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    Knitting by Design: Gather Inspiration, Design Looks, and Knit 15 Fashionable Projects
    Knitting by Design: Gather Inspiration, Design Looks, and Knit 15 Fashionable Projects
    Knitting by Design: Gather Inspiration, Design Looks, and Knit 15 Fashionable Projects
    Ebook245 pages1 hour

    Knitting by Design: Gather Inspiration, Design Looks, and Knit 15 Fashionable Projects

    By Emma Robertson and Max Wanger

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    About this ebook

    A compilation of fifteen stylish knitting projects that challenge and strengthen skills and inspire crafters to think outside the yarn box.

    Fashion-forward knitters who crave more than a project book will delight in this visually rich collection. Emma Robertson presents a unique and creative approach to knitting as she walks readers through her process from the kernel of inspiration to its rewarding execution. For each of the fifteen stylish projects, Robertson presents hand-drawn sketches, eye candy–laden mood boards, and Polaroids of the objects that inspired her—and encourages knitters to think outside of the yarn box by incorporating other materials into their wares, from a knitted vest with a leather pocket to a breezy tank with a dip-dyed finish. With page after page of stunning photography, this book will motivate knitters to look around them, cull inspiration, and design their own fabulous looks.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOpen Road Integrated Media
    Release dateNov 19, 2013
    ISBN9781452129730
    Knitting by Design: Gather Inspiration, Design Looks, and Knit 15 Fashionable Projects

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      Book preview

      Knitting by Design - Emma Robertson

      CONTENTS

      INTRODUCTION 9

      BASIC TOOLS & YARN 11

      ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS 13

      THE DESIGN PROCESS 15

      PROJECTS

      Mittens with a Pop: Color Blocking Frenzy 21

      Chunky Cowl: Mix & Match 29

      Rainy-Day Vest: Layering with Leather 37

      Cozy Collar: Preppy Casual 45

      Twisted Turban: Wrap It Up 53

      Ombréd Tank Top: Fading Fun 61

      Big Bow Hair Clip: Seeing Stripes 69

      Multicolored Cardigan: Tone on Tone 77

      Lazy-Day Tee: Pattern Play 85

      Pom-Pom Beanie: Slouchy Style 93

      Vintage Sundress: Light Layering 101

      Laid-Back Shorts: Drawstring Kind of Day 109

      Zigzag Scarf: Felted Edging 117

      Felted Flowers: Fresh and Colorful 125

      Balloon Sweater: Shapely Sleeves 133

      RESOURCES 141

      INDEX 142

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 144

      INTRODUCTION

      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 didn’t 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 shop’s 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 we’re 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. You’ll 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 it—the 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, it’s 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, you’ll 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!

      BASIC TOOLS & YARN

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

      TOOLS

      Knitting Needles

      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.

      Measuring Tape

      I like the vinyl type of measuring tape with fiberglass strands that won’t stretch or deform, allowing you to achieve consistent measuring when working with garments or soft fabrics.

      Metal Ruler

      The hard, straight edge of a metal ruler is handy when working with materials like leather and suede.

      Scissors

      I recommend getting a small pair of sharp scissors or snips for yarn and thread, a pair of extra-sharp textile scissors, and a pair of general crafting scissors you can use for paper. You will be working with a range of materials in these projects, so you’ll need different scissors to accommodate them.

      Stitch Holders

      These helpful holders keep live (active) stitches off the needle temporarily while they aren’t being worked in the pattern. Leftover lengths of yarn from other projects work just fine for marking spots in your knitting or as stitch holders.

      Stitch Markers

      These small, plastic or metal rings slip onto your knitting needle and mark a certain spot in your pattern. They are often used

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