Dimensional Tuck Knitting by Sixth&Spring Books

A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION OF TEXTURE Dimensional Tuck Knitting, developed by Tracy Purtscher, is an ingenious technique that looks complicated yet is deceptively simple. All a knitter must do is knit a field of stockinette with a few precisely placed knit or purl stitches that act as markers, pick up a stitch here and there, and then work those stitches in a simple manner. This takes full advantage of the flexibility of knitted fabric, creating a series of manipulated welts that bend, fold, and double back on themselves for vibrant three-dimensional texture.

With step-by-step instructions and helpful information on every aspect of the technique, this comprehensive volume will inspire knitters of all skill levels. More than 85 patterns, each with both written and charted instructions, will dazzle. The collection of 10 projects—from a mohair shawl to a cozy blanket, from a bulky pullover to elegant fingerless mitts—will stun. So, give Dimensional Tuck Knitting a try. It’s the perfect new technique for all yarn weights, all projects, and every knitter who loves texture.

DIMENSIONALTUCK KNITTING Tracy Purtscher

CRAFTS • KNITTING

DIMENSIONAL TUCK KNITTING A N I N N OVAT I V E T E CH N I Q U E F O R C R E AT I N G S U R FAC E D E S I G N

$24.95 U.S.• $27.95 CANADA

ISBN-13: 978-1-942021- 67-4

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DIMENSIONAL TUCK KNITTING A N I N N OVAT I V E T E CH N I Q U E F O R C R E AT I N G S U R FAC E D E S I G N

Tracy Purtscher

NEW YORK

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CONTENTS PAT T E R N S

8 10 14 15 16 21 22 23 24 25

Introduction Nature & Mechanics C r e a t i n g a Tu c k S t i t c h Methods: Standard vs Alternative D i m e n s i o n a l Tu c k s : S t a n d a r d M e t h o d

26 54 72 96 114

Ribbons, Chains, & Loops R i p p l e s , Wa v e s , & C h e v r o n s R o p e s , Tw i s t s , & We a v e s Hybrids Allover & Horizontal Bands

Tu c k I n s t r u c t i o n s & Te r m s Reading the Charts Seeing the Pattern in the Chart N e e d l e s & Ya r n C o n s i d e r a t i o n s Te n s i o n , G a u g e , & B l o c k i n g

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PROJECTS

134 138 142 146 150 154 159 168 172 176

Rhombulky Cowl Luxury Fingerless Mitts Dreamweaver Cowl Stacked Flames Scarf Lucky Hat

180 181 182 183 184

A b b r e v i a t i o n s & Te c h n i q u e s Things to Know Index Acknowledgements Author Bio

Front & Center Sweater Tu c k s G a l o r e B l a n k e t Ta p e s t r y P o n c h o Rhombulky Pullover Whisper Shawl

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INTRODUCTION

W H AT I S D I M E N S I O N A L TUCK KNITTING? When someone asks me what my book is about, my standard reply is, “It's a

understood or, at the very least, accepted at face value. The next question

technique-based stitch dictionary for the hand knitter.”

is inevitably, “How did you come up with this?” I honestly don’t know how to

Non-knitters accept this as an answer to their question—no further

answer that question. You would probably have to walk around in my brain to

explanation is needed nor wanted. Knitters, on the other hand, will want

understand how I connect the dots; but, frankly, most of the time I don’t even

to know more. Hearing of a new stitch dictionary based on one particular

understand how it happens. The best I can do is try to give you a brief synopsis

technique always piques their interest and inspires a plethora of questions to

of my synapses and describe the sequence of events that led me to this point.

which my answers are as follows:

People of a similar age to mine might remember a particular type of

• No, there aren’t any new stitches to learn. The most difficult skill

decorative pillow proudly displayed on their grandmothers’ couches. These

needed is knitting or purling multiple stitches together.

pillows were often made of cool, creamy satin or of voluptuous velvet with a

• No, it isn't cabling, although a few stitches do look similar to cables. • No, you don't need any tools other than your knitting needles and yarn.

nap so deep it danced beneath your fingertips. They came in a variety of sizes

• No, markers aren't required, although they can be helpful when

pillow face was multifaceted with deep, deep folds and pleats creating complex

using certain types of yarn.

allover designs or concentric labyrinths.

and shapes—squares, rectangles, bolsters, and the ubiquitous circles. Each

• No, there isn't a lot of extra stitch or row counting. “Then what the heck is Dimensional Tuck Knitting?” asks the curious knitter.

reverently exploring the depths of the folds with timid fingers, trying to suss out the

“Well,” I say, “It's a method of fabric manipulation developed for the hand

secret inner workings that created such beauty. I never could. To me, those pillows

knitter, based on a hand-sewing technique.” The phrase “hand sewing” often

remained a magical mystery, a profound tactile memory emblazoned on my brain.

throws them a bit, perhaps due to the fact that a large number of knitters

As a child, I was mesmerized by my grandmother’s pillows. I remember

Fast forward more years than I care to admit to January 2013. Digging

see sewing only as a necessary evil during the finishing stages of their knits.

around in the sewing patterns of my favorite thrift store, I found a vintage

Whenever I discuss my book with such a knitter and his or her eyes begin to

McCall’s pattern—Pattern #2467, to be precise. It was a pattern for three

glaze over at the mere mention of hand sewing, I quickly assure them there is

pleated pillows, not exactly like my grandmother’s, but of the same technique.

no sewing required. This is often acknowledged with an audible sigh of relief.

