Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Review – Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd

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Innovative techniques and patterns from top designers.

This book is all about mastering good sock design. From measuring for  correct fit and comfort to picking yarns, needles and gauge you’ll find both toe up and top down ideas, designs and techniques.

Sock Knitting Master Class

What is the best cast on method for a toe up cable design? Find out in the book. I want a different kind of heel that will be more comfortable. This book has it. Heels, toes and gussets, and how to make them look great.

And then the patterns! Beautiful, yet functional stitch designs and fun colors. This is a complete book.

Need a more elastic sock? How about a dense cable pattern. Light and airy lace, or stranded  color work; they’re all in here.

After you’re done drooling over this book, pop in the accompanying DVD where you’ll find a short tutorial on all of the different kinds of needles for knitting socks.

Check out this YouTube video about this book, and then head over to Interweave to get your own copy!

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Have you read?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]