FirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericain2013byChronicleBooksLLC.

Copyright©2013byQuintetPublishing.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataavailable.

ISBN978-1-4521-1572-6(hc)ISBN978-1-4521-3954-8(epub,mobi)

Text:CatherineHirstColorworkcharts:ErssieMajorProjectdesigners:ClaireCrompton,LizGregory,CatherineHirst,MeghanFernandes,ErssieMajor,CarolMeldrumDesigner:AnnaGattPhotographer:LydiaEvansArtDirector:MichaelCharlesEditorialDirector:DonnaGregoryPublisher:MarkSearle

ChronicleBooks680SecondStreetSanFrancisco,California94107www.chroniclebooks.com

ContentsIntroduction6KnittingasaFormofCommunication7

CreatingandCustomizingYourOwnCharts8Equipment10Knittingneedles—straight10Knittingneedles—double-pointed10Needlegauge10Stitchholder10Safetypins10Rowcounter10Stitchmarker10Pins10Tapemeasure/ruler10Scissors10Graphpaper/stationery10Wool/darningneedle10

ReadingaPattern11Abbreviations11

Techniques12Gauge12Makingatestswatch12Countingstitchesandrows12Adjustinggauge12MakingaSlipknot12CastingOn13Thecablemethod13BindingOff14Cablebind-off14KnitandPurl15Knit15Purl15ShapingTechniques—Increasing16

M1—Make116k1f&b16ShapingTechniques—Decreasing17Slopingtotheright17k2tog—knit2stitchestogether17p2tog—purl2stitchestogether17Slopingtotheleft17ssk—slip,slip,knit17skop—slip,knit,passslippedstitchover18k2togtbl—knit2stitchestogetherthroughbackloop18p2togtbl—purl2stitchestogetherthroughthebackloop18PickingUpStitches19Horizontaledge19Verticaledge19Seams20Mattressstitch20Colorwork21Strandingor“FairIsle”technique21Strandingone-handedonknitrowsorrounds21Weavingfloats22Intarsia22Bobbins22Joininginanewcolor22Changingcolors23Readingachart23

1SansSerif24AlphabetPillow25Thepattern25Lettermotif25Pillowfront27CommenceFrontChart27Pillowback27CommenceBackChart27Finishing27

“STOP”SignDoorstop29Thepattern29

Lettermotif29Front29Commence“STOP”SignDoorstopChart29Back31Gusset31Finishing31

LetterTileCoasters32Thepattern32Lettermotif32Coasters32Commence“VINO”LetterTileChart32Finishing34

FeltedPencilCase35Thepattern35Lettermotif35Frontpanel35CommenceChecksChart35Commence“Taxi”Chart35Backpanel37CommenceChecksChart37Finishing37

“Ciao”Mittens39Thepattern39Lettermotif39Cuff40Rightmittenonly40Commence“Ciao”Chart40Placethumb40Splitthumb40Shapetop40Leftmittenonly40Commence“Ciao”Chart40Placethumb40

2Serif42“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt43Thepattern43

Lettermotif43WallArt43CommenceWallArtChart45Finishing45

BookstoreTote47Thepattern47Lettermotif47Front47CommenceBookstoreToteChart47FrontFacing48Back48BackFacing48Finishing48

AlphabetBabyBlocks49Thepattern49Lettermotif51Lowerborder:Make6squaresforoneblock51Middlesection51Topborder51Finishing51

3SlabSerif52Child’sInitialedBackpack53Thepattern53Lettermotif53Front53Back55Straps(make2)55Finishing55Lining55

LettermanSweater57Thepattern57Lettermotifpatch57CommenceVarsityToteChart58Back58Shapearmholes58Shapeshoulders58

Front58ShapeShoulders58Shapeleftsideofneck58Shapeleftshoulder58Shaperightsideofneck58Shaperightshoulder58Sleeves(both)58

4Stencil60“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy61Thepattern61Lettermotif61TheCozy61Commence“CAFE”Chart61Crochetbuttonholes63

ToyTidyBag65Thepattern65Lettermotif65Bagbase65Back66Drawstringchannel66Front66Commencechart66Finishing66

Lady’s“PARIS”Sweater67Thepattern67Lettermotif68Backandfront68Shapearmholes68Rightsleeve68Shapetop69Leftsleeve69CommenceSleeveLettersChart69Finishing69Neckedging69

5Script70

“Amour”HeartPillow71Thepattern71Lettermotif71Front71Commence“Amour”Chart71

Girl’sDress75Thepattern75Lettermotif76Back76Shapearmholesanddivideforbackneck76Shapebackneck76Front76Commencechart76Shapefrontneck76Backneckopening77Neckedge77Armholeedging77Finishing77

MobiusTwistScarf78Thepattern78Lettermotif78Basictwistscarf78Finishing78

6Ornamental80BabyBlanket81Thepattern81Lettermotif81Border81Bodyofblanket81CommenceDiamondChart81CommenceBabyBlanketLettersChart82Finishing82

Neckerchief84Thepattern84Lettermotif84Neckerchief84

CommenceNeckerchiefChart84Rightborder85Leftborder85Finishing85

7BlackLetter86“Ex-Libris”E-readerCover87Thepattern87Lettermotif87Front87Commence“ExLibris”Chart87

BlackLetterBeanie90Thepattern90Lettermotif90Brim90Bodyofhat90CommenceLetter“D”Chart91Decforcrown91Finishing91

“CarpeDiem”CoveredBracelets92Thepattern92Lettermotif92“Carpe”bracelet92Commence“Carpe”Chart92“Diem”bracelet93Commence“Diem”Chart93Finishing93

8NumbersandPunctuation94WeddingPillow95Thepattern95Lettermotif95Frontandbackpanels95DuplicateStitchChart97Finishing97

93-DLetters98A–ZBookends99Thepatterns99Letter“A”99Depthcreationandfinishing101Letter“Z”101Depthcreationandmakingup102

“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows103Thepatterns103“L”Pillow103Frontside103Reverseside103“O”Pillow104Frontandreversesides104“V”Pillow106Frontandreversesides106“E”Pillow107Frontside107Reverseside107Finishingforallletters107

ColorworkCharts108SansSerif108SansSerifLowercaseCharts110

Serif112SerifLowercaseCharts114

SlabSerif116Stencil118Script120ScriptLowercaseCharts124

Circus126Western131BlackLetter133BlackLetterLowercaseCharts136

NumbersandPunctuation138

Index140

Acknowledgments144AbouttheAuthors

IntroductionInavasefullofknittingneedlesonmystudiotable,Ihaveapairofcaseinneedlesthatbelongedtomygrandmother.Shewastheonewhotaughtmetoknitandcrochet,andeventhoughshe’sbeengoneformorethantwentyyears,everytimeIpickupmyneedlesIfeellikeI’mcommuningwithherandwithallthewomeninmyfamilywhopracticedtheseartsingenerationspast.Imakethesamemotionsandcreatethesamestitchesasmygrandmotherandhermotherbeforeherdid.

I’veknitted(orcrocheted)nearlyeverydayofmylifesincemygrandmotherfirsttaughtmeatageseven,andnowIteachotherpeoplehowtodothesecrafts.IfeellikeI’mputtingjustatinybitofgoodbackintotheworldeverytimesomeonecomesawayfromalessonwithanewfoundunderstandingofhowtowieldthesesticksandstringand—magically!—makegarments,accessories,andbeautifulthingsfortheirhome.

OftenI’mtryingtocommunicatesomethingwithmyknitting,whichiswhyIwasattractedtothisproject.Ilovedtheideaofbeingabletoincorporatewordsandmessagesintomyknittingandcustomizevariousprojectstomyexactspecifications.Thechartsthathavebeendesignedforthisbookareremarkable:Clearlyreadablewhentranslatedintoknitting,theyareeasytofollowandreallydoimparttheessenceofeachfontstylethat’sbeingcelebrated.

Knittingisatraditionalmeansofcommunication,muchliketheoraltraditionofstorytellingthatpredatedtheemergenceofwrittenlanguage,theprintingpress,andmovabletype.Thisbookpresentsaunionoftypographyandknitting,combiningarelativelymodernmeansofcommunicationwithatraditionalcraftthatwaspasseddownorallyfromparenttochildforoverathousandyears—thereareexamplesofknittedsocksfromEgyptdatingtocirca1000CE.

IhopethatKnittedLetterswillactasbotharesourceandaninspirationforincorporatingprofessional-lookingtypographyintoyourknittingprojects.Thisbookcontainscolorworkchartsforninedifferenttypefacestylesandalsogivesinstructionsfortwenty-fourknittingprojects.Guidanceisalsogivenonhowtopersonalizeyourknittingwithyourownchosenlettersandwords,usingevenly

proportionedandspacedcharacterstoachieveeffective,polishedresults.Byprovidinganddemonstratingwell-designedtypographyinyarnform,thisbookwillhelpyouexpandyourknittingdesignpalettebeyondwhatyoueverthoughtpossible.

Usinglettersandwordsinyourknittingistheidealmeansofpersonalizingyourprojects,eitherasgiftsforalovedoneorasastylishtreatforyourself.TheBabyBlanket(page81)andNeckerchief(page84)projectsbothmakeidealpersonalizedgifts.Usinglettersinknittingalsomeansthatyoucancreatefunandattractivetoys,suchastheAlphabetBabyBlocks(page49),andaddnoveltytomorepracticalitems,liketheFeltedPencilCase(page35).

ByillustratingmoredecorativeandelaboratetypefacestylessuchasScript(page120)andCircus(page126),thisbookinvitesyoutoexplorethepossibilitiesofusinglettersandcharactersasdecorativeelementsintheirownright—forexample,intheMobiusTwistScarf(page78).Oneofthecentraldesignproblemstypographersfacewhendesigningafontisthecomplextrade-offbetweenattractivenessanddecorationontheonehandandtheclarityandutilityofthetypefaceontheother.Elementssuchasserifs,andthevariationoflinethicknesswithinagivencharacter,canaidthereaderinfollowingtheflowofawordorsentence;equally,anornatefont,whichisinitiallydifficulttomakeout,canarrestthereader’sattentionandgiveaspecificaestheticimpression.Similarly,withknitting,usinganedging,mirroreddecreases,orevenaspecificfinishingtechniquecanallchangetheoveralleffectofthepiece.InKnittedLettersyouaregivenallthetoolsyouneedtomakeeffectivestylechoicesforyourknittedprojects.

KnittingasaFormofCommunication“(Knitting)issuchacommunication-basedtradition.Knittingisgenerallydonebysomeoneforsomebody...”

DavidRevereMcFadden,chiefcuratorattheMuseumofArtsandDesign,NewYork,ontheexhibitionRadicalLaceandSubversiveKnitting,2007

Thehistoryofknittingasaformofcommunicationislongandvaried,fromspecificinstancesofknittingcodesorsecretmessages,tothemoregeneralideaofknittingasanartformthatbringspeopletogether.Whetheraknitterismakingablanketforanewbornbabyasanexpressionoflove,oryarn-bombingabicycleracktobringaburstofcolorandcreativitytotheneighborhood,thatknitterissendingamessagetoothers.Inthisway,knittingissimilartotypography,andthepurposeofthisbookistocombinethetwosothatknitterscanusetheirworkasapersonalizedmeansofexpression.

InCharlesDickens’sATaleofTwoCities,thecharacterMadameDeFargeknits,inasecretcode,ahitlistofthenamesofthearistocratswhowillbecondemnedtodeathintheFrenchRevolution.Othertextilesarts,suchasquilting,embroidery,andcross-stitch,havealsobeenusedtoconcealhiddenmessages.Thesedays,textileartistsareexperimentingwithincorporatingbinaryandMorsecodesintoknitting.Knittingisbinary,inthatitconsistsofonlytwostitches—knitandpurl.Usingsimplesequencing,amessagecanbehiddeninapieceofknittingthatonlysomeonewhoknowsthesecretkeycandecode.Astheseexamplesdemonstrate,theabilitytotransmitinformationisintrinsictoknitting,andtheuseoftypographyinknittingpatternsisonlyoneofseveralwaysofcommunicatingwithstitches.

Whenknittinglettersandwords,theknittercommunicatesthroughchoicesoffont,color,andwords.ThesweetcursivescriptfeaturedintheGirl’sDressproject(page75)communicatesanairofsoftfemininity,whilethebold,sansseriffontonthe“STOP”SignDoorstop(page29)ischosenspecificallyforclarityandreadability.Onefontisprimarilydecorative,theotherutilitarian.The

ideaisthateachtypefacefeaturedwithinthisbookisappropriatefordifferenttypesofknittedprojects,soyoucancustomizetheprojectnotjustwithliteralwords,butalsowithchoicesofstyle.

Acompromiseoftenneedstobereachedtobalanceutilitarianfunctionswiththedesireddecorativeflourishesandthepiece’soverallattractiveness.Perhapsthefundamentaldifficultyinbothknittingandtypographydesignisthetrade-offbetweendecorationandutility—strivingforbeautywhilemaintaininglegibility—anddesigningletterchartsspecificallyforknittingpresentsitsownsetofchallenges.ErssieMajor,thedesignerwhoworkedonallthebeautifulcolorworkchartsinthisbook,hadtoensurethatthechartswerebothclearandassmallaspossibleinordertofitontoknittedprojects,thattheyfitknitproportionsexactly(sinceknittedstitchesarewiderthantheyaretall),andthattheyincludedenoughfinedetailingtogiveeachtypefaceaclearanddistinctcharacter.

Therearefontsfrommanytypefacecategoriesincludedinthebook,suchasserif,sansserif,script,slabserif,andblackletter.Wehopeyouenjoycreatingcustomprojectsofyourownandmakeuseofthecompletealphabetchartsforeveryfontincludedinthebackofthebook.Thankyouforreading,andhappyknitting!

CreatingandCustomizingYourOwnChartsYoucanpersonalizetheprojectsinthebookusingyourownwordsandletters—don’tfeeltiedtotheonesusedinthesampleprojects.Generallyspeaking,theletteringisincorporatedintotheprojectsatapointwherethestitchnumberisstable(i.e.,noincreasingordecreasing).Therefore,inordertosubstituteotherlettersforthechosenonesinthesample,simplearithmeticisallthatisrequired.Thisismucheasierthanitsounds.

Let’stakethe“Amour”HeartPillowasanexample.Thisprojecthasitsletteringpositionedinthecenteroftherowwithintheplainrowsofknitting,aftertheincreasesfromthebottompoint.Thetotalnumberofstitchesatthatplainknittingsectionis97.

For“amour,”thewidthofthecharted“a”is11stitches,“m”17stitches,“o”9stitches,“u”11stitches,and“r”11stitches,foratotalwidthof59stitches.Therearen’tanyspacesbetweenthescriptletters,sothetotalremains59.

So,97totalstitchesminus59stitchesforthechartedletteringequals38remainingstitches,or19plainstitchesoneithersideofthechart(remaining38stitchesdividedby2is19stitches).

Iftheword“love”weretobesubstitutedfor“amour,”thentheScriptLowercaseCharts(pages124–25)showthatthecharted“l”is14stitches,“o”9stitches,“v”9stitches,and“e”9stitches,whichwouldmakeatotalof41stitchesforthelettering.However,theheightandforwardleanofthe“l”meansthatitstophalfneedstooverlapthe“o”aboveit.Havingtrieddifferentspacingoptions,Ifoundthatthespacinglookedbestwhenthetop

rightedgeofthe“l”overlappedtheleftedgeofthe“o”by5stitches,witha1stitchspacebetweenthefootofthe“l”andthe“o.”Inthisconfiguration,theletteringis36stitcheswide.

Ninety-sevenstitches(thewidthofthepillowatthepointwheretheletteringispositioned)minus36is61,and61dividedby2isanawkward301/2.Sotochart“love,”theremustbe31plainstitchesontheleftsideofthechart,and30onitsrightside.Often,ifyourletteringoccupiesanunevennumberofstitchesbutiscenteredonachartedsectionthatisanevennumberofstitcheswide,orviceversa,thenthespaceononesidewillneedtobe1stitchwiderthanthespaceontheotherside.Inmostcasesthiswillbeimperceptable,butyoumaywanttotryoutdifferentoptionstoseewhatworksbest.

Whenmakingyourownchartsfordifferentwordsusingdifferenttypefaces,youwilllikelyneedtogothroughasimilarprocessoftrialanderror,movinglettersaroundtogetthespacinglookingexactlyright.Thisispartofthechallenge—whilethespacingbetweenmostletterscanbeevenandstraightforward,somelettersaremoredifficulttogetlookingexactlyright.Thereisnotnecessarilya“correct”spacing:Ifthearrangementoflettersandthespacebetweenthemlooksright,thenitisright.

Rownumberswouldneedtobeadjustedinthesameway,dependingontheheightofthechosenletters.Thelettersin“amour”areallexactlythesameheight(13rows)butthe“l”in“love”istaller—twiceastall,infact,26rows.

Aswitheverything,thiskindofchallengeinknittingbecomeseasierwithpractice.Remember,yarnisreusableifyoumakeamistake!

EquipmentAllyoureallyneedtogetstartedisapairofknittingneedlesandsomeyarn,butdependingonyourskilllevelandthecomplexityoftheproject,youmayneedsomeadditionalequipment.

