How to Use, Adapt, and Design Knitting Patterns: How to knit exactly what you want, every time—with confidence!

Cover......Page 1
Contents......Page 6
Introduction......Page 7
About this book......Page 9
PART 1: Using knitting patterns......Page 12
Sources of patterns......Page 13
Anatomy of a knitting pattern......Page 15
Common abbreviations......Page 17
Common symbols......Page 18
Why make a tension swatch?......Page 19
Making and measuring a tension swatch......Page 21
How needle size and yarn affect tension......Page 23
Collecting measurements......Page 27
PART 2: Designing patterns from scratch......Page 30
Measuring an existing garment......Page 31
Converting the measurements......Page 35
Making a paper pattern......Page 37
Calculating shaping......Page 39
Making and fitting a toile......Page 43
How to alter a toile......Page 47
Altering the patterns......Page 49
Rewriting the instructions......Page 53
Blocking and seaming......Page 59
PART 3: How to adapt the pattern......Page 64
Design options: Necklines......Page 65
Necklines: Adapting the toile......Page 67
Necklines: Adapting the paper pattern......Page 69
Necklines: Adapting the written pattern......Page 71
Design details: Necklines......Page 73
Shaping shoulders......Page 75
Design options: Sleeves......Page 77
Sleeves: Adapting the toile......Page 79
Sleeves: Adapting the paper pattern......Page 81
Sleeves: Adapting the written pattern......Page 83
Design details: Sleeves......Page 85
Design options: Body shape......Page 89
Body shape: Adapting the toile......Page 91
Body shape: Adapting the written pattern......Page 93
Design details: Body shapes......Page 95
New stitch tension swatches......Page 99
Allover textures......Page 101
Shaping with stitches......Page 105
PART 4: Embellishments......Page 108
Embroidery......Page 109
Appliqué......Page 113
Trims and fastenings......Page 115
Pom-poms, tassels and fringes......Page 117
Adding beads and sequins to knitting......Page 119
PART 5: Basic knitting know-how......Page 122
Choosing a yarn......Page 123
Materials and equipment......Page 125
Essential techniques......Page 129
Useful information and resources......Page 137
Web resources......Page 138
P......Page 139
Y......Page 140
I......Page 141
R......Page 142
W......Page 143
Z......Page 144
Credits......Page 145