Allen Pam - Knitting for Dummies

Knitting For Dummies, 2nd Edition

by Pam Allen, Tracy L. Barr, Shannon Okey

Knitting For Dummies , 2nd Edition

Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008935814

ISBN: 978-0-470-28747-7

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Authors

Tracy L. Barr is a professional writer and editor. She learned to knit when she was 10 and in the three plus decades since has continued to be an avid knitter.

Shannon Okey is the author of nearly a dozen books on knitting and other fiber arts, a columnist for knit.1 magazine, and a frequent contributor to other crafty magazines. She hosts a call-in podcast about knitting and has appeared on many television shows, including Knitty Gritty, Uncommon Threads , and Crafters Coast to Coast . You can find her online at www.knitgrrl.com.

Pam Allen is creative director at Classic Elite Yarns. In addition to Knitting For Dummies , shes the author of Scarf Style and co-author of Wrap Style, Lace Style, Bag Style , and Color Style (all published by Interweave Press). Her work has appeared in Knitting in America (published by Artisan) and numerous magazines and knitting books. She lives in Portland, Maine.

Authors Acknowledgments

Tracy and Shannon would like to thank their Wiley editors, Chrissy Guthrie and Elizabeth Rea, whose suggestions and edits made for a better book; Andrea Smith, who did such a careful review of the material; Meredith Kubicki, who managed the co-op that knitted the new pieces in almost record time; and Arabella Proffer, Shayla Clark, Chlo Brossoit, Emilie Brossoit, Tara Sibery, Amber Singer, and Rowan Miller, who gamely modeled winter sweaters and hats during the summer photo shoots.

Publishers Acknowledgments

Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies Online Registration Form located at www.dummies.com/register/.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial , and Media Development

Senior Project Editor: Christina Guthrie

Acquisitions Editor: Michael Lewis

Senior Copy Editor: Elizabeth Rea

Editorial Program Coordinator: Erin Calligan Mooney

Technical Editor: Andrea Smith

Editorial Manager: Christine Meloy Beck

Editorial Assistants: Joe Niesen, David Lutton

Cover Photos: Boston Stock, Inc.

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Katherine Key

Layout and Graphics: Brooke Graczyk, Joyce Haughey, Melissa K. Jester, Christin Swinford and Christine Williams

Special Art: Select color photography by Matt Bowen

Proofreaders: Cara Buitron, Jessica Kramer

Indexer: Potomac Indexing, LLC

Special Help: Alicia South.

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele , Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple , Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

Kristin Ferguson-Wagstaffe , Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

Ensley Eikenburg , Associate Publisher, Travel

Kelly Regan , Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings , Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey , Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey , Director of Composition Services

Introduction

Several years ago, a major New York City department store ran a humorous ad disparaging knitting as an activity for grandmothers. The response? Ardent members of New Yorks Big Apple Knitting Guild took up their yarn and needles and staged a knit-in. To demonstrate that knitting isnt an activity limited to the rocking chair set but rather is an alive and timely art, a group of knitters of every age and gender gathered in the store to spend the afternoon knitting. Designer and knitter par excellence Lily Chin designed, knit, and wore a shimmering slit-to-the-thigh floor-length gown demonstrating that more than button-to-the-throat cardigans and stiff socks can come off the needles.

Sure, grandmothers knit, but so do movie stars, football players, doctors, and lawyers. They know what all knitters know or find out soon after getting into the groove of knitting: that knitting does more than just provide you with warm and cozy things to wear. Knitting stirs creativity, gives you an ongoing sense of purpose, teaches patience, and soothes the soul. Dont believe me? Try it!