Knittingneedles—straightAsthepopularityofknittinghasgrown,sohastherangeofneedles.Themostcommontypesareplastic,metal,bamboo,andbirchwood.Theycomeindifferentsizeswhichworkwithdifferentthicknessesofyarn.

Thesizesquotedinthepatterninstructionsareausefulguide,butyoumightneedtoalterthesizetoachievethecorrectfabricgauge.Ifyourgaugeistooslack,theprojectwillbetoobig;ifit’stootight,theresultwillbetoosmallandwillalsousemoreyarn.

Knittingneedles—double-pointedDouble-pointedneedlescomeinsetsoffourorfiveandaregenerallyusedforcreatingsmallerprojectsintheround,buttheycanalsobeusedtoworksingle-rowstripesandtocreateI-cords.

NeedlegaugeAneedlegaugeisveryusefulforcheckingorconvertingneedlesizes,especiallyasthenumbersprintedontheneedlescanwearoffwithage.

StitchholderStitchholdersareusedtoholdstitchesthatyouarenotworkingwith,ratherthankeepingthemonyourneedles.Ifyouarecaughtwithoutastitchholderyoucanalwaysuseacontrastingcolorofyarn—sliptheyarnthroughthestitchesandknottheendstogether.

SafetypinsAcoilesssafetypincanbeusedasstitchholderifonlyafewstitchesneedtobeheld,orasastitchmarkerifyoudon’thaveanyonhand.Theyalsocomeinhandyifyouneedtocatchadroppedstitch.

RowcounterArowcounterfitsneatlyontheendofaknittingneedle.Turnthedialasyouworkeachrow.

StitchmarkerColoredplasticormetalrings,stitchmarkersareusefulformarkingstitchesorrows.

PinsGlass-headedrustproofdressmakingpinsarethebesttypetouse.Pinswithbrightlycoloredheadsareeasytoseeagainstthefabric.

Tapemeasure/rulerChooseatapemeasureandaclearplasticrulerthatshowbothinchesandcentimeters.

ScissorsScissorsareanessentialpartofthekit,anditisbesttohaveseveralpairsfordifferentuses.

Graphpaper/stationeryGraphpaperisessentialtoenableyoutotraceanddrawoutyourcolorworkchartusingthechartssuppliedonpages108–139.You’llalsoneedalltheobviousstationery—pens,pencils,anderasers.

Wool/darningneedleUseablunt-endeddarningneedlewithalargeeyetoweaveinendsandstitchpiecestogether.

ReadingaPatternThereiscertaininformationcontainedineverywrittenpattern,anditisimportantthatyoureadthroughtheentirepatternbeforestartingtoknitanyprojecttoensurethatyouunderstandalltheabbreviations.Yarnamounts,needlesizes,andanyextraequipmentandmaterialswillalsoappearatthebeginningofeachpattern.

AbbreviationsThepatternsinthisbookfeatureanumberofstandardabbreviations,whichareexplainedbelow.

alt alternate

beg begin(s)/beginning

BO bindoff

CC contrastingcolor

ch chain

CO caston

cont continue

dec(s) decrease(s)/decreasing

DPN(s) double-pointedneedle(s)

inc(s) increase(s)

k knit

k2tog knit2stitchestogether(decrease1)

k2togtbl knit2stitchestogetherthroughthebackloop(decrease1)

k1f&b knitintofrontandbackloopofsamestitch(increase1st)

LH lefthand

M1 make1stitch

MC maincolor

p purl

p1f&b purlintothefrontandbackloopofsamestitch(increase1)

p2tog purl2stitchestogether(decrease1)

p2togtbl purl2stitchestogetherthroughbackloop(decrease1)

patt pattern(s)

pfb purlintofrontandbackloopofsamestitch

prev previous(ly)

rem remain/remaining

rep repeat(s)

RH righthand

rnd(s) round(s)

RS rightside

sc singlecrochet

slipstitch

slstslipstitch

skpo slip1knitwise,knit1,passtheslippedstitchover(decrease1)

ssk slip,slip,knit(decrease1)

st(s) stitch(es)

stst stockinettestitch

tbl throughbackloop

tog together

WS wrongside

WSF wrongsidefacing

* repeatfrom*

Techniques

GaugeMostknittingpatternsspecifyanidealgauge,whichisthenumberofstitchesandrowscountedoveraspecificmeasurement,usually4in/10cmsquare.Ifyourgaugeisnotcorrect,theknittingwillendupthewrongsize.Thisisnotimportantforsomeprojects,butitiscrucialtogetthegaugerightwhenknittingsomethingthatisgoingtobeworn,suchasahatorgloves.

MakingatestswatchCastonthenumberofstitchesgiveninthegaugeguideplus4more.Ifthestitchesaretobemeasuredoverapattern,castonthecorrectmultipleofstitchesforthepattern.Workintherequiredpatternuntiltheswatchmeasuresapprox.5in/12cm.Breakofftheyarn,slipitthroughthestitchesandslipofftheneedle—youdon’thavetobindoff,asthiscandistortthestitches.

CountingstitchesandrowsLaytheswatchdownonaflatsurface,andinthecenterplacearulerhorizontallyonthesquare.Placeapinatonepointandanother4in/10cmaway.Countthestitchesbetweenthepins,includinganyhalfstitches.Repeattheprocessverticallytocounttherows.Remembertocountaccurately,asevenhalfastitchcouldmakeadifferencetothefinishedsize.

AdjustinggaugeIfyouhavefewerstitchesthanspecified,yourswatchistoolooseandthegarmentwillbetoobig.Workupanotherswatchwithasmallerneedle.

Ifyouhavemorestitchesthanspecified,yourswatchistootightandthegarmentwillbetoosmall.Workupanotherswatchwithabiggerneedle.

MakingaSlipknotAknittedfabricismadebyworkingrowsofstitchesinvarioussequences.Inordertocreateafabric,youmustfirstmakeabaserow,knownasacast-onrow.Aslipknotisusedasthefirststitchforacast-onrow.

1Holdingtheyarninbothhands,makeasmallloopintheyarn.Takethepiecethatyouareholdingintherighthandunderneaththeloop.

2Pullthispieceofyarnthroughtheoriginallooptocreateaknot.Donotpulltheshortendoftheyarnthroughtheloop.Placetheslipknotontotheknittingneedle.

CastingOnCastingonisthefirststepinhandknittinganditprovidesthefirstrowofloopsontheneedle.Differentmethodsofcastingonproducedifferenttypesofedges.Thediagramsbelowshowthecablemethod,butifyouarefamiliarwithanothermethod,youcanusethatinstead.

ThecablemethodThiscast-onmethodusesbothknittingneedlesandcreatesafirmedge.

1Placetheslipknotontotheknittingneedleandholdtheneedleinyourlefthand.Slidetherightknittingneedlethroughtheloopcreatedbytheslipknotfromfronttoback.

2Withyourrighthand,wraptheyarnaroundtherightknittingneedlecounterclockwisefrombacktofront.

3Slidetherightneedlethroughtheloopontheleftneedle,catchingthewrappedyarnandbringingitthroughthelooptocreateanewloop.

4Passtheleftneedleoverthetopofthenewloop,placingthetipoftheneedlethroughtheloopontherightneedle.Removetherightneedle,thustransferringthestitchtotheleftneedle.

5Makeeachsubsequentstitchbyplacingtherightneedlebetweenthelast2stitchesmadeontheleftneedle,andrepeatingsteps2through4.

BindingOffThereisonesimpleandcommonlyusedmethodofsecuringstitchesonceyouhavefinishedapieceofknittingknownas“bindingoff.”Themostcommon—thecablebind-off—isshownbelow.

Thesediagramsshowbindingoffalongaknitrow.However,youcanbindoffinpatternalonganyfabric,byworkingeachstitchassetinpattern.

Cablebind-offCablebind-offisworkedusingthetwoneedlesyouhavebeenworkingwithallalong.

1Whenyouarereadytobindoff,knitthefirst2stitches.

2Sliptheleft-handneedleintothefirststitchontheright-handneedle,andliftitoverthesecondstitchandofftheneedle.

3Knitthenextstitchsothatthereare2stitchesontheright-handneedleagain.

4Repeatsteps2and3untilallstitcheshavebeenworkedand1stitchremainsontheright-handneedle.Makethelaststitchlooplarger,breaktheyarn,anddrawthroughthelooptofastenoff.

KnitandPurlMostknittingisbasedoncombinationsofjusttwobasicstitches—“knit”and“purl.”Onceyouhavemasteredthesestitches,youcanworkmanydifferentstitchpatterns.Theknitstitchisthesimplestofallstitches.Knittingeveryrowformstheridgedfabriccalledgarterstitch.Whenyouworkarowofknitstitchesalternatedwitharowofpurlstitchesthisisreferredtoasstockinettestitch.

Knit

1Holdtheneedlewiththestitchestobeknittedinyourlefthandwiththeyarnbehindthework.Inserttheright-handneedleintothefirststitchontheneedlefromfronttoback.

2Taketheyarnoverthefirststitchfrombacktofront,formingaloop.

3Bringtheneedleandthenewlooptothefrontoftheworkthroughthestitch,andthenslidetheoriginalstitchofftheleft-handneedle.

Purl

1Holdtheneedlewiththestitchestobepurledinthelefthand,withtheyarnatthefrontofthework.Inserttheright-handneedlethroughthefrontofthestitch,fromrighttoleft.

2Taketheyarnoverandunderthefirststitch,formingaloop.

3Taketheneedleandthenewloopthroughthebackandslidetheoriginalstitchofftheleft-handneedle.

ShapingTechniques—IncreasingShapingtechniquesareusedtocreateshapesinapieceofknitting.Increasingtechniquesareusedtomakethefabricwiderbyaddingtothenumberofstitches.ThetwomostcommonwaysofincreasingareMake1(M1),whichcreatesanincreasebetweentwostitches,andincreasingbyknittingintothefrontandbackofastitch(k1f&b),whichisbestworkedatthebeginningorendoftheknittedpiece.Bothincreasinganddecreasingtechniquesareusuallyworkedatleastonestitchinfromtheedgetomakesewingupandpickingupstitcheseasier.

M1—Make1

1Insertthetipoftheright-handneedlefromfronttobackbeneaththehorizontalbarofyarnbetween2stitcheswhereyouwanttheincrease.

2Slipthebarontotheleft-handneedle.

3Createthenewstitchbyknittingthroughthebackoftheloop.Thistwiststheloopandavoidsmakingahole.

k1f&bThisusuallymeansknittingintothefrontandthenthebackofthesamestitch.Thisincreaseisbestworkedateitherthebeginningorendoftheknittedpiece,asitisnotveryneat.

1Worktowheretheextrastitchisneeded.Knitintothefrontofthenextstitchontheleftknittingneedlewithoutslippingitoff.

2Withthestitchstillontheleftneedleandtheyarnattheback,knitintothebackofthesamestitchandslipitfromtheneedle.

ShapingTechniques—DecreasingDecreasingtechniquesareusedtomakethefabricnarrowerbyreducingthenumberofstitches.Varioustechniquesareused,dependingonwhetherthedecreaseneedstoslopetotheleftortheright.

Slopingtotheright

k2tog—knit2stitchestogetherTodecreaseastitchknitwise,inserttheneedlefromlefttorightthroughthefirst2stitchesontheleft-handneedleandknitasyouwouldnormally,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.

p2tog—purl2stitchestogetherTodecreaseastitchpurlwise,inserttheneedlefromrighttoleftthroughthefirst2stitchesontheleft-handneedleandpurlasyouwouldnormally,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.

Slopingtotheleft

ssk—slip,slip,knit

1Todecreaseknitwise,slip2stitchesknitwiseoneatatimefromtheleft-totheright-handneedle.

2Insertthetipoftheleft-handneedlefromlefttorightthroughthefrontloopofbothstitches.

3Knitthemtogether.

skop—slip,knit,passslippedstitchoverSlipthefirststitchfromtheleft-handtotheright-handneedlewithoutworkingit.Knitthenextstitch,thenpasstheslippedstitchovertheworkedstitchandofftheneedle.

k2togtbl—knit2stitchestogetherthroughbackloopTodecreaseastitchknitwise,firstinserttheneedlefromrighttoleftthroughthebackloopofthefirst2stitchesontheleft-handneedle.Knitasnormal,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.

p2togtbl—purl2stitchestogetherthroughthebackloopInserttheright-handneedlefromlefttorightthroughthebackloopofthefirst2stitchesontheleftneedle.Purlasnormal,slippingbothstitchesofftheneedleatthesametime.

PickingUpStitchesSomeknittingpatternswillaskyoutopickupstitchesalongeitherahorizontalorverticaledge.Stitchesmustbepickedupevenlyalongtherequirededgeusingaknittingneedleandyarntocreatethestitchesyouwillthenworkinto.

Horizontaledge

1Whenpickingupstitchesalongabound-offorcast-onedge,workinto1fullstitchaboveorbelowtogiveaneaterfinish.Holdingtheneedleinyourrighthand,insertthetipintothecenterofthefirstfullstitchfromfronttoback.

2Wraptheyarnaroundtheneedleasiftoworkaknitstitch.

3Pulltheloopontheneedlethroughtothefrontofthefabrictocreateanewstitch.Repeatthesethreestepsuntilyouhavetherequiredamountofstitches.

Verticaledge

1Whenpickingupalonganedge,work1fullstitchinfromtheedge.Holdingtheneedleinyourrighthand,insertthetipbetweenthefirstandsecondstitchesfromthefronttotheback.

2Wraptheyarnaroundtheneedletoworkaknitstitch,andthenpulltheloopontheneedlethroughtothefrontofthefabrictocreateanewstitch.Repeatthesestepsuntilyouhavetherequiredamountofstitches.

Seams

MattressstitchAmattressstitch,sewnwithablunttapestryneedle,istheneatestandmostdiscreetwaytomakeaseam.

Withrightsidesofbothpiecesoffabrictowardyou,secureyarnatthebottomofonepiece.Passneedletoothersectionandpickuponestitch,whichyoucanseeontheneedleinthispicture.Pullyarnthroughandpulltightly.Insertneedlethroughonestitchoffirstsection,enteringwheretheyarnexitedpreviously.Continueinthisway,fromonesidetotheotherasiflacingacorset,untilyoureachthelaststitch.Securetightly.Ifyouhaveenteredthroughtherightsectionasshownopposite,theseamwillbevirtuallyindistinguishablefromtherestofthefabric.

Alwaysbesuretousethesamecolorofyarnasinthemainbodyofwork(thecontrastingyarninthepictureisjusttohighlightthetechnique)sothatwhentheseamsarepulledandmovedwhenworn,thejoiningyarncannotbeseen.Someyarnsmaybetooweakorfancytosewalongaseam,sodoubletheseup,addastrongeryarntotheoriginal,oruseadifferentyarn,butensureitisthesamecolor.

Grafting

Graftingthetoeinasockistheoriginaluseforthistechnique,butitisfabulousformanydifferentseams.Theshoulderseamworkedinshortrowslendsitselfwelltografting,butanytwopiecesofknittingthathavebeenleftontheneedlesratherthancastoffcanbegraftedtogetherusinggraftingor“Kitchenerstitch”foraninvisibleseam.

1Usingtheknittingyarn,workfromrighttoleft.Fromthebackofthefabric,bringtheneedlethroughthefirstknittedstitchofthelowerfabric,andthroughthefirststitchoftheupperfabric.

2Fromthefront,threadtheneedlebackthroughthecenterofthefirststitchonthelowerfabricwheretheyarnleaves,thenoutofthecenterofthenextstitchontheleft.

3Threadtheneedlethroughthecenterofthetopstitchandalongthecenterofthenext.

4Continuelikethisand,aseachstitchisworked,keepslippingtheknittingneedlefromthem.

Colorwork

Strandingor“FairIsle”techniqueStrandingiswhereacolorthatisnotbeingusediscarriedacrossthebackofthework,creating“floats”onthereverseofthefabric.

Strandingone-handedonknitrowsorroundsStrandingwithonehand,ifyouknittheEnglishway,involvesdroppingoneyarnafteruse,thenpickingupanotherfromunderneathandcarryingitacrossthebackofthework.Itisimportantnottotwisttheyarnsinthechangeoverbetweenthecolors.Whenusingthecontinentalmethodofknitting,youplacebothcolorsonyourindexfinger.Themaincolorshouldalwaysbeclosesttoyourknittingandthecontrastnexttoit.Trytokeeptheirpositionconstanttoavoidunnecessarytwisting.

Onaright-side(knit)row:Usingthemaincolor,workthedesirednumberofstitches.Dropmaincolor.Usingyourrighthand,bringthesecondcolorfromunderneath,acrossthebackofthework,overthetopofthefirstyarn,andworkthenextstitches,beingcarefulnottopulltheyarntootightlyandtomaintainaneventension.

Strandingtwo-handedonaknitroworround

IfyouknittheEnglishway,usingthestrandingtechniquewithtwohandsis

IfyouknittheEnglishway,usingthestrandingtechniquewithtwohandsisfasterthanusingjustonesincetheyarnsdonotneedtobedroppedbetweencolorchanges.Holdonecolorovertheforefingerofthelefthandandtheotheraccordingtothestyleinwhichyouknitintherighthand.

