Griffiths - 2010;2006;

KNITTING in no time KNITTING in no time A Fast, Fun Collection of 50 Quick-Knit Projects Melody Griffiths First published in 2006 by Cico Books Ltd 32 Great Sutton Street London EC1V 0NB Copyright Cico Books 2005 Text copyright Melody Griffiths 2006 The right of Melody Griffiths to be identified as author of this text has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder and publisher. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library eISBN: 978 1 782493 01 3 ISBN: 1-904991-22-X Editing: Eleanor van Zandt, Katie Hardwicke Design: Alison Shackleton Photography: Tino Tedaldi Artwork: Melody Griffiths and Stephen Dew Printed in China Introduction Ive been totally fascinated by knitting ever since I was a teenager. The thing I love most is when that magic combination of tradition and innovation happens, and the technique, shape, yarn, and stitch pattern lock together to create something unique. As a designer, Im meticulous about the decisions I need to make to get the shape and style I want, but when I start to knit, the rhythm takes over and time disappears.

This collection of 50 designs shows you how to create stylish, unusual accessories, and stunning garments using the simplest and quickest of stitches and techniques. There are designs for complete beginners, there are designs worked in the round, and there are designs for more adventurous or experienced knitters. The skills needed range from making a garter-stitch square mini-bag or working simple lengths of knitting for sumptuous scarves and wraps through to subtly shaped, fully fashioned jackets. But each design is planned to be as easy as possible for the techniques involved. Edgings are knitted in, row-by-row instructions are given wherever there is shaping, and there are hints and tips to help you get the best out of each design. One of the joys of knitting is handling the yarn.

Theres such a huge choice available on the market now, so for the knits in this book, Ive experimented with a range of wool and other natural fibers. Enjoy choosing from a variety of weights, or using scraps of left-over yarn mixed and matched for very different effects, or knitting up a soft, super-chunky yarn at speed. The patterns show you how to create simple knits in richly textured fashion yarns, and even how to improvise yarn with designs knitted in string or from ripped fabric strips. With so many ideas to choose from, I hope that there is something right for you and that you are inspired to take pleasure in knitting for yourself, your family, and your friends. As a guide, each project has the time it took to make. Depending on your experience and enthusiasm, you may take more or less time than given.

But however long it takes, remember that knitting isnt a speed competitionrelaxation, enjoyment, and confidence, in your creativity are far more important. Start with something simple like a scarf; then try knitting in the round to make hand and leg warmers or progress to shaping with fast, funky hats. A scarf is not only the traditional learn-to-knit project but also a vital fashion accessory. This section has 16 designs for you to choose from, including skinny scarves, scrap-yarn scarves, patterned scarves, and scarves with trims. Going around in circles creates tubes of knitting that can be used as hand, arm, or leg warmers. Theyre in a multicolored yarn that gives you instant stripes with no extra work.

Super-chunky yarn and big needles make the simple earflap hat one of the fastest projects in this book. Lacy scarf Diagonal scarf Beaded-rib scarf Scrap-yarn scarf Wavy scarf Quick-to-knit earflap hat Pull-on hat and hand warmers Skinny scarf Fair Isle earflap hat and fingerless gloves Floppy-brim hat Rainbow scarf Braid scarf Pom-pom scarf Scattered-sequin scarf Leg warmers Leopard-spotted headband The center of the scarf is knitted first; then the pointed edging is worked separately and sewn on. The lacy stitch for the center of the scarf is really very easy. The little motifs are placed at regular intervals. Every wrong-side row is just purl, and the stitch count remains the same throughout, so your fingers quickly learn what to do. Every wrong-side row of the edging is a knit row.

The stitch count for the edging varies, but its not hard to keep track of where you are in the pattern, and a stitch check is given each time the number of stitches changes. ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE The scarf took 15 hours to knit. ABOUT THIS YARN Rowan Kid Silk Haze is 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk. Its incredibly soft and fine, with an approximate length of 229 yds. (210 m) to a 25 g (approx. 1 oz.) ball.

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