Harmony Guides

contents introduction 2 the basics 4

equipment 8

text and abbreviations 20 stitch gallery 22 index 286

resources 288

the basics Once you have the foundation and a fundamental understanding of the process, you’re well on your way to creating designs for yourself and loved ones.

Yarns for knitting

so-called ‘1-ply’ yarn, but this is a misnomer, as at least 2

‘Yarn’ is the general term used for strands of fibre, or plies,

plies, or threads, are twisted together to form yarn.)

which are twisted (spun) together into a continuous thread.

Recommended needle size: 21⁄4 mm–31⁄4 mm.

It encompasses both natural (wool, cotton, etc.) and synthetic fibres as well as smooth and fancy finishes and

4-ply (Australia/New Zealand 5-ply)

varying thicknesses and textures.

This lightweight yarn works well for lacy garments and is

Knitting yarns are also used for crochet, but crochet also frequently uses fine and tightly twisted cotton threads designed specifically for this craft. Most yarns and threads

available in a wide range of colours and various finishes. Recommended needle size: 3mm–31⁄4 mm.

used for these crafts are categorized according to a scale of

Double Knitting (Australia/New Zealand 8-ply)

sizes, or weights. These categories vary slightly in

This is by far the most popular of the standard yarns. It can

terminology and size, depending on the country of their

be used for babies’, children’s and adults’ garments and is

manufacture. Among the standard weights available in

suitable for most stitch patterns, from lace to heavily-

Britain are the following:

textured. It comes in a vast range of colours and in many

2-ply and 3-ply

finishes, from smooth to fluffy and tweed.

These are very fine yarns, used mainly for babies’ garments

Aran (Australia/New Zealand 12-ply)

and for lacy shawls, and are available in white and a few

Somewhat heavier than double knitting, this is the yarn

other colours. (Very fine Shetland shawls are knitted from

traditionally used for Aran garments. Formerly available only

4 the basics

in cream, it now comes in other colours as well. It makes

KNITTING

CROCHET HOOKS

Recommended needle size: 5–51⁄2mm.

US

metric

US

metric

Chunky (Australia/New Zealand 14-ply)

1

2.25mm

14 steel

.60mm

3.25mm

10 steel

1.00mm

5 steel

1.75mm

warm, durable knits, especially if spun from pure wool.

These thick yarns are generally used for loose-fitting outdoor sweaters and jackets and can have a smooth or brushed finish. Recommended needle size: 6mm.

0

2mm

2

2.75mm

3 4

3.5mm

5

3.75mm

6

4mm

7

Choosing yarns and threads When learning either knitting or crochet, it is especially important to choose a yarn that feels comfortable in your hands – one that is slightly elastic and neither slippery nor so highly textured that it will not move smoothly between your fingers. A pure wool double knitting or Aran yarn is ideal for this purpose. Published knitting and crochet patterns will normally

4.5mm

8

5mm

9

10

5.5mm 6mm

10 ⁄2

6.5mm

13

9mm

11 15 17 19 35

1

8mm

10mm

12.75mm 15mm 19mm

12 steel 6 steel B/1

.75mm

1.50mm 2.25mm

C/2

2.75mm

E/4

3.5mm

D/3

3.25mm

F/5

3.75mm

G/6

4.00mm

H/8

5.00mm

I/9

J/10

5.50mm

K/10 ⁄2

L-11

1

6.00mm

6.50mm

8.00mm

specify the brand to be used for a project. You can often substitute a different yarn for the one specified, provided that you can obtain the same gauge, although substituting a different type of yarn – a textured yarn for a smooth one – will obviously produce a different appearance in the finished item. When doing your own designing, the only rule experiment. Try a stitch pattern with different weights and types of yarn and see the range of different effects you can create. With practice, you will learn which yarns are likely to enhance certain stitch patterns, but the occasional happy surprise will add to the fun of creating a new design.

knit & purl 5

Diamond Brocade

3

Multiple of 8 sts + 1

Drape: good Skill: easy

Row 1 (RS): K4, *p1, k7; rep from * to last 5 sts, p1, k4.

Row 2: P3, *k1, p1, k1, p5; rep

from * to last 6 sts, k1, p1, k1, p3. Row 3: K2, *p1, k3; rep

from * to last 3 sts, p1, k2.

Row 4: P1, *k1, p5, k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Size Matters!

Row 5: *P1, k7; rep from * to last st, p1.

If you need to select a needle size for an unknown yarn,

Row 7: As Row 3.

on your needle gauge. Whichever hole it fits through the

Row 6: As Row 4. Row 8: As Row 2.

Rep these 8 rows. 6 the basics

double your yarn and thread it through the closest size hole neatest (neither tight nor with gaping spaces around the

yarn) is the best needle size to do your first swatch with.

Feather Rib

2

Cable & Rib

Multiple of 5 sts + 2

Multiple of 9 sts + 5

Skill: intermediate

Skill: intermediate

Drape: fair

Row 1 (RS): P2, *yo, k2tog tbl, k1, p2; rep from * to end.

Drape: fair

Row 1 (RS): P2, KB1, p2, *k4,

p2, KB1, p2; rep from * to end.

Row 2: K2, *yf, k2tog tbl, p1,

Row 2: K2, PB1, k2, *p4, k2,

Rep these 2 rows.

Row 3: P2, KB1, p2, *C4B, p2,

k2; rep from * to end.

1

PB1, k2; rep from * to end.

KB1, p2; rep from * to end. Row 4: As row 2.

Rep these 4 rows.

knit & purl 7

Trusted by needlecrafters for more than thirty years

Harmony Guide Knit & Purl 250 Stitches to Knit Paperback, 81/2 x 81/2, 272 pages 300 photographs, 50 illustrations 978-1-59668-056-2 $22.95 US/$28.95 Canada

Harmony Guide Lace & Eyelets 250 Stitches to Knit Paperback, 81/2 x 81/2, 272 pages 300 photographs, 50 illustrations 978-1-59668-057-9 $22.95 US/$28.95 Canada

Harmony Guide Cables & Arans 250 Stitches to Knit Paperback, 81/2 x 81/2, 272 pages 300 photographs, 50 illustrations 978-1-59668-058-6 $22.95 US/$28.95 Canada October 2007

The Harmony Guides are your one-stop reference! Knit & Purl, Cables & Arans, and Lace & Eyelets are the first titles of this new edition of the series. Whether you’re a designer or a knitting enthusiast, the Harmony Guides will keep you in “stitches” for years to come. All swatches are shown in contemporary yarns, beautifully photographed and accompanied by easy-to-follow charts and instructions.

Inside each book you’ll find: interweave.com Interweave Press LLC is distributed to the book trade in the U.S. and Canada by Independent Publishers Group. Interweave Press LLC is also the publisher of 13 craft magazines, including Interweave Knits, Handwoven, PieceWork, Spin-Off, and Fiberarts.

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More than 250 stitches beautifully and clearly photographed Tips on using the stitches to design your own creations Design consultant Erika Knight brings her considerable market expertise to inform the choice of classic stitches and to create 25 new stitches in each book