Whenthestrandedtechniquehasbeenworkedcorrectly,thecarriedyarn(floats)sitshorizontallyoverstitchesonthereversesideofthework.

1Onaright-side(knit)row,usingthemaincolorandthecontinentalmethod,workyourstitches.

2Usingyourrighthand,bringthesecondcoloracrossthebackofthework,overthetopofthefirstyarn,andworkthenextstitches,beingcarefulnottopulltheyarntootightlyandtomaintainaneventension.

WeavingfloatsIfyouareusingthestrandingtechnique,andtheyarnisnotgoingtobeinuseformorethan5to7stitches,thenweaving(or“catching”)thefloatsisthebestwayofpreventingthemfromhanginglooseonthereverseofthefabric,wheretheycangetcaughtorsnaggedwhenthepieceisinuse.

Theyarnnotinuseiswovenoverandunder,asintheillustrationabove,makingaveryfirmfabric.Takecarethatthecontrastcolordoesnotshowthroughtotherightside.

IntarsiaTheintarsiamethod,whichisthemostwidelyusedtechniqueinthisbook,createsseparateareasofcolorwithinthepiece.Aseparatelengthofyarnisusedforeachsectionofcoloredknitting,andtheyarnsaretwistedwheretheymeettocreateasinglepiece.

Intarsiaisbestworkedoverstockinettestitch,althoughareasofmoretexturalstitchingsuchasgarterstitchandmossstitchcanalsolookveryeffectivewhenusedinconjunctionwithintarsia.

Beforeyousettledowntowork,readthroughthepatterncarefullyandcheckhowmuchyarnyouneedineachcolor.Toworkintarsiaeffectivelyyouwillneedtolearnafewbasictechniques:Bobbinwinding,joininginnewcolors,andchangingfromonecolortoanotheronbothaknitandapurlrow.

BobbinsBobbinsareusedwhenyoudonotwishtohaveawholeballofyarnattachedtotheknittedpiecewhileworkingintarsia.Forlargerareasofcoloryoumaywishtowraptheyarninsmallplasticbags,securedwithrubberbandstopreventtangling.Youcanbuyplasticbobbinsandwrapyouryarnaroundthem,ormakeyourown.

1Wraptheyarnaroundthethumbandfingerofyourrighthandintheformofafigureeight.2Carefullyremovetheyarnfromyourfingersandcutitfromtheball.Windthelooseendofyarnaroundthecenterofthefigureeightandsecureittightly.

Whenusingabobbin,pulltheyarnfromthecenteralittleatatimeandkeepitasclosetotheworkaspossibletoavoidtangling.

JoininginanewcolorYoumayfindthatanewcolorofyarnisneededacrossarowofstitches,orthatanexistingbobbinisrunningout.Inthesecasesyouwillneedtojoininanewcolor.

1Inserttheright-handneedleintothenextstitch.Placetheyarnovertheworkingyarnandbetweenthetwoneedles,withthetailendtotheleftside.2Bringthenewyarnupfromundertheexistingyarnandknit,droppingbothyarnsfromtheleftneedleafteryouhavedoneso.

ChangingcolorsWhenworkinganintarsiadesign,coloredareasoffabricareworkedfromseparateballs.Iftheseareasarenotjoinedtogetherinsomeway,youwillendupwithindividualpiecesofcolorwithlargegapsinbetween.Simplycrosstheyarnstoensurethattheknittingstaysasonepiece.

Changingcoloronaknitrow:Worktothepointwhereyouneedtochangecolor.Inserttheright-handneedleintothenextstitchknitwise.Takethefirstcoloroverthetopofthesecondcoloranddrop.Pickupthesecondcolor,ensuringthattheyarnsremaintwisted,andcontinueaccordingtothepattern.

Changingcoloronapurlrow:Worktothepointwhereyouneedtochangecolor.Inserttheright-handneedleintothenextstitchpurlwise.Takethefirstcoloroverthetopofthesecondcoloranddrop.Pickupthesecondcolor,ensuringthattheyarnsremaintwisted,andcontinueaccordingtothepattern.

ReadingachartAllintarsiaandmoststrandingpatternsaresetoutintheformofachart.Chartsarereadasforlaceandcablechartsfrombottomtotop,readfromrighttoleftonaRSrow,andfromlefttorightonaWSrow(ifyouknitinrows).Whenknittingintheround,readchartsfrombottomtotop,fromrighttoleftoneachrow.

Mostpatternsarenowprintedincolor,butthoseprintedinblackandwhitewillhaveakeytoonesidedescribingwhatcolorsareplacedwhere,witheachcolorrepresentedbyasymbol.

Itisagoodideatophotocopythepattern,sothatyoucanmarkoffrowsasyouwork,orusearulertomarktherowyouareon.Photocopyingisalsousefulifthechartissmall,asyoucanenlargeittoamorereadablesize.

Readingchartsymbols

Somechartsinthisbookcontainsymbolsfordifferentstitches:

KonRS,PonWS

Seedstitch

Garterstitch

K2togonRS,p2togonWS

Make1(M1)knitwiseonRS,M1purlwiseonWS

BO

Duplicatestitch

Duplicatestitchcopiesthestructureandappearanceofaknittedstitch.

1Bringtheneedleoutatthebaseoftheknittedstitchtobeduplicated.Passtheneedlebehindthetwo“legs”ofthestitchaboveandpullthrough.

2Inserttheneedleagainatthebaseofthesameknittedstitchwhereitfirstemerged,andbringitoutatthebaseofthenextknittedstitchtobeduplicated.

3Repeatasneeded.

1SansSerif“Sansserif”meanssimply“withoutserif.”Aserifisasmalltailattheendofthestrokeofaletter.Sansserif(sometimescalled“Grotesque”or“Gothic”)isalargetypefacegroupthatincludestheverypopularfontsTahoma,Arial,Verdana,and,ofcourse,thetypefacemanyconsidertobethemostbeautifulsansserifeverdesigned,Helvetica.

Despitelookingmoderntothecontemporaryeye,sansseriftypefaceshavebeenusedsinceasearlyasthefifthcenturyBCEinGreek,Etruscan,andLatininscriptions.Itsmodernusageinprintdatestotheeighteenthcentury’sneoclassicalmovement,whenallthingsGreekandLatinwererevered.Firstusedforimpactintext(ratheraswewoulduseboldoritalic),theapplicationofsansserifmigratedfirsttoheadersandfinallytowidespreadacceptanceasanin-textfont.Whileseriffontsremainpopulartodayontheprintedpage,sansserifnowrulesonline,becauseofitsclearreadabilityandlackofdistortionwhenconvertedtopixels.

Inknitting,too,thesansseriffontworksbestwhenclearreadabilityisrequired.Knittingstitchesareabitlikepixels,andconsequently,lettersthatarerenderedasknitstitchesaremostclearwhenserifsarenotincluded.Sotheprojectsinthischapter,includingthe“STOP”SignDoorstop(page29)andtheFeltedPencilCase(page35),havebold,clear,unambiguoustext,whichmarrieswellwiththeconceptoftheprojects.UsetheSansSerifcharts(pages108–11)inyourownprojectswhenyourmessageisboldandclearandthetypefaceneedstomatch.

AlphabetPillowAscomfortableasitiseducational,thisalphabetpillowistheperfectwaytotestandshowoffyourintarsiaandstrandingskills.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:241/2in/62cmby153/4in/40cmGauge:27stsand34rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmneedlesNote:Checkyourgauge—iffewerstsorrows,usesmallerneedles;ifmore,thenuselargerneedles.

LettermotifThisprojectusesbothupper-andlowercaseSansSerifalphabetsfeaturedonpages108–11.Thepillowchartsonpage28weredesignedsothatthe1stgapbetweeneachletter’supper-andlowercaseformisarrangedasacentralcolumn,witheachuppercaseletteralignedatthetop.Ifusingdifferentletters,itisrecommendedthatyouarrangetheminthesamemanner.Ifusingwordsratherthanletters,besuretocenterthemoverthe168stspace(allowingatleast10stsoneitherside).Youmaywanttoexperimentwithdifferentspacingsandalignmentswhenchartingoutyourownalphabetsorwords.

Youwillneed

YarnDMCNaturaJustCotton(super-fineweight,4ply,100%cotton,

approx.170yd/155mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Coral(shadeN18),1ball[CC]IvoryCream(shadeN02),1ball

NeedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsPillowform,atleast241/2in/62cmby153/4in/40cmorclosestsize

available(canbecuttofit)

PillowfrontUsingMC,CO168sts.

Startingwithakrow,work24rowsinstst.

Startingwithakrow,work24rowsinstst.

CommenceFrontChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCfortheletters,workrows1–87oftheFrontChart(page28)usingthestrandingtechnique.

ContinMConly,work25rowsinstst.

BO.

PillowbackUsingMC,CO168sts.

Startingwithakrow,work10rowsinstst.

CommenceBackChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCfortheletters,workrows1–116oftheBackChart(page28)usingthestrandingtechnique.

ContinMConly,work10rowsinstst.

BO.

FinishingWeaveinallendsneatlyandblockorpressthepiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Sewbackandfrontpiecestogetheraroundthesideandtopedges.Insertthepillowform.Ifthepillowformistoobig,undooneseamofitsliningandremovethefilling.Measuretheliningandcuttofittheknittedpillow.Sewbacktogether,leavingagapforthestuffing.Refillwithstuffingandsewgapclosed.Sewrembaseseamofthecoverclosed.

AlphabetPillow:FrontChart

AlphabetPillow:BackChart

“STOP”SignDoorstopDesignedtomimicastopsign,thisfunctionalpiecemakesaboldstatementusingthesansseriffont.Usingdriedbeansasstuffingprovidesstabilityandweightandensuresthatdoorswilldoexactlyasthesignsays.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:12in/30cmby15in/38cmGauge:26stsand32rowsover4in/10cminststonUS3/3.25mmknittingneedles

LettermotifUsethe“STOP”SignDoorstopChartonpage31.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSansSerifUppercaseChartsonpages108–9.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof4lettersontothedoorstopdependingonyourchosenletters.Yourchosencombinationoflettersplus2stsbetweeneachlettershouldnotexceed65sts.Ifusingfewerthan65sts,besuretocenteryourletterswithinthetotal73stspaceatthepointinthepatternwherethechartcommences.

Front**UsingMC,CO33sts.Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):Purl.Row3:K1,M1,ktolastst,M1,k1.2stsinc.Row4:Purl.Reprows3and4untilyouhave73sts.

Work10rowsinststwithoutinc,endingwithaprow.

Commence“STOP”SignDoorstopChartWorkrows1–23ofchartusingthestrandingtechnique.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanPureWoolDK(100%wool,approx.136yd/124mper13/4oz/50

g)[MC]Red(shade36),3balls[CC]White(shade12),1ball

NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissors2piecesofsturdycardstock,atleast12in/30cmby15in/38cmDriedbeans,17oz/500gPolyestertoystuffing

Afterchart,contwithMConlyandwork10rowsinststwithoutinc.

Commencedecasfollows:Row1:K1,ssk,ktolast3sts,k2tog,k1.2stsdec.Row2:Purl.Replast2rowsuntil33stsrem.

BOallsts.

BackWorkasforfrontfrom**untilyouhave73sts.

Work43rowsinstst,endingwithaprow.

Commencedecasfollows:Row1(RS):K1,ssk,ktolast3sts,k2tog,k1.2stsdec.Row2(WS):Purl.Replast2rowsuntil33stsremain.BOallstsonRS.Weaveinends.

GussetUsingCC,CO14sts.

Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilpiecemeasures173/4in/45cm(orlengthrequiredtofitaroundbackpiecewhenslightlystretched),endingwithaprow.

BOallstsonRS.Weaveinends.

FinishingWeaveinendsandpressorblockpiecesaccordingtotheballbandinstructions.Usingmattressstitch,attachthegussetaroundtheentirebackseam.Sewthebottomhalfofthefronttogusset.

bottomhalfofthefronttogusset.

Cuttwooctagonsfromcardstock,slightlylargerthanfrontandbackpiecestoensureaslightstretch.Inserttheseintothepillowandpourdriedbeansintothepillowbetweenthem.Contseamingaroundtopofpiece,nowfillingwithtoystuffingasyougo.Finishseamandcloseshortsideofgusset.

“STOP”SignDoorstopChart

LetterTileCoastersTheselettertilecoastersareidealforspellingoutastatementofintenttoyourdinnerguests(i.e.“it’s‘vino’time”),butthepatterncaneasilybeadaptedtootherusessuchascreatingcolorfulletteredbuntingforaspecialoccasion.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:31/4in/8.25cmsquareGauge:27stsand34rowsover4in/10cmmeasuredoverststonUS2/3mmneedles

LettermotifThisprojectusesthe“VINO”LetterTileChartsonpage34,orfordifferentletters,theSansSerifUppercaseChartsfeaturedonpages108–9.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatis23stswideand22rowshigh,makingsuretheletterisinthecenter.Ifyourletterhasanevennumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stextra.

CoastersUsingMC,CO17sts.

Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):P1f&b,ptolastst,p1f&b.19stsRow3:K1f&b,ktolastst,k1f&b.21stsRow4:Asrow2.23sts

Commence“VINO”LetterTileChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCfortheletter,continststandworkrows1–22ofthechartusingthestrandingtechnique.

ContinMConlyasfollows:Row27:Knit.Row28:P2tog,ptolastst,p2tog.21stsRow29:K2tog,ktolastst,k2tog.19stsRow30:Asrow2.17sts.

BO.

Youwillneed

YarnDMCNaturaJustCotton(4ply,100%cotton,approx.170yd/155mper

13/4oz/50g)[MC]Gardenia(shadeN36),1ball

[CC]Noir(shadeN11),1ball

NeedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsFelt,31/4in/8.25cmsquare,tobackeachcoasterSewingneedleandthread

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpressthecoasteraccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.

Sewinallendsneatly.Usingsewingthread,slsttheknittedcoastertothefeltaroundalledges.

“VINO”LetterTileCharts

FeltedPencilCaseThisfunandcolorfulprojectdemonstrateswhatcanbeachievedwithafewletters,somesimplecolorwork,andalittleimagination.TakeamentaltriptotheBigAppleeverytimeyoureachforapencil.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:afterfelting,8in/20cmby51/2in/14cmGauge:20stsand26rowsover4in/10cminststonUS7/4.5mmneedlesbeforefelting

LettermotifThisprojectusestheChecksand“Taxi”Chartsonpage37.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSansSerifUppercaseChartsonpages108–9.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof4to5sansseriflettersontothepencilcasedependingonthechosenletters.Drawabox1squarewiderthanyourchosenletters.Thiswillshowyoutheamountofspaceyouhavebetweeneachletter.Makesuretheplacementofthewordiscenteredbeforeyoustartknitting.

FrontpanelUsingMC,CO51sts.

Startingwithakrow,work8rowsinstst.

CommenceChecksChartWorkrows1–11ofChecksChartusingthestrandingtechnique.

UsingMConly,work3rowsinstst.

Commence“Taxi”ChartWorkrows1–21of“Taxi”Chartusingtheintarsiatechnique.

UsingMConly,work5rowsinstst.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanCreativeFocusWorsted(75%wool/25%alpaca,218yd/200m

per31/2oz/100g)[MC]Saffron(shade03810),1ball[CC1]Ebony(shade00500),1ball[CC2]Natural(shade00100),1ball

NeedlesUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles

Tapestryneedle

OtherScissorsYellowclosed-endzipper,10in/25cm(trimthezippertofitthewidthof

yourfinished,feltedpencilcase,whichmayvary)Sewingneedleandthreadtomatchzipper

BO.

BackpanelUsingMCpickupandk51stsalongthecast-onedgeoffrontpanel.

Startingwithaprow,work7rowsinstst.

CommenceChecksChartWorkrows1–11ofChecksChartusingthestrandingtechnique.

UsingMConly,work29rowsinstst.

BOink.

FinishingSewupthesideseamsusingmattressstitchorbackstitchandleavethetopopen.Stitchalongthetopopeningwithacotton-basedyarnorthreadwithrunningstitch.Feltthepencilcasebyhandorinawashingmachineuntilthefabricisthefinishedsize.

Leavetodry,thenstitchzipperintotopopening.

“Taxi”Chart

ChecksChart

“Ciao”MittensNotonlywilltheseattractivemittenskeepyourhandswarmallwinter,buttheyalsoallowyoutowaveamessagetoyourfriendsfromthepalmsofyourhands.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:approx.8in/20cmwideatcuffand111/2in/29cmlongGauge:approx.26stsand36rowsover4in/10cminststonUS3/3.25mmneedlesNote:Sectionsofthepatternarespecifictoeithertherightortheleftmitten.Ensurethatyouareworkingthecorrectpartandhavebotharightandaleftmitten.

LettermotifUsethe“Ciao”Chartonpage41.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSansSerifLowercaseChartsfeaturedonpages110–11.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof3or4lettersdependingonyourchoiceofletters.Onthechartofeachletter,drawaboxarounditthatis23stswideandallows1rowaboveandbelowtheletter.Threeofthelettersusedinthisdesign(“c,”“a,”and“o”)are17rowstall,andtheother,“i,”is21rowstall(“j”isthetallestletterintheSansSerifLowercaseChartsat26rows).

