£16.99 Paperback 978 184400 815 5 144pp 280 x 216mm Approx. 25,000 words including 20 projects Over 50 colour photographs and 50 artworks Publication April 2009
Quadrille Publishing Ltd Alhambra House 27–31 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0LS www.quadrille.co.uk
a how-to-knit workshop with 20 desirable projects
Erika Knight
Introduction 6 Materials & Techniques 8 Stitch Library 48 Project Workshops 62
BASIC Muffler 64 Notebook 66 Dishcloth 70 Cushion 74 Shopper 78 COLOURWORK Stripe throw 82 Stripe cushion 86 Intarsia throw 90 Pin cushion 94 Tea cosy 98
SHAPING Beanie hat 102 Mittens 106 Slouch socks 110 Round cushion 114 Rag bag 118 CABLES Cable scarf 122 Hottie 126 FULLY FASHIONING Four-pin sock 130 Rib sweater 134 Pocket cardigan 138 Yarn stockists 142 Acknowledgements 144
Simple Knitting is a unique workshop-based, how-to-knit book that will teach you the key techniques whilst creating an enviable collection of knitted items. Each of the 20 projects in the book teaches a new skill, as well as building upon and consolidating those knitting techniques already learnt through proceeding projects. With a series of workshop-style masterclasses, which you work through as you knit, Erika Knight explains all the essential information – achieving a perfect tension, substituting yarns or stitch textures, to more advanced cables and shaping – alongside broader design principles, such as building a colour palette. Simple Knitting provides a unique opportunity to learn the design secrets of one of the world’s most highly respected knitwear designers as Erika shares her special tricks of the trade. Erika’s signature style, for which she has become renowned worldwide, is her sophisticated simplicity. Simple Knitting is the embodiment of that elegant reductivism. Her designs prove that you can make wonderful, original items for your home at the same time as mastering a wide repertoire of skills. Likewise, her preference for a refined natural palette of earthy shades with the odd dusky pastel highlight is perfectly in tune with the current mood for relaxed, homely interiors. With inspiring photography by Yuki Sugiura that perfectly showcases each of the beautiful designs, supported with clear charts and artworks, Simple Knitting is the ultimate learn-to-knit book.
Erika Knight is a respected knitwear designer, as well as a sought-after fashion and crafts consultant. For many years Erika has worked tirelessly towards greater accessibility within the crafts arena, bringing it to a new generation. The profile of knitting and other crafts has never been higher than it is now, and Erika has played a major role in this renaissance. Simple Knitting is Erika’s twelfth book to be published by Quadrille. Her previous knitting titles include New Knits, Baby Bloom, Classic, Glamour, Classic at Home, Glamour at Home, Men’s Knits and most recently Natural Nursery Knits.
Introduction 6 Materials & Techniques 8 Stitch Library 48 Project Workshops 62
BASIC Muffler 64 Notebook 66 Dishcloth 70 Cushion 74 Shopper 78 COLOURWORK Stripe throw 82 Stripe cushion 86 Intarsia throw 90 Pin cushion 94 Tea cosy 98
SHAPING Beanie hat 102 Mittens 106 Slouch socks 110 Round cushion 114 Rag bag 118 CABLES Cable scarf 122 Hottie 126 FULLY FASHIONING Four-pin sock 130 Rib sweater 134 Pocket cardigan 138 Yarn stockists 142 Acknowledgements 144
Simple Knitting is a unique workshop-based, how-to-knit book that will teach you the key techniques whilst creating an enviable collection of knitted items. Each of the 20 projects in the book teaches a new skill, as well as building upon and consolidating those knitting techniques already learnt through proceeding projects. With a series of workshop-style masterclasses, which you work through as you knit, Erika Knight explains all the essential information – achieving a perfect tension, substituting yarns or stitch textures, to more advanced cables and shaping – alongside broader design principles, such as building a colour palette. Simple Knitting provides a unique opportunity to learn the design secrets of one of the world’s most highly respected knitwear designers as Erika shares her special tricks of the trade. Erika’s signature style, for which she has become renowned worldwide, is her sophisticated simplicity. Simple Knitting is the embodiment of that elegant reductivism. Her designs prove that you can make wonderful, original items for your home at the same time as mastering a wide repertoire of skills. Likewise, her preference for a refined natural palette of earthy shades with the odd dusky pastel highlight is perfectly in tune with the current mood for relaxed, homely interiors. With inspiring photography by Yuki Sugiura that perfectly showcases each of the beautiful designs, supported with clear charts and artworks, Simple Knitting is the ultimate learn-to-knit book.
