McFadden - Knitless: 50 no-knit, stash-busting yarn projects

Copyright 2015 by Laura McFadden Photography 2015 by Allan Penn A Hollan Publishing, Inc. Concept Published by Running Press, A Member of the Perseus Books Group All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions Printed in China This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher. Books published by Running Press are available at special discounts for bulk purchases in the United States by corporations, institutions, and other organizations. For more information, please contact the Special Markets Department at the Perseus Books Group, 2300 Chestnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or call (800) 810-4145, ext. 5000, or e-mail . Library of Congress Control Number: 2015937007 E-book ISBN 978-0-7624-5803-5 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Digit on the right indicates the number of this printing Designed by Susan Van Horn Edited by Kristen Green Wiewora Typography: Didact Gothic, Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk, and True North Script Running Press Book Publishers 2300 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-4371 Visit us on the web! www.runningpress.com To my husband, Mathew, who keeps the trains running no matter what.

To my son, Ray, my inspiration for living. Table of Contents

My love of yarn started in the 1970s when my moms friend Diane visited us at our suburban southern New Jersey home. My eyes grew as big as saucers when I saw her crocheting a belt at our kitchen table. How do you do that? I asked. I was mesmerized. Diane gave me my first crochet lesson, which I immediately put into practice by stitching tube dresses for my Malibu Barbie.

It never occurred to me until now that this particular Barbie, hailing from sunny California, probably didnt have much need for knitwear. Since I never took a class or cracked a book on the subject, I was the ultimate hack crocheter. I started making up my own patterns for scarves, hats, sweaters, and morenever knowing what kind of stitch I was actually doing. Finally, when my son was born, I started reading the instructions on a variety of stitches and how to follow a pattern. I started crocheting and knitting baby sweaters for everyone who had recently had an infant. Ive tried every imaginable craft, but this is the one that has stuck with me all through the years.

I love the idea that you can turn a single strand of yarn into a magnificent piece of fabric. So when I began to write Knitless: 50 No-Knit, Stash-Busting Yarn Projects, I got to work. What could one do with a leftover ball of yarn? Or what if you never learned how to knit or crochet? This could be the ultimate book for you. A lampshade, a chair cover, a necklace, a scarf, a picture frame, a card, what else? Let your imagination go. The projects on the following pages are just the beginning. Laura McFadden

In 1957, the Soviets launched the first satellite, called Sputnik.

This scientific wonder influenced industrial and textile designers, who used the space-age starburst designs on everything from wallpaper to chandeliers. Travel at the speed of light to present day with this cleaner, more modern take that will fit into your own personal space. MATERIALS Sputnik template ()Modern lamp with white shadeCellophane tapeAwlTapestry needle5 feet each of worsted weight yarn in five colors (light and dark turquoise, dark green, olive green, and orange) Make five black and white copies of the Sputnik template. Place the designs equally around the outside of the lampshade and tape into place on the top and bottom of the lampshade. Using an awl, puncture the center hole and all the holes around the Sputnik template. Remove the templates once you have done this all the way around the entire lampshade. Single thread your first color of yarn onto the needle and tie a double knot at the end.

Going in from the inside of the lampshade, thread the yarn through the center hole of one of the Sputnik designs and pull the yarn through until the knot secures the yarn. The needle should now be through the front of the lampshade. Embroider the starburst, always beginning with the center hole before embroidering the next ray. Tie a knot at the end of the string on the inside of the shade, and cut off the remaining yarn. Change your yarn color and repeat Steps 1 to 8 for each burst all the way around the lamp.

Fluffy balls gone wild! Brighten up a teenagers room, modern office, or even a nursery with a seat thats sure to make a statement.

This is a great project to do with kids because pom-poms are so much fun to make, and youll need a lot to cover the chair completely. MATERIALS 2 to 3-inch pom-pom maker8 to 10 (170-yard) skeins medium weight yarn in multiple colorsEmbroidery needleSmall, sharp scissorsMetal upholstered chair Follow the instructions on the pom-pom maker. Make about 140 pom-poms (depending on coverage needed for your particular chair), leaving the tails of the center knot about 8 inches long. Thread the tails through the needle and sew the pom-poms onto the chair, placing them next to each other until the entire chair is covered.

Master your organization skills with this practical and attractive earring holder. Its so much easier to make sound fashion choices when you are able to see all of your options displayed in clear view.