Eachletterisgivenitsowncoloredbackgroundthatmatchesthelengthofthegraphthatisdrawnaroundit;ifyouareusingalternativeletters,thestripeheightsmayvary.Placethechartsverticallyinsequencetomakeonelargechart—rememberyouwillbeworkingfromthebottomup.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanFineTweed(4ply,100%wool,approx.98yd/90mper1oz/25g)[MC]Bainbridge(shade369),1ball[CC1]Dent(shade373),1ball[CC2]Leyburn(shade383),1ball[CC3]Richmond(shade381),1ball[CC4]Nidd(shade382),1ball[CC5]Arncliffe(shade360),1ball

NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedles

Other

Scissors

CuffUsingsmallerneedlesandMC,CO50sts.

Row1(RS):K2,p1,k2;repfromtoend.Row2(WS):P2,k2,p2;repfromtoend.Repprev2rowsafurther8times.

RightmittenonlyCommence“Ciao”ChartNextrow(RS):ChangetolargerneedlesandusingCC1,k27,krow1ofchartusingtheintarsiatechniqueandCC5forthelettersts.Nextrow(WS):Pfollrow2ofchart.

Contworkingassettorow19.

ChangetoCC2and,keepingCC5forthelettering,workrows20–22ofchart.

PlacethumbMaintainingcolors,continpattassetfromchartandcommencethumbgussetincasfollows:Row23(RS):K26,m1,ktoend.51stsRows24–26:Workinststfromchartasset.Row27:K26,m1,k1,m1,ktoend.53stsRow28andeveryfollWSrow:Purl.Row29:K26,m1,k3,m1,ktoend.55stsRow31:K26,m1,k5,m1,ktoend.57stsRow33:K26,m1,k7,m1,ktoend.59stsRow35:K26,m1,k9,m1,ktoend.61stsRow37:K26,m1,k11,m1,ktoend.63stsChangetoCC3andkeepworkingpattfromchartasset.Row39:ChangetoyarnCC4andcontworkinginpattfromchartasset;k26,m1,k13,m1,ktoend.65stsRow41:K26,m1,k15,m1,ktoend.67stsRow42:Purl.

Splitthumb

Nextrow:K43,turn.**Nextrow(WS):P17.Youwillnowcontonthese17sts,leavingremstsontheneedle.Work8rowsinstst.Ifyouwantalongerthumb,addextrarowshere.

Nextrow:K5,k2tog,k3,k2tog,k5.15stsWork3rowsinstst.Nextrow:K4,k2tog,k3,k2tog,k4.13stsNextrow:K3,k2tog,k3,k2tog,k3.11sts

Breakyarn,leavinga6in/15cmtail,threadthroughremthumbsts,pulltight,andsewsideseamofthumb.

Rejoinyarntomainmittenstsbypickingup2stsatbaseofthumbandptoendofrow.51sts

Nextrow:Ktothepicked-upsts,k2tog,ktoendofrow,maintainingpattasset.50sts

Contworkingfromchartassetandchangecolorsasindicatedthroughtoendofrow78.

ShapetopContinpattandatthesametimeworkdeconthefollrows:Row71:K1,k2tog,k20,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.46stsRow75:K1,k2tog,k18,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.42stsRow77:K1,k2tog,k16,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.38stsRow79:K1,k2tog,k14,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.34stsRow83:K1,k2tog,k12,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.30stsRow85:K1,k2tog,k10,k2togtbl;repfrom,k1.26stsWorkonemoreWSrow.

BO.

LeftmittenonlyCommence“Ciao”ChartWorkasforrightmittenfromcufftoendofrow22.

PlacethumbMaintainingcolors,continpattassetfromchartandcommencethumbgussetincasfollows:Row23(RS):K24,m1,ktoend.51stsRows24–26:Workinststfromchartasset.Row27:K24,m1,k1,m1,ktoend.53stsRow28andeveryfollWSrow:Purl.Row29:K24,m1,k3,m1,ktoend.55stsRow31:K24,m1,k5,m1,ktoend.57stsRow33:K24,m1,k7,m1,ktoend.59stsRow35:K24,m1,k9,m1,ktoend.61stsRow37:K24,m1,k11,m1,ktoend.63stsRow39:ChangetoyarnCC4andcontworkinginpattfromchartasset;k24,m1,k13,m1,ktoend.65stsRow41:K24,m1,k15,m1,ktoend.67stsRow42:Purl.

SplitthumbNextrow:K41,turn.

Nowworkassetforrightmittenfrom**toend.

FinishingWeaveinendsandjoinsideseam.Blockorpressaccordingtoballbandinstructions.

“Ciao”Chart

2SerifAserifisasmalltail,flourish,ornonstructuraldetailattheendofthestroke(line)ofaletter.Theoriginoftheserifisnotdefinitivelyknown,buttheoriesrangefromstonecuttersinantiquitycopyinglettersthathadoriginallybeenmadewithbrushstrokes,tothosesamestonecuttersusingserifseithertocatchthelight,tostrengthenthecarving,ortoprovidereadabilityorclearerdistinctionbetweenlettersfromfarbelow.Seriftypefacesarealsosometimescalled“Roman”duetotheirorigins,andmostusersofMicrosoftWordwillbefamiliarwithTimesNewRoman,oneofthemostwidelyusedtypefacesintheworld,duetoitspopularityinwordprocessingprogramsandprintedbooks.TheseriftypefacegroupalsoincludessuchpopularfontsasGeorgia,Garamond,Baskerville,andCentury.

Whenrelativelymodernprintersstarteddesigningseriffontsinthefifteenthcentury,theyusedserifsforaestheticreasonsratherthanstructuralones.Toourmoderneye,sansseriffontslookclearerandmorelegible,butintheearlydaysofprinting,seriffontswereconsideredthemostreadablefonts.TheseseriffontsgrewmorepopularthantheoncestandardGothic,orblackletter(discussedinchapter7)duringtheseventeenthcentury,becausetheyweremorereadable,economicalwithspace,andeasytoprint.

Seriffontsarestillwidelyusedtoday;somestudieshavefoundthemtohavegreaterreadabilityinprintthansansseriffonts,butthereisnofirmconsensusonwhetherthisisthecase.Manypeoplepreferseriffontssimplybecauseoftheirfamiliarity.Printedbooksmaylook“odd”insansserifbecauseweareaccustomedtoseriffontsbeingusedinprint(thisismosttrueinNorthAmerica;inEurope,sansserifforprintisbecomingincreasinglypopular).Seriffontsworkbestinknittedprojectswheretheknitterneedsawarmlytraditional,attractive,butstillreadablefont,suchasinthe“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt(facingpage)andtheBookstoreTote(page47).

“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArtSpellingout“HomesweetHome”withaLatintwist,thiswallartdemonstratesthevisualclaritythatcanbeachievedwithknittedtypography.Adaptandexpandthisbasicdesigntospelloutanymessageyouchoose.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:10in/25cmsquareGauge:27stsand34rowsover4in/10inststonUS3/3.25mmneedlesNote:Checkyourgauge—iffewerstsorrows,usesmallerneedles;ifmore,uselargerneedles.

LettermotifUsetheWallArtChartonpage45.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheSerifChartsonpages112–15.Yourcombinedletters(amaximumof5or6letters)shouldnotexceed60stsperline,with1stgapsbetweeneachletter,andamaximumof3lines.Ensurethatyourchosenlettersarecenteredhorizontallyacrossthefull69stspaceandverticallyover86rows.Forexample,ifusingthephrase“HomesweetHome”instead,thetotalnumberofstsfor“Home”includingspacesis52,soyouwouldk8,workthelettersandspaces,k9.Thetotalnumberofstsfor“sweet”is54,soyouwouldk7,workthelettersandspaces,k8.(Bothofthesewordshaveanevennumberofsts,sotherewillbe1stmoreononesideofthesewordssincethetotalnumberofstsfortheWallArtisodd.)

WallArtUsingMC,CO69sts.

Youwillneed

YarnDMCNaturaJustCotton(4ply,100%cotton,approx.170yd/155mper

13/4oz/50g)[MC]StarLight(shadeN27),1ball[CC]Gardenia(shadeN36),1ball

NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedles

OtherScissorsFrametofitoverthe10in/25cmsquarefinishedknittedsamplerThinpressedmatboardtofitframeDouble-sidedadhesivetape

CommenceWallArtChartWithMCforthebackgroundandCCforthewriting,workrows1–86ofthechartbelowusingthestrandingandintarsiatechniques.

BO.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpressthewallartaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Placethewallartinthecenterofthematboardandputtheframeoverittoensurethesampleriscenteredandtheedgesoftheknittingarecoveredbytheframe.Markthewallart’spositionontheboardandremove.Applystripsofdouble-sidedtapearoundtheboardandpeeloffthebackingtape.Makingsurethewordsarestraight,pressthewallartdownfirmlysothattheknittingisstucktotheboard,andassembletheframe.

WallArtChart

BookstoreToteThistotebagisguaranteedtostandoutfromanyothersonthestreet.Theseriffontgivesthebagaclassiclookthatcanbecustomizedwiththenameofyourfavoritebookstore(realorimagined)oranyothertextthatyouwanttoshowoffalongwithyourpurchases.

Thepattern

FinishedSize:121/2in/31.75cmby14in/35.5cmGauge:22stsand28rowsover4in/10cminststonUS6/4mmneedles

LettermotifUsetheBookstoreToteChartonpage48.Ifchangingthewording,usetheSerifChartsonpages112–15.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5lettersintotheboxborderperline(maximum2lines)dependingonyourchosenletters.Yourchosenlettersplus1stspacesbetweeneachlettershouldnotexceed54sts.Itisrecommendedthatyoucenteryourwordshorizontallyoverthe58stspacewithinthebox,andverticallyover46rows,allowing4rowsbetweenlines.

FrontUsingMC,CO78sts.

Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilpiecemeasures6in/15cm,endingwithaprow.

CommenceBookstoreToteChartUsingMCforthebackgroundandCCforthewriting,andusingstrandingandintarsiatechniques,workrows1–50ofchartinstst.

ContworkinginMConlyworkingststuntilpiecemeasures14in/35.5cm,endingwithakrow.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanDenim(DK,100%cotton,109yd/100mper13/4oz/50g)RowanCottonGlacé(DK,100%cotton,125yd/115mper3/4oz/50g)[MC]RowanDenim:Ecru(shade324),4balls[CC]RowanCottonGlacé:Poppy(shade741),1ball

NeedlesUS6/4mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissors2stitchmarkersLiningfabric,283/4in/73cmby17in/43cmWidecottontapeorwebbingforhandles,1in/2.5cmby30in/76cmSewingneedleandthread

FrontFacing**Nextrow(WS)(foldline):Knit.

Startingwithakrow,work8rowsinstst.

BO.

BackUsingMC,CO78sts.

Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilbackmeasuressameasfronttofoldline,endingwithakrow.

BackFacingWorkbackfacingasgivenforfrontfacingfrom**.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresspiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Sewbackandfronttogaroundsideedgesandbase.FoldfacingtoWSandslstintoplace.Measurefinishedwidthofbagandfinishedlengthfrombasetoloweredgeoffacing.Cuttwopiecesofliningfabrictothesemeasurements,adding5/8in/1.5cmseamallowancetoalledges.Sewthetwopiecesofliningtogaroundsideandbaseedges.FoldseamallowancetoWSalongtopedgeandpress.Maketwohandlesbycuttingthe30in/76cmlengthoftapeinhalf.SewthesehandlessecurelytotheWSofthelining.SlliningintotheknittedbagwithWStog.Slstlininginplacearoundfacing.

BookstoreToteChart

AlphabetBabyBlocksSoft,cuddly,andcolorful,knittedalphabetblocksareperfecttoytogiveasgiftstothebabiesandtoddlersinyourlife.Ofcourseastheirliteracyimprovestheymayexpectyoutoknitentirebooksforthem,soyoushouldprobablygetpracticingyourABC’saswell.

Thepattern

Youwillneed

YarnAny100%Cotton4plyyarn,suchasRowanSiena4ply,inseven

differentcolorsEachcubeismadeupof6squaresandusesapprox.1/2oz/14.25gofMC

and1/4oz/7gofCCpersquare.Thecubeslistedhereusethefollowingcombinationsofcolors:

[MC]Lightgreen[CC1]Red[CC2]Darkblue[CC3]Lightblue[CC4]Yellow[CC5]Purple[CC6]Orange

Usethefirstcolorforthebackgroundandthesecondcolorfortheletter:

Cube1SquareA:MCandCC1SquareB:CC2andCC3SquareC:CC4andCC5SquareD:CC1andMCSquareE:CC6andCC3SquareF:CC5andCC4

Cube2SquareG:CC3andCC4SquareH:CC1andCC2SquareI:MCandCC5SquareJ:CC2andCC6SquareK:CC4andCC1SquareL:CC6andCC3

Cube3SquareM:CC5andCC4

SquareN:CC3andCC6SquareO:CC1andCC3SquareP:CC2andMCSquareQ:CC4andCC1SquareR:CC6andCC2

NeedlesUS1/2.25mmneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsCustom-cutfoamblocks:33/4in/9.5cmcubed,orpolyesterfoamstuffing

Finishedsize:33/4in/9.5cmcubedGauge:32stsand42rowsover4in/10cminststonUS1/2.25mmneedlesNote:Ensurethatanyfillingorinsertusedissuitableandsafeforinfantsandcomplieswithlegalsafetystandards,includingregulationsforfiresafety.

Eachcubeisconstructedfrom6squares.Eachsquarehasaststcenterwithalettermotif(asshownintheBabyBlockCharts)andaseedstitchborder.Slthefirststofeachrowpurlwisetogiveaneatouteredgeandtohelpwithsewingup.Squaresarejoinedtogetherusinginvisiblemattressstitchtoformacubeandthenstuffedwithcustom-cutfoamorloosestuffingtomaintaintheirshape.

LettermotifUsetheBabyBlockChartsbelowasthebasisofyourdesign.Forallotherletters,simplysubstitutelettersfromtheSerifUppercaseChartsfeaturedonpages112–13,andworksothateachletteriscenteredhorizontallyover20sts,andverticallyover30rows.

Lowerborder:Make6squaresforoneblockStartingwiththeseedstitchborder,andthedesiredBabyBlockChart,worktheborderasfollows:Usingbackgroundcolor,CO31sts.

Row1(RS):Sl1purlwise,k1,p1;repfromtoend.Rows2–5:Reprow1.

MiddlesectionWorkingthecentralsectionofthesquareinststfollowingrelevantletterchartandmaintaining4stsofseedstitchatbegandendofeachrow,contasfollows:Row6(WS):Sl1purlwise,k1,p1,k1,pinpatttolast4sts,k1,p1,k1,p1.Row7(RS):Sl1purlwise,k1,p1,kinpatttolast3sts,p1,k1,p1.These2rowssetborderpattandststletttermotifpanel.Row8andallevenrownumbers(WS):Reprow6.Row9andalloddrownumbers(RS):Reprow7.

Contfollowingthechartbackandforthinrowsandworkingwithalternativecolorsasindicateduntilatotalof34rowshavebeenworkedfromcast-onedge.

TopborderRow35:Usingbackgroundcoloronly,sl1purlwise,k1,p1;repfromtoend.Rows36–38:Reprow35.

BOinseedstitchpatt.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresspiecesaccordingtoballband.Jointhesideseamsusingmattressstitch,leavingagaptoinsertthefoamblockorloosefilling.Insertthefilling,andcloseremseams.

BabyBlockCharts

3SlabSerifSlabserifisaseriftypefacethatutilizesblocky,thickserifs,makingaboldstatementparticularlysuitedforheadlines.TypewriterfontslikeCourierfallintothisgroup,asdowell-knownadvertisingfontsincludingRockwellandPlaybill(discussedinchapter6),andin-textfontswithaboldappeallikeClarendonandEgyptienne.Thereareawidevarietyofslabseriffonts,buttheircommondenominatorsarechunky,thickserifsandstrikingvisualappeal.

Theslabserifhasitsoriginsinadvertising.Atypefacewithstrong,boldlineswasneededforheadlines,adcopy,andposters.Slabserifswereperfectbecauseoftheirclearimpact.AcrazeforallthingsEgyptianaroseinwesternEuropeduringthenineteenthcentury,andalthoughinactualitytheslabseriftypefacehadnothingincommonwithancientEgyptianletterforms,itcametobeassociatedwithEgyptinthepubliceyeduetoheavyadvertisingandmarketinglinkingthetwo.Infact,manyoftheearlyslabseriffontswerenamedaftercitiesinEgypt.

Today,slabserifsaremostwidelyassociatedwithletteringusedinAmericansportswearandcollegegarments.ThisconnectionisusedtogreateffectintheChild’sInitialedBackpack(facingpage)andtheLettermanSweater(page57).TheSlabSerifChartsinthisbook(pages116–17)includeuppercaselettersonly,asistraditionalwiththistypeface.Useslabseriffontsinyourownknittingwhenyouwanttomakeaboldstatementwithunequivocalimpact.

