make the best choice for each project in an easy to use and accessible format.

From the initial spark of inspiration to the sewing of the last seam, this advanced manual to knitwear design provides knitters with the foundation to take their projects to the next level. The five exceptional projects demonstrate the level of uniqueness and beauty that can be achieved with these expert techniques and how to achieve the elusive "perfect fit" that defines a successful end product. Knitters will gain a clearer understanding of commercial pattern instructions, improve their attention to detail with a meaningful test swatch, and acquire a stronger knowledge of proper body and garment measurements.

Knitting is an enduringly popular and creative craft, but many associate the techniques primarily with hand knitting, believing machine knitting to require arcane knowledge. However, machine knitting is formed from the same stitch structures and is equally versatile. Translating between Hand and Machine Knitting rediscovers the potential of domestic machine knitting to open up new possibilities for dedicated knitters, offering an equally creative yet timesaving method of crafting new designs. With over 500 images, this comprehensive guide offers detailed step-by-step explanations of techniques in both hand and machine knitting, whilst also offering inspiration and design advice. Dr Vikki Haffenden, a highly experienced knit designer, technical knitter and educator, shares the knowledge and understanding she has accumulated over a career designing for the knitted textile and knitwear industry and as a lecturer in knitted textile design. Topics covered include: Illustrated step-by-step instructions of hand and machine knitting techniques; Qualities and behaviours of fibres and yarns and their suitability for knitting; Equipment requirements and advice; Basic stitches and stitch constructions of hand and machine knitting; Combining stitches to make surface texture and colour patterns; Shaping and knitting 3D shapes; Calculating garment shape and size from tension swatches. Superbly illsutrated with 397 colour photographs and 130 line artworks.