Knitting and Crocheting All-in-One For Dummies

Description

The patterns and instruction you need to start crocheting and kitting today! Knitting and crocheting go hand-in-hand and are the most popular yarn crafts today. This one-stop guide to all things needles, hooks, and yarn will give you everything you need to know to get started knitting or crocheting. The book covers absolute basics such as selecting yarn, casting on, and even how to hold the tools and yarn, to understanding stitches, checking gauge, and deciphering patterns. Hundreds of projects, from beginner to advanced, include complete, step-by-step instructions as well as detailed illustrations and photos, and instructional videos online. It includes content from: • Knitting For Dummies • Knitting Patterns For Dummies • Crocheting For Dummies • Crochet Patterns For Dummies Get started today and you'll be knitting and crocheting like a champ in no time! Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 Getting Started Chapter 1 Needles, Hooks, and Other Tools Selecting Knitting Needles Exploring needles Sizing them up Accounting for needle makeup and tip type Choosing a Crochet Hook Surveying the anatomy of a crochet hook Looking at the make and size of hooks Collecting Gizmos and Gadgets Stocking up on the essentials Examining nice-to-have extras Chapter 2 Yearning for Yarn Understanding Yarn Fundamentals Fixating on fiber Considering yarn weight Reading Yarn Labels Label talk Ball, skein, or hank? Choosing Yarn for a Project Working with color and texture Choosing natural or man-made fibers Substituting yarns Creating your own yarn combinations Chapter 3 Right-Sizing with Gauge Why (and When) Gauge Matters Knowing What Affects Gauge Making a Gauge Swatch Knitting a gauge swatch Crocheting a gauge swatch Measuring Your Gauge Measuring a swatch made with a repeating pattern Measuring stitches and rounds Matching Your Pattern’s Gauge Designing with Gauge in Mind Chapter 4 Reading Patterns Understanding Knitting Patterns Deciphering Knitterese: Common abbreviations and shorthand Following written stitch patterns Reading charted stitch patterns Following Crochet Patterns Knowing the sections of a crochet pattern Figuring out written instructions Not just a pretty picture: Stitch symbols and diagrams Part 2 Knitting Basics Chapter 1 Knitting Fundamentals Casting On Two-strand (or long-tail) cast on Cable cast on (cable co) Thumb (or e-loop) cast on Now You’re Knitting and Purling Knitting know-how Perfect purling Knitting and purling, Continental-style Binding (or Casting) Off Standard bind-off Yarn-over bind-off Helpful hints for binding off Chapter 2 Basic Stitches Go-To Stitches: Garter, Stockinette, and Seed Stitches Garter stitch Stockinette stitch Seed stitch Adding Stretch with Ribbed Stitches 1 x 1 ribbing 2 x 2 ribbing 4 x 2 and 2 x 4 ribbing 4 x 4 ribbing Chapter 3 Techniques Every Knitter Should Know Slipping Stitches Making a Yarn Over Between 2 knit stitches Between a knit and a purl stitch Between 2 purl stitches Between a purl stitch and a knit stitch Twisting Stitches: Knitting through the Back Loop Working Increases Bar increase, or knit in front and back Working a make 1 Knitting into the stitch below Making a double increase Increasing at several points in a single row Doing Decreases Knitting 2 stitches together Purling 2 stitches together Slip, slip, knit Pass slipped stitch over Making double decreases Chapter 4 Knitting in the Round Going in Circles Can Be a Good Thing Choosing Needles for Circular Knitting Casting On for Circular Knitting Joining the Round Joining on a circular needle Joining on double-pointed needles Tidying up the first and last stitches Working Common Stitches in the Round Using Steeks for a Clean Break Sewing in a steek Crocheting a steek Cutting your fabric after you steek Measuring Gauge in the Round Chapter 5 Fixing Common Mistakes Stopping Mistakes or Catching Them Early Dealing with Dropped Stitches Finding and securing a dropped stitch Rescuing a dropped stitch in the row below Saving a dropped stitch with a crochet hook Ripping (Your Heart) Out Ripping out stitch by stitch Ripping out row by row Part 3 Crocheting Basics Chapter 