Child’sInitialedBackpackNothinghasmorecredontheplaygroundthanabackpackknittedinachild’sfavoritecolorsandpersonalizedwithhisowninitials.Thebag’scontentsarekeptsafebythedrawstringclosure,whichisalsoconnectedtotheadjustablestraps.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:10in/25.5cmby91/2in/23.5cmGauge:approx22stsand28rowsover4in/10cminststonUS6/4mmknittingneedles

LettermotifUsetheInitialsChartonpage55.Ifsubstitutinginitials,useamaximumof2lettersfromtheSlabSerifChartsonpages116–17.Arrangesothatthereisa2stgapbetweenyourchosenlettersandsothatthelettersarethencenteredhorizontallyoverthe56stspace.Ifusinglettersthatrequiremoreorfewerststhantheletters“L”and“T,”workmoreorfewerstseithersideoftheletterssothattheyarecentered.

FrontUsingMCandUS6/4mmneedles,CO56sts.

Startingwithakrow,workinststuntilpiecemeasures4in/10cm,endingwithaprow.

Nextrow(RS):K15inMC,withCCworkletter“T”fromInitialsChartusingtheintarsiamethod,k2inMC,withCCworkletter“L”fromInitialsChartusingtheintarsiamethod,k15inMC.Nextrow(WS):P15inMC,withCCworkletter“L”fromInitialsChart,p2inMC,withCCworkletter“T”fromInitialsChart,p15inMC.Repprev2rows,workingthroughInitialsChartsuntillettersarecomplete.

UsingMC,workinststforafurther3in/8cmendingwithaWSrow.

Youwillneed

YarnSublimeCashmereMerinosilkDK(75%extrafinemerino/20%silk/5%

cashmere,approx.127yd/116mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Marmalade(shade224),2balls[CC]CaptainPeacock(shade163),1ball

NeedlesUS6/4mmknittingneedles

US2.5/3mmDPNsforI-cordstrapsTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsSafetypinFabricforlining,20in/50cmsquareSewingthreadandneedle

Nextrow(RS):K1,p1;repfromtoendtoform1x1rib.Repprevrowafurther5times.

Nextrow:Purl.Work1x1ribforafurther6rows.

BOknitwise.

BackUsingMCandUS6/4mmneedles,CO56sts.Startingwithakrowworkinststuntilpiecemeasures91/2in/24cm,endingwithaprow.

Changeto1x1rib,andworkfor6rows.

Nextrow:Purl.

Work1x1ribforafurther6rows.

BOknitwise.

Straps(make2)UsingCCandUS2.5/3mmDPNs,CO4sts.

Withworkingyarnatleftendofneedle,k4fromrightendofneedletobeginI-cord.

Swapneedlesbetweenhandsbutdonotturnneedle,slideststorightendofneedleand,withworkingyarnatleftendofsts,k4.

RepprevstepsuntilI-cordmeasures46in/117cm,breakyarn,anddrawthrough

RepprevstepsuntilI-cordmeasures46in/117cm,breakyarn,anddrawthrough4stswithyarnneedletoclose.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockpiecesaccordingtoballband,andallowtodrybeforeseaming.

Onthefrontpiece,folddowntheribbedsectionattheprow,andhemtoWSofpiece.Repforbackpiece.

AttachasafetypintooneendoftheI-cord.PinthefrontandbackpiecestogwithWSfacing.Withfrontfacing,drawtheI-cordwiththesafetypinattachedtoitfromrighttoleftthroughthehemoffrontpiece,then,withbackfacing,drawtheI-cordthroughthehemfromrighttoleft,usingthesafetypintoworkthecordthrough.

RemovethesafetypinandattachittooneendofthesecondI-cord.Withfrontfacing,drawI-cordthroughhemfromlefttoright,thenwithbackfacing,drawthecordthroughhemfromlefttorightagain.

Adjustthecordssothattheyareeven.Thecordsshouldnowbeplacedsothatwhenthetailsarepulledawayfromthebag,thetopdrawsclosed.

Seambothsidesusingmattressstitch,insertingandattachingcordstotheinsideofthebagapprox.11/2in/4cmfromthebottomofthepieces.Graftthebottomedgesofthepiecestogusingthegraftingtechnique(page20).Drawyarnendstotheinsideofthebagandweavein.

LiningCutthefabricintotwo10in/25cmsquarepieces.Placeandpinhemmedpiecesoffabrictog.Using1/2in/1cmseamallowances,sewaroundthreesides,leavingonesideopen.Folddown1/2in/1cmofthefabricatopenedge,pressandhem.Insertliningintobackpackandsewtoinsideofbag.

InitialsChart

LettermanSweaterThisclassiclettermansweaterisperfectforthevarsityplayerinyourlife,orasaHalloweencostume.Knititintheschoolcolorsofyourchoice.

Thepattern

Gauge:approx.18stsand24rowsover4in/10cminststusingUS7/4.5mmneedles

LettermotifpatchUsetheVarsityLetterChartonpage59.Ifsubstitutingaletter,usetheSlabSerifChartsonpages116–17.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatis21stswideand17rowshigh,makingsuretheletterisinthecenter.Ifyourletterhasanevennumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stextra.

UsingCCandUS7/4.5mmneedles,CO21stsandstartingwithakrowwork2rowsinstst.

Youwillneed

YarnKingColeMerinoBlendAran(medium-weight,100%wool,88yds/80m

per13/4oz/50gball)Seetableaboveforshadesandquantities.

Needles

US5/3.75mmknittingneedlesUS7/4.5mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsStitchholder

CommenceVarsityToteChartUsingstrandingtechniqueandworkinginstst,workrows1–19oftheletterchart.

UsingCC,work3rowsinstst.

BO.

BackUsingMCandUS5/3.75mmneedles,CO91[101,109,119]sts.

Row1(RS):K1,p1,k1;repfromtoend.Row2(WS):P1,k1,p1;repfromtoend.These2rowsformtherib.

Continrib,workingthestripesequenceasfollows:2rowsCC,4rowsMC,2rowsCC,4rowsMC.

ChangetoUS7/4.5mmneedlesand,usingMConly,startingwithakrow,workinststuntilbackmeasures151/2[16,161/4,161/2]in/39[41,41.5,42]cm,endingwithaprow.

ShapearmholesContinststandatthesametimeBO3[4,4,5]stsatbegofnext2rows.

Dec1stateachendofnext3[4,5,6]rows.79[85,91,97]sts

Continststwithoutshapinguntilarmholemeasures9[91/2,10,101/4]in/23[24,25.5,26]cm,endingwithaprow.

ShapeshouldersBO8[9,10,10]stsatbegofnext4rows.47[49,51,57]sts

BO8[8,8,10]stsatbegofnext2rows.31[33,35,37]sts

BO.

FrontShapeShouldersWorkasgivenforbackuntilfrontis14[14,16,18]rowslessthanback,endingwithaprow79[85,91,97]sts.

ShapeleftsideofneckNextrow(RS):K34[36,39,41]andturn,leavingremstsonstitchholder.Dec1statneckedgeonnext10[10,11,11]rows.24[26,28,30]stsWork3[3,4,6]rowswithoutshaping,endingwithaprow.

ShapeleftshoulderBO8[9,10,10]stsatbegofnextandfollaltrow.8[8,8,10]sts

BO.

ShaperightsideofneckSlcenter11[13,13,15]stsontoastitchholder.

WithRSFrejoinyarntorem34[36,39,41]sts,ktoend.

Dec1statneckedgeonnext10[10,11,11]rows.24[26,28,30]sts

Work4[4,5,7]rowswithoutshaping,endingwithakrow.

ShaperightshoulderBO8[9,10,10]stsatbegofnextandfollaltrow.8[8,8,10]sts

BO.

Sleeves(both)UsingMCandUS5/3.75mmneedles,CO41[43,45,47]stsandworkinstripedribasgivenforback.ChangetoUS7/4.5mmneedlesandusingMConly,startingwithakrowwork2rowsinstst.

ShapesleevesInc1stateachendofnextandeveryfollfourthrowto83[87,91,93]sts.

Contwithoutshapinguntilsleevemeasures18[181/2,191/2,20]in/45.5[47,49.5,50.5]cm,endingwithaprow.

ShapetopBO3[4,4,5]stsatbegofnext2rows.77[79,83,83]sts

Dec1stateachendofnextandeveryfollaltrowto71sts.

BO12stsatbegofnext2rows,then14stsatbegofnext2rows.

BOrem19sts.

NeckbandWeaveinendsandblockorpressthepiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Joinrightshoulderseam.WithRSF,usingMCandUS5/3.75mmneedles,pickupandk20[20,22,24]stsdownleftsideofneck,kacross11[13,13,15]stsatcenterfront,pickupandk20[20,22,24]stsuprightsideofneck,and31[33,35,37]stsacrossbackofneck.82[86,92,100]sts

Nextrow:K1,p1;repfromtoend.

Repthisrowworkingstripesequenceasfollows:2rowsCC,2rowsMC,2rowsCC,1rowMC.

UsingMConly,BOlooselyinrib.

FinishingJoinleftshoulderandneckbandseam.Markcenterofsleevetopandsewsleeveintoarmhole,matchingmarktoshoulderseam.Joinsleeveseam.Joinsideseam.

Pinlettermotifinpositiononleftsideoffrontandsewinplace.

VarsityLetterChart

4StencilThestenciltypefacegroupisanornamentalgroup(discussedinmoredetailinchapter6)mostobviouslyassociatedwithshippingcratesandarmygear.Itwascreatedforprintrelativelyrecently,inthe1930s,andwasmadespecificallytoimitatehand-stenciled,oftenspray-paintedletters.Unlikethewidelyusedtypefacegroupsdiscussedsofar,astencilfontismostoftenusedsparinglyforafun,noveltyappeal.Stencilfontstendtobenamedaftermilitaryterms,likeTopSecretorCovertOps,ortodenoteshippingusage,likeCrateorCargo.StencilfontsarebestknownfortheirusageineasilyrecognizedtitlesfortheTVshowsM*A*S*HandTheA-Team.

Theprintedversionsofthesefontsoftenincludefancifultoucheslike“spray-painted”edgesorcamouflageincorporatedintothenegativespace.Whenusingthesefontsinknitting,amorestraightforwardapproachisnecessary.Thestencilchartsinthisbookaremoretraditional,basedontheoriginalstencilfontcalled,appropriatelyenough,Stencil,whichwasdesignedforLudlowTypographbyR.HunterMiddletonin1937.Inthe“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy(facingpage)andToyTidyBag(page65),thestencilfontisusedtoexcellenteffect.Inyourownprojects,youcanusetheStencilCharts(pages118–19)tomakeitemsthathaveconnotationsofidentification,themilitary,orshipping.

“CAFE”FrenchPressCozyAgoodintroductiontostrandedcolorwork,thiseasyrectangularprojectwillhelpkeepyourcoffeewarmduringthoselong,lazyweekendmornings.It’sstyledaftertheburlapsacksyourbeanswereshippedoverin.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:approx.11in/28cmby41/2in/11.5cmGauge:approx.27stsand35rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmneedles

LettermotifUsethe“CAFE”Chartonpage63.Ifchangingthewording,usetheStencilChartsonpages118–19.Youcanuseamaximumof4letters,andwith1stgapsbetweenthem,thesecannotexceed61sts.Centeryourwordoverthe71-stststspace,plus4seedstseithersideatthepointinthepattwherethechartcommences.

TheCozyUsingUS3/3mmneedlesandMC,CO79sts.

Row1(RS):(K1,p1)tolastst,k1.Repprevrow3moretimestoformseedstitchborder.Row5:(K1,p1)twice,ktolast4sts,(p1,k1)twice.Row6:(P1,k1)twice,ptolast4sts,(k1,p1)twice.Reprows5and6afurtherthreetimes,endingwithaWSrow(8rowstotal).

Commence“CAFE”ChartWorkrows1–19ofchartusingthestrandingandintarsiatechniques.

Nextrow(WS):UsingMConly,(p1,k1)twice,ptolast4sts,(k1,p1)twice.Nextrow:(K1,p1)twice,ktolast4sts,(p1,k1)twice.Repprev2rowsafurtherthreetimes.

Work4rowsofseedstitchborder.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanPureWool(4ply,137yds/125mper13/4oz/50gball)[MC]Taupe(shade00453),1ball[CC]DarkBrown(shade00417),1ball

Needles

US2/3mmneedles,orsizeneededtoobtaingaugeUSD/3mmcrochethook

OtherScissors3buttons,approx.1/2in/1cm

BO.

CrochetbuttonholesThecrochetbuttonholeedgingcanbereplacedwithready-madebuttonloopsifpreferred.

UsingUSD/3mmhookandMC,attachtooneendofshortsideofrectangle,ch4,scinsamest,sctomiddleofshortside,ch4,scinsamest,sctoendofside,ch4,scinsamest.Fastenoff.

Weaveinendsandblockorpressaccordingtoballband.Attachbuttonstoothershortsidecorrespondingwithbuttonholes.

“CAFE”Chart

ToyTidyBagIt’spossible—justpossible—thatafun,army-styletoybag,withthetoyowner’snameboldlystenciledontoit,mightcapturetheimaginationofthattoyownerenoughtoactuallyinspirethemtoputtheirtoysbackinthatbagoncethey’redoneplaying.Wemakenoguarantees,butsurelyit’sworthatry.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:171/4in/44cmby191/2in/50cmGauge:20stsand28rowsover4in/10cminststonUS6/4mmneedlesNote:Checkyourgauge—iffewerstsorrows,usesmallerneedles;ifmore,uselargerneedles.

LettermotifUsetheStencilChartsonpages118–19tochartyourchosenname,leavinga1stgapbetweeneachletter.(UsetheToyTidyBagNameChartonpage66asanexample.)Drawabox88stswideand19rowshigharoundthechartedname,makingsurethenameisinthecenter.Ifthenamehasanoddnumberofsts,thenonesidewillhave1stextra.

BagbaseUsingMC,CO16sts.

P1row.

Work8rowsinstst(1rowk,1rowp),startingwithakrow.CO6stsatbegoffirst2rows,then3stsatbegofnext2rows,and2stsatbegoffoll4rows.42stsInc1stateachendofnextandeveryfoll8throwto48sts.

Work3rowswithoutshaping.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanHandknitCotton(medium-weight,100%cotton,93yd/85mper

13/4oz/50g)[MC]Celery(shade309),3balls[CC1]Gooseberry(shade219),2balls[CC2]Pesto(shade344),2balls[CC3]Black(shade252),1ball

NeedlesUS6/4mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsCordfordrawstring,118in/3m

Note:Aswithallitemsusingcords,thismaypresentanentanglementhazardforverysmallchildren.

Inc1statbegofnextandfollaltrowsto52sts.

Work21rowswithoutshaping,endingwithaprow.Dec1stateachendofnextandfoll8throw.

Work3rowswithoutshaping.

Dec1stateachendofnextandeveryfollaltrowto42sts.

Work1row.

BO2stsatbegofnext4rows,3stsatbegoffoll2rows,and6stsatbegoffoll2rows.

BOrem16sts.

BackUsingMC,CO88sts.

Workinstst(startingwithakrow),repeatthestripepatt(14rowsMC,6rowsCC2,14rowsCC1,6rowsCC2)twice.**

Workafurther22rowsMC,6rowsCC2,14rowsCC1,6rowsCC2.

DrawstringchannelUsingMC,work11rowsinstst,endingwithakrow.

Nextrow(foldline):Ktoend.

Work12rowsinstst,startingwithakrow.

BO.

BO.

FrontWorkasgivenforbackto**.

CommencechartUsingMC,work2rowsinstst.

UsingMCforthebackgroundandCC3forthename,andusingstrandingandintarsiatechniques,workfromthechartasfollows:ReadingRS(krows)fromrighttoleftandWS(prows)fromlefttoright,workthe88stsfromthechartbegatthelowerrightcorner,fromrow1torow19,wherethechartiscompleted.

UsingMC,p1row.

Continstst(startingwithakrow),working6rowsCC2,14rowsCC1,6rowsCC2.

Workthedrawstringchannelasgivenforback.

FinishingBlockorpressthepiecesaccordingtotheinstructionsontheballband.Sewinallendsneatly.SewthesideedgestogetherfromloweredgeuptolaststripeofCC2.Leaveagapandjoinedgesfromfoldlinetotopedge.FoldtopedgetoWSalongfoldlineandslstintoplace.Sewbackandfrontaroundbase.Cutcordinhalfandthreadonelengththroughthedrawstringchannelandaroundthebag,startingandendingatsamegap.Knotendsofcordtogether.Dothesamewiththeotherlengthofcordthroughthegapontheotherside.

ToyTidyBagNameChart

Lady’s“PARIS”SweaterThestenciltypeface’scombinationofboldnessandsharpdetailingmakeitastrongchoicefordecoratinganyadult-sizegarment,particularlywhenusedwithbold,classiccolorcombinationsasinthisraglan-stylesweater.

Thepattern

Youwillneed

YarnRowanCreativeFocusWorsted(75%wool/25%alpaca,220yd/200m

per31/2oz/100g)Seetableaboveforshadesandforquantities.

