Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

The Fearless Knitter by Jennifer E Seiffert

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This Fearless Knitting Workbook, The Step-by-Step guide to Knitting Confidence by Jennifer E. Seiffert will truly make you a fearless knitter. She starts with the basics such as tools, gauge and how to get it, how to adjust when you don’t get it, where to sit, make sure there’s a cat nearby, you know, all the basics. Assessing mistakes, blocking, seams.. all the stuff a good knitter needs to know.

Next comes the knit and purl stitch and combining them. She talks you through a ribbed sampler and a checkerboard square, and bam! When your checkerboard square is finished do you realize what has happened? You’ve learned to read a chart! She sneaks that one in there pretty good! Raised stitches in a Maple Leaf and Oak Leaf Squares, and next thing you know, you have a couple of really pretty pillows. Shaping, increases and decreases, cables and crossed stitches, you’ll be an expert in no time.

And then, just when you think you can tackle anything, you get to make holes. Intentionally! Lace! You’ve just knitted lace and there’s no stopping you now. Learn how to knit in the round with either circs or dpns; (knitter speak for circular needles and double pointed needles). Put all of that together and tackle the projects at the end, which by now are easy for you.

This hardcover book, with a spiral binding to keep it open, for reference is indispensible for the newer knitter. Even the seasoned pro can learn a few tips (ask me how I know..). From Interweave Press, here: www.interweavestore.com

Comments

  1. hi jen,
    there was no date so this may be a really old blog entry of yours? i feel your sockknitting pain as of this week. i have tried and tried and tried. i think, if anyone says they knit abunch of socks and love it, hold onto your wallet cause they are lying, LYING!
    =)
    xx
    angelina

Have you read?

The Bunny Sweater Knitting Pattern that’s Actually for Cats

I don’t often share knitting patterns for pets, mostly because I don’t think of it. I don’t have a dog, and I’ve never knit for my cats except a knit couch and a little cat bed I made on a knitting machine, both of which were pretty much ignored. 

I have shared some pet bed knitting patterns, and both hats and sweaters for dogs. 

But I don’t think I’ve shared a pattern for a cat sweater, until now. 

This one is the Bunny sweater by Sarah Zhou, so named because her cat is named Bunny, of course. 

It’s a made to measure pattern because cats come in all shapes and sizes, and you can also use any yarn you like and whatever gauge you are getting with that yarn. 

The design is knit from the bottom up, that is, from the tail side up toward the head. Pairs of decreases shape the body as you work toward the armholes, which are made by binding off a few stitches. Then the belly and the back are worked flat, then joined and worked in the round for the chest part. 

There are some design options in the pattern, from the look of the photos they include using a contrasting color for the edging, working a scalloped edging, maybe a foldover collar? But of course you can add your own embellishments, stripes, make it in team colors or for a Halloween costume. I’m sure they’re quick to knit so you can make a bunch if you have a cat who is willing to submit to such torture. 

Bunny looks like a very good and mostly tolerant girl; I don’t think either of my cats would be willing to wear a sweater. But if you make one (the pattern is available on Ravelry) and successfully get your cat to wear it I would love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah Zhou]