My heart leapt, and I knew in an instant I wanted to savor every moment of this

At this point in the conversation, most of the information I have offered is

discovery. It had to be done right, with all the pomp and circumstance called

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for by the occasion, which meant waiting until I was home to unveil the secrets

similar to Project Runway, but for knitwear. Challenge 4, the knitting-machine

the pattern envelope contained. The long drive home, made even longer by

challenge, provided an excellent opportunity for me to explore knitted welts as

anticipation, nearly killed me. It was one of the very few times I have actually

a means of shaping a garment. I had dabbled before with welts, turned hems,

cursed the far-flung seclusion of my home.

and pleats, but I remembered all too well the error-filled frustrations I had faced

Once home, I settled quickly into my favorite thinking/wishing/what-if chair. I slowly opened the envelope flap with a deep breath and more than a little

trying to count rows or stitches. Given those memories, I opted to hand sew all of my welts.

trepidation. The promise of the knowledge a childhood me could not even

As I laboriously hand sewed a lot of welts on the wrong side of miles of

fathom was just too good to be true. My heart raced. The yellowed, brittle

stockinette, I noticed how all those little purl bumps lined up in straight rows

pages resisted my initial gentle tug but then let go and fluttered to my lap. What

and columns—a lot like graph paper. I thought, “Dang, if I sprinkled a few knit

would they reveal? What would I learn?

stitches amid the purl bumps, each oddball knit stitch could mark the proper

Not much, as it turned out. I was underwhelmed. Oh heck, let’s be frank:

rows to make the welts. And that would eliminate all this extra counting and

I was downright devastatingly disappointed. One childhood mystery blown

double checking!” I followed my thoughts further, seeing in my mind’s eye an

to smithereens by a couple of sheaves of crumbling paper. McCall’s Pattern

ever-expanding grid of single oddball knit stitches scattered across a field of

#2467 contained nothing more than a single page of instruction and a very

purls. But then, instead of graph paper, it looked like a dot-graph. And that’s

large dot-grid. It was all so simple, requiring none of the needle magic or

when it hit me: the proverbial light bulb moment.

advanced skills I had imagined—simply transfer the dot-grid to your fabric and connect the dots with a few whip stitches. I felt duped. Even knowing my expectations had been set impossibly high—had been inflated by a childhood memory of some sort of needle magic—I had still gotten caught up in the moment of discovery. Just because I had imagined a secret of grand importance was hidden within didn’t mean it actually was. After all, it was only a vintage home décor sewing pattern for pleated pillows. Heavy-hearted,

However briefly I had scanned the contents of McCall’s Pattern #2467 six months prior, I had understood the concept. I knew I could knit a dotgrid pattern. I knew, instead of whip stitching the dots together, I could knit or purl them together. And I knew then that I could knit the stitches from Grandmother’s pillows! I made two very small swatches using a couple of the pillow patterns as my guide,

I banished the pattern and all its too-simple bogus trickery to my nice-

incorporating tweaks appropriate

novelty-technique-to-try-sometime list. A list very seldom visited, and

for hand knitting. The concept of

where ideas go to die. A fitting and

Dimensional Tuck Knitting was born.

just punishment for non-existent

All the deep, deep dimensional folds,

needle magic and innocence lost.

pleats, and tucks of Grandmother’s

The remainder of 2013 was

pillows, created organically with sticks

a blur. I was chosen to be a

and string for the hand knitter—no

contestant in The Fiber Factor,

sewing required.

Skacel’s design competition,

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R I B B O N S, CH A I N S, & LOOPS

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R I P P L E S, WAV E S , & C H E V RO N S

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R O P E S, T W I STS, & W E AV E S

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HYB R I D S

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ALLOVER & H O R I Z O N TA L BANDS

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T H E P ROJ E C TS

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LUXURY FINGERLESS MITTS Cashmere yarn brings added luxury to stylish, textured, fingerless mitts—the perfect accessory for a night out.