NeedlesUS8/5mmknittingneedlesUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles

OtherScissors2stitchholders

Gauge:17stsand24rowsrowsover4in/10cminststusingUS8/5mmneedles

Lettermotif

UsetheSleeveLettersChartonfacingpage.Ifchangingthewording,usetheStencilChartsonpages118–19.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatis16stswideand19rowshigh,makingsuretheletterisinthecenter.Ifyourletterhasanevennumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stextra.Placethechartsinthecorrectsequenceverticallytomakeonelargechart;leave1rowinbetweeneachletter.Rememberyouwillbeworkingfromthebottomup.Youwillfitamaximumof5lettersforSandMsizesand6lettersforLandXLsizes.

BackandfrontUsingMCandUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles,CO82[90,98,106]sts.

Row1(RS):K2,p2,k2;repfromtoend.Row2(WS):P2,k2,p2;repfromtoend.These2rowsformtherib.

Continribforatotalof10rows.

ChangetoUS8/5mmknittingneedlesandstartingwithakrowworkinststuntilbackmeasures16[16,161/4,161/2]in/40[40,41,42]cmendingwithaprow.

ShapearmholesBO5[5,6,6]stsatbegofnext2rows.72[80,86,94]sts

Dec1stateachendofnext3[5,2,6]rows.66[70,82,82]sts

Dec1stateachendofeveryfollaltrowuntil30[30,34,38]stsrem.

Slstsontoholder.

RightsleeveUsingMCandUS7/4.5mmknittingneedles,CO46[46,50,54]stsandworkinribasgivenforback.

ChangetoUS8/5mmknittingneedlesandstartingwithakrow,workinststfor6rows.

ShapetopInc1stateachendofnextandeveryfoll6throwto58[56,58,60]sts,thenon

Inc1stateachendofnextandeveryfoll6throwto58[56,58,60]sts,thenonevery4throwuntil74[76,78,80]sts.

Contwithoutshapinguntilsleevemeasures17[17,171/2,171/2]in/43[43,44.5,44.5]cm,endingwithaprow.

BO5[5,6,6]stsatbegofnext2rows.64[66,66,68]sts

Dec1stateachendofnextandeveryfollaltrowto24[24,24,24]sts.

Slipstsontoholder.

LeftsleeveWorkasgivenforrightsleevetorow17[17,19,21].

CommenceSleeveLettersChartWorkletter“S”fromchartinststusingCC1fortheletterandintarsiatechnique.WorkremstsofrowinMCandstst.

ContinuetoworkfromchartalternatinglettersbetweenCC1andCC2andatthesametimemaintainincsasforrightsleeve.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpressallpiecesaccordingtoballband.

Joinbothofthefrontandrightbackraglanseams.

NeckedgingSlstsfromholdersontoUS7/4.5mmneedlesandwithRSfacingrejoinMC108[108,116,124]sts.

K22[22,22,22],(k2tog)twice,k26[26,30,30],(k2tog)twice,k20[20,20,20],(k2tog)twice,ktoend102[102,110,118]sts.

K3rows.BO.

Sewupremainingraglansleevesandneckband.

SleeveLettersChart

5ScriptThescripttypefacegroupincludesfontscreatedtoresemblethesmooth,fluidlinesofcursivehandwriting.Scriptfontshavetobedesignedverycarefullytopromotereadability,especiallywhenusedon-screen.Theyarenotwidelyusedintext,butareoftenusedsparinglyanddecorativelytocreateasoftandfeminineorclassicalvisualappeal.

Thescripttypefacegroupcanbedividedintotwosubgroups:Formal,whichresemblescursivewritingusingafountainpenandincludesfontslikeEnglishandKuenstlerScript;andcasual,whichresembleslessstructuredhandwritingorcalligraphymadewithabrushandincludesthefontsBrushScript(associatednostalgicallywithpost-WWIIAmerica)andMistral(stillwidelyusedtodayforadsandshopsignagealloversouthernFrance).

Whenusingascriptfontforyourknittingproject,thereareanumberofspecialconsiderationstotakeintoaccount.Inorderforeachlettertobeinterchangeableandtolineupwithitsneighbors,youmaychoosetomakesurethateachletterstartsandendsatthesamestitchorrowpositionforeveryletter,sothatitlookslikethelettersjoin.Thelettersalsoslant,sowhenmakingcharts,thespacearoundeachletterwillneedtooverlap.Whenusingthesecharts,it’sagoodideatotracethelettersthatyouwant(intheorderthatyouneed)ontoanewchartandplacethemsothattheyjoininthewayyouwantthemto.Thiswillenableyoutoshowthesophisticated,sweepingcurvesandtocapturethedetails.

UsersoftheScriptCharts(pages120–25)canchoosetolinkuptheirlettersorjustkeepthemcloselyspaced,asinthe“Amour”HeartPillow(facingpage).Eitherway,thescriptchartsarecarefullydesignedtopromotereadabilitywhileprovidinganelegant,femininetouch.

“Amour”HeartPillowAnelegantadditiontoanyhome,thisheart-shapedpillowcanbemadeinanycolorcombinationtosuityourdécor.Thescriptletteringprovidesafemininetouchthatenhancestheromanticnatureoftheproject.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:approx.14in/35.5cmby13in/33cmGauge:27stsand35rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmknittingneedles

LettermotifUsethe“Amour”Chartonpage73.Ifchangingthewording,usetheScriptLowercaseChartsonpages124–25.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5or6letterswithinthe59stspace.Notethatthereshouldbenospacesbetweenletters.Ifyourchosenwordislessthan59sts,remembertocenteryourwordhorizontallyoverthetotalnumberofsts(97)atthepointinthepattwherethechartcommences.

FrontUsingMC,CO3sts.

Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):Purl.Row3:K1,m1,ktolastst,m1,k1.2stsincRow4:Purl.Reprows3and4untilyouhave97sts.**Work4rowsinststwithoutincsendingonaWSrow.

Commence“Amour”ChartUsingMCandCCasshowninthechart,workrows1–13ofchartusingstrandingandintarsiatechniques.

UsingMConly,work7rowsinststendingwithaWSrow.

Youwillneed

YarnDebbieBlissBabyCashmerino(55%wool/33%microfiber/12%

cashmere,137yds/125mper13/4oz/50gball)[MC]DarkTeal(shade0072),3balls[CC]LightTeal(shade0073),1ball

Needles

US2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsStitchholderHeart-shapedpillowform,133/4in/35cm

TopofheartNextRow(RS):K48,turn,leavingrem49stsonstitchholder.Row2:Purl.Row3:K1,(ssk)twice,ktolast5sts,(k2tog)twice,k1.2stsdecRow4:Purl.Repprevioustworowsuntil16stsrem.

BO.

WithRSFrejoinyarntorem49stsandwork2rowsinstst.

Workdecsasaboveuntil17stsrem.

BO.

BackWorkasforfrontto**.

Startingwithakrowworkinststwithoutincsfor22rows,endingwithaWSrow.

Worktopofheartasforfront.

Weaveinendsandblockorpressaccordingtoballband.

FinishingSewpiecestogetherusingmattressstandinsertthepillowformatthehalfwaypointbeforeclosingseam.

“Amour”Chart

Girl’sDressThiscutedresscanbepersonalizedwithanynameorword,andwiththelittleprincess’sfavoritecolors,usingtheelegantscriptfont.

Thepattern

Youwillneed

YarnRowanCottonGlacé(100%cotton,approx.125yds/115mper13/4oz/50

g)Seetableaboveforshadesandquantities.

NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsStitchholder1smallbutton

Gauge:approx.23stsand32rowsover4in/10cminststusingUS3/3.25mmneedlesSizeshown:24–36months

LettermotifUsetheScriptLowercaseChartsonpages124–25tocreateyourchosennameorword.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundthechosenletterthatfitsexactlytoitswidthandheight.Themaximumnumberoflettersthatwillfitallsizesis6or7.

Placeallyourletterssidebysidehorizontally.Thegraphstartsonrow17andthelaststsofthisfirstrowshouldend6stsinfromtheouteredge.Thestartingpositionofthewordwilldependontheamountoflettersyouhavechosentouse.Usethe“Bella”Chartprovided(facingpage)asaguide.

BackUsingUS2/3mmneedlesandCC2,CO90[98,106]sts.

Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):Knit.These2rowsformthegarterstpatt.

ChangetoMCandworkingarterstforafurther6rows.

ChangetoUS3/3.25mmneedlesandCC1,andstartingwithakrow,work2rowsinstst,changetoMC,andwork2rowsinstst.Maintainthisstripesequencethroughout.

Dec1stateachendofthenextandeveryfoll8throwuntil68[72,76]sts,thenworkstraightuntilworkmeasures13[133/4,141/2]in/33[35,37]cm.

ShapearmholesanddivideforbackneckBO4[4,4]stsatbegofnext2rows60[64,68]sts.

BO3[3,3]stsonthefoll2rows54[58,62]sts.

Dec1statedge,kuntil26[30,34]stsonRHneedle,turn,andleaveremstsonholder.Workeachsideofneckseparately.

Dec1statarmholeedgeonnext2[2,2]rows,thenonnext2[2,2]krows,andthefoll4throw21[25,29]sts.

Workuntilarmholemeasures41/4[41/2,43/4]in/11[11.5,12]cmendingonakrow.

ShapebackneckBO10[14,18]sts,dec1statneckedgeonnext3[3,3]rows.8[10,12]sts

Work1rowmore.

BO.

SlipstsfromholderbacktoneedleandwithRSF,rejoinyarnandworktomatchleftside.

FrontWorkasbacktoendofrow16.

CommencechartMaintainingstripesequenceandshapingassetforback,usingintarsiatechniqueandCC2,workrows1–26ofchart.

Contassetforbackuntilarmholeshapingiscomplete.

Dec1stateachendofnext3[3,3]rows,thennext2[2,2]krows,thenonfollfourthrow.42[50,58]sts

Contstraightinststuntil6rowslessthanback.

ShapefrontneckK14[16,18],turn,leavingremstsonhold.Contonthese14[16,18]sts.

BO4stsatneckedge,thendec1statneckedgeuntil8[10,12]stsrem.

Maintainingstripesequence,workrowstomatchbackarmhole.

WithRSF,rejoinyarntoremstsandBO14[18,22]sts,thenworktomatchleftside.

Sewshoulderseamstog.

Backneckopening

UsingsizeUS2/3mmneedlesandCC2,pickupandk23[25,27]stsdownrightbackneckandk23[25,27]stsupleftneckopening.46[50,54]sts

BO22[24,26]sts,(k2tog,BO1st),BOremststoend.

NeckedgeUsingsizeUS2/3mmneedlesandCC2,startingatbackneckopeningpickupandk15[17,19]ststoshoulder,10stsdownleftfrontneck14[18,22]stsacrossfrontneck10stsuptoshoulder;15[17,19]ststocenterbackneck.64[72,80]sts

K2rows.

BO.

ArmholeedgingUsingUS2/3mmneedlesandCC3,pickupandk32[34,36]stsuptoshoulderseam,then32[34,36]stsdowntoarmholeedge.64[68,72]sts

K2rows.

BO.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstofinishedsizeaccordingtoballband.

Sewupthesideseams.Makeabuttonloopatthetopopeningontherightback,andsewonabuttontomatch.

“Bella”Chart

MobiusTwistScarfRatherthansimplyspellingoutaname,word,ormessage,ornatefontslikethescripttypefacecanbeusedpurelyfordecorationandpattern,asinthistwistedscarf,which,likethelettersthemselves,followsagracefulcurve.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:approx.12in/30cmby51in/130cmGauge:20stsand26rowsover4in/10cminststonUS7/4.5mmneedles

LettermotifThepatternonthisscarfisaddedusingduplicatest(seepage23)afterthemainfabrichasbeencreated.ThismeansthatyoucanaddanyselectionoflettersfromtheScriptChartsonpages120–25,orusetheselectionofcharacterchartsincludedonthefacingpage.Drawaboxaroundyourchoiceofcharactersand,usingaselectionofcolors,workinyourlettersrandomlyonthemobiustwistscarffabric.

BasictwistscarfUsingMCandUS7/4.5mmneedles,CO43sts.

Row1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):K3,pto3stsbeforeend,k3.Repeatprev2rowsafurther166timesuntilworkmeasuresapprox.51in/130cm.

BO.

Useduplicatesttoaddyourchosenlettersusingcontrastcolors.

FinishingSewinlooseendsandblockorpresstofinishedsizeaccordingtoballband.Twistscarf.WithRSandWStog,sewupcast-onandbound-offedges.Pressseam.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanCreativeFocusWorsted(75%wool/25%alpaca,220yd/200m

per31/2oz/100g)[MC]Nickel(shade00401),2balls[CC1]Delft(shade01321),1ball[CC2]Magenta(shade01890),1ball

[CC3]Carmine(shade02055),1ball[CC4]Saffron(shade03810),1ball[CC5]Ebony(shade00500),1ball[CC6]Natural(shade00100),1ball[CC7]DeepRose(shade02755),1ball

NeedlesUS7/4.5mmneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissors

6ORNAMENTALAsatypefacegroup,“ornamental”growsevenlargerandmorevariedonanalmostdailybasis.However,whatallthefontsincludedinthegrouphaveincommonisthattheyareusedexclusivelyfordecorativepurposesandtoevokeaspecificconnotationorfeeling:TheWildWest,horror,illuminatedmanuscriptlettering,circus,etc.Theyareconsidered“displaytypes”only,meaningthattheyarenotsuitableforuseatsmallersizesandinblocksoftext;rather,theyareusedforheaders,advertisements,andnoveltyprinting.Thoughinthedaysofmetalprintmaking,displaytypeandornamentaltypehaddifferentmeanings(involvingthephysicalprocessofinkingprintingplates),today,inthedigitaltypefacedesignage,thetermsareusedinterchangeably(ifsomewhatincorrectly).

Ornamentalisalooselyorganizedgroupthatdoesnotadheretotraditionaltypefacegrouprules:Itcontainsbothserifandsansseriffonts,bothclean“modern”letterformslikeBodoniandthosetypefacesthataresofancyorover-elaboratetheyborderonunreadable.ThehistoryofornamentaltypeinpopularusagecanbetracedtotheVictorianeraandtheindustrialrevolution;indeed,manyofthestill-usedcircus-typefontsstronglyconnotethisera.

Thetwofontsoftheornamentalgroupincludedinthisbookareawesternfont(basedonRioOro),whichwillgiveyourknittingthatWildWestfeel,asintheNeckerchief(page84),andacircusfont(basedonCoffeeTin),whichisatypefaceusedbeautifullyintheBabyBlanket(facingpage).Bothfontsprovideanelaboratelydecorativetouchandwillmakeagreatimpactinyourknittedprojects.

BabyBlanketThebold,intricate,andbeautifulcircusfontneedsabigcanvasandbrightcolorinordertoshowoffitsfullimpact.Whatbetterusecoulditbeputtothantoannouncethenameofanewlittleone,whilealsokeepinghimorherwarm?

Thepattern

Finishedsize:30in/75cmby40in/100cmGauge:20stsand24rowsover4in/10cminststonUS8/5mmneedles

LettermotifUsetheBabyBlanketLetterChartsandDiamondChartonpage82.Ifsubstitutingletters,usetheCircusChartsonpages126–30.Itisnotrecommendedthatmorethan3lettersareused,soyoumaywanttouseinititalsinsteadofafullname.

BorderUsingMC,CO150sts.

Workingarterst(keveryrow)for10rows.

BodyofblanketRow1(RS):Knit.Row2(WS):K5,ptolast5sts,k5.These2rowssetpatt.Workinpattassetfor1in/2.5cm.

CommenceDiamondChartWorkDiamondChartusingCC1andtheintarsiatechniqueasfollows:Nextrow(RS):K23,workDiamondChart,k90,workDiamondChart,k23.Row2(WS):K5,p18,workDiamondChart,p90,workDiamondChart,p18,k5.Reprows1and2untildiamondsarecomplete.

Youwillneed

YarnRicoDesignEssentialsSoftMerinoAran(100%merinowool,109

yd/100mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]LightGray(shade020),8balls[CC1]BrickRed(shade007),2balls[CC2]YellowOchre(shade0642),1ball

NeedlesUS8/5mmcircularknittingneedlesofatleast32in/80cmlengthTapestryneedle

OtherScissors

Work3rowsinpattassetwithMC,endingwithaWSrow.

CommenceBabyBlanketLettersChartBegfirstletter—asyouareworkingfromthebottomoftheblanketupward,thefirstletterworkedshouldbethelastletterinthenameorinitials.

Row1(RS):Knit.Worklettersothatitiscenteredontherow.(Ifusingletter“M”for“TOM,”k47,workletter“M”chart,k48.Astheletter“M”hasanoddnumberofsts,onesidewillhave1stmorethantheother.)Row2(WS):K5,ptolast5stsworkingBabyBlanketLetterChartasset,p5.Reprows1and2until54rowsoflettersarecomplete.

Work2rowsinpattassetwithMC.RepinstructionsforDiamondChart.

Work3rowsinpattassetwithMC,endingwithaWSrow.