1 Focusing on Fundamental Stitches Preparing to Crochet Hooking with the correct hand Getting a grip on the hook and yarn Working a slipknot Wrapping the yarn over the hook Tied Up in Stitches: The Three Basics The (almost) universal starter: Chain stitch The utility stitch: Slip stitch The old standby: Single crochet Foundation Stitches: The Chain and the First Row All in One Your first foundation single crochet Your second foundation single crochet and beyond Taking Things to the Next Level: Row Two Turning your work Climbing to new heights with turning chains Starting the next row The Anatomy of a Stitch All’s Well That Ends Well: Fastening Off Cutting the yarn Weaving in the end Troubleshooting Mistakes as You Crochet You struggle to fit your hook into the stitches The fabric edges are shrinking The fabric edges are getting wider The foundation edge is tighter than the rest of the fabric The corners are curled Luxurious Washcloth Projects Simple Luxurious Washcloth project Luxurious Washcloth with Border project Chapter 2 Expanding Your Stitch Choices Doing a Double Crochet First things first: Row 1 Turning around and beginning again: Row 2 Trying Your Hand at the Triple Crochet Starting with Row 1 Moving on to Row 2 Diving into Double Triple Crochet First things first: Row 1 Turning around and beginning again: Row 2 Hooking a Half Double Crochet Starting with Row 1 Moving on to Row 2 Adding Height with Extended Stitches Extended single crochet Extended double crochet Creating a Foundation Double Crochet Running on Empty: Joining a New Ball of Yarn Joining at the end of a row Joining in the middle of a row Chapter 3 Increasing and Decreasing Stitches Increasing Stitches Increasing anywhere with single crochet Increasing with double crochet at the beginning of a row Increasing with double crochet in the middle or end of a row Decreasing Stitches Decreasing with single crochet Decreasing with double crochet Decreasing with a half double crochet stitch Decreasing with slip stitches at the start of a row Decreasing by skipping stitches Decreasing by stopping and turning before you reach the end of a row Simple Ripple Blanket Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Optional directions for different sizes Chapter 4 Crocheting in Circles Lord of the Center Rings Joining chain stitches into a ring Working stitches in the chain stitch Working stitches in an adjustable ring Uniting Your Ring Single crochet Double crochet and other stitches Adding Rounds The second round of single crochet The second round of double crochet Another Option: Spiraling Up and Up Adding Another Dimension Starting to add dimension Deciding how to wrap up your work Slouch Hat Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Chapter 5 Multicolored Crochet Bringing Designs to Life: Joining Colors Changing color at the beginning (or end) Changing color midstream Hitching a Ride: Carrying the Yarn Carrying on the wrong side Working over a carried strand Carrying on the right side Carrying up the side Demystifying Color Codes and Charts Abbreviating color names in patterns Charting color change Crafty Math: Understanding the Fibonacci Sequence Mod Pillow Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Part 4 Expanding Your Skills Chapter 1 Knitting Stripes Seeking the Story on Stripes Textured Stripes, or How to Stand Out in a Crowd Reverse stockinette stitch stripes Garter stitch stripes Knitting Colorful Stripes Picking colors for your project Counting rows Joining colors Dealing with old colors and loose ends Knitting Stripes in the Round Stirring Up Stripes: Combining Texture and Color Varying your stitch pattern Making waves Striping any which way Practice Striped Projects Bold and Bright Scarf Slouchy Hat with Pompom Chapter 2 Creating Cables Cable Basics Twisting to the right or left Reading cable charts Checking gauge in a cable pattern A Cornucopia of Cables Standard (rope) cable Open cable Double cable Wave cable Chain cable Honeycomb cable Braid cable Varying a cable Making Twists Twisting to the right Twisting to the left Practice Cable Projects Cable Hat with Pompoms Horseshoe Cable Hand Warmers Chapter 3 Crochet Stitches That Create Pattern