About the Book
Discover all the essential skills one stitch at a time. With clear step-by-step tutorials and charts you'll find the stitches quick and easy to learn.
The blocks are organised according to skill level, progressing from basic knit and purl stitches to more challenging techniques such as cable and lace. Practice one new stitch at a time before you’re ready to move on to the next one. At the back of the book, you’ll find a handful of inspirational projects that teach you how to combine your blocks for unique and stylish results.
Table of Contents:
About This Book 8
How to Read a Chart 9
Tools and Materials 10
Knitting Tension 14
Holding the Yarn and Needles 15
Casting On 16
Casting Off 19
Finishing 21
SECTION 1: KNITTED SQUARES 24
BASICS
Knit Stitch 26, Purl Stitch 28, Decrease 2 Stitches 30, Increase 2 Stitches 32, Decrease 1 Stitch 34
TEXTURED
Double Rib 36, Double Moss 38, Drop Stitch 40, Slip Stitch Rib 42, Waffle Stitch 44, Eyelet Rib 46, Zigzag Stitch 48, Moss Heart 50, Mini Bobbles 52
TWISTED
Woven Panel 54, Twisted Rib 56, Slanting Trellis 58, Twisted Zigzag 60, Diamond Lattice 62
CABLE
Cable 4 Front 64, Cable 4 Back 66, 8-Stitch Plait 68, Medallion Cable 70, Lantern Cable 72, Fishtail Cable 74, Braided Cable 76, Diamond Cable 78, Arrow Cable 80, Cross Cable 82, Slip Stitch Cable 84, Rib Cable 86
LACE
Diamond Lace 88, Diagonal Lace 90, Openwork Lace 92, Lace Pane 94, Lace Bud 96, Lace Ridge 98, Lattice Lace 100, Eyelet Lace 102, Large Eyelet 104, Lace Leaf 106, Lace Check 108, Lace Heart 110
RELIEF
Houndstooth 112, Arrow Stitch 114, Linen Stitch 116, Embroidery Stitch 118, l-cord 120, Intarsia 122, Fair Isle 124
SECTION 2: PERSONALISE IT! 126
Set of Coasters 128, Cosmetics Bag 130, Lace Poncho 132, Cushion Cover 135, Wall Decoration 138
Beyond the Block 140
Abbreviations 141
Index 142
Credits 144
About the Author :
Che Lam is a freelance knitting designer. She previously worked for Drops Design in Norway and
today she shares her design ideas, inspirations and tutorials on her online blog, Handy Kitty.
Review :
Fantastic! I am only a beginner when it comes to knitting. There is so much to learn it seems daunting. This book breaks it down so you can easily and quickly progress. If you are new to knitting or just want to expand your skills then this book is brilliant. It first teaches you how to read charts, you'll need to do this as all the patterns are in chart format.Che guides you through tools and materials, tension, holding the yarn and needles, casting on and off and finishing. Everything you learn is designed to create an amazing afghan but you are also
given different projects that the squares can be used for. The book contains 50 knit blocks to teach you 50 stitches and techniques. You'll be amazed by how much is covered. Your knitting will be expanded in such a way you don't notice how quickly you are learning so much. I must admit I sometimes get bored knitting but as you are only knitting a block at a time it seems to go a whole lot faster. With each new stitch or technique
you are given step by step instructions to help you learn. You are also given large and clear pictures
to show you what you should be doing. You really will be amazed how quickly you progress. I also love the fact that I can create as many or as few blocks as I want. I have set myself a goal of hopefully knitting at least two blocks a week. This book has really excited me and got me back on track with learning new knitting skills. I would highly recommend this book!
As a judge for this book then I speak from this fairly basic level of ability for the craft overall. Firstly, I will always struggle to replicate techniques represented in a photograph or illustration into a 3D reality, so if you're like me, and you're all fingers and thumbs at the best of times you may have the same trouble. So I report that I found I had to try, try, and try again to follow the correct hand placing and the correct placing of the yarn as shown in the pictures to make something as straightforward as a slip knot. The high quality of presentation of this book however, allows easy following of the stitch charts just fine and the instructions and the layout of this book is very clear. I have only moved through two or three of the block projects to trial the effectiveness of the writing and information. I intend to make many blocks so that I become conversant in many different knitting patterns and knitting techniques, so that I can go on to make bigger and better things. I think this book is probably one of the best you can get to help progress with your knitting skills and it will always be a useful point of reference to have at hand.
April 2016
Discover all the essential skills one stitch at a time and build up your hand knitting skills one block at a time. With clear step-by-step tutorials and charts, the stitches are quick and easy to learn. Inspiring projects show how to join blocks for unique and stylish results.
Step by step tutorials and charts help to build your knitting skills one block at a time. The 50 blocks are arranged according to skill level from basic stitches to challenging techniques. This is a fun way to learn to knit and gain confidence in your ability. There’s also a range of projects to test your new-found skills. The book covers basic, textured, twisted, cable, lace and relief stitches. The projects to make are coasters, cosmetics bag, poncho, cushion cover and wall decoration. There is also a knitting techniques section covering what you need to know from casting on to finishing. A great beginner’s knitting course that will give you confidence from the word go.
The idea is a simple one. There are 50 blocks, or squares in this book. They are arranged according to skill level and, by working on each one you'll learn a new skill and out that skill into practice. The first blocks are for beginners and cover how to knit and how to purl; the later blocks teach how to knit cables, lace, and using different colours. Instructions are clear and jargon free and accompanies by helpful diagrams and photos. And once you've knitted your blocks, Che Lam has a whole host of ideas for what you might want to do with them!