SKILL LEVEL

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS Hand circumference 7"/18cm Length 9¼"/23.5cm

MATERIALS • 1 1¾oz/50g ball (approx 258yd/236m) of Jade Sapphire Exotic Fibres Aaah (cashmere) in #04 Apparition • One set (4) size 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles (dpn), or size to obtain gauges • Stitch markers and stitch holder

GAUGES • 21 sts and 36 rnds to 4"/10cm over garter st using size 5 (3.75mm) needles. • 13 sts to 1¾"/4.5cm over either chart using size 5 (3.75mm) needles. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGES.

NOTES 1) Stitch pattern is based on #48 Wavy Braid (see page 77). 2) Work all Dimensional Tucks using the alternative FROM WS method.

LEFT MITT Using the long-tail cast-on (see page 180), cast on 36 sts and divide evenly over 3 dpn. Join, taking care to not twist sts, and pm for beg of rnd.

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D R E A M W E AV E R C O W L A continuous field of weave-inspired Dimensional Tucks creates a dream of incredible softness and lightness in baby alpaca.

SKILL LEVEL

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS Circumference approx 21"/53.5cm Height 7"/18cm

MATERIALS • 2 1¾oz/50g hanks (each approx 110yd/100m) of Blue Sky Fibers Baby Alpaca (baby alpaca) in #808 Avocado • One size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle, 16"/40cm long, or size to obtain gauge • Stitch marker

GAUGE 20 sts and 28 rnds to 4"/10cm over dreamweaver pat, after blocking, using size 5 (3.75mm) needle. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

NOTES 1) Stitch pattern is based on #81 Tight Weave (see page 119). 2) Dreamweaver pattern can be worked from written instructions or chart, working all Dimensional Tucks using the alternative FROM WS method.

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L U C K Y H AT Forget the cable needle and whip up these faux horseshoe cables in a jiffy for extra-squishy texture.

SKILL LEVEL

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS Brim circumference (slightly stretched) 17"/43cm Length 11½"/29cm

MATERIALS • 2 1¾oz/50g balls (each approx 110yd/100m) of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (extra fine merino) each in #04 Grey (A) and #57 Banana (B) • One each sizes 6 and 9 (4 and 5.5mm) circular needles, 16"/40cm long, or size to obtain gauge • One set (5) size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (dpn) • Stitch markers

GAUGE 26 sts and 32 rnds to 4"/10cm over chart, after blocking, using size 6 (4mm) needle. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

NOTES 1) Stitch pattern is based on #34 Upward Horseshoe (see page 64). 2) Hat is worked in the round, working all Dimensional Tucks using the alternative FROM WS method.

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TA P E S T R Y P O N C H O Wear a stylish tapestry of staggered patterns, knit in super baby alpaca for a soft and light fabric.

SKILL LEVEL

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS Width approx 32"/81cm Length 22"/56cm

MATERIALS • 15 .88oz/25g balls (each approx 95yd/87m) of Hikoo SimpliCria (super baby alpaca) in #253 • Two size 10 (6mm) circular needles, 16"/40cm and 40"/100cm long, or size to obtain gauge • Stitch markers

GAUGE 19 sts and 36 rows to 4"/10cm over chart 1, after blocking, using size 10 (6mm) needle. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

NOTES 1) Stitch patterns are based on #68 Bowties and Tietacks Panel (see page 99), #80 Interlocking Links (see page 117), #38 Upward Staghorn (see page 67), and #65 Rope (see page 65). 2) Circular needle is used to accommodate large number of sts. Do not join, unless otherwise instructed. 3) Poncho is worked in one piece from lower front edge to shoulder, then from shoulder to lower back edge.

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W H I S P E R S H AW L You’ll love wrapping yourself in this luxurious mohair shawl, worked by first knitting a center panel, then picking up and knitting each wing separately. SKILL LEVEL

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS Width (upper edge) 46"/117cm Length (center back) 21"/53.5cm

MATERIALS • 10 .88oz/25g balls (each approx 230yd/210m) of Rowan Kidsilk Haze (mohair/silk) in #600 Dewberry • One pair size 10½ (6.5mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge • Stitch marker

GAUGE 16 sts and 20 rows to 4"/10cm over chart, after blocking, using size 10½ (6.5mm) needles and 2 strands of yarn held tog. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

NOTES 1) Stitch pattern is based on #49 Basic Upward Braid (page 79). 2) Shawl is worked with two strands of yarn held together throughout. 3) Begin shawl at back neck, increasing to lower back edge. Fronts are worked from stitches picked up along side edges of back piece. 4) All Dimensional Tucks are worked using the standard ON WS method.

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DIMENSIONALTUCK KNITTING Tracy Purtscher

CRAFTS • KNITTING

DIMENSIONAL TUCK KNITTING A N I N N OVAT I V E T E CH N I Q U E F O R C R E AT I N G S U R FAC E D E S I G N

$24.95 U.S.• $27.95 CANADA

ISBN-13: 978-1-942021- 67-4

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