$19.95 US $25.95 CANADA

In this gorgeous new collection,award-winning knitweardesigner Nicky Epstein sets herneedles—and her boundlesscreative energy—on handmadeknitted gifts. She’s createdmore than 35 unique gifts forall your loved ones, and for anyoccasion. Inside you’ll find:� an adorable reversiblebaby hoodie� a beautiful carry-all adornedwith cables and leaves—perfectfor your favorite knitter

crafts | knitting

vBooks

Nicky

An imprint of Sixth&Spring Books

Epstein

� a cozy boyfriend scarf inthree variations� a stunning bride’s bagembellished with knittedflowers, cables and pearls� a colorful patchworkafghan a group can make for afriend or for a charity� and many more designs thatare sure to become heirlooms

There’s also a comprehensivelist of charities that will acceptthe fruits of your labor, so getset to give the gift of handknitsto everyone in your life.And don’t forget, when youdo, you’ll be Knitting a Kiss inEvery Stitch.

Cover photography by Rose CallahanAuthor photo by Jack Deutsch Studio

NICKY EPSTEINis one of America’s most acclaimed and popularknitwear designers. Her designs have appeared inmajor magazines and on television and inmuseums. Nicky’s informative and entertainingclasses are widely sought after, and heraward-winning books have been hailed by criticsand knitters.The three books in her Edgingstrilogy, Knitting On the Edge, Knitting Over theEdge and Knitting Beyond the Edge, have becomeclassics.The lavishly beautiful Knitting On Top ofthe World continues to be a bestseller, and herunique knitting design/travel book Knitting inTuscany has won acclaim in the press and fromknitters everywhere. Nicky loves knitting, and herpassion for the art has never been moreapparent than in Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch,which comes straight from the heart.

vBooks

Nicky

An imprint of Sixth&Spring Books233 Spring Street,NewYork, NewYork 10013sixthandspringbooks.com

EpsteinNIC

KYEPST

EINK

nittinga

Kiss

inE

veryS

titchv

Nick

yEpstein

Books

Knittinga Kiss

inEveryStitch

Creating gifts for thepeople you love

NICKYEPSTEIN

Knittinga Kiss

inEveryStitch

NICKYEPSTEIN

NICKYEPSTEINKnittinga Kiss

inEveryStitch

Creating gifts for thepeople you love

“’Tis better to give than to receive,” the oldsaying goes, and what could be nicer to give(or receive!) than hand-knit gifts from theheart? Nicky Epstein’s Knitting a Kiss in EveryStitch will provide you with all the inspirationyou need to create something special foreveryone on your list.This collection of morethan 35 patterns for all skill levels includes:� fun caps and hats for babies, kids and teens� stylish bags and wraps for the ladies� scarves and socks for your favorite guy� projects for charities—plus an extensivelist of organizations that accept knitted itemsWith full-color photographs of every projectand clear, step-by-step instructions, creatinggifts for your favorite friends and family hasnever been easier, or more rewarding.

KIES.COVER JACKET.REVISE#5.qxd:Layout 1 7/14/09 7:24 PM Page 1

001-007.frontmatterFINAL1.qxd:Layout 1 7/8/09 1:37 PM Page 2

knitting a kiss in every stitch | introduction

Giving GiftsIt’s nice to receive a gift, but it can be even moregratifying to give one.And as a knitter, I can’tthink of a more wonderful gift to give to lovedones, friends or those in need than a gift thatyou’ve knit yourself, with a kiss in every stitch.

When my stepson Scott was bravely recoveringfrom a series of chemotherapy treatments, Iknitted a cashmere cap for him to keep hishandsome but bald head warm. He loved thecap, and I loved knitting it for him even more.

A handmade gift is so much more personal thana purchased gift because of the thought, timeand affection that you’ve put into it. In this bookthere are gifts for babies, toddlers, boys and girls,teens, men, women, pets and friends, as well asgifts for charitable giving. For those of yougenerous knitters belonging to the thousands ofgroups worldwide who knit projects for charity,there’s a list of organizations on page 118 andinstructions on how to contact them.You’ll learnwhat knitted gifts they accept and any specialrequirements for donating your projects.

When I was recently recovering from backsurgery, I received a number of hand-knit giftsfrom friends and well-wishers and was genuinelytouched by their thoughtfulness, because I knewhow much work went into their creations.

As I was designing and knitting these projectsI kept thinking of the beautiful Shaker hymn“Simple Gifts.” I hope that these gifts will carryyour message to that special person in your life,or make a person in need feel special.

Give of yourself…make someone happy…it’s all about caring!