Erika Knight is a respected knitwear designer, as well as a sought-after fashion and crafts consultant. For many years Erika has worked tirelessly towards greater accessibility within the crafts arena, bringing it to a new generation. The profile of knitting and other crafts has never been higher than it is now, and Erika has played a major role in this renaissance. Simple Knitting is Erika’s twelfth book to be published by Quadrille. Her previous knitting titles include New Knits, Baby Bloom, Classic, Glamour, Classic at Home, Glamour at Home, Men’s Knits and most recently Natural Nursery Knits.
Yarns: bulky weight
Bulky yarns – or fat yarns as I call them – are some of my favourites. Their sheer volume is inspirational. By bulky I am referring to yarns over double-knitting weight, including Aran, chunky, bulky and the nowlegendary big wool. It’s great to learn to knit with bulky yarn on big needles as you’re able to see the stitches very clearly and, of course, as the knitting grows very quickly it is instantly rewarding. I like to use big yarns for statement projects for the home, such as cushions and throws, where the scale of the yarn adds a certain homespun fun to couches and chairs.
a A wool blend yarn (Rowan Little Big Wool) b A pure merino yarn (Rowan Big Wool) c A wool-cashmere blend yarn (Debbie Bliss Como)
d A wool-alpaca blend yarn (Blue Sky
c a
f
Alpaca Bulky) e A merino blend yarn (Gedifra Merino Grande) f A pure new wool yarn (Rowan Scottish Tweed Chunky)
e
b d
CYCA information Yarn weight bulky/chunky Average knitted gauge 12–15 sts Recommended needle size (metric) 5.5–8mm Recommended needle size (imperial) 9–11 (These are the most commonly used tensions and needle sizes for this yarn category.)
Materials & Techniques: Yarns
14
Yarns: bulky weight
Bulky yarns – or fat yarns as I call them – are some of my favourites. Their sheer volume is inspirational. By bulky I am referring to yarns over double-knitting weight, including Aran, chunky, bulky and the nowlegendary big wool. It’s great to learn to knit with bulky yarn on big needles as you’re able to see the stitches very clearly and, of course, as the knitting grows very quickly it is instantly rewarding. I like to use big yarns for statement projects for the home, such as cushions and throws, where the scale of the yarn adds a certain homespun fun to couches and chairs.
a A wool blend yarn (Rowan Little Big Wool) b A pure merino yarn (Rowan Big Wool) c A wool-cashmere blend yarn (Debbie Bliss Como)
d A wool-alpaca blend yarn (Blue Sky
c a
f
Alpaca Bulky) e A merino blend yarn (Gedifra Merino Grande) f A pure new wool yarn (Rowan Scottish Tweed Chunky)
e
b d
CYCA information Yarn weight bulky/chunky Average knitted gauge 12–15 sts Recommended needle size (metric) 5.5–8mm Recommended needle size (imperial) 9–11 (These are the most commonly used tensions and needle sizes for this yarn category.)
Materials & Techniques: Yarns
14
Texture Stitches
Multiple of 2 + 1 Row 1: K1, * p1, k1; rep from * to end. Rep this row.
Moss Stitch – reversible stitch – firm texture – suitable for both fine and fat yarns
2-st repeat
Multiple of 2 + 1 Row 1 (WS): P1, * KB1, p1; rep from * to end. Row 2: Knit. Row 3: * KB1, p1; rep from * to last st, KB1. Row 4: Knit. Rep these 4 rows.
52
Stitch Library
Double Rice Stitch – beautiful stitch to work in fine cotton
Stripe throw
A deceptively simple throw that is worked in four easy sections, which are then pieced together. Knitted in the trinity of basic stitches – garter, stocking and reverse stocking stitch – this pattern really couldn’t be easier. You could knit this throw in plain block colours, but for added interest I have introduced some elementary stripe sequences of varying complexity. In this project you will learn...
how to put together simple stripe sequences how to follow a colourwork chart
Stitch es used...
garter stitch, stocking stitch, reverse stocking stitch Size Finished size of throw when sewn: approximately 150cm square Actual size of each knitted piece: 75cm square Materials Light-weight yarn, such as Rowan Classic Baby Alpaca DK A 11 x 50g balls in light grey B 9 x 50g balls in dark grey C 8 x 50g balls in brown Pair 4mm knitting needles Large blunt-ended sewing needle Tension 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Special notes It is easier to weave in the loose yarn ends as you work whenever you change colour. See the masterclass on page 87 for how to do this technique.
Project 6: Stripe Throw
83
Stripe throw
A deceptively simple throw that is worked in four easy sections, which are then pieced together. Knitted in the trinity of basic stitches – garter, stocking and reverse stocking stitch – this pattern really couldn’t be easier. You could knit this throw in plain block colours, but for added interest I have introduced some elementary stripe sequences of varying complexity. In this project you will learn...
how to put together simple stripe sequences how to follow a colourwork chart
Stitch es used...
garter stitch, stocking stitch, reverse stocking stitch Size Finished size of throw when sewn: approximately 150cm square Actual size of each knitted piece: 75cm square Materials Light-weight yarn, such as Rowan Classic Baby Alpaca DK A 11 x 50g balls in light grey B 9 x 50g balls in dark grey C 8 x 50g balls in brown Pair 4mm knitting needles Large blunt-ended sewing needle Tension 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Special notes It is easier to weave in the loose yarn ends as you work whenever you change colour. See the masterclass on page 87 for how to do this technique.
Project 6: Stripe Throw
83
Cable scarf
A long, long scarf knitted in superbulky yarn on superbulky knitting needles, this design incorporates an oversized cable stitch with a neat selvedge edge. This is the perfect project for a novice to tackle cables because by working in such chunky wool on large needles the cable stitches are clearly visible, so you will be able to see the cable taking shape as you knit. In this project you will learn...
Masterclass
how to make a cable
Stitch es used...
stocking stitch, reverse stocking stitch, cable stitch Size Approximately 23cm wide by 230cm long Materials 5 x 100g balls of superbulky yarn, such as Rowan Big Wool Pair 12mm knitting needles Cable needle Tension 9 sts and 12 rows to 10cm square measured over stocking stitch using 12mm needles. Special abbreviation C12B slip next 6 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k6 from LH needle, then k6 from cable needle.
How to knit a cable (C12B) Slip the first six cable stitches purlwise off the left-hand needle and onto the cable needle. Leave the cable needle at the back of the work, then knit the next six stitches on the left-hand needle, keeping the yarn tight to prevent a gap forming in the knitting. Knit the six stitches directly from the cable needle, or if preferred, slip the six stitches from the cable needle back onto the left-hand needle and then knit them. This completes the cable cross.
16 sts
122
Project 16: Cable Scarf
Key | k on RS, p on WS – purl on RS, k on WS / C12B
Cable scarf
A long, long scarf knitted in superbulky yarn on superbulky knitting needles, this design incorporates an oversized cable stitch with a neat selvedge edge. This is the perfect project for a novice to tackle cables because by working in such chunky wool on large needles the cable stitches are clearly visible, so you will be able to see the cable taking shape as you knit. In this project you will learn...
Masterclass
how to make a cable
Stitch es used...
stocking stitch, reverse stocking stitch, cable stitch Size Approximately 23cm wide by 230cm long Materials 5 x 100g balls of superbulky yarn, such as Rowan Big Wool Pair 12mm knitting needles Cable needle Tension 9 sts and 12 rows to 10cm square measured over stocking stitch using 12mm needles. Special abbreviation C12B slip next 6 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k6 from LH needle, then k6 from cable needle.
How to knit a cable (C12B) Slip the first six cable stitches purlwise off the left-hand needle and onto the cable needle. Leave the cable needle at the back of the work, then knit the next six stitches on the left-hand needle, keeping the yarn tight to prevent a gap forming in the knitting. Knit the six stitches directly from the cable needle, or if preferred, slip the six stitches from the cable needle back onto the left-hand needle and then knit them. This completes the cable cross.
16 sts
122
Project 16: Cable Scarf
Key | k on RS, p on WS – purl on RS, k on WS / C12B
£16.99 Paperback 978 184400 815 5 144pp 280 x 216mm Approx. 25,000 words including 20 projects Over 50 colour photographs and 50 artworks Publication April 2009
Quadrille Publishing Ltd Alhambra House 27–31 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0LS www.quadrille.co.uk
a how-to-knit workshop with 20 desirable projects
Erika Knight