Worksecondletterasoutlinedaboveforthefirstletter.(Ifusingletter“O”for“TOM,”k56,workletter“O”chart,k56.)Whensecondletteriscomplete,work2rowswithMCasset.

RepinstructionsforDiamondChartasabove.

Work3rowsinpattassetwithMCendingwithaWSrow.

Workthirdletterasoutlinedabove.(Ifusingletter“T”for“TOM,”k57,workletter“T”chart,k57.)Work2rowsinpattMCasset.

RepinstructionsforDiamondChart.

WorkinpattassetwithMCassetforafurther1in/2.5cm.

Work10rowsofgarterst.

Work10rowsofgarterst.

BO.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstofinishedsizeaccordingtoballbandinstructions.

DiamondChart

BabyBlanketLetterCharts

NeckerchiefStyledasahybridbetweenanold-styleponchoandachicmodernscarf,thisneckerchiefshowcaseswhatcanbeachievedwhenattractiveyarns,astylishtypeface,andfinefinishingarebroughttogether.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:331/2in/85cmby181/2in/47cmGauge:21ststo32rowsover4in/10cminststonUS5/3.75mmneedles

LettermotifUsetheNeckerchiefChartonthefacingpage.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheWesternChartsonpages131–32.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5lettersontotheneckerchief.Drawabox1stwiderthanyourchosenletterstoshowyoutheamountofspaceyouhavebetweeneachletter.Thewordstartsonrow111ofthepatt.Makesuretheplacementofthewordiscenteredbeforeyoubeginknitting.

NeckerchiefUsingMC,CO3sts.

Startingwithakrow,work2rowsinststtheninc1stateachendofeverykrowasfollows:Row3(RS):K1,m1,k1,m1,k1.2stsincRow4(WS):Purl.Repprev2rowsuntilyouhave111sts.

CommenceNeckerchiefChartContincseverykrowassetandatthesametimek19andcommencechartusingCC1andintarsiatechnique.Workrows1–27ofchart.139sts

Contincassetinststuntilyouhave157sts.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanFeltedTweedDK(50%merinowool/25%alpaca/25%viscose,

191yd/175mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Seafarer(shade170),3balls[CC1]Clay(shade177),1ball[CC2]DuckEgg(shade173),1ball

NeedlesUS5/3.75mmcircularneedles,40in/100cmlong

OtherScissors

ChangetoCC2,andmaintainingincwork5rowsingarterstendingwithaRSrow.163sts

BO.

RightborderWithRSFandusingCC2,pickupandk114stsalongtheedge.

Work1rowingarterst,theninc1steveryRSrowuntilyouhave118sts,endingwithaRSrow.

BO.

LeftborderWorkasgivenforrightborderbutpickupandk120sts.Incasforrightborderuntilyouhave124sts.

BO.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstodimensionsaccordingtoballbandinstructions.

NeckerchiefChart

7BlackLetterThistypefacegroupincludestheoldestmass-producedmovabletype(interchangeablelettersmadetoberearrangedandreusedinaprintingpress)intheworld.JohannesGutenberginventedtheprintingpressandmovabletypeinaround1455,andindoingsohechangedthecourseofworldhistory.Movabletypemadethewrittenwordaffordabletoamuchlargersegmentofthepopulationthaneverbefore.

Gutenberg’sTexturablackletterwastheveryfirstfontintheworld.Totheuntrainedeye,blackletterfontsalllookverysimilar:dense,thicklettersthatresemblethehand-writtencalligraphicformsusedbymonksbeforeGutenberg’sextraordinaryinvention.ThisstylewasusedthroughoutWesternEuropefromthetwelfthcenturywellintotheseventeenth,andinGermanyuntilthetwentiethcentury—whichiswhyblackletterisstillassociatedwithGermanyandlooks“Germanic”tothemoderneye.

ThelowercaselettersofthisGothicfontaremorestraightforwardthantheelaborateuppercaseletters.Theuppercaselettershavecurvesandflourishesandit’snecessarytogivethemmorestitchesthanotherfontswhenusingtheminknitting.Outofcontext,itisnotalwayseasytodiscernthedifferencebetweenan“E”anda“G,”oran“F”andan“I”anda“T”inblackletter,sothefactthatyoumaybeunabletodosointheknittedletterversionisamajorqualityofthiselaboratebutbeautifulstyle.However,whenknittingwordsorphrases,itispossibletodiscerntheuppercaselettersincontext.

Knitterscanenjoyaddingthisbeautifulandhistory-soakedtypefacetotheirprojects,asinthe“ExLibris”E-readerCoverfeaturedinthischapter(facingpage).

“ExLibris”E-readerCoverMakethiscozycoverinsteadofusingthatfaux-leather,book-mimickinge-readercase.Meaning“fromthebooks”inLatin,“exlibris”isafittingepigraphforane-bookaswellasabeautifulphrasetoshowcaseinthisdesign,whichreferencesthestyleofmedievalilluminatedbooks.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:tofitKindleFiree-reader(71/2by43/4by1/2in/190by120by12mm)Gauge:37stsand52rowsover4in/10cminststonUS0/2mmneedles

LettermotifIfyouwouldliketousedifferentwords,useBlackletterLowercaseChartsonpages136–37.Yourchosenwordsshouldnotexceed5or6lettersperline.Youmaywanttochartoutyourletterssothattheyfittogether(seehowtheletters“i”and“s”fittogetheronthe“ExLibris”Chartonpage89)tosavespace.Yourchosenwordsshouldnotexceed58sts.Besuretocenteryourwordshorizontallyoverthe60stspaceinsidetheleafborderandverticallyoverthe44rowspace,leaving2rowsbetweenlines.

FrontUsingMCandknittingneedles,CO72sts.Row1(WS):Purl.Row2(RS):Knit.Row3:Purl.

Commence“ExLibris”ChartRow1(RS):K2,work“ExLibris”Chart,k2.Row2(WS):P2,work“ExLibris”Chart,p2.Reprows1and2until52rowsofchartarecomplete.

WithMConlystartingakrow,work3morerowsinstst.

Youwillneed

YarnJamieson’sShetlandSpindrift(2ply,fingeringweight,100%wool,115

yd/105mper1oz/25g)[MC]Mooskit(shade304),2balls[CC1]Spagnum(shade233),1ball[CC2]AdmiralNavy(shade727),1ball

NeedlesUS0/2mmknittingneedles

US0/2mmDPNsTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsStitchmarker

BOpurlwise.

BackUsingMCandknittingneedles,CO72sts.

Startingwithaprow,workststfor58rows,untilpiecematchesfront,endingwithakrow.

BOpurlwise.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockpiecesbeforeseaming.Toseam,placepiecesRStog.Usingbackstich,sewthreeseamsleavingoneshortendofthecoveropen.

TurnRSout.

UsingDPNsandMC,pickupandkapprox.108sts(youwillneedanevennumberofsts)fromaroundtheopenedgeofthecover.Placemarkertoindicatebegofthernd.Workink1,p1ribfor4rnds.

BOinrib.

Weaveinends.

“ExLibris”Chart

BlackLetterBeanieAnidealwayofshowingofftheboldyetflowinglinesoftheBlackLettertypeface,thisinitialedGothicletterhatcanbepersonalizedwiththewearer’sinitialorwhicheverofthelettersyou’remostattractedto.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:Tofitaverageadulthead,20in/51cmcircumferenceGauge:17stsand20rowsover4in/10cminststonUS8/5mmneedles

LettermotifUsetheLetter“D”Chartonthefacingpage.Tosubstituteyourownletter,usetheBlackLetterUppercaseChartsonpages133–35.Makesureyourchosenletteriscenteredbyworkingmoreorfewerstseithersideoftheletterchartonthebodyofthehat.

BrimWithMC,CO66sts.

Row1(RS):(K2,p2)tolast2sts,k2.Row2(WS):(P2,k2)tolast2sts,p2.Reprows1and2untilpiecemeasures1in/2.5cmfromcast-onedge,endingwithaRSrow.

NextRow(WS):P6,(pfb,p1)tolast6sts,p6.93sts

BodyofhatCommenceLetter“D”ChartRow1(RS):K34,worksts1to25ofLetter“D”Chart,k34.Row2(WS):P34,worksts1to25ofLetter“D”Chart,k34.(Ifusingaletterthatismoreorlessthan25sts,suchastheletter“M,”workmoreorfewerstseithersideoftheletterchartsothattheletteriscentered.)

Youwillneed

YarnBulkyBCGarnSemillaGrosso(Bulky)(100%wool,87yd/80mper13/4

oz/50g)[MC]Gray(shade101),2balls[CC]Black(shade02),1ball

NeedlesUS8/5mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsRepprev2rowsuntilchartiscomplete.

ContwithMConlyinststuntilpiecemeasures7in/18cmfromCOedge,endingwithaWSrow.

DecforcrownRow1(RS):K1,k5,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.80stsRow2andallfollWSrows:Purl.Row3:K1,k4,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.67stsRow5:K1,k3,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.54stsRow7:K1,k2,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.41stsRow9:K1,k1,k2tog;repfromtolastst,k1.28stsRow11:K1,(k2tog)tolastst,k1.15stsRow13:(K1,k2tog)toend.10sts

FinishingBreakyarn,threadthroughrem10sts,anddrawtogtightly.Sewtheedgesofthehattogusingmattressstandweaveinendsontheinsideofthehat.

Letter“D”Chart

“CarpeDiem”CoveredBraceletsSeizethedaywiththesechunkyknit-coveredbracelets,whicharemodeledaftertattoosbutwon’thurtyourwristsnearlyasmuch.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:approx.111/2in/29cmcircumferenceby23/4in/7cmwideGauge:Approx.25stsand35rowsover4in/10cminststonUS3/3.25mmneedles

LettermotifUsethe“Carpe”and“Diem”Chartsonfacingpage.Ifyouarechangingthewording,usetheBlackLetterLowercaseChartsonpages136–37.Youwillbeabletofitamaximumof5letters.Drawabox1stwiderthanyourchosenletters;thiswillshowyoutheamountofspaceyouhavebetweeneachletter.Makesurethesmallerlettersstartatrow8andfinishonrow25.Longerletterswillstartbeloworabovetheserows.

“Carpe”braceletUsingMC,CO72sts.

Startingwithakrow,work3rowsinstst.

BO.

Commence“Carpe”ChartUsingtheintarsiatechniqueandCCasindicated,workrows1–28ofchart.

UsingMConly,work7rowsinstst.

BO.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanFeltedTweedDK(50%merinowool/25%alpaca/25%viscose;

191yd/175mper13/4oz/50g)[MC]Clay(shade177),1ball[CC]Carbon(shade159),1ball

NeedlesUS3/3.25mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissors

2chunkybracelets,approx.111/2in/29cmaroundoutsideofbracelet,23/4in/7cmdeepfromtoptobottom

Safetypins

“Diem”braceletUsingMC,CO72sts.

Startingwithakrow,work8rowsinstst.

BO.

Commence“Diem”ChartUsingtheintarsiatechniqueandCCasindicated,workrows1–23ofchart.

UsingMConly,work5rowsinstst.

“Carpe”Chart

BO.

FinishingBlockorpressfabrictofinishedsizefollowingtheballbandinstructionsandsewsideseamstogtomakearing.SlbraceletintotheknittingwiththeRSF.Wrapthefabricaroundthebracelet—usesafetypinstoholdtheseamtog.Seamupthebound-offandcast-onedgestocompletelyenclosethebracelet.

“Diem”Chart

8NumbersandPunctuationYoumaybesurprisedtolearnthatusingpunctuationsymbolstoform“emoticons”didnotoriginatewiththeInternetorinstantmessaging.Infact,theuseofemoticonsinwritinghasbeentracedbacktotheeighteenthcentury,andsomeformswereinwideusagebythenineteenthcentury.

Ofcourse,theageoftheInternet,Webforums,instantmessaging,andonlinegaminghasseenameteoricriseintheuseofthesesymbols.Butpunctuationcanbebeautifulevenoutofcontext:Forexample,thesweepingcurvesofanampersand(&)ortheexclamatoryanddramaticquestionmark(?)andexclamationpoint(!).WiththeomnipresenceofemailandTwitterhelpingtheprocess,the“at”symbol(@)hasenjoyednewfoundpopularity,andallthesesymbolsandmoreareincludedinthechartsonpages138–39foryoutocreatefundesignswith.

Includingnumberchartsinthisbookmeansknitterscanincorporatespecialdates,times,streetaddresses,luckynumbers,sportsjerseynumbers,orevenlongitudeandlatitudecoordinatesintotheirknitting.TheWeddingPillowprojectinthischapter(facingpage)willgiveyouanideaofwhat’spossible.

Monaco,thetypefaceonwhichthesechartsarebased,hassimple,almostchildlikecleanlines,toaidinreadabilityandclarity.Thesesymbolsandnumberswillmakeaclean,boldstatementinyourownprojects.

WeddingPillowThislovinglyknittedpillowtobeartheweddingringsistheperfectcontributiontothehappycouple’sbigday,aswellasalovelymementotobeenjoyedforyearstocome.

Thepattern

Finishedsize:approx.10in/25cmsquareGauge:28stsand36rowsover4in/10cminststonUS2/3mmknittingneedles.

LettermotifUsingtheWeddingPillowChart(page97)asanexample,usetheScriptUppercaseChartsonpages120–23fortheinitials.Onthechartofyourchosenletter,drawaboxaroundtheletterthatfitsexactlythewidthandheightofyourchosenletters.UsetheNumbersandPunctuationChartsonpages138–39forthedate.Onthechartofyourchosennumbers,drawaboxaroundeachofthenumbersthatfitsexactlythewidthandheightofyourchosennumbers.

Thepattonthepillowisaddedafterthemainfabrichasbeenworkedusingduplicatestitch(seepage23).

FrontandbackpanelsUsingMC,CO70sts.

Startingwithakrow,workinststfor90rows.

BO.

Repforbackpaneltomatchfront.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanCottonGlacé(sportweight,100%cotton,125yd/115mper13/4

oz/50g)[MC]Ecru(shade725),2balls[CC]Black(shade727),1ball

NeedlesUS2/3mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

Other

ScissorsSquarepillowform,10in/25cmSewingneedleandthread

DuplicateStitchChartUsingthechart(below)asaguideandusingduplicatestitch,applythedateandinitialstothefrontpanelofthepillow.

FinishingWeaveinendsandblockorpresstofinisheddimensionsfollowingdirectionsontheballband.Sewfrontandbackpanelstogetheratthebound-offandcast-onedge,leavingopenoneofthesideseams.Insertthepillowformandcloseremseam.

WeddingPillowChart

93-DLETTERSAlthoughtheprojectsinthischapterdonotadheretoaspecifictypefacegrouporfont(otherthangenerallybeingsansserif),theywereamustinabookaboutknittedletters.Thelettershereareredolentoffanciful,cartoonybubbleletterwriting.Bubbleletterfontshavebeendesignedfordecadesasnoveltycomputerfonts,butofcourseeveryoneremembershand-drawingtheselovablelettersaschildren.

TheA–ZBookends(facingpage)areawonderfulgiftideaforsomeonewithaloveofliteratureandalotofbooksthatneedtobeattractivelyproppedup.The“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows(page103)areagreatwaytopracticenewstitchpatternsaswellasshaping.

Whenmaking3-Dletters,carefulshapingisusedtopromotereadabilityandtoensurethatthepiecewillholditsshapewhenstuffed.Besuretostufffirmly,butnotsomuchthatthestitchesstretch.Whenstuffing,usesmallpiecesoneatatimetopreventlumps,anduseafirmstitchgaugeforstructureandeaseoffilling.

A–ZBookendsHoweveryouorganizeyourpersonallibrary—alphabetically,bysubject,orbyspinecolorifyou’rearealaesthete—anybookcollectionwillbenefitfrombeingproppedupbythesebeautiful,sturdyknittedbookends.

Thepatterns

Finishedsize:approx.10in/25cmby9in/22.5cmGauge:16stsand23rowsover4in/10cmingarterstonUS8/5mmneedlesBothprojectsareknittedingarterstitch(allrowsk).

Letter“A”CO13stsandwork13rowsingarterst.

Breakyarnandslststoholder.

COasecondsetof13stsandwork13rowsingarterst.

Row14(WS):K13,CO13sts,slip13stsfromholdertoworkingneedleandktoend.39stsRows15–26:Knit.Row27(RS):K13,BO13sts,K13withaseparateballofyarn.Contworkingbothsidesoftheletterseparately.Row28(WS):K2tog,k12,M1onfirstside.M1,k12,K2togonsecondside.13stsoneachsideRow29(RS):Knit.Rows30–39:Replasttworows5times.Row40(WS):Workacrossallststojointopofletter.K12,k2tog,k12.25stsRow41(RS):Knit.Row42(WS):K2tog,ktolast2sts,k2tog.23stsReplasttworowsuntil13stsremain.

BO.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanFeltedTweed(Aran)(50%wool/25%alpaca/25%viscose,

approx.95yd/87mper13/4oz/50gball)For“A”:Ivy(shade727),2ballsFor“Z”:Cherry(shade732),2balls

Needles

US8/5mmknittingneedlesTapestryneedle

OtherScissorsStitchholderPlasticcanvassheeting,about20in/50cmsquareLightweightpolyestertoystuffingDriedbeans,35oz/1kg

Repallofthisforthebacksideoftheletter.Whenworkingacrosstheentirewidthoftheletter,onlyonethreadofyarnisrequired.