Nicky Epstein

7

001-007.frontmatterFINAL1.qxd:Layout 1 7/8/09 6:12 PM Page 7

5

ContentsIntroduction 7

The Kids 8Baby’s First Hat 10Woven Baby Blanket 12Go Girl Beaded Socks 14Li’l Knitting Angel Hat 16Reversible Hoodie 20Travelin’ Man Hats 23Curly Q Hat 26Heidi Hat 28Meow Kitty Cap 30Creatures of theNightcaps 33Slouchy Bow Hat 36

The Girls 38All Heart Shawl 40Bride’s Purse 43Cable Delight Hat 46Diamond RibWrap 49Summer of Love Bag 52LegwarmerTrio 54City Lights Beaded Scarf 58Cable-and-Leaf Tote 60Lace Friendship Shawl 63Ruched Mitts 66Easy OperaWrap 68

The Guys 70Fisherman’s Gloves 72Boyfriend Scarf 74Bad Boy Socks 77Gentry LapThrow 80Serious Skull Cap 82

Special Friends 86A Charitable Gift Afghan 88Family Footies 97Pampering Spa Cloths 100Kiss MeWrap-Around 103Sweet Socks 106Knitty Kitty Play Mat 109Barkley’s Hat Scarf 112Jet SetTravel Tags 114Wish Upon a Scarf 116

Guide to Giving 118A list of charities and organizationsthat accept knitted gifts

Resources 122Abbreviations 122Techniques 122–126Glossary 123Yarn and Materials Sources 126Acknowledgments 127

001-007.frontmatterFINAL1.qxd:Layout 1 7/8/09 1:37 PM Page 5

9

008-009KIDS.OPENER.FINAL.qxd:Layout 1 6/30/09 3:49 PM Page 9

010-011preemie_cablehat.FINAL.qxd:Layout 1 7/7/09 11:28 AM Page 11

012-013.#2 woven blanket.FINAL.qxd:Layout 1 6/30/09 3:56 PM Page 13

Become a part of nationwide or local knitting charities andenrich the lives of others with your time and your skill.

h

SSOOCCKKSS FFOORR SSOOLLDDIIEERRSS IINNCC.S 2892 State Route 96 EastShelby, OH 44875(419) 342-2486www.socksforsoldiersinc.comgroups.yahoo.com/group/socksforsoldiers� Socks for soldiers sends hand-knitted superwash wool socks inspecial care packages to soldiersserving in the Middle East andAfghanistan and operates from a Yahoo! group rather than a website. Items accepted: Black socks insimple patterns.Special requirements: Socks must be black, knit in a wool or wool-cotton blend and highenough to go over the top of aboot by several inches.

SSTTIITTCCHHEESS FFRROOMM TTHHEE HHEEAARRTT3316 Pico BoulevardSanta Monica, CA 90405(877) 985-9212 www.stitchesfromtheheart.org� More than 1,400 volunteers strong and growing daily, Stitches from the Heart sendshandmade clothing, blankets, andlove to premature babies all across the nation. Items accepted: Booties, blankets and layette items.Special requirements: Use soft,washable yarns; do not use 100%wool. Measurements and sizerequirements can be found on the website.

WWAARRMM UUPP AAMMEERRIICCAA!!Craft Yarn Council of America469 Hospital Dr., 2nd Floor Suite EGastonia, NC 28054(704) 824-7838www.warmupamerica.org� Warm Up America! volunteerscreate handmade blankets that aredistributed to those in need. Theseitems provide warmth and comfortto people who have lost theirhomes, fled abusive relations, or arebeing cared for in hospices, shelters,hospitals and nursing homes.Items accepted: 7" x 9" knittedblocks or completed blankets.Special requirements: None

WWAARRMM WWOOOOLLIIEESS5572 E. Mansfield AvenueDenver, CO 80237www.warmwoolies.org � Volunteers for Warm Wooliesknit for children living inorphanages in Russia, Kazakhstan,China and Mongolia, and onreservations throughout thenorthern United States. Items accepted: Items mostneeded, in order, are socks,sweaters, vests and baby blankets.Special requirements: Itemsshould be at least 75% animal fiber,with 100% animal fiber stronglypreferred; baby blankets may bemade with acrylic yarns.

WWAARRMMIINNGG FFAAMMIILLIIEESSOne Heart InternationalP. O. Box 400Orem, UT 84059www.warmingfamilies.com/mission.aspx� Warming Families, a project of the One Heart Foundation,distributes blankets, warm clothingand other items of comfort to thehomeless and displaced. Items accepted: Blankets, bearsand dolls, gloves, mittens, hats andheadbands. Project needs vary bylocal chapter. Special requirements: None y

121

118-121.charity list.FINAL3.qxd:Layout 1 7/8/09 2:33 PM Page 121

1. Urban Scarf

114-115.#26 Luggage Tags.FINAL.qxd:Layout 1 7/1/09 1:52 PM Page 115