and Texture Spicing Things Up with Pattern Stitches Showing the V: The V-stitch Seeing Xs: The crossed double crochet stitch Spreading out: The shell stitch Grouping multiple like stitches: The cluster stitch Getting decorative: The picot stitch Working backward: The reverse single crochet stitch Moving into the Third Dimension with Texture Stitches Gently bumping along: The bobble stitch Not a magic dragon: The puff stitch Forget the butter: The popcorn stitch Feeling loopy: The loop stitch Switching Up Your Stitch Placement Working into the top and other loops Stitching up the sides Working Stitches in Spaces and Other Interesting Places Squeezing into spaces Going around the middle with post stitches Solidifying fabric with linked stitches Spiking into previous rows Elegant All-Season Wrap Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Comfy Cowl Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Gingham Baby Blanket Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Chapter 4 Tunisian Crochet Taking a Look at Tunisian Crochet Tools Creating the Tunisian Simple Stitch Starting with a foundation row Continuing to the second row and beyond Binding off Shaping the Tunisian Simple Stitch Increasing in Tunisian simple stitch Decreasing in Tunisian simple stitch Varying Your Tunisian Crochet Tunisian knit stitch Tunisian purl stitch Coloring Your Tunisian Crochet Crocheting with more than one color Cross-stitching on top of Tunisian crochet Absorbent Hand Towel Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Chapter 5 Crocheting Motifs Granny’s a Square: Cornering Your Rounds The first round The second round The third round and beyond Don’t Be Square: Motifs of Different Shapes The lacy hexagon motif The flat flower motif The layered flower motif Flower Power Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Chapter 6 Making Lace Reading Lace Charts Yarn-over increase and decrease symbols No-stitch symbol Knitting Different Kinds of Lace Eyelet patterns Open lace patterns Faggot lace Incorporating Lace into Other Pieces Lace insertions Lace edgings Handling Mistakes While Making Lace Finding the error Ripping out lace Blocking Lace Filet Crochet for Newbies Breaking down filet crochet stitches Following a chart Chaining the foundation Creating spaces Building blocks Combining spaces and blocks Shaping Your Filet Crochet Design Increasing spaces and blocks Decreasing spaces and blocks Spacing Filet Crochet with Lacets and Bars Getting fancy with lacets Bridging the gap with bars Practice Lace Projects Scarf with Faggot Lace Lace Leaf Shawl Butterfly Runner Project Part 5 Popular Projects Chapter 1 Scarves, Wraps, and Hats Box Stitch Scarf Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Twins scarf Variation: Two-yarns scarf Longways Multiyarn Stole Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Changing yarns Making Fringe A Scarf of a Different Color Materials and vital statistics Directions The Most Basic Shawl Ever Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Changing up your yarn Variation: Making a poncho Lacy Shawl Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Knitting through thick and thin Geometric Wrap Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Why knot add beads? Basic Beanies Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Creating a cabled beanie Red Velvet Crusher Hat Materials and vital statistics Directions Chapter 2 Home Decor Wooly Warmer Afghan Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Supersize it! Variation: Trying a different yarn Wavy Chevron Throw Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Highlight the stitches, not the colors Throw Pillows Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Retro check pillow Variation: Bean sprout pillow Shells and Lace Pillowcase Edging Materials and vital statistics Directions Hemp Basket Materials and vital statistics Building the base Working your way up the sides Variation: Making the basket just the right size Variation: Using different sizes of hemp cord Chapter 3 Baby and Kid Projects Retro Slippers for Baby Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Using different yarns Variation: Sizing up One-Piece