DepthcreationandfinishingMeasureandcut2piecesofplasticcanvastofitinsidetheletter.Stthecanvastotherevsidesofthefrontandbackpiecesatseveralpointstopreventslippingandtoprovidestabilityandshapedefinitionforthebookends.

CO15stsandworkingarterstitchuntilworkislongenoughtofitaroundtheinnertriangleofthe“A”(approx.7in/18cm).KeepmeasuringandcheckingthelengthandBOwhenitislongenough.Stinplaceusingmattresssttosecurethefrontofthe“A”totheback.

CO15stsandworkingarterstitchuntiltheworkislongenoughtoreachtheentireoutsidelengthoftheletter(approx.30in/76cm).KeepmeasuringandcheckingthelengthandBOwhenitislongenough.Stinplaceusingmattressstitch,leavingsufficientgapsforthedriedbeanstobeaddedtothebaseoftheletter.Fillthetophalfoftheletterwithlightweightpolyestertoystuffingandstuptocomplete.

Letter“Z”CO39stsandwork14rowsingarterst.

Row15:BO20sts,ktolast2sts,skpo.18stsRow16:K2tog,ktoend.17stsRow17:M1,ktolast2sts,skpo.Row18:Asrow16.16sts

Row19:Asrow17.Row20:K2tog,ktolastst,m1inlastst.Row21:Asrow17.Row22:Asrow20.Row23:Asrow17.Row24:Knit.Row25:Asrow17.Row26:Asrow20.

“A”BookendChart

Row27:Asrow17.Row28:Asrow20.Row29:Asrow17.Row30:Asrow24.Row31:Asrow17.Row32:Asrow20.Row33:Asrow17.Row34:Asrow20.Row35:Asrow17.Row36:Asrow20.Row37:M1,ktoend.17stsRow38:Asrow20.Row39:M1,ktoend.18stsRow40:Asrow16.17stsRow41:Ktoend,CO22sts.39stsRows42–50:Knit.

BO.

Repallofthisforthebacksideoftheletter—becausethisiscreatedusinggarterstitch,itisnotnecessarytoreversetheinstructions.

DepthcreationandmakingupMeasureandcutout2piecesofplasticcanvastofitinsidethe“Z.”Stthecanvastothereversesidesofthefrontandbackpiecesatseveralpointstopreventslippingandtoprovidestabilityandshapedefinitionforthebookends.

CO17sts.WorkingarterstitchuntilworkislongenoughtofitaroundtheoutsideofletterZ(approx42in/107cm).KeepmeasuringandcheckingthelengthandBOwhenitislongenough.Stinplaceusingmattressstitch,leavingsufficientgapsforthedriedbeanstobeaddedtothebaseoftheletter.Fillthetophalfoftheletterwithlightweightpolyestertoystuffingandstuptocomplete.

“Z”BookendChart

“LOVE”3-DLetterPillowsThesechunky,comfypillowswillcozyupanyspotinthehouse,fromakitchenledgetoawarmsofa.

Thepatterns

Gauge(allfourletters):13stsand18rowsover4in/10cmonUS101/6.5mmneedlesNote:Youneedtomaketwosidesforeachpillow,whichmeansthatthebacksideistheletterinreverse.Thisisreferredtointhepattasthe“reverse”side,asopposedtothe“front”side.

“L”PillowThisletterismadeusingawiderib,givingdefinitiontothelongsideoftheletter.Finishedsize:12in/30cmby12in/30cm

FrontsideCO41sts.

Row1(RS):K2,p1,k4,p1;repfromtolast3sts,k3.Row2(WS):P3,k1,p4;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Reprows1and2afurthereighttimes.

Row19:BO31sts,k2,p1,k4,p1;repfromlast3sts,k3.Row20:P3,k1,p4;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Reprows19and20afurtherfourteentimes.

BOknitwise.

ReversesideCO41sts.Row1(RS):K3,p1,k4,p1;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Row2(WS):P2,k1,p4;repfromtolast3sts,k3.

Youwillneed

YarnRowanPurelifeBritishSheepBreedsUndyed(100%wool,120yd/110m

per31/2oz/100g)Masham(shade957),1ballperpillow

NeedlesUS101/6.5mmknittingneedles

OtherScissorsLargebagofpolyestertoystuffing

Reprows1and2afurthereighttimesandthenrow1oncemore.

Row20(WS):BO31sts,k2,p1,k4,p1;repfromtolast3sts,k3.Row21:P3,k1,p4;repfromtolast2sts,k2.Reprows20and21afurtherthirteentimes.

BOknitwise.

See“Finishingforallletters,”page107.

“O”PillowThisletterismadeusingseedst,givingatexturedpatttotheletter.Finishedsize:12in/30cmby12in/30cm

FrontandreversesidesCO13sts.

Row1(RS):K1,p1;repfromtoend.13stsRow2(WS):K1f&b,k1,p1;repfromtolastst,k1f&b.2stsincRow3:K1f&b,p1,k1;repfromtolastst,k1f&b.2stsincRows4–14:Reprows2and3untilyouhave39stsontheneedles.Row15:P1,k1;repfromtoend.Rows16–19:Asrow15.Row20:(P1,k1)eighttimes.BO3sts.P1,k1;repfromtoend.36sts

Row21:(P1,k1)seventimes.P1,k2togjoinnewballofyarntoothersideofbound-offstsandcontrow21inreverseasfollows:K2tog,p1,(k1,p1)toend.Row22:(P1,k1)seventimes,p1,k2tog,controw22inrevasfollows:P1,(k1,p1)toend.Rows22–29:Asrow22.Row30:(P1,k1)seventimes,p1,k2tog,controw30inrevasfollows:K2tog,p1,(k1,p1)toend.Row31:(P1,k1)eighttimes.CO3sts.(P1,k1)toend.Rows32–37:(P1,k1)toend.Row38:K2tog,*p1,k1;reptolast2sts.K2tog.Rows39–50:Reprow38until13stsrem.

BOknitwise.

See“Finishingforallletters,”facingpage.

See“Finishingforallletters,”facingpage.

“V”PillowThisletterismadeusingarib-likepatt,withaguidingrowofpststoemphasizethe“V”shape.

Finishedsize:10in/25cmby12in/30cm

FrontandreversesidesCO7sts.Row1(RS):K2,p1,k1,p1,k2.Row2:Inc1,k3,p1,k3,inc1.9stsRow3:Inc1,k3,p1,k1,p1,k3,inc1.11stsRow4:Inc1,k5,p1,k5,inc1.13stsRow5:Inc1,k5,p1,k1,p1,k5,inc1.15stsRow6:Inc1,k7,p1,k7,inc1.17stsRow7:Inc1,k7,p1,k1,p1,k7,inc1.19stsRow8:Inc1,k9,p1,k9,inc1.21stsRow9:Inc1,k8,p2,k1,p2,k8,inc1.23stsRow10:Inc1,k8,p,k2,p1,k2,p1,k8,inc1.25sts

Row11:Inc1,k8,p1,k2,p1,k1,p1,k2,p1,k8,inc1.27stsRow12:Inc1,k8,p1,k4,p1,k4,p1,k8,inc1.29stsRow13:Inc1,k8,p1,k4,p1,k1,p1,k4,p1,k8,inc1.31stsRow14:Inc1,k8,p1,k6,p1,k6,p1,k8,inc1.33stsRow15:Inc1,k8,p1,k6,p1,k1,p1,k6,p1,k8,inc1.35stsRow16:Inc1,k8,p1,k8,p1,k8,p1,k8,inc1.37stsRow17:Inc1,k8,p1,k8,p1,k1,p1,k8,p1,k9,inc1.39stsRow18:K9,p,k9,p1,k9,p,k9.Row19:K9,p,k8,p,k,p,k8,p,k9.Row20:K9,p,k9,p1,k9,p,k9.Splitfortwolimbsofthe“V”:Row21:K9,p1,k9,BO1st,k9,p1,k9.Row22:K9,p1,k9,contotherlimbwithseparateballofyarnasfollows:K9,p1,k9.Row23:K9,p1,k9,contotherlimbwithseparateballofyarnasfollows:K9,p1,k9.Rows24–50:Reprows22and23.

BOknitwise.

See“Finishingforallletters,”facingpage.

“E”PillowThisletterismadeusingbasketweavepatt.

Finishedsize:12in/30cmby10in/25cm

FrontsideCO40stsRow1(RS):(K4,p4)toend.Row2(WS):(P4,k4)toend.Row3:Asrow1.Rows4–5:Asrow2.Row6:Asrow1.Row7:Asrow2.Row8:Asrow1.These8rowsformthebasketweavepatt.**Reprows1–4oncemore.Row13:BO24sts,workinbasketweavepatt(asrow5)toend.16stsRow14:Asrow6.Reprows7and8,andthenrows1to4oncemore.Row21:Reprow5,CO16sts.32stsRows22–32:Workinbasketweavepatt.Row33:BO16sts,workinbasketweavepatttoend.16stsRows34–37:Continbasketweavepatt,CO24sts.40sts

Continbasketweavepattforafurther15rows.

BOknitwise.

ReversesideCO40sts.Row1(RS):(P4,k4)toend.Row2(WS):(K4,p4)toend.Rows3–4:Reprows1and2.Row5:Asrow2.Rows6–7:Reprows1and2.Row8:Asrow1.These8rowsformthereversebasketweavepatt.

Workasforfrontfrom**toBO.

Finishingforallletters

Placefrontandreverseletterswrongsidestogetheranduseslsttojoinalledges,leavingonesideopentoallowroomforstuffing.Stufffairlyfirmlywithtoystuffing,ensuringthatitisevenlyspreadthroughthepillow.Stitchupthefinaledge,tuckingalllooseendsinsideneatly.

COLORWORKCHARTS

SansSerifUppercaseCharts

(adaptedfromHelveticatypeface)

SansSerifLowercaseCharts

(adaptedfromHelveticatypeface)

SerifUppercaseCharts

(adaptedfromGaramondtypeface)

SerifLowercaseCharts

(adaptedfromGaramondtypeface)

SlabSerifCharts

(adaptedfromCollegeSlabtypeface)

StencilCharts

(adaptedfromStenciltypeface)

ScriptUppercaseCharts

(adaptedfromEnglishtypeface)

ScriptLowercaseCharts

(adaptedfromEnglishtypeface)

CircusCharts

(adaptedfromCoffeeTintypeface)

WesternCharts

(adaptedfromRioOrotypeface)

BlackLetterUppercaseCharts

(adaptedfromFetteFrakturtypeface)

BlackLetterLowercaseCharts

(adaptedfromFetteFrakturtypeface)

NumbersandPunctuationCharts

(adaptedfromMonacotypeface)

IndexAabbreviations11AlphabetBabyBlocks49–51charts51AlphabetPillow25–8charts28“Amour”Chart73“Amour”HeartPillow71–3Arial24A–ZBookends99–102charts101,102BBabyBlanket81–3charts82Backpack,Child’sInitialed53–5Baskerville42Beanie,BlackLetter90–1“Bella”Chart77bindingoff14BlackLetterBeanie90–1BlackLettertypefaces86–93lowercasecharts136–7uppercasecharts133–5bobbins22Bodoni80Bookends,A–ZseeA–ZBookendsBookstoreTote47–8chart48BrushScript70Ccablebind-off14“CAFE”Chart63“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy61–3

Cargo60“Carpe”and“Diem”charts93“CarpeDiem”CoveredBracelets92–3castingon,cablemethod13

Century42changingcolors23chartscreatingandcustomizing8–9reading23symbols23ChecksChart37Child’sInitialedBackpack53–5“Ciao”Chart41“Ciao”Mittens39–41Circustypefacecharts126–30Clarendon52Coasters,LetterTile32–4CoffeeTin80,126,131

CollegeSlab116colorschanging23joininginnew22colorwork21–3charts108–39Courier52CovertOps60Crate60cross-stitch7Ddecreasingstitches17–18DiamondChart82“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt43–5Doorstop,“STOP”Sign29–31chart31Dress,Girl’s75–7duplicatestitch23EEgyptienne52embroidery7emoticons94English70,120equipment10“ExLibris”chart87,89“ExLibris”E-readerCover86,87–9FFeltedPencilCase6,24,35–7FetteFraktur133,136floats,weaving22GGaramond42,112,114garterstitch15,22gauge12adjusting12Georgia42Girl’sDress75–7

Gothictypefaces42,86grafting20graphpaper10Gutenberg,Johannes86HHelvetica24,108,110Iincreasingstitches16InitialsChart53,55intarsia22,23,25Jjoininginnewcolor22

Kknitstitch15knittingneedles10KuenstlerScript70

LLady’s“PARIS”Sweater67–9Letter“D”chart91LettermanSweater57–9LetterTileCoasters32–4“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows103–7LudlowTypograph60Mmattressstitch20Middleton,R.Hunter60Mistral70Mittens,“Ciao”39–41chart41MobiusTwistScarf78–9Monaco94,138mossstitch22NNeckerchief84–5chart85needlegauge10NumbersandPunctuation94–7charts138–9OOrnamentaltypefaces80–5charts126–32Ppatterns,reading11,23PencilCase,Felted6,24,35–7pickingupstitches19pillowsAlphabetPillow25–8“Amour”HeartPillow71–3“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows103–7WeddingPillow95–7pins10Playbill52purlstitch15

Qquilting7RRioOro80Rockwell52rowcounter10ruler10Ssafetypins10SansSeriftypefaces24–41lowercasecharts110–11uppercasecharts108–9Scarf,MobiusTwist6,78–9scissors10Script6,9Scripttypefaces70–9lowercasecharts124–5uppercasecharts120–3seams20Seriftypefaces42–51lowercasecharts114–15uppercasecharts112–13serifs6,42shapingtechniques16–18SlabSeriftypefaces52–9charts116–17SleeveLettersChart69slipknots12stationery10Stenciltypefaces60–9charts118–19stitchesdecreasing17–18duplicate23garter15,22increasing16knit15

mattress20moss22pickingup19purl15stockinette15,22stitchesandrows,counting12stitchholder10stitchmarker10stockinettestitch15,22“STOP”SignDoorstop29–31chart31stranding21,22,23,25sweatersLady’s“PARIS”Sweater67–9LettermanSweater57–9TTahoma24tapemeasure10“TAXI”Chart37techniques12–23testswatch12Textura863-DLetters98–102TimesNewRoman42TopSecret60ToyTidyBag65–6chart66VVarsityLetterChart59Verdana24“VINO”LetterTiles32–4chart34WWallArtChart45weavingfloats22WeddingPillow94,95–7chart95,97

Westerntypefacecharts131–2wool/darningneedle10

AcknowledgmentsTheprojectsfeaturedinthisbookweredesignedandknittedbythefollowingdesigners:CatherineHirst“STOP”SignDoorstop(page29)“CAFE”FrenchPressCozy(page61)“Amour”HeartPillow(page71)

ErssieMajorAlphabetBabyBlocks(designonly)(page49)

ClaireCromptonAlphabetPillow(page25)LetterTileCoasters(page32)“DomusdulcisDomus”WallArt(page43)BookstoreTote(page47)LettermanSweater(page57)ToyTidyBag(page65)

CarolMeldrumFeltedPencilCase(page35)“Ciao”Mittens(page39)Lady’s“PARIS”Sweater(page67)Girl’sDress(page75)MobiusTwistScarf(page78)Neckerchief(page84)“CarpeDiem”CoveredBracelets(page92)WeddingPillow(page95)

LizGregoryA–ZBookends(page99)“LOVE”3-DLetterPillows(page103)AlphabetBabyBlocks(knittingonly)(page49)

MeghanFernandesChild’sInitialedBackpack(page53)

BabyBlanket(page81)“ExLibris”E-readerCover(page87)BlackLetterBeanie(page90)

QuintetPublishingwouldliketothank:themodels,DanielleHolbrook,CarolinaConnor,LukeConnor,andJoshuaTianMedina;JaneCumberbatchforthephotographylocation;BCGarn,DMC,Jamieson’s,KingCole,RicoDesign,Rowan,andSirdarforsupplyingtheirexcellentyarnsforthevariousprojects;RachelAtkinsonforhermeticuloustechnicaledit;FredBrinforpattern-checkingeachoftheprojects;LindsayKaubiforcopyediting;DianaCraigforproofreading;JulieBrookeforhereditorialinput;andLydiaEvansforherbeautifulphotography.

AllimagesarethecopyrightofQuintetPublishingLtd,andmaynotbereproducedwithoutpriorwrittenpermission.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetocreditcontributors,QuintetPublishingwouldliketoapologizeshouldtherebeanyomissionsorerrors—andwouldbepleasedtomakeanyappropriatecorrectionsforfutureeditionsofthebook.

CATHERINEHIRSTisaknittingexpertandteachesatcraftstudiosandcollegesacrossLondon,wheresheresides.

ERSSIEMAJORisadesignerandknittingtutorwhohashadherpatternspublishedinbooksandmagazinesworldwide.ShelivesinLondon.