Learn to Knit Love to Knit

le Anna Wilkinson

ar

n

to knit

Photography BY Laura Edwards

t i n k o t

CONTENTS

Introduction Yarns, materials and other equipment Knitting basics PROJECTS Colour banded scarf with oversized pompons and matching mittens Round-neck raglan sweater Drawstring cotton bag Eyelet lace vest top with contrast bow Detachable lace collar Chunky knit cardigan with cable detail Felted bag Cabled ‘tam’ hat and snood Short-sleeve texture detail cardigan Simple random strip sweater Structured sweater with embroidery Chunky knit necklace Polka dot socks College-style cardian with patch pocket Textured tweed cape Short-sleeve sweater with simple Fairisle band Rib tank top Faux fur collar with buttons Floral embroidered cardigan Check cardigan with belted waist Useful address Acknowledgements

ANNA WILKINSON is a

world fresh talent in the of knitwear d e sign, who has put together can concentrate on perfecting your eyelet lace stitches whilst

a collection of 20 contemporary garments and accessories that not only teach you the basics of the craft but also give results that will be the envy of all your friends. When they ask where you got that cardigan with the cross-stitch embroidery – which they undoubtedly will – you’ll proudly answer, ‘Yes, I made it myself.’ So if you have ever really wanted to learn to knit but haven’t yet found the right beginner’s projects to tempt you, Learn to Knit, Love to Knit is the book for you. ”

Starting with the simplest stocking stitch scarf, knitted in chunky wool as long as you dare then decorated with oversized pompons, Anna shows how you can make desirable accessories with just a few basic techniques. The colourbanded mittens that complement the scarf bring in the easiest shaping methods, so within a weekend you could have a new scarf-and-mitten set to complement your favourite winter coat.

Moving through the projects, the Detachable Lace Collar and Eyelet Lace Top are both simple projects in which to hone your lace knitting skills. The top is a basic square so that you

the collar is a small project that helps you to introduce shaping into your lace knitting. And the beauty of the lace collar is that it takes only a small amount of yarn, so you can make one for yourself and then two more for friends from just a single ball.

Colourful, fun and highly covetable, all the designs are flattering in their shapes and easy for any woman to wear. The Textured Tweed Cape, for example, is knitted in a gorgeous two-colour, tweed-effect stitch that can be thrown over casual jeans or something a little more dressy. Either way, the ‘wow-effect of this knitted cape belies the simplicity of how it is made.

Learn to Knit, Love to Knit is the first book from designer Anna Wilkinson, a recent Textile Design graduate from Winchester School of Art. In 2009, as a student, Anna was awarded Gold in the Knitted Textile Awards by the UK Handknitting Association for her handknits. She now works for a internationally renowned London print studio sourcing and designing fabric and knitwear samples for major fashion houses including Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith.

“this scarf can be as long or short as you like. h two Finish the scarf wit Playful p ompons. ”

vary the stripes between thick and thin.

short-sleeved sweater with simple Fairisle band

you will need one pair of 4mm needles seven 25g balls of dk weight yarn in plum (A) six 25g balls of dk weight yarn in mustard (B)

tension 25 stitches and 32 rows over 10cm square using 4mm needles

back Using 4mm needles, cast on 111 stitches with yarn A. Row 1: K1, P1 (repeat to end).

Row 2: K1, P1 (repeat to end).

These last two rows form the 1x1 rib pattern, which is worked for the welt. Repeat these last two rows until the rib measures 5cm from the cast-on edge.

Next row (right side): Knit to end.

Next row: Purl to end.

These last two rows form stocking stitch, which is worked throughout.

Continue in stocking stitch until the work measures 28cm from the cast-on edge, finishing with a Right Side row.

Continuing in stocking stitch throughout, work through the 12-row Fair Isle pattern from Chart A. Continue in stocking stitch using yarn B only.

shaping armholes Cast off 7 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows. (83sts) Continue knitting in stocking stitch until work measures 51.5cm from cast-on edge.

shaping shoulders With Right Side facing, cast off 8 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Cast off 6 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Slip the remaining 39 sts onto a holder to be joined in later on when the neck is being constructed.

short-sleeved sweater

63

Cast off remaining 6 stitches.

Right side facing, slip centre 25 stitches onto a holder, rejoin yarn to remaining stitches and knit to the end Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge on the next 7 right side rows. (22sts) Continue knitting straight until piece measures 51.5cm from cast-on edge.

Wrong side facing, cast off 8 sts at the beginning of the next row and following wrong side row.

Work 1 row.
 Cast off remaining 6 sts.

sleeves (make 2)

front Using 4mm needles, cast on 111 stitches with colour A. Work 5cm in 1x1 rib.
 Next row (right side): Knit to end.

Next row: Purl to end.

Continue in stocking stitch until work measures 28cm from cast-on edge finishing with RS facing.

Work through the 12-row Fair Isle pattern from Chart A (continuing in stocking stitch throughout).

Continue from this point on knitting in yarn B.

shaping armholes and shoulders Cast off 7 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows. (83sts) Continue knitting in stocking stitch until piece measures 44cm from cast-on edge.

Right side facing, knit 29 stitches, turn and work on these stitches for the first side of the neck Decrease 1 stitch at the next edge on next 7 right side rows.

(22sts) Continue knitting straight until work measures 51.5cm from cast-on edge.

Cast off 8 sts at the beginning of the next row and following right side row.

Work 1 row.

64 short-sleeve sweater

Using 4mm needles, cast on 75 sts in yarn A. Work 1.5c in 1x1 rib.

Referring to Chart B, work through the 20-row Fair Isle pattern in stocking stitch, increasing where indicated on both sides of the sleeve (increase rows as follows: (increase 1 stitch at each end of the row). Knit each row of the pattern from the right hand side of the chart (the arrow indicates the centre the pattern). (89sts).

Continue knitting in yarn B.

shaping sleeve head With RS facing cast off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows (73sts) Next row (right side): K1, SKPO (skip 1, knit 1, pass stitch over), K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 *purl 1 row Repeat the last 2 rows until 33 sts remain on the needle.

Cast off 3 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Cast off remaining 21 sts.

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

sleeves

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

front

short-sleeve sweater

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Quadrille Publishing Ltd 27–31 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0LS www.quadrille.co.uk £14.99 Paperback with flaps 978 184949 161 7 144pp 248 x 187mm 20,000 words including 20 patterns Over 100 colour photographs and illustrations Publication September 2012