Knitting Patterns For Dummies

Put your knitting skills into action with these fun and easy-to-follow patterns

Knitting is fun, functional, and stress-relieving—get started today with Knitting Patterns For Dummies! Written for all skill levels and perfect for beginners, it includes patterns for socks, scarves, sweaters, and beyond. Add to your knitting repertoire and experiment with different textures, fun colors, and pattern shapes. You’ll love the full-color project photos in the color insert and helpful, easy-to-understand instructions for every single project. Even if you’ve never followed a written pattern before, you can knit cool stuff with the practical, modern patterns inside. This friendly guide will help you pick the right needles and yarn, step you through reading and knitting the patterns, and then finishing off your masterpieces.

• Select the supplies that are right for your projects
• Learn how to read a knitting pattern
• Practice working common stitches and creating different textures
• Make gifts for friends, clothing for yourself, and cold weather wear

Need more practice? Want fun new ideas? Just getting started? All knitters welcome!

Introduction 1

Part 1: The Nuts and Bolts (or Sticks and String) of Knitting 7

Chapter 1: The Right Stuff: Knitting Supplies 9

Chapter 2: Gauge Your Success 21

Chapter 3: Do You Measure Up? Size Matters 31

Chapter 4: Break the Code: Reading Patterns 39

Part 2: A Primer on Stitches and Color 49

Chapter 5: The Simplest Stitches 51

Chapter 6: Stitches that Look Tricky but Aren’t 59

Chapter 7: Colorful Stitches 79

Part 3: Patterns with Rectangles and Related Shapes 99

Chapter 8: Rectangles to Wear 101

Chapter 9: Rectangles for the Home 123

Chapter 10: Almost Rectangles 139

Part 4: Patterns with Circles, Triangles, and More 167

Chapter 11: Knitting in Circles 169

Chapter 12: Shaping Triangles 189

Chapter 13: Putting Together Rectangles and Triangles 209

Chapter 14: Knitting Beyond Geometry Class 239

Part 5: The Part of Tens 265

Chapter 15: Ten Things You Can Knit with that Aren’t Yarn or Needles 267

Chapter 16: Almost Ten Things You Can Do with Your Swatches 271

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to MacGyver Your Knitting 275

Chapter 18: Ten Smart Ways to Care for Your Knits 279

Appendix 285

Index 301

Kristi Porter is a designer, technical editor, and teacher. She is the author of Knitting for Dogs, Knitting in the Sun, and More Knitting in the Sun, and her work has been featured in numerous other books.

Stretch your knitting skills

Ready to take your knitting beyond scarves and blankets? Knitting Patterns For Dummies is chock full of knitting patterns — and the skills you need to complete them with confidence. These easy-to-follow instructions will have you crafting cozy sweaters, accessories, and home decor that you’ll be proud of. If you haven’t been knitting long, this friendly book will show you how to read patterns and walk you through the process from start to finish. Plus, you get full-color photos and creative tips for avoiding common knitting problems.

Inside…

• Choosing needles and yarn
• Reading knitting patterns
• Working with common stitches
• Creating color and texture motifs
• Understanding gauge
• Making knits that fit
• Caring for completed knits
• Personalizing your projects