Courtney Spainhower - Family-Friendly Knits: Seasonal Knitted Garments and Accessories for Children and Adults

I see myself through your eyes and strive every day to be someone you can look up to as a mentor, as your mother, and as a woman of strength and courage.

When I first conceived this book, I had clear inspiration from my time living in Oregon, specifically my morning routine of carefully treading down to the stream to gather water to boil and washing up as best I could in the biting cold. Our days were spent collecting wild blackberries, sewing, and reading into the night by flashlight. As the sun slid down the back side of the mountain, the air became wet and stung our faces with the slow, cold fog that crept in at dusk. Each day we wore boots and long johns, and our natural curls were left to grow long and untamed. I had with me only one sweater through that time, a pale blue, gray, and white Lopi cardigan with pewter buttons that my mother gave me as a long-distance embrace and as a reminder of her own youth spent in the mountains.

My life has veered far from high altitudes and the days of such quiet living. Now, a moment of quiet between career and family is rare, and I often forget how to summon the memory of the young woman I was. I have wondered what my life would look like if I could fold it like a piece of paper, joining then and now, collapsing my quiet, nostalgic youth onto my bustling adult life with my charming husband and spirited children; that is the place where this collection was born.

Each piece carries either a slice of life then, a dollop of life now, or a sweet marriage of the two. The following pages are packed with a diverse selection of knits for men, women, and children with comfort and wearability at the forefront of their design. Ive designed these pieces to be enticing to knit and functional for daily life.

The scope of skill level and techniques will engage beginning and experienced knitters alike, each pattern featuring easy-to-memorize stitches, logical construction, and little or no finishing. If you find yourself confronted with something completely unknown to you, I encourage you to dive in. All the information you need to complete these projects is tucked within these pages.

Ive done some very careful planning for men and children here because they are both famously difficult to knit for, squawking at the first sign of itchy wool, constricting necklines or sleeves, and overworked stitching. Because color is extremely personal, I stress using hues and tones that kids will love to show off and that men will feel comfortable in. The womens pieces are more daring, peppered with rich colors and textures with construction and style reigning.

Knitting is a test of endurance, and for those with less experience, larger pieces should be worked up to; however, I stress to new knitters the importance of pushing themselves and attempting a pattern that speaks to them even if they arent confident in their skill. As a knitting instructor, I am always pleased to see the spark behind knitters eyes when they realize how capable they truly are.

I count down the days until summer. Few things bring me more joy than sitting in the sun watching my girls pluck weeds from the garden and squeal at the sight of a slug. Many knitters put away their needles for the season, but Im no seasonal knitter. This pullover features plant fiber paired with simple lace and is perfect for hot summer days. The piece is worked from the top down, seamlessly, with saddle shoulders, and incorporates short-rows to create gently sloping arcs.

BUST CIRCUMFERENCE: About 3312 (3534, 3712, 3812, 41, 4414)" (85 [90.5, 95, 98, 104, 112.5] cm).

Pullover shown measures 3534" (90.5 cm).

DK (#3 Light).

SHOWN HERE: Classic Elite Firefly (75% viscose, 25% linen; 155 yd [142 m]/3/4 oz [50 g]): #7706 linum (A), 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins; #7750 leopards bane (B), 4 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins.

Size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm): 16" (40 cm) and 32" (80 cm) circular (cir) and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn).

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Markers (m); stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle.

23 sts and 30 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, worked in rnds.

21 sts and 32 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Little Diamond Lace chart, worked in rows.

24 sts and 37 rows = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch, worked in rows.