Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway: My New Book

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colorwork knittingI’m celebrating this week because my latest book has just been released (the technical release day is Wednesday, but my publisher is showing it as in stock).

It’s called Colorwork Knitting, and it features five different kinds of colorwork:

  • working with self-striping yarn
  • knitting your own stripes
  • slip-stitch knitting
  • stranded knitting
  • intarsia

each used on five different kinds of projects:

  • scarves (there’s one cowl, too)
  • hats
  • mitts, mittens or gloves
  • sweaters
  • socks

So in all that’s 25 patterns (all for women) that will bring a lot of color into your wardrobe and some great techniques to your needles. This book assumes you know how to knit but teaches all the colorwork techniques you need, as well as some of the basics of choosing colors. Check out the projects on Ravelry, or flip through the look book (PDF) to see more.

I’m so proud of this book and happy to have it (well, almost) out into the world.

If you’d like a chance to win a copy, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, April 5. Let me know what colorwork technique you’re most interested in learning, or what your favorite is, or, heck, just say congratulations. I’ll take it.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. Congrats on your new book! I would love to learn all of the different types of colorworks, but I would like to start with intarsia or brioche.

  2. Congrats! Looks like a fantastic book!

    My favorite colorwork is slipped stitch mosaic patterns.

  3. Congratulations on your book, it looks great. At the moment I am very into shadow knitting and slip stitch color work. Thank’s for the opportunity to win your new book.

  4. Congratulations!!!
    I’m most interested in slip-stitch knitting technique..!
    Thanks so much for the giveaway..! 🙂

  9. Congratulations! This book is fantastic! I would love to learn fair isle knitting and finally knit an Icelandic sweater!

  10. My favorite technique is slip stitch-it can do so many patterns and effects! Looks like a great book-thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]