9781612120409

Knitting is a combination of skill, determination, and adaptability. Whether you’re looking for a suitable substitute yarn, trying to modify a pattern, or fixing a mistake, Margaret Radcliffe offers proven advice that will help you solve all of your knitting quandaries. With this definitive guide, you’ll not only learn how to adjust armholes and shape collars, but why certain techniques work best in different situations. Radcliffe gives you the confidence and inspiration that will help you become a better, happier, and more confident knitter.

Margaret Radcliffe is the author of The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, The Knowledgeable Knitter, and the bestsellers The Knitting Answer Book and Circular Knitting Workshop. She regularly teaches throughout the country about everything from beginner’s basics to knitting design. She is particularly interested in promoting creativity and independence in all knitters and maintains the website www.maggiesrags.com.

Introduction Knowledge is Power

Chapter One
First Choices: Pattern, Yarn, and Needles
What Makes a Well-Written Pattern?
Understanding and Evaluating Schematics
Choosing the Right Size
How to Take Body Measurements
Finding a Yarn to Suit Your Pattern/Finding a Pattern to Suit Your Yarn
Choosing Needles
Matching Gauge
There’s More to Swatching Than Matching the Gauge

Chapter Two
Second Thoughts: Planning the Project
Order of Construction
Cast Ons
Centering Pattern Stitches
Planning Ahead for Perfect Finishing

Chapter Three
Third Time Lucky: Modifying Your Pattern
Changing Color or Stitch Pattern
Adding Embellishments
Changing the Borders
Changing Direction: Top Down versus Bottom Up
Converting Flat to Circular
The Whys and Hows of Steeks
Converting Circular Garment Instructions to Flat

Chapter Four
Forethought: Shaping and Fitting
Shaping Your Knitting
Fitting Your Garment

Chapter Five
Work in Progress
Understanding Knitting Instructions
Reality Checks
Disguising the Job
Binding Off and Casting On in the Middle
Bottom Borders on a Top-Down Sweater
Binding Off at the End
What Comes Next?

Chapter Six
Evaluation and Adjustments
Honest Assessments, Practical Solutions
Fixing Mistakes
Variations in Dye Lot, Color, and Yarn Quality
Size and Fit Adjustments
Cutting Your Knitting

Chapter Seven
Putting It All Together
Best Finishing Practices
Blocked Knitted Pieces
Dealing with Ends
Joining the Pieces

Chapter Eight
Borders, Bindings, and Embellishments
Neck, Armhole, and Front Borders
Bindings and Facings to Enclose Edges
The Zipper Controversy
Collars for a Dressier Look
Practical and Decorative Pockets
Knitted Embellishments
Blocking the Finished Garment
Caring for Your Finished Handknits
Storing Handknit Garments
The Elusive Pursuit of Perfection

Appendix
Glossary of Techniques & Terms
Abbreviations
Symbols
Further Reading
Online References

Acknowledgments
Index

What is included with this book?

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The Knowledgeable Knitter

The Knowledgeable Knitter

1612120407

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials