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FirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericain2013byChronicleBooksLLC.
Copyright©2013byQuintetPublishing.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataavailable.
ISBN978-1-4521-1572-6(hc)ISBN978-1-4521-3954-8(epub,mobi)
Text:CatherineHirstColorworkcharts:ErssieMajorProjectdesigners:ClaireCrompton,LizGregory,CatherineHirst,MeghanFernandes,ErssieMajor,CarolMeldrumDesigner:AnnaGattPhotographer:LydiaEvansArtDirector:MichaelCharlesEditorialDirector:DonnaGregoryPublisher:MarkSearle
ChronicleBooks680SecondStreetSanFrancisco,California94107www.chroniclebooks.com
ContentsIntroduction6KnittingasaFormofCommunication7
CreatingandCustomizingYourOwnCharts8Equipment10Knittingneedles—straight10Knittingneedles—double-pointed10Needlegauge10Stitchholder10Safetypins10Rowcounter10Stitchmarker10Pins10Tapemeasure/ruler10Scissors10Graphpaper/stationery10Wool/darningneedle10
ReadingaPattern11Abbreviations11
Techniques12Gauge12Makingatestswatch12Countingstitchesandrows12Adjustinggauge12MakingaSlipknot12CastingOn13Thecablemethod13BindingOff14Cablebind-off14KnitandPurl15Knit15Purl15ShapingTechniques—Increasing16
M1—Make116k1f&b16ShapingTechniques—Decreasing17Slopingtotheright17k2tog—knit2stitchestogether17p2tog—purl2stitchestogether17Slopingtotheleft17ssk—slip,slip,knit17skop—slip,knit,passslippedstitchover18k2togtbl—knit2stitchestogetherthroughbackloop18p2togtbl—purl2stitchestogetherthroughthebackloop18PickingUpStitches19Horizontaledge19Verticaledge19Seams20Mattressstitch20Colorwork21Strandingor“FairIsle”technique21Strandingone-handedonknitrowsorrounds21Weavingfloats22Intarsia22Bobbins22Joininginanewcolor22Changingcolors23Readingachart23
1SansSerif24AlphabetPillow25Thepattern25Lettermotif25Pillowfront27CommenceFrontChart27Pillowback27CommenceBackChart27Finishing27
“STOP”SignDoorstop29Thepattern29
Lettermotif29Front29Commence“STOP”SignDoorstopChart29Back31Gusset31Finishing31
LetterTileCoasters32Thepattern32Lettermotif32Coasters32Commence“VINO”LetterTileChart32Finishing34
FeltedPencilCase35Thepattern35Lettermotif35Frontpanel35CommenceChecksChart35Commence“Taxi”Chart35Backpanel37CommenceChecksChart37Finishing37
“Ciao”Mittens39Thepattern39Lettermotif39Cuff40Rightmittenonly40Commence“Ciao”Chart40Placethumb40Splitthumb40Shapetop40Leftmittenonly40Commence“Ciao”Chart40Placethumb40
2Serif42“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt43Thepattern43
Lettermotif43WallArt43CommenceWallArtChart45Finishing45
BookstoreTote47Thepattern47Lettermotif47Front47CommenceBookstoreToteChart47FrontFacing48Back48BackFacing48Finishing48
AlphabetBabyBlocks49Thepattern49Lettermotif51Lowerborder:Make6squaresforoneblock51Middlesection51Topborder51Finishing51
3SlabSerif52Child’sInitialedBackpack53Thepattern53Lettermotif53Front53Back55Straps(make2)55Finishing55Lining55
LettermanSweater57Thepattern57Lettermotifpatch57CommenceVarsityToteChart58Back58Shapearmholes58Shapeshoulders58
Front58ShapeShoulders58Shapeleftsideofneck58Shapeleftshoulder58Shaperightsideofneck58Shaperightshoulder58Sleeves(both)58
4Stencil60“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy61Thepattern61Lettermotif61TheCozy61Commence“CAFE”Chart61Crochetbuttonholes63
ToyTidyBag65Thepattern65Lettermotif65Bagbase65Back66Drawstringchannel66Front66Commencechart66Finishing66
Lady’s“PARIS”Sweater67Thepattern67Lettermotif68Backandfront68Shapearmholes68Rightsleeve68Shapetop69Leftsleeve69CommenceSleeveLettersChart69Finishing69Neckedging69
5Script70
“Amour”HeartPillow71Thepattern71Lettermotif71Front71Commence“Amour”Chart71
Girl’sDress75Thepattern75Lettermotif76Back76Shapearmholesanddivideforbackneck76Shapebackneck76Front76Commencechart76Shapefrontneck76Backneckopening77Neckedge77Armholeedging77Finishing77
MobiusTwistScarf78Thepattern78Lettermotif78Basictwistscarf78Finishing78
6Ornamental80BabyBlanket81Thepattern81Lettermotif81Border81Bodyofblanket81CommenceDiamondChart81CommenceBabyBlanketLettersChart82Finishing82
Neckerchief84Thepattern84Lettermotif84Neckerchief84
CommenceNeckerchiefChart84Rightborder85Leftborder85Finishing85
7BlackLetter86“Ex-Libris”E-readerCover87Thepattern87Lettermotif87Front87Commence“ExLibris”Chart87
BlackLetterBeanie90Thepattern90Lettermotif90Brim90Bodyofhat90CommenceLetter“D”Chart91Decforcrown91Finishing91
“CarpeDiem”CoveredBracelets92Thepattern92Lettermotif92“Carpe”bracelet92Commence“Carpe”Chart92“Diem”bracelet93Commence“Diem”Chart93Finishing93
8NumbersandPunctuation94WeddingPillow95Thepattern95Lettermotif95Frontandbackpanels95DuplicateStitchChart97Finishing97
93-DLetters98A–ZBookends99Thepatterns99Letter“A”99Depthcreationandfinishing101Letter“Z”101Depthcreationandmakingup102
“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows103Thepatterns103“L”Pillow103Frontside103Reverseside103“O”Pillow104Frontandreversesides104“V”Pillow106Frontandreversesides106“E”Pillow107Frontside107Reverseside107Finishingforallletters107
ColorworkCharts108SansSerif108SansSerifLowercaseCharts110
Serif112SerifLowercaseCharts114
SlabSerif116Stencil118Script120ScriptLowercaseCharts124
Circus126Western131BlackLetter133BlackLetterLowercaseCharts136
NumbersandPunctuation138
Index140
Acknowledgments144AbouttheAuthors
IntroductionInavasefullofknittingneedlesonmystudiotable,Ihaveapairofcaseinneedlesthatbelongedtomygrandmother.Shewastheonewhotaughtmetoknitandcrochet,andeventhoughshe’sbeengoneformorethantwentyyears,everytimeIpickupmyneedlesIfeellikeI’mcommuningwithherandwithallthewomeninmyfamilywhopracticedtheseartsingenerationspast.Imakethesamemotionsandcreatethesamestitchesasmygrandmotherandhermotherbeforeherdid.
I’veknitted(orcrocheted)nearlyeverydayofmylifesincemygrandmotherfirsttaughtmeatageseven,andnowIteachotherpeoplehowtodothesecrafts.IfeellikeI’mputtingjustatinybitofgoodbackintotheworldeverytimesomeonecomesawayfromalessonwithanewfoundunderstandingofhowtowieldthesesticksandstringand—magically!—makegarments,accessories,andbeautifulthingsfortheirhome.
OftenI’mtryingtocommunicatesomethingwithmyknitting,whichiswhyIwasattractedtothisproject.Ilovedtheideaofbeingabletoincorporatewordsandmessagesintomyknittingandcustomizevariousprojectstomyexactspecifications.Thechartsthathavebeendesignedforthisbookareremarkable:Clearlyreadablewhentranslatedintoknitting,theyareeasytofollowandreallydoimparttheessenceofeachfontstylethat’sbeingcelebrated.
Knittingisatraditionalmeansofcommunication,muchliketheoraltraditionofstorytellingthatpredatedtheemergenceofwrittenlanguage,theprintingpress,andmovabletype.Thisbookpresentsaunionoftypographyandknitting,combiningarelativelymodernmeansofcommunicationwithatraditionalcraftthatwaspasseddownorallyfromparenttochildforoverathousandyears—thereareexamplesofknittedsocksfromEgyptdatingtocirca1000CE.
IhopethatKnittedLetterswillactasbotharesourceandaninspirationforincorporatingprofessional-lookingtypographyintoyourknittingprojects.Thisbookcontainscolorworkchartsforninedifferenttypefacestylesandalsogivesinstructionsfortwenty-fourknittingprojects.Guidanceisalsogivenonhowtopersonalizeyourknittingwithyourownchosenlettersandwords,usingevenly
proportionedandspacedcharacterstoachieveeffective,polishedresults.Byprovidinganddemonstratingwell-designedtypographyinyarnform,thisbookwillhelpyouexpandyourknittingdesignpalettebeyondwhatyoueverthoughtpossible.
Usinglettersandwordsinyourknittingistheidealmeansofpersonalizingyourprojects,eitherasgiftsforalovedoneorasastylishtreatforyourself.TheBabyBlanket(page81)andNeckerchief(page84)projectsbothmakeidealpersonalizedgifts.Usinglettersinknittingalsomeansthatyoucancreatefunandattractivetoys,suchastheAlphabetBabyBlocks(page49),andaddnoveltytomorepracticalitems,liketheFeltedPencilCase(page35).
ByillustratingmoredecorativeandelaboratetypefacestylessuchasScript(page120)andCircus(page126),thisbookinvitesyoutoexplorethepossibilitiesofusinglettersandcharactersasdecorativeelementsintheirownright—forexample,intheMobiusTwistScarf(page78).Oneofthecentraldesignproblemstypographersfacewhendesigningafontisthecomplextrade-offbetweenattractivenessanddecorationontheonehandandtheclarityandutilityofthetypefaceontheother.Elementssuchasserifs,andthevariationoflinethicknesswithinagivencharacter,canaidthereaderinfollowingtheflowofawordorsentence;equally,anornatefont,whichisinitiallydifficulttomakeout,canarrestthereader’sattentionandgiveaspecificaestheticimpression.Similarly,withknitting,usinganedging,mirroreddecreases,orevenaspecificfinishingtechniquecanallchangetheoveralleffectofthepiece.InKnittedLettersyouaregivenallthetoolsyouneedtomakeeffectivestylechoicesforyourknittedprojects.
KnittingasaFormofCommunication“(Knitting)issuchacommunication-basedtradition.Knittingisgenerallydonebysomeoneforsomebody...”
DavidRevereMcFadden,chiefcuratorattheMuseumofArtsandDesign,NewYork,ontheexhibitionRadicalLaceandSubversiveKnitting,2007
Thehistoryofknittingasaformofcommunicationislongandvaried,fromspecificinstancesofknittingcodesorsecretmessages,tothemoregeneralideaofknittingasanartformthatbringspeopletogether.Whetheraknitterismakingablanketforanewbornbabyasanexpressionoflove,oryarn-bombingabicycleracktobringaburstofcolorandcreativitytotheneighborhood,thatknitterissendingamessagetoothers.Inthisway,knittingissimilartotypography,andthepurposeofthisbookistocombinethetwosothatknitterscanusetheirworkasapersonalizedmeansofexpression.
InCharlesDickens’sATaleofTwoCities,thecharacterMadameDeFargeknits,inasecretcode,ahitlistofthenamesofthearistocratswhowillbecondemnedtodeathintheFrenchRevolution.Othertextilesarts,suchasquilting,embroidery,andcross-stitch,havealsobeenusedtoconcealhiddenmessages.Thesedays,textileartistsareexperimentingwithincorporatingbinaryandMorsecodesintoknitting.Knittingisbinary,inthatitconsistsofonlytwostitches—knitandpurl.Usingsimplesequencing,amessagecanbehiddeninapieceofknittingthatonlysomeonewhoknowsthesecretkeycandecode.Astheseexamplesdemonstrate,theabilitytotransmitinformationisintrinsictoknitting,andtheuseoftypographyinknittingpatternsisonlyoneofseveralwaysofcommunicatingwithstitches.
Whenknittinglettersandwords,theknittercommunicatesthroughchoicesoffont,color,andwords.ThesweetcursivescriptfeaturedintheGirl’sDressproject(page75)communicatesanairofsoftfemininity,whilethebold,sansseriffontonthe“STOP”SignDoorstop(page29)ischosenspecificallyforclarityandreadability.Onefontisprimarilydecorative,theotherutilitarian.The
ideaisthateachtypefacefeaturedwithinthisbookisappropriatefordifferenttypesofknittedprojects,soyoucancustomizetheprojectnotjustwithliteralwords,butalsowithchoicesofstyle.
Acompromiseoftenneedstobereachedtobalanceutilitarianfunctionswiththedesireddecorativeflourishesandthepiece’soverallattractiveness.Perhapsthefundamentaldifficultyinbothknittingandtypographydesignisthetrade-offbetweendecorationandutility—strivingforbeautywhilemaintaininglegibility—anddesigningletterchartsspecificallyforknittingpresentsitsownsetofchallenges.ErssieMajor,thedesignerwhoworkedonallthebeautifulcolorworkchartsinthisbook,hadtoensurethatthechartswerebothclearandassmallaspossibleinordertofitontoknittedprojects,thattheyfitknitproportionsexactly(sinceknittedstitchesarewiderthantheyaretall),andthattheyincludedenoughfinedetailingtogiveeachtypefaceaclearanddistinctcharacter.
Therearefontsfrommanytypefacecategoriesincludedinthebook,suchasserif,sansserif,script,slabserif,andblackletter.Wehopeyouenjoycreatingcustomprojectsofyourownandmakeuseofthecompletealphabetchartsforeveryfontincludedinthebackofthebook.Thankyouforreading,andhappyknitting!
CreatingandCustomizingYourOwnChartsYoucanpersonalizetheprojectsinthebookusingyourownwordsandletters—don’tfeeltiedtotheonesusedinthesampleprojects.Generallyspeaking,theletteringisincorporatedintotheprojectsatapointwherethestitchnumberisstable(i.e.,noincreasingordecreasing).Therefore,inordertosubstituteotherlettersforthechosenonesinthesample,simplearithmeticisallthatisrequired.Thisismucheasierthanitsounds.
Let’stakethe“Amour”HeartPillowasanexample.Thisprojecthasitsletteringpositionedinthecenteroftherowwithintheplainrowsofknitting,aftertheincreasesfromthebottompoint.Thetotalnumberofstitchesatthatplainknittingsectionis97.
For“amour,”thewidthofthecharted“a”is11stitches,“m”17stitches,“o”9stitches,“u”11stitches,and“r”11stitches,foratotalwidthof59stitches.Therearen’tanyspacesbetweenthescriptletters,sothetotalremains59.
So,97totalstitchesminus59stitchesforthechartedletteringequals38remainingstitches,or19plainstitchesoneithersideofthechart(remaining38stitchesdividedby2is19stitches).
Iftheword“love”weretobesubstitutedfor“amour,”thentheScriptLowercaseCharts(pages124–25)showthatthecharted“l”is14stitches,“o”9stitches,“v”9stitches,and“e”9stitches,whichwouldmakeatotalof41stitchesforthelettering.However,theheightandforwardleanofthe“l”meansthatitstophalfneedstooverlapthe“o”aboveit.Havingtrieddifferentspacingoptions,Ifoundthatthespacinglookedbestwhenthetop
rightedgeofthe“l”overlappedtheleftedgeofthe“o”by5stitches,witha1stitchspacebetweenthefootofthe“l”andthe“o.”Inthisconfiguration,theletteringis36stitcheswide.
Ninety-sevenstitches(thewidthofthepillowatthepointwheretheletteringispositioned)minus36is61,and61dividedby2isanawkward301/2.Sotochart“love,”theremustbe31plainstitchesontheleftsideofthechart,and30onitsrightside.Often,ifyourletteringoccupiesanunevennumberofstitchesbutiscenteredonachartedsectionthatisanevennumberofstitcheswide,orviceversa,thenthespaceononesidewillneedtobe1stitchwiderthanthespaceontheotherside.Inmostcasesthiswillbeimperceptable,butyoumaywanttotryoutdifferentoptionstoseewhatworksbest.
Whenmakingyourownchartsfordifferentwordsusingdifferenttypefaces,youwilllikelyneedtogothroughasimilarprocessoftrialanderror,movinglettersaroundtogetthespacinglookingexactlyright.Thisispartofthechallenge—whilethespacingbetweenmostletterscanbeevenandstraightforward,somelettersaremoredifficulttogetlookingexactlyright.Thereisnotnecessarilya“correct”spacing:Ifthearrangementoflettersandthespacebetweenthemlooksright,thenitisright.
Rownumberswouldneedtobeadjustedinthesameway,dependingontheheightofthechosenletters.Thelettersin“amour”areallexactlythesameheight(13rows)butthe“l”in“love”istaller—twiceastall,infact,26rows.
Aswitheverything,thiskindofchallengeinknittingbecomeseasierwithpractice.Remember,yarnisreusableifyoumakeamistake!
EquipmentAllyoureallyneedtogetstartedisapairofknittingneedlesandsomeyarn,butdependingonyourskilllevelandthecomplexityoftheproject,youmayneedsomeadditionalequipment.
Knittingneedles—straightAsthepopularityofknittinghasgrown,sohastherangeofneedles.Themostcommontypesareplastic,metal,bamboo,andbirchwood.Theycomeindifferentsizeswhichworkwithdifferentthicknessesofyarn.
Thesizesquotedinthepatterninstructionsareausefulguide,butyoumightneedtoalterthesizetoachievethecorrectfabricgauge.Ifyourgaugeistooslack,theprojectwillbetoobig;ifit’stootight,theresultwillbetoosmallandwillalsousemoreyarn.
Knittingneedles—double-pointedDouble-pointedneedlescomeinsetsoffourorfiveandaregenerallyusedforcreatingsmallerprojectsintheround,buttheycanalsobeusedtoworksingle-rowstripesandtocreateI-cords.
NeedlegaugeAneedlegaugeisveryusefulforcheckingorconvertingneedlesizes,especiallyasthenumbersprintedontheneedlescanwearoffwithage.
StitchholderStitchholdersareusedtoholdstitchesthatyouarenotworkingwith,ratherthankeepingthemonyourneedles.Ifyouarecaughtwithoutastitchholderyoucanalwaysuseacontrastingcolorofyarn—sliptheyarnthroughthestitchesandknottheendstogether.
SafetypinsAcoilesssafetypincanbeusedasstitchholderifonlyafewstitchesneedtobeheld,orasastitchmarkerifyoudon’thaveanyonhand.Theyalsocomeinhandyifyouneedtocatchadroppedstitch.
RowcounterArowcounterfitsneatlyontheendofaknittingneedle.Turnthedialasyouworkeachrow.
StitchmarkerColoredplasticormetalrings,stitchmarkersareusefulformarkingstitchesorrows.
PinsGlass-headedrustproofdressmakingpinsarethebesttypetouse.Pinswithbrightlycoloredheadsareeasytoseeagainstthefabric.
Tapemeasure/rulerChooseatapemeasureandaclearplasticrulerthatshowbothinchesandcentimeters.
ScissorsScissorsareanessentialpartofthekit,anditisbesttohaveseveralpairsfordifferentuses.
Graphpaper/stationeryGraphpaperisessentialtoenableyoutotraceanddrawoutyourcolorworkchartusingthechartssuppliedonpages108–139.You’llalsoneedalltheobviousstationery—pens,pencils,anderasers.
Wool/darningneedleUseablunt-endeddarningneedlewithalargeeyetoweaveinendsandstitchpiecestogether.
ReadingaPatternThereiscertaininformationcontainedineverywrittenpattern,anditisimportantthatyoureadthroughtheentirepatternbeforestartingtoknitanyprojecttoensurethatyouunderstandalltheabbreviations.Yarnamounts,needlesizes,andanyextraequipmentandmaterialswillalsoappearatthebeginningofeachpattern.
AbbreviationsThepatternsinthisbookfeatureanumberofstandardabbreviations,whichareexplainedbelow.
alt alternate
beg begin(s)/beginning
BO bindoff
CC contrastingcolor
ch chain
CO caston
cont continue
dec(s) decrease(s)/decreasing
DPN(s) double-pointedneedle(s)
inc(s) increase(s)
k knit
k2tog knit2stitchestogether(decrease1)
k2togtbl knit2stitchestogetherthroughthebackloop(decrease1)
k1f&b knitintofrontandbackloopofsamestitch(increase1st)
LH lefthand
M1 make1stitch
MC maincolor
p purl
p1f&b purlintothefrontandbackloopofsamestitch(increase1)
p2tog purl2stitchestogether(decrease1)
p2togtbl purl2stitchestogetherthroughbackloop(decrease1)
patt pattern(s)
pfb purlintofrontandbackloopofsamestitch
prev previous(ly)
rem remain/remaining
rep repeat(s)
RH righthand
rnd(s) round(s)
RS rightside
sc singlecrochet
slipstitch
slstslipstitch
skpo slip1knitwise,knit1,passtheslippedstitchover(decrease1)
ssk slip,slip,knit(decrease1)
st(s) stitch(es)
stst stockinettestitch
tbl throughbackloop
tog together
WS wrongside
WSF wrongsidefacing
* repeatfrom*
Techniques
GaugeMostknittingpatternsspecifyanidealgauge,whichisthenumberofstitchesandrowscountedoveraspecificmeasurement,usually4in/10cmsquare.Ifyourgaugeisnotcorrect,theknittingwillendupthewrongsize.Thisisnotimportantforsomeprojects,butitiscrucialtogetthegaugerightwhenknittingsomethingthatisgoingtobeworn,suchasahatorgloves.
MakingatestswatchCastonthenumberofstitchesgiveninthegaugeguideplus4more.Ifthestitchesaretobemeasuredoverapattern,castonthecorrectmultipleofstitchesforthepattern.Workintherequiredpatternuntiltheswatchmeasuresapprox.5in/12cm.Breakofftheyarn,slipitthroughthestitchesandslipofftheneedle—youdon’thavetobindoff,asthiscandistortthestitches.
CountingstitchesandrowsLaytheswatchdownonaflatsurface,andinthecenterplacearulerhorizontallyonthesquare.Placeapinatonepointandanother4in/10cmaway.Countthestitchesbetweenthepins,includinganyhalfstitches.Repeattheprocessverticallytocounttherows.Remembertocountaccurately,asevenhalfastitchcouldmakeadifferencetothefinishedsize.
AdjustinggaugeIfyouhavefewerstitchesthanspecified,yourswatchistoolooseandthegarmentwillbetoobig.Workupanotherswatchwithasmallerneedle.
Ifyouhavemorestitchesthanspecified,yourswatchistootightandthegarmentwillbetoosmall.Workupanotherswatchwithabiggerneedle.
MakingaSlipknotAknittedfabricismadebyworkingrowsofstitchesinvarioussequences.Inordertocreateafabric,youmustfirstmakeabaserow,knownasacast-onrow.Aslipknotisusedasthefirststitchforacast-onrow.
1Holdingtheyarninbothhands,makeasmallloopintheyarn.Takethepiecethatyouareholdingintherighthandunderneaththeloop.
2Pullthispieceofyarnthroughtheoriginallooptocreateaknot.Donotpulltheshortendoftheyarnthroughtheloop.Placetheslipknotontotheknittingneedle.
CastingOnCastingonisthefirststepinhandknittinganditprovidesthefirstrowofloopsontheneedle.Differentmethodsofcastingonproducedifferenttypesofedges.Thediagramsbelowshowthecablemethod,butifyouarefamiliarwithanothermethod,youcanusethatinstead.
ThecablemethodThiscast-onmethodusesbothknittingneedlesandcreatesafirmedge.
1Placetheslipknotontotheknittingneedleandholdtheneedleinyourlefthand.Slidetherightknittingneedlethroughtheloopcreatedbytheslipknotfromfronttoback.
2Withyourrighthand,wraptheyarnaroundtherightknittingneedlecounterclockwisefrombacktofront.
3Slidetherightneedlethroughtheloopontheleftneedle,catchingthewrappedyarnandbringingitthroughthelooptocreateanewloop.
4Passtheleftneedleoverthetopofthenewloop,placingthetipoftheneedlethroughtheloopontherightneedle.Removetherightneedle,thustransferringthestitchtotheleftneedle.
5Makeeachsubsequentstitchbyplacingtherightneedlebetweenthelast2stitchesmadeontheleftneedle,andrepeatingsteps2through4.
BindingOffThereisonesimpleandcommonlyusedmethodofsecuringstitchesonceyouhavefinishedapieceofknittingknownas“bindingoff.”Themostcommon—thecablebind-off—isshownbelow.
Thesediagramsshowbindingoffalongaknitrow.However,youcanbindoffinpatternalonganyfabric,byworkingeachstitchassetinpattern.
Cablebind-offCablebind-offisworkedusingthetwoneedlesyouhavebeenworkingwithallalong.
1Whenyouarereadytobindoff,knitthefirst2stitches.
2Sliptheleft-handneedleintothefirststitchontheright-handneedle,andliftitoverthesecondstitchandofftheneedle.
3Knitthenextstitchsothatthereare2stitchesontheright-handneedleagain.
4Repeatsteps2and3untilallstitcheshavebeenworkedand1stitchremainsontheright-handneedle.Makethelaststitchlooplarger,breaktheyarn,anddrawthroughthelooptofastenoff.
KnitandPurlMostknittingisbasedoncombinationsofjusttwobasicstitches—“knit”and“purl.”Onceyouhavemasteredthesestitches,youcanworkmanydifferentstitchpatterns.Theknitstitchisthesimplestofallstitches.Knittingeveryrowformstheridgedfabriccalledgarterstitch.Whenyouworkarowofknitstitchesalternatedwitharowofpurlstitchesthisisreferredtoasstockinettestitch.
Knit
1Holdtheneedlewiththestitchestobeknittedinyourlefthandwiththeyarnbehindthework.Inserttheright-handneedleintothefirststitchontheneedlefromfronttoback.
2Taketheyarnoverthefirststitchfrombacktofront,formingaloop.
3Bringtheneedleandthenewlooptothefrontoftheworkthroughthestitch,andthenslidetheoriginalstitchofftheleft-handneedle.
Purl
1Holdtheneedlewiththestitchestobepurledinthelefthand,withtheyarnatthefrontofthework.Inserttheright-handneedlethroughthefrontofthestitch,fromrighttoleft.
2Taketheyarnoverandunderthefirststitch,formingaloop.
3Taketheneedleandthenewloopthroughthebackandslidetheoriginalstitchofftheleft-handneedle.
ShapingTechniques—IncreasingShapingtechniquesareusedtocreateshapesinapieceofknitting.Increasingtechniquesareusedtomakethefabricwiderbyaddingtothenumberofstitches.ThetwomostcommonwaysofincreasingareMake1(M1),whichcreatesanincreasebetweentwostitches,andincreasingbyknittingintothefrontandbackofastitch(k1f&b),whichisbestworkedatthebeginningorendoftheknittedpiece.Bothincreasinganddecreasingtechniquesareusuallyworkedatleastonestitchinfromtheedgetomakesewingupandpickingupstitcheseasier.
M1—Make1
1Insertthetipoftheright-handneedlefromfronttobackbeneaththehorizontalbarofyarnbetween2stitcheswhereyouwanttheincrease.
2Slipthebarontotheleft-handneedle.
3Createthenewstitchbyknittingthroughthebackoftheloop.Thistwiststheloopandavoidsmakingahole.
k1f&bThisusuallymeansknittingintothefrontandthenthebackofthesamestitch.Thisincreaseisbestworkedateitherthebeginningorendoftheknittedpiece,asitisnotveryneat.
1Worktowheretheextrastitchisneeded.Knitintothefrontofthenextstitchontheleftknittingneedlewithoutslippingitoff.
2Withthestitchstillontheleftneedleandtheyarnattheback,knitintothebackofthesamestitchandslipitfromtheneedle.
ShapingTechniques—DecreasingDecreasingtechniquesareusedtomakethefabricnarrowerbyreducingthenumberofstitches.Varioustechniquesareused,dependingonwhetherthedecreaseneedstoslopetotheleftortheright.
Slopingtotheright
k2tog—knit2stitchestogetherTodecreaseastitchknitwise,inserttheneedlefromlefttorightthroughthefirst2stitchesontheleft-handneedleandknitasyouwouldnormally,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.
p2tog—purl2stitchestogetherTodecreaseastitchpurlwise,inserttheneedlefromrighttoleftthroughthefirst2stitchesontheleft-handneedleandpurlasyouwouldnormally,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.
Slopingtotheleft
ssk—slip,slip,knit
1Todecreaseknitwise,slip2stitchesknitwiseoneatatimefromtheleft-totheright-handneedle.
2Insertthetipoftheleft-handneedlefromlefttorightthroughthefrontloopofbothstitches.
3Knitthemtogether.
skop—slip,knit,passslippedstitchoverSlipthefirststitchfromtheleft-handtotheright-handneedlewithoutworkingit.Knitthenextstitch,thenpasstheslippedstitchovertheworkedstitchandofftheneedle.
k2togtbl—knit2stitchestogetherthroughbackloopTodecreaseastitchknitwise,firstinserttheneedlefromrighttoleftthroughthebackloopofthefirst2stitchesontheleft-handneedle.Knitasnormal,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.
p2togtbl—purl2stitchestogetherthroughthebackloopInserttheright-handneedlefromlefttorightthroughthebackloopofthefirst2stitchesontheleftneedle.Purlasnormal,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.
PickingUpStitchesSomeknittingpatternswillaskyoutopickupstitchesalongeitherahorizontalorverticaledge.Stitchesmustbepickedupevenlyalongtherequirededgeusingaknittingneedleandyarntocreatethestitchesyouwillthenworkinto.
Horizontaledge
1Whenpickingupstitchesalongabound-offorcast-onedge,workinto1fullstitchaboveorbelowtogiveaneaterfinish.Holdingtheneedleinyourrighthand,insertthetipintothecenterofthefirstfullstitchfromfronttoback.
2Wraptheyarnaroundtheneedleasiftoworkaknitstitch.
3Pulltheloopontheneedlethroughtothefrontofthefabrictocreateanewstitch.Repeatthesethreestepsuntilyouhavetherequiredamountofstitches.
Verticaledge
1Whenpickingupalonganedge,work1fullstitchinfromtheedge.Holdingtheneedleinyourrighthand,insertthetipbetweenthefirstandsecondstitchesfromthefronttotheback.
2Wraptheyarnaroundtheneedletoworkaknitstitch,andthenpulltheloopontheneedlethroughtothefrontofthefabrictocreateanewstitch.Repeatthesestepsuntilyouhavetherequiredamountofstitches.
Seams
MattressstitchAmattressstitch,sewnwithablunttapestryneedle,istheneatestandmostdiscreetwaytomakeaseam.
Withrightsidesofbothpiecesoffabrictowardyou,secureyarnatthebottomofonepiece.Passneedletoothersectionandpickuponestitch,whichyoucanseeontheneedleinthispicture.Pullyarnthroughandpulltightly.Insertneedlethroughonestitchoffirstsection,enteringwheretheyarnexitedpreviously.Continueinthisway,fromonesidetotheotherasiflacingacorset,untilyoureachthelaststitch.Securetightly.Ifyouhaveenteredthroughtherightsectionasshownopposite,theseamwillbevirtuallyindistinguishablefromtherestofthefabric.
Alwaysbesuretousethesamecolorofyarnasinthemainbodyofwork(thecontrastingyarninthepictureisjusttohighlightthetechnique)sothatwhentheseamsarepulledandmovedwhenworn,thejoiningyarncannotbeseen.Someyarnsmaybetooweakorfancytosewalongaseam,sodoubletheseup,addastrongeryarntotheoriginal,oruseadifferentyarn,butensureitisthesamecolor.
Grafting
Graftingthetoeinasockistheoriginaluseforthistechnique,butitisfabulousformanydifferentseams.Theshoulderseamworkedinshortrowslendsitselfwelltografting,butanytwopiecesofknittingthathavebeenleftontheneedlesratherthancastoffcanbegraftedtogetherusinggraftingor“Kitchenerstitch”foraninvisibleseam.
1Usingtheknittingyarn,workfromrighttoleft.Fromthebackofthefabric,bringtheneedlethroughthefirstknittedstitchofthelowerfabric,andthroughthefirststitchoftheupperfabric.
2Fromthefront,threadtheneedlebackthroughthecenterofthefirststitchonthelowerfabricwheretheyarnleaves,thenoutofthecenterofthenextstitchontheleft.
3Threadtheneedlethroughthecenterofthetopstitchandalongthecenterofthenext.
4Continuelikethisand,aseachstitchisworked,keepslippingtheknittingneedlefromthem.
Colorwork
Strandingor“FairIsle”techniqueStrandingiswhereacolorthatisnotbeingusediscarriedacrossthebackofthework,creating“floats”onthereverseofthefabric.
Strandingone-handedonknitrowsorroundsStrandingwithonehand,ifyouknittheEnglishway,involvesdroppingoneyarnafteruse,thenpickingupanotherfromunderneathandcarryingitacrossthebackofthework.Itisimportantnottotwisttheyarnsinthechangeoverbetweenthecolors.Whenusingthecontinentalmethodofknitting,youplacebothcolorsonyourindexfinger.Themaincolorshouldalwaysbeclosesttoyourknittingandthecontrastnexttoit.Trytokeeptheirpositionconstanttoavoidunnecessarytwisting.
Onaright-side(knit)row:Usingthemaincolor,workthedesirednumberofstitches.Dropmaincolor.Usingyourrighthand,bringthesecondcolorfromunderneath,acrossthebackofthework,overthetopofthefirstyarn,andworkthenextstitches,beingcarefulnottopulltheyarntootightlyandtomaintainaneventension.
Strandingtwo-handedonaknitroworround
IfyouknittheEnglishway,usingthestrandingtechniquewithtwohandsis
IfyouknittheEnglishway,usingthestrandingtechniquewithtwohandsisfasterthanusingjustonesincetheyarnsdonotneedtobedroppedbetweencolorchanges.Holdonecolorovertheforefingerofthelefthandandtheotheraccordingtothestyleinwhichyouknitintherighthand.
Whenthestrandedtechniquehasbeenworkedcorrectly,thecarriedyarn(floats)sitshorizontallyoverstitchesonthereversesideofthework.
1Onaright-side(knit)row,usingthemaincolorandthecontinentalmethod,workyourstitches.
2Usingyourrighthand,bringthesecondcoloracrossthebackofthework,overthetopofthefirstyarn,andworkthenextstitches,beingcarefulnottopulltheyarntootightlyandtomaintainaneventension.
WeavingfloatsIfyouareusingthestrandingtechnique,andtheyarnisnotgoingtobeinuseformorethan5to7stitches,thenweaving(or“catching”)thefloatsisthebestwayofpreventingthemfromhanginglooseonthereverseofthefabric,wheretheycangetcaughtorsnaggedwhenthepieceisinuse.
Theyarnnotinuseiswovenoverandunder,asintheillustrationabove,makingaveryfirmfabric.Takecarethatthecontrastcolordoesnotshowthroughtotherightside.
IntarsiaTheintarsiamethod,whichisthemostwidelyusedtechniqueinthisbook,createsseparateareasofcolorwithinthepiece.Aseparatelengthofyarnisusedforeachsectionofcoloredknitting,andtheyarnsaretwistedwheretheymeettocreateasinglepiece.
Intarsiaisbestworkedoverstockinettestitch,althoughareasofmoretexturalstitchingsuchasgarterstitchandmossstitchcanalsolookveryeffectivewhenusedinconjunctionwithintarsia.
Beforeyousettledowntowork,readthroughthepatterncarefullyandcheckhowmuchyarnyouneedineachcolor.Toworkintarsiaeffectivelyyouwillneedtolearnafewbasictechniques:Bobbinwinding,joininginnewcolors,andchangingfromonecolortoanotheronbothaknitandapurlrow.
BobbinsBobbinsareusedwhenyoudonotwishtohaveawholeballofyarnattachedtotheknittedpiecewhileworkingintarsia.Forlargerareasofcoloryoumaywishtowraptheyarninsmallplasticbags,securedwithrubberbandstopreventtangling.Youcanbuyplasticbobbinsandwrapyouryarnaroundthem,ormakeyourown.
1Wraptheyarnaroundthethumbandfingerofyourrighthandintheformofafigureeight.2Carefullyremovetheyarnfromyourfingersandcutitfromtheball.Windthelooseendofyarnaroundthecenterofthefigureeightandsecureittightly.
Whenusingabobbin,pulltheyarnfromthecenteralittleatatimeandkeepitasclosetotheworkaspossibletoavoidtangling.
JoininginanewcolorYoumayfindthatanewcolorofyarnisneededacrossarowofstitches,orthatanexistingbobbinisrunningout.Inthesecasesyouwillneedtojoininanewcolor.
1Inserttheright-handneedleintothenextstitch.Placetheyarnovertheworkingyarnandbetweenthetwoneedles,withthetailendtotheleftside.2Bringthenewyarnupfromundertheexistingyarnandknit,droppingbothyarnsfromtheleftneedleafteryouhavedoneso.
ChangingcolorsWhenworkinganintarsiadesign,coloredareasoffabricareworkedfromseparateballs.Iftheseareasarenotjoinedtogetherinsomeway,youwillendupwithindividualpiecesofcolorwithlargegapsinbetween.Simplycrosstheyarnstoensurethattheknittingstaysasonepiece.
Changingcoloronaknitrow:Worktothepointwhereyouneedtochangecolor.Inserttheright-handneedleintothenextstitchknitwise.Takethefirstcoloroverthetopofthesecondcoloranddrop.Pickupthesecondcolor,ensuringthattheyarnsremaintwisted,andcontinueaccordingtothepattern.
Changingcoloronapurlrow:Worktothepointwhereyouneedtochangecolor.Inserttheright-handneedleintothenextstitchpurlwise.Takethefirstcoloroverthetopofthesecondcoloranddrop.Pickupthesecondcolor,ensuringthattheyarnsremaintwisted,andcontinueaccordingtothepattern.
ReadingachartAllintarsiaandmoststrandingpatternsaresetoutintheformofachart.Chartsarereadasforlaceandcablechartsfrombottomtotop,readfromrighttoleftonaRSrow,andfromlefttorightonaWSrow(ifyouknitinrows).Whenknittingintheround,readchartsfrombottomtotop,fromrighttoleftoneachrow.
Mostpatternsarenowprintedincolor,butthoseprintedinblackandwhitewillhaveakeytoonesidedescribingwhatcolorsareplacedwhere,witheachcolorrepresentedbyasymbol.
Itisagoodideatophotocopythepattern,sothatyoucanmarkoffrowsasyouwork,orusearulertomarktherowyouareon.Photocopyingisalsousefulifthechartissmall,asyoucanenlargeittoamorereadablesize.
Readingchartsymbols
Somechartsinthisbookcontainsymbolsfordifferentstitches:
KonRS,PonWS
Seedstitch
Garterstitch
K2togonRS,p2togonWS
Make1(M1)knitwiseonRS,M1purlwiseonWS
BO
Duplicatestitch
Duplicatestitchcopiesthestructureandappearanceofaknittedstitch.
1Bringtheneedleoutatthebaseoftheknittedstitchtobeduplicated.Passtheneedlebehindthetwo“legs”ofthestitchaboveandpullthrough.
2Inserttheneedleagainatthebaseofthesameknittedstitchwhereitfirstemerged,andbringitoutatthebaseofthenextknittedstitchtobeduplicated.
3Repeatasneeded.
1SansSerif“Sansserif”meanssimply“withoutserif.”Aserifisasmalltailattheendofthestrokeofaletter.Sansserif(sometimescalled“Grotesque”or“Gothic”)isalargetypefacegroupthatincludestheverypopularfontsTahoma,Arial,Verdana,and,ofcourse,thetypefacemanyconsidertobethemostbeautifulsansserifeverdesigned,Helvetica.
Despitelookingmoderntothecontemporaryeye,sansseriftypefaceshavebeenusedsinceasearlyasthefifthcenturyBCEinGreek,Etruscan,andLatininscriptions.Itsmodernusageinprintdatestotheeighteenthcentury’sneoclassicalmovement,whenallthingsGreekandLatinwererevered.Firstusedforimpactintext(ratheraswewoulduseboldoritalic),theapplicationofsansserifmigratedfirsttoheadersandfinallytowidespreadacceptanceasanin-textfont.Whileseriffontsremainpopulartodayontheprintedpage,sansserifnowrulesonline,becauseofitsclearreadabilityandlackofdistortionwhenconvertedtopixels.
Inknitting,too,thesansseriffontworksbestwhenclearreadabilityisrequired.Knittingstitchesareabitlikepixels,andconsequently,lettersthatarerenderedasknitstitchesaremostclearwhenserifsarenotincluded.Sotheprojectsinthischapter,includingthe“STOP”SignDoorstop(page29)andtheFeltedPencilCase(page35),havebold,clear,unambiguoustext,whichmarrieswellwiththeconceptoftheprojects.UsetheSansSerifcharts(pages108–11)inyourownprojectswhenyourmessageisboldandclearandthetypefaceneedstomatch.
AlphabetPillowAscomfortableasitiseducational,thisalphabetpillowistheperfectwaytotestandshowoffyourintarsiaandstrandingskills.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:241/2in/62cmby153/4in/40cmGauge:27stsand34rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmneedlesNote:Checkyourgauge—iffewerstsorrows,usesmallerneedles;ifmore,thenuselargerneedles.
LettermotifThisprojectusesbothupper-andlowercaseSansSerifalphabetsfeaturedonpages108–11.Thepillowchartsonpage28weredesignedsothatthe1stgapbetweeneachletter’supper-andlowercaseformisarrangedasacentralcolumn,witheachuppercaseletteralignedatthetop.Ifusingdifferentletters,itisrecommendedthatyouarrangetheminthesamemanner.Ifusingwordsratherthanletters,besuretocenterthemoverthe168stspace(allowingatleast10stsoneitherside).Youmaywanttoexperimentwithdifferentspacingsandalignmentswhenchartingoutyourownalphabetsorwords.
Youwillneed
YarnDMCNaturaJustCotton(super-fineweight,4ply,100%cotton,
approx.170yd/155mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Coral(shadeN18),1ball[CC]IvoryCream(shadeN02),1ball
NeedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsPillowform,atleast241/2in/62cmby153/4in/40cmorclosestsize
available(canbecuttofit)
PillowfrontUsingMC,CO168sts.
Startingwithakrow,work24rowsinstst.
Startingwithakrow,work24rowsinstst.
CommenceFrontChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCfortheletters,workrows1–87oftheFrontChart(page28)usingthestrandingtechnique.
ContinMConly,work25rowsinstst.
BO.
PillowbackUsingMC,CO168sts.
Startingwithakrow,work10rowsinstst.
CommenceBackChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCfortheletters,workrows1–116oftheBackChart(page28)usingthestrandingtechnique.
ContinMConly,work10rowsinstst.
BO.
FinishingWeaveinallendsneatlyandblockorpressthepiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Sewbackandfrontpiecestogetheraroundthesideandtopedges.Insertthepillowform.Ifthepillowformistoobig,undooneseamofitsliningandremovethefilling.Measuretheliningandcuttofittheknittedpillow.Sewbacktogether,leavingagapforthestuffing.Refillwithstuffingandsewgapclosed.Sewrembaseseamofthecoverclosed.
AlphabetPillow:FrontChart
AlphabetPillow:BackChart
“STOP”SignDoorstopDesignedtomimicastopsign,thisfunctionalpiecemakesaboldstatementusingthesansseriffont.Usingdriedbeansasstuffingprovidesstabilityandweightandensuresthatdoorswilldoexactlyasthesignsays.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:12in/30cmby15in/38cmGauge:26stsand32rowsover4in/10cminststonUS3/3.25mmknittingneedles
LettermotifUsethe“STOP”SignDoorstopChartonpage31.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSansSerifUppercaseChartsonpages108–9.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof4lettersontothedoorstopdependingonyourchosenletters.Yourchosencombinationoflettersplus2stsbetweeneachlettershouldnotexceed65sts.Ifusingfewerthan65sts,besuretocenteryourletterswithinthetotal73stspaceatthepointinthepatternwherethechartcommences.
Front**UsingMC,CO33sts.Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):Purl.Row3:K1,M1,ktolastst,M1,k1.2stsinc.Row4:Purl.Reprows3and4untilyouhave73sts.
Work10rowsinststwithoutinc,endingwithaprow.
Commence“STOP”SignDoorstopChartWorkrows1–23ofchartusingthestrandingtechnique.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanPureWoolDK(100%wool,approx.136yd/124mper13/4oz/50
g)[MC]Red(shade36),3balls[CC]White(shade12),1ball
NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissors2piecesofsturdycardstock,atleast12in/30cmby15in/38cmDriedbeans,17oz/500gPolyestertoystuffing
Afterchart,contwithMConlyandwork10rowsinststwithoutinc.
Commencedecasfollows:Row1:K1,ssk,ktolast3sts,k2tog,k1.2stsdec.Row2:Purl.Replast2rowsuntil33stsrem.
BOallsts.
BackWorkasforfrontfrom**untilyouhave73sts.
Work43rowsinstst,endingwithaprow.
Commencedecasfollows:Row1(RS):K1,ssk,ktolast3sts,k2tog,k1.2stsdec.Row2(WS):Purl.Replast2rowsuntil33stsremain.BOallstsonRS.Weaveinends.
GussetUsingCC,CO14sts.
Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilpiecemeasures173/4in/45cm(orlengthrequiredtofitaroundbackpiecewhenslightlystretched),endingwithaprow.
BOallstsonRS.Weaveinends.
FinishingWeaveinendsandpressorblockpiecesaccordingtotheballbandinstructions.Usingmattressstitch,attachthegussetaroundtheentirebackseam.Sewthebottomhalfofthefronttogusset.
bottomhalfofthefronttogusset.
Cuttwooctagonsfromcardstock,slightlylargerthanfrontandbackpiecestoensureaslightstretch.Inserttheseintothepillowandpourdriedbeansintothepillowbetweenthem.Contseamingaroundtopofpiece,nowfillingwithtoystuffingasyougo.Finishseamandcloseshortsideofgusset.
“STOP”SignDoorstopChart
LetterTileCoastersTheselettertilecoastersareidealforspellingoutastatementofintenttoyourdinnerguests(i.e.“it’s‘vino’time”),butthepatterncaneasilybeadaptedtootherusessuchascreatingcolorfulletteredbuntingforaspecialoccasion.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:31/4in/8.25cmsquareGauge:27stsand34rowsover4in/10cmmeasuredoverststonUS2/3mmneedles
LettermotifThisprojectusesthe“VINO”LetterTileChartsonpage34,orfordifferentletters,theSansSerifUppercaseChartsfeaturedonpages108–9.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatis23stswideand22rowshigh,makingsuretheletterisinthecenter.Ifyourletterhasanevennumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stextra.
CoastersUsingMC,CO17sts.
Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):P1f&b,ptolastst,p1f&b.19stsRow3:K1f&b,ktolastst,k1f&b.21stsRow4:Asrow2.23sts
Commence“VINO”LetterTileChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCfortheletter,continststandworkrows1–22ofthechartusingthestrandingtechnique.
ContinMConlyasfollows:Row27:Knit.Row28:P2tog,ptolastst,p2tog.21stsRow29:K2tog,ktolastst,k2tog.19stsRow30:Asrow2.17sts.
BO.
Youwillneed
YarnDMCNaturaJustCotton(4ply,100%cotton,approx.170yd/155mper
13/4oz/50g)[MC]Gardenia(shadeN36),1ball
[CC]Noir(shadeN11),1ball
NeedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsFelt,31/4in/8.25cmsquare,tobackeachcoasterSewingneedleandthread
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpressthecoasteraccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.
Sewinallendsneatly.Usingsewingthread,slsttheknittedcoastertothefeltaroundalledges.
“VINO”LetterTileCharts
FeltedPencilCaseThisfunandcolorfulprojectdemonstrateswhatcanbeachievedwithafewletters,somesimplecolorwork,andalittleimagination.TakeamentaltriptotheBigAppleeverytimeyoureachforapencil.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:afterfelting,8in/20cmby51/2in/14cmGauge:20stsand26rowsover4in/10cminststonUS7/4.5mmneedlesbeforefelting
LettermotifThisprojectusestheChecksand“Taxi”Chartsonpage37.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSansSerifUppercaseChartsonpages108–9.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof4to5sansseriflettersontothepencilcasedependingonthechosenletters.Drawabox1squarewiderthanyourchosenletters.Thiswillshowyoutheamountofspaceyouhavebetweeneachletter.Makesuretheplacementofthewordiscenteredbeforeyoustartknitting.
FrontpanelUsingMC,CO51sts.
Startingwithakrow,work8rowsinstst.
CommenceChecksChartWorkrows1–11ofChecksChartusingthestrandingtechnique.
UsingMConly,work3rowsinstst.
Commence“Taxi”ChartWorkrows1–21of“Taxi”Chartusingtheintarsiatechnique.
UsingMConly,work5rowsinstst.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanCreativeFocusWorsted(75%wool/25%alpaca,218yd/200m
per31/2oz/100g)[MC]Saffron(shade03810),1ball[CC1]Ebony(shade00500),1ball[CC2]Natural(shade00100),1ball
NeedlesUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles
Tapestryneedle
OtherScissorsYellowclosed-endzipper,10in/25cm(trimthezippertofitthewidthof
yourfinished,feltedpencilcase,whichmayvary)Sewingneedleandthreadtomatchzipper
BO.
BackpanelUsingMCpickupandk51stsalongthecast-onedgeoffrontpanel.
Startingwithaprow,work7rowsinstst.
CommenceChecksChartWorkrows1–11ofChecksChartusingthestrandingtechnique.
UsingMConly,work29rowsinstst.
BOink.
FinishingSewupthesideseamsusingmattressstitchorbackstitchandleavethetopopen.Stitchalongthetopopeningwithacotton-basedyarnorthreadwithrunningstitch.Feltthepencilcasebyhandorinawashingmachineuntilthefabricisthefinishedsize.
Leavetodry,thenstitchzipperintotopopening.
“Taxi”Chart
ChecksChart
“Ciao”MittensNotonlywilltheseattractivemittenskeepyourhandswarmallwinter,buttheyalsoallowyoutowaveamessagetoyourfriendsfromthepalmsofyourhands.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:approx.8in/20cmwideatcuffand111/2in/29cmlongGauge:approx.26stsand36rowsover4in/10cminststonUS3/3.25mmneedlesNote:Sectionsofthepatternarespecifictoeithertherightortheleftmitten.Ensurethatyouareworkingthecorrectpartandhavebotharightandaleftmitten.
LettermotifUsethe“Ciao”Chartonpage41.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSansSerifLowercaseChartsfeaturedonpages110–11.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof3or4lettersdependingonyourchoiceofletters.Onthechartofeachletter,drawaboxarounditthatis23stswideandallows1rowaboveandbelowtheletter.Threeofthelettersusedinthisdesign(“c,”“a,”and“o”)are17rowstall,andtheother,“i,”is21rowstall(“j”isthetallestletterintheSansSerifLowercaseChartsat26rows).
Eachletterisgivenitsowncoloredbackgroundthatmatchesthelengthofthegraphthatisdrawnaroundit;ifyouareusingalternativeletters,thestripeheightsmayvary.Placethechartsverticallyinsequencetomakeonelargechart—rememberyouwillbeworkingfromthebottomup.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanFineTweed(4ply,100%wool,approx.98yd/90mper1oz/25g)[MC]Bainbridge(shade369),1ball[CC1]Dent(shade373),1ball[CC2]Leyburn(shade383),1ball[CC3]Richmond(shade381),1ball[CC4]Nidd(shade382),1ball[CC5]Arncliffe(shade360),1ball
NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedles
Other
Scissors
CuffUsingsmallerneedlesandMC,CO50sts.
Row1(RS):K2,p1,k2;repfromtoend.Row2(WS):P2,k2,p2;repfromtoend.Repprev2rowsafurther8times.
RightmittenonlyCommence“Ciao”ChartNextrow(RS):ChangetolargerneedlesandusingCC1,k27,krow1ofchartusingtheintarsiatechniqueandCC5forthelettersts.Nextrow(WS):Pfollrow2ofchart.
Contworkingassettorow19.
ChangetoCC2and,keepingCC5forthelettering,workrows20–22ofchart.
PlacethumbMaintainingcolors,continpattassetfromchartandcommencethumbgussetincasfollows:Row23(RS):K26,m1,ktoend.51stsRows24–26:Workinststfromchartasset.Row27:K26,m1,k1,m1,ktoend.53stsRow28andeveryfollWSrow:Purl.Row29:K26,m1,k3,m1,ktoend.55stsRow31:K26,m1,k5,m1,ktoend.57stsRow33:K26,m1,k7,m1,ktoend.59stsRow35:K26,m1,k9,m1,ktoend.61stsRow37:K26,m1,k11,m1,ktoend.63stsChangetoCC3andkeepworkingpattfromchartasset.Row39:ChangetoyarnCC4andcontworkinginpattfromchartasset;k26,m1,k13,m1,ktoend.65stsRow41:K26,m1,k15,m1,ktoend.67stsRow42:Purl.
Splitthumb
Nextrow:K43,turn.**Nextrow(WS):P17.Youwillnowcontonthese17sts,leavingremstsontheneedle.Work8rowsinstst.Ifyouwantalongerthumb,addextrarowshere.
Nextrow:K5,k2tog,k3,k2tog,k5.15stsWork3rowsinstst.Nextrow:K4,k2tog,k3,k2tog,k4.13stsNextrow:K3,k2tog,k3,k2tog,k3.11sts
Breakyarn,leavinga6in/15cmtail,threadthroughremthumbsts,pulltight,andsewsideseamofthumb.
Rejoinyarntomainmittenstsbypickingup2stsatbaseofthumbandptoendofrow.51sts
Nextrow:Ktothepicked-upsts,k2tog,ktoendofrow,maintainingpattasset.50sts
Contworkingfromchartassetandchangecolorsasindicatedthroughtoendofrow78.
ShapetopContinpattandatthesametimeworkdeconthefollrows:Row71:K1,k2tog,k20,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.46stsRow75:K1,k2tog,k18,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.42stsRow77:K1,k2tog,k16,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.38stsRow79:K1,k2tog,k14,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.34stsRow83:K1,k2tog,k12,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.30stsRow85:K1,k2tog,k10,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.26stsWorkonemoreWSrow.
BO.
LeftmittenonlyCommence“Ciao”ChartWorkasforrightmittenfromcufftoendofrow22.
PlacethumbMaintainingcolors,continpattassetfromchartandcommencethumbgussetincasfollows:Row23(RS):K24,m1,ktoend.51stsRows24–26:Workinststfromchartasset.Row27:K24,m1,k1,m1,ktoend.53stsRow28andeveryfollWSrow:Purl.Row29:K24,m1,k3,m1,ktoend.55stsRow31:K24,m1,k5,m1,ktoend.57stsRow33:K24,m1,k7,m1,ktoend.59stsRow35:K24,m1,k9,m1,ktoend.61stsRow37:K24,m1,k11,m1,ktoend.63stsRow39:ChangetoyarnCC4andcontworkinginpattfromchartasset;k24,m1,k13,m1,ktoend.65stsRow41:K24,m1,k15,m1,ktoend.67stsRow42:Purl.
SplitthumbNextrow:K41,turn.
Nowworkassetforrightmittenfrom**toend.
FinishingWeaveinendsandjoinsideseam.Blockorpressaccordingtoballbandinstructions.
“Ciao”Chart
2SerifAserifisasmalltail,flourish,ornonstructuraldetailattheendofthestroke(line)ofaletter.Theoriginoftheserifisnotdefinitivelyknown,buttheoriesrangefromstonecuttersinantiquitycopyinglettersthathadoriginallybeenmadewithbrushstrokes,tothosesamestonecuttersusingserifseithertocatchthelight,tostrengthenthecarving,ortoprovidereadabilityorclearerdistinctionbetweenlettersfromfarbelow.Seriftypefacesarealsosometimescalled“Roman”duetotheirorigins,andmostusersofMicrosoftWordwillbefamiliarwithTimesNewRoman,oneofthemostwidelyusedtypefacesintheworld,duetoitspopularityinwordprocessingprogramsandprintedbooks.TheseriftypefacegroupalsoincludessuchpopularfontsasGeorgia,Garamond,Baskerville,andCentury.
Whenrelativelymodernprintersstarteddesigningseriffontsinthefifteenthcentury,theyusedserifsforaestheticreasonsratherthanstructuralones.Toourmoderneye,sansseriffontslookclearerandmorelegible,butintheearlydaysofprinting,seriffontswereconsideredthemostreadablefonts.TheseseriffontsgrewmorepopularthantheoncestandardGothic,orblackletter(discussedinchapter7)duringtheseventeenthcentury,becausetheyweremorereadable,economicalwithspace,andeasytoprint.
Seriffontsarestillwidelyusedtoday;somestudieshavefoundthemtohavegreaterreadabilityinprintthansansseriffonts,butthereisnofirmconsensusonwhetherthisisthecase.Manypeoplepreferseriffontssimplybecauseoftheirfamiliarity.Printedbooksmaylook“odd”insansserifbecauseweareaccustomedtoseriffontsbeingusedinprint(thisismosttrueinNorthAmerica;inEurope,sansserifforprintisbecomingincreasinglypopular).Seriffontsworkbestinknittedprojectswheretheknitterneedsawarmlytraditional,attractive,butstillreadablefont,suchasinthe“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt(facingpage)andtheBookstoreTote(page47).
“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArtSpellingout“HomesweetHome”withaLatintwist,thiswallartdemonstratesthevisualclaritythatcanbeachievedwithknittedtypography.Adaptandexpandthisbasicdesigntospelloutanymessageyouchoose.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:10in/25cmsquareGauge:27stsand34rowsover4in/10inststonUS3/3.25mmneedlesNote:Checkyourgauge—iffewerstsorrows,usesmallerneedles;ifmore,uselargerneedles.
LettermotifUsetheWallArtChartonpage45.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSerifChartsonpages112–15.Yourcombinedletters(amaximumof5or6letters)shouldnotexceed60stsperline,with1stgapsbetweeneachletter,andamaximumof3lines.Ensurethatyourchosenlettersarecenteredhorizontallyacrossthefull69stspaceandverticallyover86rows.Forexample,ifusingthephrase“HomesweetHome”instead,thetotalnumberofstsfor“Home”includingspacesis52,soyouwouldk8,workthelettersandspaces,k9.Thetotalnumberofstsfor“sweet”is54,soyouwouldk7,workthelettersandspaces,k8.(Bothofthesewordshaveanevennumberofsts,sotherewillbe1stmoreononesideofthesewordssincethetotalnumberofstsfortheWallArtisodd.)
WallArtUsingMC,CO69sts.
Youwillneed
YarnDMCNaturaJustCotton(4ply,100%cotton,approx.170yd/155mper
13/4oz/50g)[MC]StarLight(shadeN27),1ball[CC]Gardenia(shadeN36),1ball
NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedles
OtherScissorsFrametofitoverthe10in/25cmsquarefinishedknittedsamplerThinpressedmatboardtofitframeDouble-sidedadhesivetape
CommenceWallArtChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCforthewriting,workrows1–86ofthechartbelowusingthestrandingandintarsiatechniques.
BO.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpressthewallartaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Placethewallartinthecenterofthematboardandputtheframeoverittoensurethesampleriscenteredandtheedgesoftheknittingarecoveredbytheframe.Markthewallart’spositionontheboardandremove.Applystripsofdouble-sidedtapearoundtheboardandpeeloffthebackingtape.Makingsurethewordsarestraight,pressthewallartdownfirmlysothattheknittingisstucktotheboard,andassembletheframe.
WallArtChart
BookstoreToteThistotebagisguaranteedtostandoutfromanyothersonthestreet.Theseriffontgivesthebagaclassiclookthatcanbecustomizedwiththenameofyourfavoritebookstore(realorimagined)oranyothertextthatyouwanttoshowoffalongwithyourpurchases.
Thepattern
FinishedSize:121/2in/31.75cmby14in/35.5cmGauge:22stsand28rowsover4in/10cminststonUS6/4mmneedles
LettermotifUsetheBookstoreToteChartonpage48.Ifchangingthewording,usetheSerifChartsonpages112–15.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5lettersintotheboxborderperline(maximum2lines)dependingonyourchosenletters.Yourchosenlettersplus1stspacesbetweeneachlettershouldnotexceed54sts.Itisrecommendedthatyoucenteryourwordshorizontallyoverthe58stspacewithinthebox,andverticallyover46rows,allowing4rowsbetweenlines.
FrontUsingMC,CO78sts.
Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilpiecemeasures6in/15cm,endingwithaprow.
CommenceBookstoreToteChartUsingMCforthebackgroundandCCforthewriting,andusingstrandingandintarsiatechniques,workrows1–50ofchartinstst.
ContworkinginMConlyworkingststuntilpiecemeasures14in/35.5cm,endingwithakrow.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanDenim(DK,100%cotton,109yd/100mper13/4oz/50g)RowanCottonGlacé(DK,100%cotton,125yd/115mper3/4oz/50g)[MC]RowanDenim:Ecru(shade324),4balls[CC]RowanCottonGlacé:Poppy(shade741),1ball
NeedlesUS6/4mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissors2stitchmarkersLiningfabric,283/4in/73cmby17in/43cmWidecottontapeorwebbingforhandles,1in/2.5cmby30in/76cmSewingneedleandthread
FrontFacing**Nextrow(WS)(foldline):Knit.
Startingwithakrow,work8rowsinstst.
BO.
BackUsingMC,CO78sts.
Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilbackmeasuressameasfronttofoldline,endingwithakrow.
BackFacingWorkbackfacingasgivenforfrontfacingfrom**.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresspiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Sewbackandfronttogaroundsideedgesandbase.FoldfacingtoWSandslstintoplace.Measurefinishedwidthofbagandfinishedlengthfrombasetoloweredgeoffacing.Cuttwopiecesofliningfabrictothesemeasurements,adding5/8in/1.5cmseamallowancetoalledges.Sewthetwopiecesofliningtogaroundsideandbaseedges.FoldseamallowancetoWSalongtopedgeandpress.Maketwohandlesbycuttingthe30in/76cmlengthoftapeinhalf.SewthesehandlessecurelytotheWSofthelining.SlliningintotheknittedbagwithWStog.Slstlininginplacearoundfacing.
BookstoreToteChart
AlphabetBabyBlocksSoft,cuddly,andcolorful,knittedalphabetblocksareperfecttoytogiveasgiftstothebabiesandtoddlersinyourlife.Ofcourseastheirliteracyimprovestheymayexpectyoutoknitentirebooksforthem,soyoushouldprobablygetpracticingyourABC’saswell.
Thepattern
Youwillneed
YarnAny100%Cotton4plyyarn,suchasRowanSiena4ply,inseven
differentcolorsEachcubeismadeupof6squaresandusesapprox.1/2oz/14.25gofMC
and1/4oz/7gofCCpersquare.Thecubeslistedhereusethefollowingcombinationsofcolors:
[MC]Lightgreen[CC1]Red[CC2]Darkblue[CC3]Lightblue[CC4]Yellow[CC5]Purple[CC6]Orange
Usethefirstcolorforthebackgroundandthesecondcolorfortheletter:
Cube1SquareA:MCandCC1SquareB:CC2andCC3SquareC:CC4andCC5SquareD:CC1andMCSquareE:CC6andCC3SquareF:CC5andCC4
Cube2SquareG:CC3andCC4SquareH:CC1andCC2SquareI:MCandCC5SquareJ:CC2andCC6SquareK:CC4andCC1SquareL:CC6andCC3
Cube3SquareM:CC5andCC4
SquareN:CC3andCC6SquareO:CC1andCC3SquareP:CC2andMCSquareQ:CC4andCC1SquareR:CC6andCC2
NeedlesUS1/2.25mmneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsCustom-cutfoamblocks:33/4in/9.5cmcubed,orpolyesterfoamstuffing
Finishedsize:33/4in/9.5cmcubedGauge:32stsand42rowsover4in/10cminststonUS1/2.25mmneedlesNote:Ensurethatanyfillingorinsertusedissuitableandsafeforinfantsandcomplieswithlegalsafetystandards,includingregulationsforfiresafety.
Eachcubeisconstructedfrom6squares.Eachsquarehasaststcenterwithalettermotif(asshownintheBabyBlockCharts)andaseedstitchborder.Slthefirststofeachrowpurlwisetogiveaneatouteredgeandtohelpwithsewingup.Squaresarejoinedtogetherusinginvisiblemattressstitchtoformacubeandthenstuffedwithcustom-cutfoamorloosestuffingtomaintaintheirshape.
LettermotifUsetheBabyBlockChartsbelowasthebasisofyourdesign.Forallotherletters,simplysubstitutelettersfromtheSerifUppercaseChartsfeaturedonpages112–13,andworksothateachletteriscenteredhorizontallyover20sts,andverticallyover30rows.
Lowerborder:Make6squaresforoneblockStartingwiththeseedstitchborder,andthedesiredBabyBlockChart,worktheborderasfollows:Usingbackgroundcolor,CO31sts.
Row1(RS):Sl1purlwise,k1,p1;repfromtoend.Rows2–5:Reprow1.
MiddlesectionWorkingthecentralsectionofthesquareinststfollowingrelevantletterchartandmaintaining4stsofseedstitchatbegandendofeachrow,contasfollows:Row6(WS):Sl1purlwise,k1,p1,k1,pinpatttolast4sts,k1,p1,k1,p1.Row7(RS):Sl1purlwise,k1,p1,kinpatttolast3sts,p1,k1,p1.These2rowssetborderpattandststletttermotifpanel.Row8andallevenrownumbers(WS):Reprow6.Row9andalloddrownumbers(RS):Reprow7.
Contfollowingthechartbackandforthinrowsandworkingwithalternativecolorsasindicateduntilatotalof34rowshavebeenworkedfromcast-onedge.
TopborderRow35:Usingbackgroundcoloronly,sl1purlwise,k1,p1;repfromtoend.Rows36–38:Reprow35.
BOinseedstitchpatt.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresspiecesaccordingtoballband.Jointhesideseamsusingmattressstitch,leavingagaptoinsertthefoamblockorloosefilling.Insertthefilling,andcloseremseams.
BabyBlockCharts
3SlabSerifSlabserifisaseriftypefacethatutilizesblocky,thickserifs,makingaboldstatementparticularlysuitedforheadlines.TypewriterfontslikeCourierfallintothisgroup,asdowell-knownadvertisingfontsincludingRockwellandPlaybill(discussedinchapter6),andin-textfontswithaboldappeallikeClarendonandEgyptienne.Thereareawidevarietyofslabseriffonts,buttheircommondenominatorsarechunky,thickserifsandstrikingvisualappeal.
Theslabserifhasitsoriginsinadvertising.Atypefacewithstrong,boldlineswasneededforheadlines,adcopy,andposters.Slabserifswereperfectbecauseoftheirclearimpact.AcrazeforallthingsEgyptianaroseinwesternEuropeduringthenineteenthcentury,andalthoughinactualitytheslabseriftypefacehadnothingincommonwithancientEgyptianletterforms,itcametobeassociatedwithEgyptinthepubliceyeduetoheavyadvertisingandmarketinglinkingthetwo.Infact,manyoftheearlyslabseriffontswerenamedaftercitiesinEgypt.
Today,slabserifsaremostwidelyassociatedwithletteringusedinAmericansportswearandcollegegarments.ThisconnectionisusedtogreateffectintheChild’sInitialedBackpack(facingpage)andtheLettermanSweater(page57).TheSlabSerifChartsinthisbook(pages116–17)includeuppercaselettersonly,asistraditionalwiththistypeface.Useslabseriffontsinyourownknittingwhenyouwanttomakeaboldstatementwithunequivocalimpact.
Child’sInitialedBackpackNothinghasmorecredontheplaygroundthanabackpackknittedinachild’sfavoritecolorsandpersonalizedwithhisowninitials.Thebag’scontentsarekeptsafebythedrawstringclosure,whichisalsoconnectedtotheadjustablestraps.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:10in/25.5cmby91/2in/23.5cmGauge:approx22stsand28rowsover4in/10cminststonUS6/4mmknittingneedles
LettermotifUsetheInitialsChartonpage55.Ifsubstitutinginitials,useamaximumof2lettersfromtheSlabSerifChartsonpages116–17.Arrangesothatthereisa2stgapbetweenyourchosenlettersandsothatthelettersarethencenteredhorizontallyoverthe56stspace.Ifusinglettersthatrequiremoreorfewerststhantheletters“L”and“T,”workmoreorfewerstseithersideoftheletterssothattheyarecentered.
FrontUsingMCandUS6/4mmneedles,CO56sts.
Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilpiecemeasures4in/10cm,endingwithaprow.
Nextrow(RS):K15inMC,withCCworkletter“T”fromInitialsChartusingtheintarsiamethod,k2inMC,withCCworkletter“L”fromInitialsChartusingtheintarsiamethod,k15inMC.Nextrow(WS):P15inMC,withCCworkletter“L”fromInitialsChart,p2inMC,withCCworkletter“T”fromInitialsChart,p15inMC.Repprev2rows,workingthroughInitialsChartsuntillettersarecomplete.
UsingMC,workinststforafurther3in/8cmendingwithaWSrow.
Youwillneed
YarnSublimeCashmereMerinosilkDK(75%extrafinemerino/20%silk/5%
cashmere,approx.127yd/116mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Marmalade(shade224),2balls[CC]CaptainPeacock(shade163),1ball
NeedlesUS6/4mmknittingneedles
US2.5/3mmDPNsforI-cordstrapsTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsSafetypinFabricforlining,20in/50cmsquareSewingthreadandneedle
Nextrow(RS):K1,p1;repfromtoendtoform1x1rib.Repprevrowafurther5times.
Nextrow:Purl.Work1x1ribforafurther6rows.
BOknitwise.
BackUsingMCandUS6/4mmneedles,CO56sts.Startingwithakrowworkinststuntilpiecemeasures91/2in/24cm,endingwithaprow.
Changeto1x1rib,andworkfor6rows.
Nextrow:Purl.
Work1x1ribforafurther6rows.
BOknitwise.
Straps(make2)UsingCCandUS2.5/3mmDPNs,CO4sts.
Withworkingyarnatleftendofneedle,k4fromrightendofneedletobeginI-cord.
Swapneedlesbetweenhandsbutdonotturnneedle,slideststorightendofneedleand,withworkingyarnatleftendofsts,k4.
RepprevstepsuntilI-cordmeasures46in/117cm,breakyarn,anddrawthrough
RepprevstepsuntilI-cordmeasures46in/117cm,breakyarn,anddrawthrough4stswithyarnneedletoclose.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockpiecesaccordingtoballband,andallowtodrybeforeseaming.
Onthefrontpiece,folddowntheribbedsectionattheprow,andhemtoWSofpiece.Repforbackpiece.
AttachasafetypintooneendoftheI-cord.PinthefrontandbackpiecestogwithWSfacing.Withfrontfacing,drawtheI-cordwiththesafetypinattachedtoitfromrighttoleftthroughthehemoffrontpiece,then,withbackfacing,drawtheI-cordthroughthehemfromrighttoleft,usingthesafetypintoworkthecordthrough.
RemovethesafetypinandattachittooneendofthesecondI-cord.Withfrontfacing,drawI-cordthroughhemfromlefttoright,thenwithbackfacing,drawthecordthroughhemfromlefttorightagain.
Adjustthecordssothattheyareeven.Thecordsshouldnowbeplacedsothatwhenthetailsarepulledawayfromthebag,thetopdrawsclosed.
Seambothsidesusingmattressstitch,insertingandattachingcordstotheinsideofthebagapprox.11/2in/4cmfromthebottomofthepieces.Graftthebottomedgesofthepiecestogusingthegraftingtechnique(page20).Drawyarnendstotheinsideofthebagandweavein.
LiningCutthefabricintotwo10in/25cmsquarepieces.Placeandpinhemmedpiecesoffabrictog.Using1/2in/1cmseamallowances,sewaroundthreesides,leavingonesideopen.Folddown1/2in/1cmofthefabricatopenedge,pressandhem.Insertliningintobackpackandsewtoinsideofbag.
InitialsChart
LettermanSweaterThisclassiclettermansweaterisperfectforthevarsityplayerinyourlife,orasaHalloweencostume.Knititintheschoolcolorsofyourchoice.
Thepattern
Gauge:approx.18stsand24rowsover4in/10cminststusingUS7/4.5mmneedles
LettermotifpatchUsetheVarsityLetterChartonpage59.Ifsubstitutingaletter,usetheSlabSerifChartsonpages116–17.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatis21stswideand17rowshigh,makingsuretheletterisinthecenter.Ifyourletterhasanevennumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stextra.
UsingCCandUS7/4.5mmneedles,CO21stsandstartingwithakrowwork2rowsinstst.
Youwillneed
YarnKingColeMerinoBlendAran(medium-weight,100%wool,88yds/80m
per13/4oz/50gball)Seetableaboveforshadesandquantities.
Needles
US5/3.75mmknittingneedlesUS7/4.5mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsStitchholder
CommenceVarsityToteChartUsingstrandingtechniqueandworkinginstst,workrows1–19oftheletterchart.
UsingCC,work3rowsinstst.
BO.
BackUsingMCandUS5/3.75mmneedles,CO91[101,109,119]sts.
Row1(RS):K1,p1,k1;repfromtoend.Row2(WS):P1,k1,p1;repfromtoend.These2rowsformtherib.
Continrib,workingthestripesequenceasfollows:2rowsCC,4rowsMC,2rowsCC,4rowsMC.
ChangetoUS7/4.5mmneedlesand,usingMConly,startingwithakrow,workinststuntilbackmeasures151/2[16,161/4,161/2]in/39[41,41.5,42]cm,endingwithaprow.
ShapearmholesContinststandatthesametimeBO3[4,4,5]stsatbegofnext2rows.
Dec1stateachendofnext3[4,5,6]rows.79[85,91,97]sts
Continststwithoutshapinguntilarmholemeasures9[91/2,10,101/4]in/23[24,25.5,26]cm,endingwithaprow.
ShapeshouldersBO8[9,10,10]stsatbegofnext4rows.47[49,51,57]sts
BO8[8,8,10]stsatbegofnext2rows.31[33,35,37]sts
BO.
FrontShapeShouldersWorkasgivenforbackuntilfrontis14[14,16,18]rowslessthanback,endingwithaprow79[85,91,97]sts.
ShapeleftsideofneckNextrow(RS):K34[36,39,41]andturn,leavingremstsonstitchholder.Dec1statneckedgeonnext10[10,11,11]rows.24[26,28,30]stsWork3[3,4,6]rowswithoutshaping,endingwithaprow.
ShapeleftshoulderBO8[9,10,10]stsatbegofnextandfollaltrow.8[8,8,10]sts
BO.
ShaperightsideofneckSlcenter11[13,13,15]stsontoastitchholder.
WithRSFrejoinyarntorem34[36,39,41]sts,ktoend.
Dec1statneckedgeonnext10[10,11,11]rows.24[26,28,30]sts
Work4[4,5,7]rowswithoutshaping,endingwithakrow.
ShaperightshoulderBO8[9,10,10]stsatbegofnextandfollaltrow.8[8,8,10]sts
BO.
Sleeves(both)UsingMCandUS5/3.75mmneedles,CO41[43,45,47]stsandworkinstripedribasgivenforback.ChangetoUS7/4.5mmneedlesandusingMConly,startingwithakrowwork2rowsinstst.
ShapesleevesInc1stateachendofnextandeveryfollfourthrowto83[87,91,93]sts.
Contwithoutshapinguntilsleevemeasures18[181/2,191/2,20]in/45.5[47,49.5,50.5]cm,endingwithaprow.
ShapetopBO3[4,4,5]stsatbegofnext2rows.77[79,83,83]sts
Dec1stateachendofnextandeveryfollaltrowto71sts.
BO12stsatbegofnext2rows,then14stsatbegofnext2rows.
BOrem19sts.
NeckbandWeaveinendsandblockorpressthepiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Joinrightshoulderseam.WithRSF,usingMCandUS5/3.75mmneedles,pickupandk20[20,22,24]stsdownleftsideofneck,kacross11[13,13,15]stsatcenterfront,pickupandk20[20,22,24]stsuprightsideofneck,and31[33,35,37]stsacrossbackofneck.82[86,92,100]sts
Nextrow:K1,p1;repfromtoend.
Repthisrowworkingstripesequenceasfollows:2rowsCC,2rowsMC,2rowsCC,1rowMC.
UsingMConly,BOlooselyinrib.
FinishingJoinleftshoulderandneckbandseam.Markcenterofsleevetopandsewsleeveintoarmhole,matchingmarktoshoulderseam.Joinsleeveseam.Joinsideseam.
Pinlettermotifinpositiononleftsideoffrontandsewinplace.
VarsityLetterChart
4StencilThestenciltypefacegroupisanornamentalgroup(discussedinmoredetailinchapter6)mostobviouslyassociatedwithshippingcratesandarmygear.Itwascreatedforprintrelativelyrecently,inthe1930s,andwasmadespecificallytoimitatehand-stenciled,oftenspray-paintedletters.Unlikethewidelyusedtypefacegroupsdiscussedsofar,astencilfontismostoftenusedsparinglyforafun,noveltyappeal.Stencilfontstendtobenamedaftermilitaryterms,likeTopSecretorCovertOps,ortodenoteshippingusage,likeCrateorCargo.StencilfontsarebestknownfortheirusageineasilyrecognizedtitlesfortheTVshowsM*A*S*HandTheA-Team.
Theprintedversionsofthesefontsoftenincludefancifultoucheslike“spray-painted”edgesorcamouflageincorporatedintothenegativespace.Whenusingthesefontsinknitting,amorestraightforwardapproachisnecessary.Thestencilchartsinthisbookaremoretraditional,basedontheoriginalstencilfontcalled,appropriatelyenough,Stencil,whichwasdesignedforLudlowTypographbyR.HunterMiddletonin1937.Inthe“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy(facingpage)andToyTidyBag(page65),thestencilfontisusedtoexcellenteffect.Inyourownprojects,youcanusetheStencilCharts(pages118–19)tomakeitemsthathaveconnotationsofidentification,themilitary,orshipping.
“CAFE”FrenchPressCozyAgoodintroductiontostrandedcolorwork,thiseasyrectangularprojectwillhelpkeepyourcoffeewarmduringthoselong,lazyweekendmornings.It’sstyledaftertheburlapsacksyourbeanswereshippedoverin.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:approx.11in/28cmby41/2in/11.5cmGauge:approx.27stsand35rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmneedles
LettermotifUsethe“CAFE”Chartonpage63.Ifchangingthewording,usetheStencilChartsonpages118–19.Youcanuseamaximumof4letters,andwith1stgapsbetweenthem,thesecannotexceed61sts.Centeryourwordoverthe71-stststspace,plus4seedstseithersideatthepointinthepattwherethechartcommences.
TheCozyUsingUS3/3mmneedlesandMC,CO79sts.
Row1(RS):(K1,p1)tolastst,k1.Repprevrow3moretimestoformseedstitchborder.Row5:(K1,p1)twice,ktolast4sts,(p1,k1)twice.Row6:(P1,k1)twice,ptolast4sts,(k1,p1)twice.Reprows5and6afurtherthreetimes,endingwithaWSrow(8rowstotal).
Commence“CAFE”ChartWorkrows1–19ofchartusingthestrandingandintarsiatechniques.
Nextrow(WS):UsingMConly,(p1,k1)twice,ptolast4sts,(k1,p1)twice.Nextrow:(K1,p1)twice,ktolast4sts,(p1,k1)twice.Repprev2rowsafurtherthreetimes.
Work4rowsofseedstitchborder.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanPureWool(4ply,137yds/125mper13/4oz/50gball)[MC]Taupe(shade00453),1ball[CC]DarkBrown(shade00417),1ball
Needles
US2/3mmneedles,orsizeneededtoobtaingaugeUSD/3mmcrochethook
OtherScissors3buttons,approx.1/2in/1cm
BO.
CrochetbuttonholesThecrochetbuttonholeedgingcanbereplacedwithready-madebuttonloopsifpreferred.
UsingUSD/3mmhookandMC,attachtooneendofshortsideofrectangle,ch4,scinsamest,sctomiddleofshortside,ch4,scinsamest,sctoendofside,ch4,scinsamest.Fastenoff.
Weaveinendsandblockorpressaccordingtoballband.Attachbuttonstoothershortsidecorrespondingwithbuttonholes.
“CAFE”Chart
ToyTidyBagIt’spossible—justpossible—thatafun,army-styletoybag,withthetoyowner’snameboldlystenciledontoit,mightcapturetheimaginationofthattoyownerenoughtoactuallyinspirethemtoputtheirtoysbackinthatbagoncethey’redoneplaying.Wemakenoguarantees,butsurelyit’sworthatry.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:171/4in/44cmby191/2in/50cmGauge:20stsand28rowsover4in/10cminststonUS6/4mmneedlesNote:Checkyourgauge—iffewerstsorrows,usesmallerneedles;ifmore,uselargerneedles.
LettermotifUsetheStencilChartsonpages118–19tochartyourchosenname,leavinga1stgapbetweeneachletter.(UsetheToyTidyBagNameChartonpage66asanexample.)Drawabox88stswideand19rowshigharoundthechartedname,makingsurethenameisinthecenter.Ifthenamehasanoddnumberofsts,thenonesidewillhave1stextra.
BagbaseUsingMC,CO16sts.
P1row.
Work8rowsinstst(1rowk,1rowp),startingwithakrow.CO6stsatbegoffirst2rows,then3stsatbegofnext2rows,and2stsatbegoffoll4rows.42stsInc1stateachendofnextandeveryfoll8throwto48sts.
Work3rowswithoutshaping.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanHandknitCotton(medium-weight,100%cotton,93yd/85mper
13/4oz/50g)[MC]Celery(shade309),3balls[CC1]Gooseberry(shade219),2balls[CC2]Pesto(shade344),2balls[CC3]Black(shade252),1ball
NeedlesUS6/4mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsCordfordrawstring,118in/3m
Note:Aswithallitemsusingcords,thismaypresentanentanglementhazardforverysmallchildren.
Inc1statbegofnextandfollaltrowsto52sts.
Work21rowswithoutshaping,endingwithaprow.Dec1stateachendofnextandfoll8throw.
Work3rowswithoutshaping.
Dec1stateachendofnextandeveryfollaltrowto42sts.
Work1row.
BO2stsatbegofnext4rows,3stsatbegoffoll2rows,and6stsatbegoffoll2rows.
BOrem16sts.
BackUsingMC,CO88sts.
Workinstst(startingwithakrow),repeatthestripepatt(14rowsMC,6rowsCC2,14rowsCC1,6rowsCC2)twice.**
Workafurther22rowsMC,6rowsCC2,14rowsCC1,6rowsCC2.
DrawstringchannelUsingMC,work11rowsinstst,endingwithakrow.
Nextrow(foldline):Ktoend.
Work12rowsinstst,startingwithakrow.
BO.
BO.
FrontWorkasgivenforbackto**.
CommencechartUsingMC,work2rowsinstst.
UsingMCforthebackgroundandCC3forthename,andusingstrandingandintarsiatechniques,workfromthechartasfollows:ReadingRS(krows)fromrighttoleftandWS(prows)fromlefttoright,workthe88stsfromthechartbegatthelowerrightcorner,fromrow1torow19,wherethechartiscompleted.
UsingMC,p1row.
Continstst(startingwithakrow),working6rowsCC2,14rowsCC1,6rowsCC2.
Workthedrawstringchannelasgivenforback.
FinishingBlockorpressthepiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Sewinallendsneatly.SewthesideedgestogetherfromloweredgeuptolaststripeofCC2.Leaveagapandjoinedgesfromfoldlinetotopedge.FoldtopedgetoWSalongfoldlineandslstintoplace.Sewbackandfrontaroundbase.Cutcordinhalfandthreadonelengththroughthedrawstringchannelandaroundthebag,startingandendingatsamegap.Knotendsofcordtogether.Dothesamewiththeotherlengthofcordthroughthegapontheotherside.
ToyTidyBagNameChart
Lady’s“PARIS”SweaterThestenciltypeface’scombinationofboldnessandsharpdetailingmakeitastrongchoicefordecoratinganyadult-sizegarment,particularlywhenusedwithbold,classiccolorcombinationsasinthisraglan-stylesweater.
Thepattern
Youwillneed
YarnRowanCreativeFocusWorsted(75%wool/25%alpaca,220yd/200m
per31/2oz/100g)Seetableaboveforshadesandforquantities.
NeedlesUS8/5mmknittingneedlesUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles
OtherScissors2stitchholders
Gauge:17stsand24rowsrowsover4in/10cminststusingUS8/5mmneedles
Lettermotif
UsetheSleeveLettersChartonfacingpage.Ifchangingthewording,usetheStencilChartsonpages118–19.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatis16stswideand19rowshigh,makingsuretheletterisinthecenter.Ifyourletterhasanevennumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stextra.Placethechartsinthecorrectsequenceverticallytomakeonelargechart;leave1rowinbetweeneachletter.Rememberyouwillbeworkingfromthebottomup.Youwillfitamaximumof5lettersforSandMsizesand6lettersforLandXLsizes.
BackandfrontUsingMCandUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles,CO82[90,98,106]sts.
Row1(RS):K2,p2,k2;repfromtoend.Row2(WS):P2,k2,p2;repfromtoend.These2rowsformtherib.
Continribforatotalof10rows.
ChangetoUS8/5mmknittingneedlesandstartingwithakrowworkinststuntilbackmeasures16[16,161/4,161/2]in/40[40,41,42]cmendingwithaprow.
ShapearmholesBO5[5,6,6]stsatbegofnext2rows.72[80,86,94]sts
Dec1stateachendofnext3[5,2,6]rows.66[70,82,82]sts
Dec1stateachendofeveryfollaltrowuntil30[30,34,38]stsrem.
Slstsontoholder.
RightsleeveUsingMCandUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles,CO46[46,50,54]stsandworkinribasgivenforback.
ChangetoUS8/5mmknittingneedlesandstartingwithakrow,workinststfor6rows.
ShapetopInc1stateachendofnextandeveryfoll6throwto58[56,58,60]sts,thenon
Inc1stateachendofnextandeveryfoll6throwto58[56,58,60]sts,thenonevery4throwuntil74[76,78,80]sts.
Contwithoutshapinguntilsleevemeasures17[17,171/2,171/2]in/43[43,44.5,44.5]cm,endingwithaprow.
BO5[5,6,6]stsatbegofnext2rows.64[66,66,68]sts
Dec1stateachendofnextandeveryfollaltrowto24[24,24,24]sts.
Slipstsontoholder.
LeftsleeveWorkasgivenforrightsleevetorow17[17,19,21].
CommenceSleeveLettersChartWorkletter“S”fromchartinststusingCC1fortheletterandintarsiatechnique.WorkremstsofrowinMCandstst.
ContinuetoworkfromchartalternatinglettersbetweenCC1andCC2andatthesametimemaintainincsasforrightsleeve.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpressallpiecesaccordingtoballband.
Joinbothofthefrontandrightbackraglanseams.
NeckedgingSlstsfromholdersontoUS7/4.5mmneedlesandwithRSfacingrejoinMC108[108,116,124]sts.
K22[22,22,22],(k2tog)twice,k26[26,30,30],(k2tog)twice,k20[20,20,20],(k2tog)twice,ktoend102[102,110,118]sts.
K3rows.BO.
Sewupremainingraglansleevesandneckband.
SleeveLettersChart
5ScriptThescripttypefacegroupincludesfontscreatedtoresemblethesmooth,fluidlinesofcursivehandwriting.Scriptfontshavetobedesignedverycarefullytopromotereadability,especiallywhenusedon-screen.Theyarenotwidelyusedintext,butareoftenusedsparinglyanddecorativelytocreateasoftandfeminineorclassicalvisualappeal.
Thescripttypefacegroupcanbedividedintotwosubgroups:Formal,whichresemblescursivewritingusingafountainpenandincludesfontslikeEnglishandKuenstlerScript;andcasual,whichresembleslessstructuredhandwritingorcalligraphymadewithabrushandincludesthefontsBrushScript(associatednostalgicallywithpost-WWIIAmerica)andMistral(stillwidelyusedtodayforadsandshopsignagealloversouthernFrance).
Whenusingascriptfontforyourknittingproject,thereareanumberofspecialconsiderationstotakeintoaccount.Inorderforeachlettertobeinterchangeableandtolineupwithitsneighbors,youmaychoosetomakesurethateachletterstartsandendsatthesamestitchorrowpositionforeveryletter,sothatitlookslikethelettersjoin.Thelettersalsoslant,sowhenmakingcharts,thespacearoundeachletterwillneedtooverlap.Whenusingthesecharts,it’sagoodideatotracethelettersthatyouwant(intheorderthatyouneed)ontoanewchartandplacethemsothattheyjoininthewayyouwantthemto.Thiswillenableyoutoshowthesophisticated,sweepingcurvesandtocapturethedetails.
UsersoftheScriptCharts(pages120–25)canchoosetolinkuptheirlettersorjustkeepthemcloselyspaced,asinthe“Amour”HeartPillow(facingpage).Eitherway,thescriptchartsarecarefullydesignedtopromotereadabilitywhileprovidinganelegant,femininetouch.
“Amour”HeartPillowAnelegantadditiontoanyhome,thisheart-shapedpillowcanbemadeinanycolorcombinationtosuityourdécor.Thescriptletteringprovidesafemininetouchthatenhancestheromanticnatureoftheproject.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:approx.14in/35.5cmby13in/33cmGauge:27stsand35rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmknittingneedles
LettermotifUsethe“Amour”Chartonpage73.Ifchangingthewording,usetheScriptLowercaseChartsonpages124–25.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5or6letterswithinthe59stspace.Notethatthereshouldbenospacesbetweenletters.Ifyourchosenwordislessthan59sts,remembertocenteryourwordhorizontallyoverthetotalnumberofsts(97)atthepointinthepattwherethechartcommences.
FrontUsingMC,CO3sts.
Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):Purl.Row3:K1,m1,ktolastst,m1,k1.2stsincRow4:Purl.Reprows3and4untilyouhave97sts.**Work4rowsinststwithoutincsendingonaWSrow.
Commence“Amour”ChartUsingMCandCCasshowninthechart,workrows1–13ofchartusingstrandingandintarsiatechniques.
UsingMConly,work7rowsinststendingwithaWSrow.
Youwillneed
YarnDebbieBlissBabyCashmerino(55%wool/33%microfiber/12%
cashmere,137yds/125mper13/4oz/50gball)[MC]DarkTeal(shade0072),3balls[CC]LightTeal(shade0073),1ball
Needles
US2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsStitchholderHeart-shapedpillowform,133/4in/35cm
TopofheartNextRow(RS):K48,turn,leavingrem49stsonstitchholder.Row2:Purl.Row3:K1,(ssk)twice,ktolast5sts,(k2tog)twice,k1.2stsdecRow4:Purl.Repprevioustworowsuntil16stsrem.
BO.
WithRSFrejoinyarntorem49stsandwork2rowsinstst.
Workdecsasaboveuntil17stsrem.
BO.
BackWorkasforfrontto**.
Startingwithakrowworkinststwithoutincsfor22rows,endingwithaWSrow.
Worktopofheartasforfront.
Weaveinendsandblockorpressaccordingtoballband.
FinishingSewpiecestogetherusingmattressstandinsertthepillowformatthehalfwaypointbeforeclosingseam.
“Amour”Chart
Girl’sDressThiscutedresscanbepersonalizedwithanynameorword,andwiththelittleprincess’sfavoritecolors,usingtheelegantscriptfont.
Thepattern
Youwillneed
YarnRowanCottonGlacé(100%cotton,approx.125yds/115mper13/4oz/50
g)Seetableaboveforshadesandquantities.
NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsStitchholder1smallbutton
Gauge:approx.23stsand32rowsover4in/10cminststusingUS3/3.25mmneedlesSizeshown:24–36months
LettermotifUsetheScriptLowercaseChartsonpages124–25tocreateyourchosennameorword.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundthechosenletterthatfitsexactlytoitswidthandheight.Themaximumnumberoflettersthatwillfitallsizesis6or7.
Placeallyourletterssidebysidehorizontally.Thegraphstartsonrow17andthelaststsofthisfirstrowshouldend6stsinfromtheouteredge.Thestartingpositionofthewordwilldependontheamountoflettersyouhavechosentouse.Usethe“Bella”Chartprovided(facingpage)asaguide.
BackUsingUS2/3mmneedlesandCC2,CO90[98,106]sts.
Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):Knit.These2rowsformthegarterstpatt.
ChangetoMCandworkingarterstforafurther6rows.
ChangetoUS3/3.25mmneedlesandCC1,andstartingwithakrow,work2rowsinstst,changetoMC,andwork2rowsinstst.Maintainthisstripesequencethroughout.
Dec1stateachendofthenextandeveryfoll8throwuntil68[72,76]sts,thenworkstraightuntilworkmeasures13[133/4,141/2]in/33[35,37]cm.
ShapearmholesanddivideforbackneckBO4[4,4]stsatbegofnext2rows60[64,68]sts.
BO3[3,3]stsonthefoll2rows54[58,62]sts.
Dec1statedge,kuntil26[30,34]stsonRHneedle,turn,andleaveremstsonholder.Workeachsideofneckseparately.
Dec1statarmholeedgeonnext2[2,2]rows,thenonnext2[2,2]krows,andthefoll4throw21[25,29]sts.
Workuntilarmholemeasures41/4[41/2,43/4]in/11[11.5,12]cmendingonakrow.
ShapebackneckBO10[14,18]sts,dec1statneckedgeonnext3[3,3]rows.8[10,12]sts
Work1rowmore.
BO.
SlipstsfromholderbacktoneedleandwithRSF,rejoinyarnandworktomatchleftside.
FrontWorkasbacktoendofrow16.
CommencechartMaintainingstripesequenceandshapingassetforback,usingintarsiatechniqueandCC2,workrows1–26ofchart.
Contassetforbackuntilarmholeshapingiscomplete.
Dec1stateachendofnext3[3,3]rows,thennext2[2,2]krows,thenonfollfourthrow.42[50,58]sts
Contstraightinststuntil6rowslessthanback.
ShapefrontneckK14[16,18],turn,leavingremstsonhold.Contonthese14[16,18]sts.
BO4stsatneckedge,thendec1statneckedgeuntil8[10,12]stsrem.
Maintainingstripesequence,workrowstomatchbackarmhole.
WithRSF,rejoinyarntoremstsandBO14[18,22]sts,thenworktomatchleftside.
Sewshoulderseamstog.
Backneckopening
UsingsizeUS2/3mmneedlesandCC2,pickupandk23[25,27]stsdownrightbackneckandk23[25,27]stsupleftneckopening.46[50,54]sts
BO22[24,26]sts,(k2tog,BO1st),BOremststoend.
NeckedgeUsingsizeUS2/3mmneedlesandCC2,startingatbackneckopeningpickupandk15[17,19]ststoshoulder,10stsdownleftfrontneck14[18,22]stsacrossfrontneck10stsuptoshoulder;15[17,19]ststocenterbackneck.64[72,80]sts
K2rows.
BO.
ArmholeedgingUsingUS2/3mmneedlesandCC3,pickupandk32[34,36]stsuptoshoulderseam,then32[34,36]stsdowntoarmholeedge.64[68,72]sts
K2rows.
BO.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstofinishedsizeaccordingtoballband.
Sewupthesideseams.Makeabuttonloopatthetopopeningontherightback,andsewonabuttontomatch.
“Bella”Chart
MobiusTwistScarfRatherthansimplyspellingoutaname,word,ormessage,ornatefontslikethescripttypefacecanbeusedpurelyfordecorationandpattern,asinthistwistedscarf,which,likethelettersthemselves,followsagracefulcurve.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:approx.12in/30cmby51in/130cmGauge:20stsand26rowsover4in/10cminststonUS7/4.5mmneedles
LettermotifThepatternonthisscarfisaddedusingduplicatest(seepage23)afterthemainfabrichasbeencreated.ThismeansthatyoucanaddanyselectionoflettersfromtheScriptChartsonpages120–25,orusetheselectionofcharacterchartsincludedonthefacingpage.Drawaboxaroundyourchoiceofcharactersand,usingaselectionofcolors,workinyourlettersrandomlyonthemobiustwistscarffabric.
BasictwistscarfUsingMCandUS7/4.5mmneedles,CO43sts.
Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):K3,pto3stsbeforeend,k3.Repeatprev2rowsafurther166timesuntilworkmeasuresapprox.51in/130cm.
BO.
Useduplicatesttoaddyourchosenlettersusingcontrastcolors.
FinishingSewinlooseendsandblockorpresstofinishedsizeaccordingtoballband.Twistscarf.WithRSandWStog,sewupcast-onandbound-offedges.Pressseam.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanCreativeFocusWorsted(75%wool/25%alpaca,220yd/200m
per31/2oz/100g)[MC]Nickel(shade00401),2balls[CC1]Delft(shade01321),1ball[CC2]Magenta(shade01890),1ball
[CC3]Carmine(shade02055),1ball[CC4]Saffron(shade03810),1ball[CC5]Ebony(shade00500),1ball[CC6]Natural(shade00100),1ball[CC7]DeepRose(shade02755),1ball
NeedlesUS7/4.5mmneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissors
6ORNAMENTALAsatypefacegroup,“ornamental”growsevenlargerandmorevariedonanalmostdailybasis.However,whatallthefontsincludedinthegrouphaveincommonisthattheyareusedexclusivelyfordecorativepurposesandtoevokeaspecificconnotationorfeeling:TheWildWest,horror,illuminatedmanuscriptlettering,circus,etc.Theyareconsidered“displaytypes”only,meaningthattheyarenotsuitableforuseatsmallersizesandinblocksoftext;rather,theyareusedforheaders,advertisements,andnoveltyprinting.Thoughinthedaysofmetalprintmaking,displaytypeandornamentaltypehaddifferentmeanings(involvingthephysicalprocessofinkingprintingplates),today,inthedigitaltypefacedesignage,thetermsareusedinterchangeably(ifsomewhatincorrectly).
Ornamentalisalooselyorganizedgroupthatdoesnotadheretotraditionaltypefacegrouprules:Itcontainsbothserifandsansseriffonts,bothclean“modern”letterformslikeBodoniandthosetypefacesthataresofancyorover-elaboratetheyborderonunreadable.ThehistoryofornamentaltypeinpopularusagecanbetracedtotheVictorianeraandtheindustrialrevolution;indeed,manyofthestill-usedcircus-typefontsstronglyconnotethisera.
Thetwofontsoftheornamentalgroupincludedinthisbookareawesternfont(basedonRioOro),whichwillgiveyourknittingthatWildWestfeel,asintheNeckerchief(page84),andacircusfont(basedonCoffeeTin),whichisatypefaceusedbeautifullyintheBabyBlanket(facingpage).Bothfontsprovideanelaboratelydecorativetouchandwillmakeagreatimpactinyourknittedprojects.
BabyBlanketThebold,intricate,andbeautifulcircusfontneedsabigcanvasandbrightcolorinordertoshowoffitsfullimpact.Whatbetterusecoulditbeputtothantoannouncethenameofanewlittleone,whilealsokeepinghimorherwarm?
Thepattern
Finishedsize:30in/75cmby40in/100cmGauge:20stsand24rowsover4in/10cminststonUS8/5mmneedles
LettermotifUsetheBabyBlanketLetterChartsandDiamondChartonpage82.Ifsubstitutingletters,usetheCircusChartsonpages126–30.Itisnotrecommendedthatmorethan3lettersareused,soyoumaywanttouseinititalsinsteadofafullname.
BorderUsingMC,CO150sts.
Workingarterst(keveryrow)for10rows.
BodyofblanketRow1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):K5,ptolast5sts,k5.These2rowssetpatt.Workinpattassetfor1in/2.5cm.
CommenceDiamondChartWorkDiamondChartusingCC1andtheintarsiatechniqueasfollows:Nextrow(RS):K23,workDiamondChart,k90,workDiamondChart,k23.Row2(WS):K5,p18,workDiamondChart,p90,workDiamondChart,p18,k5.Reprows1and2untildiamondsarecomplete.
Youwillneed
YarnRicoDesignEssentialsSoftMerinoAran(100%merinowool,109
yd/100mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]LightGray(shade020),8balls[CC1]BrickRed(shade007),2balls[CC2]YellowOchre(shade0642),1ball
NeedlesUS8/5mmcircularknittingneedlesofatleast32in/80cmlengthTapestryneedle
OtherScissors
Work3rowsinpattassetwithMC,endingwithaWSrow.
CommenceBabyBlanketLettersChartBegfirstletter—asyouareworkingfromthebottomoftheblanketupward,thefirstletterworkedshouldbethelastletterinthenameorinitials.
Row1(RS):Knit.Worklettersothatitiscenteredontherow.(Ifusingletter“M”for“TOM,”k47,workletter“M”chart,k48.Astheletter“M”hasanoddnumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stmorethantheother.)Row2(WS):K5,ptolast5stsworkingBabyBlanketLetterChartasset,p5.Reprows1and2until54rowsoflettersarecomplete.
Work2rowsinpattassetwithMC.RepinstructionsforDiamondChart.
Work3rowsinpattassetwithMC,endingwithaWSrow.
Worksecondletterasoutlinedaboveforthefirstletter.(Ifusingletter“O”for“TOM,”k56,workletter“O”chart,k56.)Whensecondletteriscomplete,work2rowswithMCasset.
RepinstructionsforDiamondChartasabove.
Work3rowsinpattassetwithMCendingwithaWSrow.
Workthirdletterasoutlinedabove.(Ifusingletter“T”for“TOM,”k57,workletter“T”chart,k57.)Work2rowsinpattMCasset.
RepinstructionsforDiamondChart.
WorkinpattassetwithMCassetforafurther1in/2.5cm.
Work10rowsofgarterst.
Work10rowsofgarterst.
BO.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstofinishedsizeaccordingtoballbandinstructions.
DiamondChart
BabyBlanketLetterCharts
NeckerchiefStyledasahybridbetweenanold-styleponchoandachicmodernscarf,thisneckerchiefshowcaseswhatcanbeachievedwhenattractiveyarns,astylishtypeface,andfinefinishingarebroughttogether.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:331/2in/85cmby181/2in/47cmGauge:21ststo32rowsover4in/10cminststonUS5/3.75mmneedles
LettermotifUsetheNeckerchiefChartonthefacingpage.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheWesternChartsonpages131–32.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5lettersontotheneckerchief.Drawabox1stwiderthanyourchosenletterstoshowyoutheamountofspaceyouhavebetweeneachletter.Thewordstartsonrow111ofthepatt.Makesuretheplacementofthewordiscenteredbeforeyoubeginknitting.
NeckerchiefUsingMC,CO3sts.
Startingwithakrow,work2rowsinststtheninc1stateachendofeverykrowasfollows:Row3(RS):K1,m1,k1,m1,k1.2stsincRow4(WS):Purl.Repprev2rowsuntilyouhave111sts.
CommenceNeckerchiefChartContincseverykrowassetandatthesametimek19andcommencechartusingCC1andintarsiatechnique.Workrows1–27ofchart.139sts
Contincassetinststuntilyouhave157sts.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanFeltedTweedDK(50%merinowool/25%alpaca/25%viscose,
191yd/175mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Seafarer(shade170),3balls[CC1]Clay(shade177),1ball[CC2]DuckEgg(shade173),1ball
NeedlesUS5/3.75mmcircularneedles,40in/100cmlong
OtherScissors
ChangetoCC2,andmaintainingincwork5rowsingarterstendingwithaRSrow.163sts
BO.
RightborderWithRSFandusingCC2,pickupandk114stsalongtheedge.
Work1rowingarterst,theninc1steveryRSrowuntilyouhave118sts,endingwithaRSrow.
BO.
LeftborderWorkasgivenforrightborderbutpickupandk120sts.Incasforrightborderuntilyouhave124sts.
BO.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstodimensionsaccordingtoballbandinstructions.
NeckerchiefChart
7BlackLetterThistypefacegroupincludestheoldestmass-producedmovabletype(interchangeablelettersmadetoberearrangedandreusedinaprintingpress)intheworld.JohannesGutenberginventedtheprintingpressandmovabletypeinaround1455,andindoingsohechangedthecourseofworldhistory.Movabletypemadethewrittenwordaffordabletoamuchlargersegmentofthepopulationthaneverbefore.
Gutenberg’sTexturablackletterwastheveryfirstfontintheworld.Totheuntrainedeye,blackletterfontsalllookverysimilar:dense,thicklettersthatresemblethehand-writtencalligraphicformsusedbymonksbeforeGutenberg’sextraordinaryinvention.ThisstylewasusedthroughoutWesternEuropefromthetwelfthcenturywellintotheseventeenth,andinGermanyuntilthetwentiethcentury—whichiswhyblackletterisstillassociatedwithGermanyandlooks“Germanic”tothemoderneye.
ThelowercaselettersofthisGothicfontaremorestraightforwardthantheelaborateuppercaseletters.Theuppercaselettershavecurvesandflourishesandit’snecessarytogivethemmorestitchesthanotherfontswhenusingtheminknitting.Outofcontext,itisnotalwayseasytodiscernthedifferencebetweenan“E”anda“G,”oran“F”andan“I”anda“T”inblackletter,sothefactthatyoumaybeunabletodosointheknittedletterversionisamajorqualityofthiselaboratebutbeautifulstyle.However,whenknittingwordsorphrases,itispossibletodiscerntheuppercaselettersincontext.
Knitterscanenjoyaddingthisbeautifulandhistory-soakedtypefacetotheirprojects,asinthe“ExLibris”E-readerCoverfeaturedinthischapter(facingpage).
“ExLibris”E-readerCoverMakethiscozycoverinsteadofusingthatfaux-leather,book-mimickinge-readercase.Meaning“fromthebooks”inLatin,“exlibris”isafittingepigraphforane-bookaswellasabeautifulphrasetoshowcaseinthisdesign,whichreferencesthestyleofmedievalilluminatedbooks.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:tofitKindleFiree-reader(71/2by43/4by1/2in/190by120by12mm)Gauge:37stsand52rowsover4in/10cminststonUS0/2mmneedles
LettermotifIfyouwouldliketousedifferentwords,useBlackletterLowercaseChartsonpages136–37.Yourchosenwordsshouldnotexceed5or6lettersperline.Youmaywanttochartoutyourletterssothattheyfittogether(seehowtheletters“i”and“s”fittogetheronthe“ExLibris”Chartonpage89)tosavespace.Yourchosenwordsshouldnotexceed58sts.Besuretocenteryourwordshorizontallyoverthe60stspaceinsidetheleafborderandverticallyoverthe44rowspace,leaving2rowsbetweenlines.
FrontUsingMCandknittingneedles,CO72sts.Row1(WS):Purl.Row2(RS):Knit.Row3:Purl.
Commence“ExLibris”ChartRow1(RS):K2,work“ExLibris”Chart,k2.Row2(WS):P2,work“ExLibris”Chart,p2.Reprows1and2until52rowsofchartarecomplete.
WithMConlystartingakrow,work3morerowsinstst.
Youwillneed
YarnJamieson’sShetlandSpindrift(2ply,fingeringweight,100%wool,115
yd/105mper1oz/25g)[MC]Mooskit(shade304),2balls[CC1]Spagnum(shade233),1ball[CC2]AdmiralNavy(shade727),1ball
NeedlesUS0/2mmknittingneedles
US0/2mmDPNsTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsStitchmarker
BOpurlwise.
BackUsingMCandknittingneedles,CO72sts.
Startingwithaprow,workststfor58rows,untilpiecematchesfront,endingwithakrow.
BOpurlwise.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockpiecesbeforeseaming.Toseam,placepiecesRStog.Usingbackstich,sewthreeseamsleavingoneshortendofthecoveropen.
TurnRSout.
UsingDPNsandMC,pickupandkapprox.108sts(youwillneedanevennumberofsts)fromaroundtheopenedgeofthecover.Placemarkertoindicatebegofthernd.Workink1,p1ribfor4rnds.
BOinrib.
Weaveinends.
“ExLibris”Chart
BlackLetterBeanieAnidealwayofshowingofftheboldyetflowinglinesoftheBlackLettertypeface,thisinitialedGothicletterhatcanbepersonalizedwiththewearer’sinitialorwhicheverofthelettersyou’remostattractedto.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:Tofitaverageadulthead,20in/51cmcircumferenceGauge:17stsand20rowsover4in/10cminststonUS8/5mmneedles
LettermotifUsetheLetter“D”Chartonthefacingpage.Tosubstituteyourownletter,usetheBlackLetterUppercaseChartsonpages133–35.Makesureyourchosenletteriscenteredbyworkingmoreorfewerstseithersideoftheletterchartonthebodyofthehat.
BrimWithMC,CO66sts.
Row1(RS):(K2,p2)tolast2sts,k2.Row2(WS):(P2,k2)tolast2sts,p2.Reprows1and2untilpiecemeasures1in/2.5cmfromcast-onedge,endingwithaRSrow.
NextRow(WS):P6,(pfb,p1)tolast6sts,p6.93sts
BodyofhatCommenceLetter“D”ChartRow1(RS):K34,worksts1to25ofLetter“D”Chart,k34.Row2(WS):P34,worksts1to25ofLetter“D”Chart,k34.(Ifusingaletterthatismoreorlessthan25sts,suchastheletter“M,”workmoreorfewerstseithersideoftheletterchartsothattheletteriscentered.)
Youwillneed
YarnBulkyBCGarnSemillaGrosso(Bulky)(100%wool,87yd/80mper13/4
oz/50g)[MC]Gray(shade101),2balls[CC]Black(shade02),1ball
NeedlesUS8/5mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsRepprev2rowsuntilchartiscomplete.
ContwithMConlyinststuntilpiecemeasures7in/18cmfromCOedge,endingwithaWSrow.
DecforcrownRow1(RS):K1,k5,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.80stsRow2andallfollWSrows:Purl.Row3:K1,k4,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.67stsRow5:K1,k3,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.54stsRow7:K1,k2,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.41stsRow9:K1,k1,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.28stsRow11:K1,(k2tog)tolastst,k1.15stsRow13:(K1,k2tog)toend.10sts
FinishingBreakyarn,threadthroughrem10sts,anddrawtogtightly.Sewtheedgesofthehattogusingmattressstandweaveinendsontheinsideofthehat.
Letter“D”Chart
“CarpeDiem”CoveredBraceletsSeizethedaywiththesechunkyknit-coveredbracelets,whicharemodeledaftertattoosbutwon’thurtyourwristsnearlyasmuch.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:approx.111/2in/29cmcircumferenceby23/4in/7cmwideGauge:Approx.25stsand35rowsover4in/10cminststonUS3/3.25mmneedles
LettermotifUsethe“Carpe”and“Diem”Chartsonfacingpage.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheBlackLetterLowercaseChartsonpages136–37.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5letters.Drawabox1stwiderthanyourchosenletters;thiswillshowyoutheamountofspaceyouhavebetweeneachletter.Makesurethesmallerlettersstartatrow8andfinishonrow25.Longerletterswillstartbeloworabovetheserows.
“Carpe”braceletUsingMC,CO72sts.
Startingwithakrow,work3rowsinstst.
BO.
Commence“Carpe”ChartUsingtheintarsiatechniqueandCCasindicated,workrows1–28ofchart.
UsingMConly,work7rowsinstst.
BO.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanFeltedTweedDK(50%merinowool/25%alpaca/25%viscose;
191yd/175mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Clay(shade177),1ball[CC]Carbon(shade159),1ball
NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissors
2chunkybracelets,approx.111/2in/29cmaroundoutsideofbracelet,23/4in/7cmdeepfromtoptobottom
Safetypins
“Diem”braceletUsingMC,CO72sts.
Startingwithakrow,work8rowsinstst.
BO.
Commence“Diem”ChartUsingtheintarsiatechniqueandCCasindicated,workrows1–23ofchart.
UsingMConly,work5rowsinstst.
“Carpe”Chart
BO.
FinishingBlockorpressfabrictofinishedsizefollowingtheballbandinstructionsandsewsideseamstogtomakearing.SlbraceletintotheknittingwiththeRSF.Wrapthefabricaroundthebracelet—usesafetypinstoholdtheseamtog.Seamupthebound-offandcast-onedgestocompletelyenclosethebracelet.
“Diem”Chart
8NumbersandPunctuationYoumaybesurprisedtolearnthatusingpunctuationsymbolstoform“emoticons”didnotoriginatewiththeInternetorinstantmessaging.Infact,theuseofemoticonsinwritinghasbeentracedbacktotheeighteenthcentury,andsomeformswereinwideusagebythenineteenthcentury.
Ofcourse,theageoftheInternet,Webforums,instantmessaging,andonlinegaminghasseenameteoricriseintheuseofthesesymbols.Butpunctuationcanbebeautifulevenoutofcontext:Forexample,thesweepingcurvesofanampersand(&)ortheexclamatoryanddramaticquestionmark(?)andexclamationpoint(!).WiththeomnipresenceofemailandTwitterhelpingtheprocess,the“at”symbol(@)hasenjoyednewfoundpopularity,andallthesesymbolsandmoreareincludedinthechartsonpages138–39foryoutocreatefundesignswith.
Includingnumberchartsinthisbookmeansknitterscanincorporatespecialdates,times,streetaddresses,luckynumbers,sportsjerseynumbers,orevenlongitudeandlatitudecoordinatesintotheirknitting.TheWeddingPillowprojectinthischapter(facingpage)willgiveyouanideaofwhat’spossible.
Monaco,thetypefaceonwhichthesechartsarebased,hassimple,almostchildlikecleanlines,toaidinreadabilityandclarity.Thesesymbolsandnumberswillmakeaclean,boldstatementinyourownprojects.
WeddingPillowThislovinglyknittedpillowtobeartheweddingringsistheperfectcontributiontothehappycouple’sbigday,aswellasalovelymementotobeenjoyedforyearstocome.
Thepattern
Finishedsize:approx.10in/25cmsquareGauge:28stsand36rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmknittingneedles.
LettermotifUsingtheWeddingPillowChart(page97)asanexample,usetheScriptUppercaseChartsonpages120–23fortheinitials.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatfitsexactlythewidthandheightofyourchosenletters.UsetheNumbersandPunctuationChartsonpages138–39forthedate.Onthechartofyourchosennumbers,drawaboxaroundeachofthenumbersthatfitsexactlythewidthandheightofyourchosennumbers.
Thepattonthepillowisaddedafterthemainfabrichasbeenworkedusingduplicatestitch(seepage23).
FrontandbackpanelsUsingMC,CO70sts.
Startingwithakrow,workinststfor90rows.
BO.
Repforbackpaneltomatchfront.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanCottonGlacé(sportweight,100%cotton,125yd/115mper13/4
oz/50g)[MC]Ecru(shade725),2balls[CC]Black(shade727),1ball
NeedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
Other
ScissorsSquarepillowform,10in/25cmSewingneedleandthread
DuplicateStitchChartUsingthechart(below)asaguideandusingduplicatestitch,applythedateandinitialstothefrontpanelofthepillow.
FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstofinisheddimensionsfollowingdirectionsontheballband.Sewfrontandbackpanelstogetheratthebound-offandcast-onedge,leavingopenoneofthesideseams.Insertthepillowformandcloseremseam.
WeddingPillowChart
93-DLETTERSAlthoughtheprojectsinthischapterdonotadheretoaspecifictypefacegrouporfont(otherthangenerallybeingsansserif),theywereamustinabookaboutknittedletters.Thelettershereareredolentoffanciful,cartoonybubbleletterwriting.Bubbleletterfontshavebeendesignedfordecadesasnoveltycomputerfonts,butofcourseeveryoneremembershand-drawingtheselovablelettersaschildren.
TheA–ZBookends(facingpage)areawonderfulgiftideaforsomeonewithaloveofliteratureandalotofbooksthatneedtobeattractivelyproppedup.The“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows(page103)areagreatwaytopracticenewstitchpatternsaswellasshaping.
Whenmaking3-Dletters,carefulshapingisusedtopromotereadabilityandtoensurethatthepiecewillholditsshapewhenstuffed.Besuretostufffirmly,butnotsomuchthatthestitchesstretch.Whenstuffing,usesmallpiecesoneatatimetopreventlumps,anduseafirmstitchgaugeforstructureandeaseoffilling.
A–ZBookendsHoweveryouorganizeyourpersonallibrary—alphabetically,bysubject,orbyspinecolorifyou’rearealaesthete—anybookcollectionwillbenefitfrombeingproppedupbythesebeautiful,sturdyknittedbookends.
Thepatterns
Finishedsize:approx.10in/25cmby9in/22.5cmGauge:16stsand23rowsover4in/10cmingarterstonUS8/5mmneedlesBothprojectsareknittedingarterstitch(allrowsk).
Letter“A”CO13stsandwork13rowsingarterst.
Breakyarnandslststoholder.
COasecondsetof13stsandwork13rowsingarterst.
Row14(WS):K13,CO13sts,slip13stsfromholdertoworkingneedleandktoend.39stsRows15–26:Knit.Row27(RS):K13,BO13sts,K13withaseparateballofyarn.Contworkingbothsidesoftheletterseparately.Row28(WS):K2tog,k12,M1onfirstside.M1,k12,K2togonsecondside.13stsoneachsideRow29(RS):Knit.Rows30–39:Replasttworows5times.Row40(WS):Workacrossallststojointopofletter.K12,k2tog,k12.25stsRow41(RS):Knit.Row42(WS):K2tog,ktolast2sts,k2tog.23stsReplasttworowsuntil13stsremain.
BO.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanFeltedTweed(Aran)(50%wool/25%alpaca/25%viscose,
approx.95yd/87mper13/4oz/50gball)For“A”:Ivy(shade727),2ballsFor“Z”:Cherry(shade732),2balls
Needles
US8/5mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle
OtherScissorsStitchholderPlasticcanvassheeting,about20in/50cmsquareLightweightpolyestertoystuffingDriedbeans,35oz/1kg
Repallofthisforthebacksideoftheletter.Whenworkingacrosstheentirewidthoftheletter,onlyonethreadofyarnisrequired.
DepthcreationandfinishingMeasureandcut2piecesofplasticcanvastofitinsidetheletter.Stthecanvastotherevsidesofthefrontandbackpiecesatseveralpointstopreventslippingandtoprovidestabilityandshapedefinitionforthebookends.
CO15stsandworkingarterstitchuntilworkislongenoughtofitaroundtheinnertriangleofthe“A”(approx.7in/18cm).KeepmeasuringandcheckingthelengthandBOwhenitislongenough.Stinplaceusingmattresssttosecurethefrontofthe“A”totheback.
CO15stsandworkingarterstitchuntiltheworkislongenoughtoreachtheentireoutsidelengthoftheletter(approx.30in/76cm).KeepmeasuringandcheckingthelengthandBOwhenitislongenough.Stinplaceusingmattressstitch,leavingsufficientgapsforthedriedbeanstobeaddedtothebaseoftheletter.Fillthetophalfoftheletterwithlightweightpolyestertoystuffingandstuptocomplete.
Letter“Z”CO39stsandwork14rowsingarterst.
Row15:BO20sts,ktolast2sts,skpo.18stsRow16:K2tog,ktoend.17stsRow17:M1,ktolast2sts,skpo.Row18:Asrow16.16sts
Row19:Asrow17.Row20:K2tog,ktolastst,m1inlastst.Row21:Asrow17.Row22:Asrow20.Row23:Asrow17.Row24:Knit.Row25:Asrow17.Row26:Asrow20.
“A”BookendChart
Row27:Asrow17.Row28:Asrow20.Row29:Asrow17.Row30:Asrow24.Row31:Asrow17.Row32:Asrow20.Row33:Asrow17.Row34:Asrow20.Row35:Asrow17.Row36:Asrow20.Row37:M1,ktoend.17stsRow38:Asrow20.Row39:M1,ktoend.18stsRow40:Asrow16.17stsRow41:Ktoend,CO22sts.39stsRows42–50:Knit.
BO.
Repallofthisforthebacksideoftheletter—becausethisiscreatedusinggarterstitch,itisnotnecessarytoreversetheinstructions.
DepthcreationandmakingupMeasureandcutout2piecesofplasticcanvastofitinsidethe“Z.”Stthecanvastothereversesidesofthefrontandbackpiecesatseveralpointstopreventslippingandtoprovidestabilityandshapedefinitionforthebookends.
CO17sts.WorkingarterstitchuntilworkislongenoughtofitaroundtheoutsideofletterZ(approx42in/107cm).KeepmeasuringandcheckingthelengthandBOwhenitislongenough.Stinplaceusingmattressstitch,leavingsufficientgapsforthedriedbeanstobeaddedtothebaseoftheletter.Fillthetophalfoftheletterwithlightweightpolyestertoystuffingandstuptocomplete.
“Z”BookendChart
“LOVE”3-DLetterPillowsThesechunky,comfypillowswillcozyupanyspotinthehouse,fromakitchenledgetoawarmsofa.
Thepatterns
Gauge(allfourletters):13stsand18rowsover4in/10cmonUS101/6.5mmneedlesNote:Youneedtomaketwosidesforeachpillow,whichmeansthatthebacksideistheletterinreverse.Thisisreferredtointhepattasthe“reverse”side,asopposedtothe“front”side.
“L”PillowThisletterismadeusingawiderib,givingdefinitiontothelongsideoftheletter.Finishedsize:12in/30cmby12in/30cm
FrontsideCO41sts.
Row1(RS):K2,p1,k4,p1;repfromtolast3sts,k3.Row2(WS):P3,k1,p4;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Reprows1and2afurthereighttimes.
Row19:BO31sts,k2,p1,k4,p1;repfromlast3sts,k3.Row20:P3,k1,p4;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Reprows19and20afurtherfourteentimes.
BOknitwise.
ReversesideCO41sts.Row1(RS):K3,p1,k4,p1;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Row2(WS):P2,k1,p4;repfromtolast3sts,k3.
Youwillneed
YarnRowanPurelifeBritishSheepBreedsUndyed(100%wool,120yd/110m
per31/2oz/100g)Masham(shade957),1ballperpillow
NeedlesUS101/6.5mmknittingneedles
OtherScissorsLargebagofpolyestertoystuffing
Reprows1and2afurthereighttimesandthenrow1oncemore.
Row20(WS):BO31sts,k2,p1,k4,p1;repfromtolast3sts,k3.Row21:P3,k1,p4;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Reprows20and21afurtherthirteentimes.
BOknitwise.
See“Finishingforallletters,”page107.
“O”PillowThisletterismadeusingseedst,givingatexturedpatttotheletter.Finishedsize:12in/30cmby12in/30cm
FrontandreversesidesCO13sts.
Row1(RS):K1,p1;repfromtoend.13stsRow2(WS):K1f&b,k1,p1;repfromtolastst,k1f&b.2stsincRow3:K1f&b,p1,k1;repfromtolastst,k1f&b.2stsincRows4–14:Reprows2and3untilyouhave39stsontheneedles.Row15:P1,k1;repfromtoend.Rows16–19:Asrow15.Row20:(P1,k1)eighttimes.BO3sts.P1,k1;repfromtoend.36sts
Row21:(P1,k1)seventimes.P1,k2togjoinnewballofyarntoothersideofbound-offstsandcontrow21inreverseasfollows:K2tog,p1,(k1,p1)toend.Row22:(P1,k1)seventimes,p1,k2tog,controw22inrevasfollows:P1,(k1,p1)toend.Rows22–29:Asrow22.Row30:(P1,k1)seventimes,p1,k2tog,controw30inrevasfollows:K2tog,p1,(k1,p1)toend.Row31:(P1,k1)eighttimes.CO3sts.(P1,k1)toend.Rows32–37:(P1,k1)toend.Row38:K2tog,*p1,k1;reptolast2sts.K2tog.Rows39–50:Reprow38until13stsrem.
BOknitwise.
See“Finishingforallletters,”facingpage.
See“Finishingforallletters,”facingpage.
“V”PillowThisletterismadeusingarib-likepatt,withaguidingrowofpststoemphasizethe“V”shape.
Finishedsize:10in/25cmby12in/30cm
FrontandreversesidesCO7sts.Row1(RS):K2,p1,k1,p1,k2.Row2:Inc1,k3,p1,k3,inc1.9stsRow3:Inc1,k3,p1,k1,p1,k3,inc1.11stsRow4:Inc1,k5,p1,k5,inc1.13stsRow5:Inc1,k5,p1,k1,p1,k5,inc1.15stsRow6:Inc1,k7,p1,k7,inc1.17stsRow7:Inc1,k7,p1,k1,p1,k7,inc1.19stsRow8:Inc1,k9,p1,k9,inc1.21stsRow9:Inc1,k8,p2,k1,p2,k8,inc1.23stsRow10:Inc1,k8,p,k2,p1,k2,p1,k8,inc1.25sts
Row11:Inc1,k8,p1,k2,p1,k1,p1,k2,p1,k8,inc1.27stsRow12:Inc1,k8,p1,k4,p1,k4,p1,k8,inc1.29stsRow13:Inc1,k8,p1,k4,p1,k1,p1,k4,p1,k8,inc1.31stsRow14:Inc1,k8,p1,k6,p1,k6,p1,k8,inc1.33stsRow15:Inc1,k8,p1,k6,p1,k1,p1,k6,p1,k8,inc1.35stsRow16:Inc1,k8,p1,k8,p1,k8,p1,k8,inc1.37stsRow17:Inc1,k8,p1,k8,p1,k1,p1,k8,p1,k9,inc1.39stsRow18:K9,p,k9,p1,k9,p,k9.Row19:K9,p,k8,p,k,p,k8,p,k9.Row20:K9,p,k9,p1,k9,p,k9.Splitfortwolimbsofthe“V”:Row21:K9,p1,k9,BO1st,k9,p1,k9.Row22:K9,p1,k9,contotherlimbwithseparateballofyarnasfollows:K9,p1,k9.Row23:K9,p1,k9,contotherlimbwithseparateballofyarnasfollows:K9,p1,k9.Rows24–50:Reprows22and23.
BOknitwise.
See“Finishingforallletters,”facingpage.
“E”PillowThisletterismadeusingbasketweavepatt.
Finishedsize:12in/30cmby10in/25cm
FrontsideCO40stsRow1(RS):(K4,p4)toend.Row2(WS):(P4,k4)toend.Row3:Asrow1.Rows4–5:Asrow2.Row6:Asrow1.Row7:Asrow2.Row8:Asrow1.These8rowsformthebasketweavepatt.**Reprows1–4oncemore.Row13:BO24sts,workinbasketweavepatt(asrow5)toend.16stsRow14:Asrow6.Reprows7and8,andthenrows1to4oncemore.Row21:Reprow5,CO16sts.32stsRows22–32:Workinbasketweavepatt.Row33:BO16sts,workinbasketweavepatttoend.16stsRows34–37:Continbasketweavepatt,CO24sts.40sts
Continbasketweavepattforafurther15rows.
BOknitwise.
ReversesideCO40sts.Row1(RS):(P4,k4)toend.Row2(WS):(K4,p4)toend.Rows3–4:Reprows1and2.Row5:Asrow2.Rows6–7:Reprows1and2.Row8:Asrow1.These8rowsformthereversebasketweavepatt.
Workasforfrontfrom**toBO.
Finishingforallletters
Placefrontandreverseletterswrongsidestogetheranduseslsttojoinalledges,leavingonesideopentoallowroomforstuffing.Stufffairlyfirmlywithtoystuffing,ensuringthatitisevenlyspreadthroughthepillow.Stitchupthefinaledge,tuckingalllooseendsinsideneatly.
COLORWORKCHARTS
SansSerifUppercaseCharts
(adaptedfromHelveticatypeface)
SansSerifLowercaseCharts
(adaptedfromHelveticatypeface)
SerifUppercaseCharts
(adaptedfromGaramondtypeface)
SerifLowercaseCharts
(adaptedfromGaramondtypeface)
SlabSerifCharts
(adaptedfromCollegeSlabtypeface)
StencilCharts
(adaptedfromStenciltypeface)
ScriptUppercaseCharts
(adaptedfromEnglishtypeface)
ScriptLowercaseCharts
(adaptedfromEnglishtypeface)
CircusCharts
(adaptedfromCoffeeTintypeface)
WesternCharts
(adaptedfromRioOrotypeface)
BlackLetterUppercaseCharts
(adaptedfromFetteFrakturtypeface)
BlackLetterLowercaseCharts
(adaptedfromFetteFrakturtypeface)
NumbersandPunctuationCharts
(adaptedfromMonacotypeface)
IndexAabbreviations11AlphabetBabyBlocks49–51charts51AlphabetPillow25–8charts28“Amour”Chart73“Amour”HeartPillow71–3Arial24A–ZBookends99–102charts101,102BBabyBlanket81–3charts82Backpack,Child’sInitialed53–5Baskerville42Beanie,BlackLetter90–1“Bella”Chart77bindingoff14BlackLetterBeanie90–1BlackLettertypefaces86–93lowercasecharts136–7uppercasecharts133–5bobbins22Bodoni80Bookends,A–ZseeA–ZBookendsBookstoreTote47–8chart48BrushScript70Ccablebind-off14“CAFE”Chart63“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy61–3
Cargo60“Carpe”and“Diem”charts93“CarpeDiem”CoveredBracelets92–3castingon,cablemethod13
Century42changingcolors23chartscreatingandcustomizing8–9reading23symbols23ChecksChart37Child’sInitialedBackpack53–5“Ciao”Chart41“Ciao”Mittens39–41Circustypefacecharts126–30Clarendon52Coasters,LetterTile32–4CoffeeTin80,126,131
CollegeSlab116colorschanging23joininginnew22colorwork21–3charts108–39Courier52CovertOps60Crate60cross-stitch7Ddecreasingstitches17–18DiamondChart82“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt43–5Doorstop,“STOP”Sign29–31chart31Dress,Girl’s75–7duplicatestitch23EEgyptienne52embroidery7emoticons94English70,120equipment10“ExLibris”chart87,89“ExLibris”E-readerCover86,87–9FFeltedPencilCase6,24,35–7FetteFraktur133,136floats,weaving22GGaramond42,112,114garterstitch15,22gauge12adjusting12Georgia42Girl’sDress75–7
Gothictypefaces42,86grafting20graphpaper10Gutenberg,Johannes86HHelvetica24,108,110Iincreasingstitches16InitialsChart53,55intarsia22,23,25Jjoininginnewcolor22
Kknitstitch15knittingneedles10KuenstlerScript70
LLady’s“PARIS”Sweater67–9Letter“D”chart91LettermanSweater57–9LetterTileCoasters32–4“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows103–7LudlowTypograph60Mmattressstitch20Middleton,R.Hunter60Mistral70Mittens,“Ciao”39–41chart41MobiusTwistScarf78–9Monaco94,138mossstitch22NNeckerchief84–5chart85needlegauge10NumbersandPunctuation94–7charts138–9OOrnamentaltypefaces80–5charts126–32Ppatterns,reading11,23PencilCase,Felted6,24,35–7pickingupstitches19pillowsAlphabetPillow25–8“Amour”HeartPillow71–3“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows103–7WeddingPillow95–7pins10Playbill52purlstitch15
Qquilting7RRioOro80Rockwell52rowcounter10ruler10Ssafetypins10SansSeriftypefaces24–41lowercasecharts110–11uppercasecharts108–9Scarf,MobiusTwist6,78–9scissors10Script6,9Scripttypefaces70–9lowercasecharts124–5uppercasecharts120–3seams20Seriftypefaces42–51lowercasecharts114–15uppercasecharts112–13serifs6,42shapingtechniques16–18SlabSeriftypefaces52–9charts116–17SleeveLettersChart69slipknots12stationery10Stenciltypefaces60–9charts118–19stitchesdecreasing17–18duplicate23garter15,22increasing16knit15
mattress20moss22pickingup19purl15stockinette15,22stitchesandrows,counting12stitchholder10stitchmarker10stockinettestitch15,22“STOP”SignDoorstop29–31chart31stranding21,22,23,25sweatersLady’s“PARIS”Sweater67–9LettermanSweater57–9TTahoma24tapemeasure10“TAXI”Chart37techniques12–23testswatch12Textura863-DLetters98–102TimesNewRoman42TopSecret60ToyTidyBag65–6chart66VVarsityLetterChart59Verdana24“VINO”LetterTiles32–4chart34WWallArtChart45weavingfloats22WeddingPillow94,95–7chart95,97
Westerntypefacecharts131–2wool/darningneedle10
AcknowledgmentsTheprojectsfeaturedinthisbookweredesignedandknittedbythefollowingdesigners:CatherineHirst“STOP”SignDoorstop(page29)“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy(page61)“Amour”HeartPillow(page71)
ErssieMajorAlphabetBabyBlocks(designonly)(page49)
ClaireCromptonAlphabetPillow(page25)LetterTileCoasters(page32)“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt(page43)BookstoreTote(page47)LettermanSweater(page57)ToyTidyBag(page65)
CarolMeldrumFeltedPencilCase(page35)“Ciao”Mittens(page39)Lady’s“PARIS”Sweater(page67)Girl’sDress(page75)MobiusTwistScarf(page78)Neckerchief(page84)“CarpeDiem”CoveredBracelets(page92)WeddingPillow(page95)
LizGregoryA–ZBookends(page99)“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows(page103)AlphabetBabyBlocks(knittingonly)(page49)
MeghanFernandesChild’sInitialedBackpack(page53)
BabyBlanket(page81)“ExLibris”E-readerCover(page87)BlackLetterBeanie(page90)
QuintetPublishingwouldliketothank:themodels,DanielleHolbrook,CarolinaConnor,LukeConnor,andJoshuaTianMedina;JaneCumberbatchforthephotographylocation;BCGarn,DMC,Jamieson’s,KingCole,RicoDesign,Rowan,andSirdarforsupplyingtheirexcellentyarnsforthevariousprojects;RachelAtkinsonforhermeticuloustechnicaledit;FredBrinforpattern-checkingeachoftheprojects;LindsayKaubiforcopyediting;DianaCraigforproofreading;JulieBrookeforhereditorialinput;andLydiaEvansforherbeautifulphotography.
AllimagesarethecopyrightofQuintetPublishingLtd,andmaynotbereproducedwithoutpriorwrittenpermission.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetocreditcontributors,QuintetPublishingwouldliketoapologizeshouldtherebeanyomissionsorerrors—andwouldbepleasedtomakeanyappropriatecorrectionsforfutureeditionsofthebook.
CATHERINEHIRSTisaknittingexpertandteachesatcraftstudiosandcollegesacrossLondon,wheresheresides.
ERSSIEMAJORisadesignerandknittingtutorwhohashadherpatternspublishedinbooksandmagazinesworldwide.ShelivesinLondon.