Baby Sweater Materials and vital statistics Directions Baby’s Layette: Cardigan, Booties, Hat, and Blanket Cardigan Booties Hat Blanket Tunisian Crochet Baby Blanket Materials and vital statistics Creating a couple of panels Putting the panels together and adding the final touch Variation: Making a bigger blankie Variation: Picking a new color palette Storybook Hats Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Changing yarns Chapter 4 Bags for All Occasions Mosaic Bags Materials and vital statistics Directions Variation: Other mosaics Variation: Keeping your bag plain and simple Variation: Striping your bag Felted Messenger Bag Working linen stitch by slipping stitches Materials and vital statistics Knitting the bag Creating the straps Finishing your bag Crocheted Tote Bag Materials and vital statistics Crafting the tote Getting the hang of the handles Variation: Felting? Fuhgeddaboudit! Part 6 Sweaters Chapter 1 Anatomy of a Knitted Sweater Pattern Picture This: Studying the Garment Photo Assessing the Pattern at a Glance How hard is “easy”? Level of difficulty How big is “big”? Knitted measurements Materials Gauge Special pattern stitches Schematics and charts Knitting instructions Finishing Chapter 2 Knitting a Sweater, Step by Step Gathering Your Materials A good pattern Yarn Knitting needles Other supplies to have handy Before You Cast On Step 1: Pick a size Step 2: Find your gauge Knitting . . . at Last! Knitting the back Knitting the front Putting the front and back together Knitting sleeves The Big Picture: Keeping Track of Where You Are Women’s Easy Top-Down Raglan Materials and vital statistics Directions Finishing Chapter 3 Knitting Neckbands, Edging, Buttonholes, and More Picking Up Stitches to Knit Picking up stitches along a horizontal edge Picking up stitches on a vertical edge Picking up stitches on a diagonal or curved edge Picking up: A reality check Bring on the Bands Bottoms up! Vertical bands Horizontal picked-up bands Hole in One: Buttonholes All-purpose horizontal buttonhole Simple vertical buttonhole Round (eyelet) buttonhole Button Up! Plotting button placement So happy together: Keeping your buttons buttoned Sewing on buttons Chapter 4 Crocheting Your First Sweater Choosing Stitches and Yarn for Your Sweater Making the right pattern choice Finding the right yarn Selecting a Super Sweater Style Baring your arms: Sleeveless sweaters Going the classic route: Pullovers Buttoning up: Cardigans Getting visually interesting: Motifs and vertical rows Sizing Up the Sweater Situation Understanding sweater pattern sizes Figuring out fit Customizing your pattern Shell Shock Project Materials and vital statistics Directions Chapter 5 Crocheting Sweater Edges and Buttonholes Adding Trims: Edgings, Borders, and Collars Outlining your designs with edging Bordering your masterpieces with ribbing Gracing your neck with a common collar Holding Things Together: Buttonholes, Ties, and Drawstrings Making room for buttons: Buttonholes Keeping your clothes on (or just spicing them up): Ties and drawstrings Part 7 Finishing Touches Chapter 1 Blocking and Felting Tying Up Loose Ends Weaving ends up the sides Weaving the ends horizontally Weaving ends into a bound-off edge Blocking Your Way into Perfect Shape The essential tools Wet blocking Spray blocking Heat blocking Starch blocking Shaping Three-Dimensional Designs Fulling (or Felting) to Make Sturdy Fabric Creating the right conditions to full knitted fabric The fulling experience: How to full Chapter 2 Joining Pieces Sewing Pieces Together Mattress stitch Sewing seams with backstitch Knitting Pieces Together Three-needle bind-off (head to head) Grafting stitches (the Kitchener stitch) Crocheting Pieces Together Joining with a slip stitch seam Joining with single crochet Joining with a row of stitches Joining motifs on the last row or round Assembling a Sweater Joining back to front at the shoulder Attaching a sleeve to a sweater body Making side and sleeve seams Chapter 3 Caring for Your Work Keeping Care Instructions Handy Cleaning Knitted and Crocheted Items Handwashing Machine washing and drying Iron only if you must Storing Your Work Removing Those Pesky Pills Index EULA