Robertson - Knitting by Design: Capture Inspiration, Design Looks, and Knit 15 Fashionable Projects

To my grandmother Norene Diegelmann, who taught me how to knit when I was a little girl. I am forever grateful that you shared your passion with me, for it has now become mine.

Text copyright 2013 by Emma Robertson.
Photographs copyright 2013 by Max Wanger.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4521-2973-0
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Robertson, Emma.
Knitting by design: gather inspiration, design looks, and knit 15 fashionable projects / Emma Robertson.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-4521-1739-3 (hardback)
1. KnittingPatterns. I. Title.
TT825.R6333 2013
746.432dc23
2013004056

Designed by Allison Weiner
Typeset by DC Typography

X-ACTO is a registered trademark of Elmers Products, Inc. Jacquard Acid Yarn Dye is a registered trademark of Rupert, Gibbons & Spider, Inc. Lycra is a registered trademark of Invista North America S.A.R.L. Corporation Luxembourg. Manos del Uruguay Maxima is a registered trademark of Manos del Uruguay. Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky Alpaca is a registered trademark of Blue Sky Alpacas, Inc. Bombay by Fil Katia is a registered trademark of Fil Katia, S.A. Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage is a registered trademark of Hendrix, Amy DBA Madelinetosh Co. Tahki Yarns Maya is a registered trademark of Takhi Stacy Charles, Inc. Knit Picks Bare Swish DK is a registered trademark of Crafts Americana Group, Inc. Cascade Yarns 220 is a registered trademark of Cascade Yarns, Inc. Sweet Georgia is a registered trademark of SweetGeorgia Yarns, Inc. Classic Elite Yarns Solstice is a registered trademark of Robertson-Chase Fibers, LLC. Berroco Comfort is a registered trademark of Berroco, Inc. Filatura di Crosa Zara Chine is a registered trademark of Takhi Stacy Charles, Inc. Rowan Sweet Harmony by Amy Butler is a registered trademark of Art of the Midwest, LLC.

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The first time I held a pair of knitting needles, I was a teenager, clueless about what to do with them and what they were capable of creating. Thankfully, my grandmother introduced me to knitting and enthusiastically took the time to teach me the craft. As a child, I remember her getting lost in her knitting for hours, and I admired the time and effort she put into her work, from delicate baby garments for the newest members of the family to felted bags for the more fashionable ones in the bunch. I was intrigued by the challenge of making something so intricate from scratch, so I continued to watch and learn.

Between my busy adolescence and only seeing my grandma a few times a year, my progress was very slow; in fact I didnt pick up a pair of needles for about ten years. When I finally brought knitting back into my life, it went from a hobby to a small business in a matter of months. It started during my final year of college when a few of my girlfriends fell in love with a knitted headband I had made for myself. I decided to take on a few custom orders for fun, word spread, and a few orders quickly turned into one hundred. It was then that I realized there was a large market for affordable and fashionable knitwear. I jumped at the opportunity to design more pieces that stylish women would want to incorporate into their wardrobes.

After college, I decided to open up an online store and knit full time. The knitting and fashion market embraced me with open arms, and the shops success inspired me to push my skills and designs even further. I hired professional photographers to capture images of my products, I researched knitwear in fashion, I sold my designs at craft fairs, and I met with other knitters to try to become more integrated into the knitting community. All of this helped move me forward as a knitter and as a small business owner.

As I continue to knit, I find myself wanting to refine my design process even more. Beyond aspiring to be an educated and talented knitter, I strive to shine as a knitwear designer. This takes time, dedication, and learning from your mistakes. With each piece, we learn more about knitting and how we function best when working within the craft. We learn what colors and textures we gravitate toward, what designs were favoring, and even which stitches appeal to us most.

The fifteen projects in this book will challenge and strengthen your skills by using a variety of different fibers, stitches, needles, and construction methods. From small accessories to more involved garments, I chose a unique batch of projects that are engaging for any knitter, new or experienced. This book also gives a visual glimpse into my design process, from the initial kernel of inspiration for a project through its rewarding finish. Youll see snapshots of the details that inspired me, early sketches used to solidify my ideas, and the textures, colors, prints, and patterns that got my creative juices flowing. As any knitter knows, the design process is a very personal one that is a direct reflection of your taste and creative eye. My inspiration may provide you with entirely different project ideas from the ones I have showcased here. If that happens, run with itthe point is to look at the world around you, gather inspiration, learn how you work best, and make every project your own.

To grow as a designer and a maker of things, its also important to think outside the knitting box. There are so many beautiful materials you can use to enhance your projects, and I encourage you to do so. Throughout the book, youll see numerous ideas for using other materials in your pieces; adding a leather pocket to your vest or dip-dyeing a tank top can help you see the possibilities in designing fully functional, one-of-a-kind items. Plus, these small additions can be adapted and applied to many of the other projects in the book.

My hope is that with each peek into my design vision, you will have more insight into your own creative process and can build the confidence to dream up projects from scratch. Knitting is such a vast and diverse craft: it always leaves room for improvement, innovation, and improvisation. I offer these words of encouragement to you as you work through this book and as you move forward as a knitter!

You only need a few tools to knit gorgeous pieces. Stock up on the essentials, and youll work through all these projects with ease. Also, some of the projects incorporate nonknitting materialsfrom colorful dyes to suede and leatherthat will challenge your developing sense of design. In this way, youll have the opportunity to grow as a crafter and garment maker.

You can buy knitting needles of various sizes for each project or you can invest in a set of needles that has everything you will need: circular, straight, and double-pointed.

I like the vinyl type of measuring tape with fiberglass strands that wont stretch or deform, allowing you to achieve consistent measuring when working with garments or soft fabrics.