Domino Knitting (Knitting Technique series)

Domino Knitting (Knitting Technique series)

by: Vivian Hoxbro

Topics include: circular ndl, joining stripe, cable ndl, leaning triangle, weight wool yarn, knit sts, weight cotton yarn, square should measure, center sts, knit squares, edge sts, extra sts, end sts, garter stitch, new sts, rolled edging, striped block, knit rows, bottom triangles, turn work, unbleached white

Book Description:

Book Description Introducing an exciting new technique called domino knitting, this book teaches both beginners and experts the patterning technique that became a craze among Scandinavian knitters. Beginning with basic instructions and progressing to sophisticated projects, this guide shows how domino knitting allows for easy designing by allowing knitters to build squares on one another horizontally and vertically at will. Precise step-by-step instruction show how squares can be worked in a variety of stitches for multicolored effects. Included is a key to selecting the proper yarn for any project as well as care instructions for any creation. About the Author Vivian Hxbro has been professionally designing knitwear for many years. She invented and popularized the domino knitting AUTHOR: H xbro, Vivian

Editorial Reviews From Library Journal -- Domino knitting is a type of "modular knitting," with knitted squares and strips building on one another to form a larger piece-just as in the game dominoes are placed next to one another to create a larger whole. Fun, eminently portable, and requiring nothing more than a knowledge of the basic knit and purl stitches, this technique has been popularized in recent years by Horst Schultz, whose Patchwork Knitting first attracted Hmxbro to the craft. While inspirational, Schultz's book is not the best choice for neophytes. Knitters wishing to master this technique would be well advised to work through this little book instead. A Danish knitwear designer with an obvious knack for teaching, Hmxbro instructs through a series of colorful potholder projects. Teaching sessions are followed by a number of projects using the technique and include both garments and accessories for the home. Recommended for large public libraries and textile collections. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Knitter's Review "It's a deceptively simple technique with stunning visual results. " Knitter's Review "This year Vivian Hxbro became the international poster-child for domino knitting. This style represents one of her many design 'oeuvres.'" Knitsnbytes book reviews "I rate this book high. It's good for exciting and fashionable colorways-Ms. H xbro's Scandinavian design sensibilities are always pleasing." Knitting Knutz book reviews "This is so easy, you can see how to do it by just reading!" Knit N' Style "This book is definitely an asset to your knitting library." Cast On "This technique . . . is an interesting one. One thing I like about the book are the 'learn while you knit' pages."

Great little handbook for an addictive knitting technique -- Domino knitting is a type of knitting done in modules. Instead of starting at a hem (or a neck if you do top-down knitting), you make small "potholder" or tiles in knitted squares or strips. Then, using a "sew-as-you-knit" technique, you add square upon square, strip next to strip, and make your garment piece. In a way, it's like coloring in a line drawing in a coloring book, using small knitted modules to complete the front, back or sleeves. Those who learn this method of knitting say that it is addictive, and I can affirm that. I find it quite enjoyable. Many knitters find that it is less stressful on the hands, too--only a small piece is knitted at any one time, even though it might be attached to the larger part of a project. Vivian Hoxbro is a Danish designer who was very smitten with Horst Schulz' "Patchwork Knitting." She attended his seminar in Berlin, and went back to Denmark to adapt it to her own ideas. Being Scandinavian, she uses simpler designs and more understated color schemes than the bright colorways Schulz favors. And her approach in this book is different, too. Rather than have you follow the pattern for a garment, she presents a number of potholder projects that teach various ways to knit and join modules. When you've mastered the potholders, you can progress on to coffee pot warmers, backpacks, shawls and hats. Hoxbro's colorways are novel and fashionable and her designs are quite clever--how about a knitted cache-pot to cover an African violet pot? Or a denim-like backpack or basket to hang on the Christmas tree. The modular aspect of domino knitting makes it versatile for more than just garments. Most of the projects in this book are small, appropriate for learning a new technique. And also, the small projects are useful to learn patience, for, as Ms. Hoxbro points out, domino knitting is slower than standard knitting. I am in the middle of a project (a large jacket) and I can say that it is slower, but one reason for that is due to the size needle and yarn (2.5 mm needles and 2 ply shetland yarn.) However, once I mastered the technique, I found that the knitting progresses rather quickly after all, and it's quite hypnotic. This book, which is a translation of the original Danish edition, is a small paperback. While it fits nicely into a knitting project bag, I found the print and pictures smaller than I would have liked. However, since this is both a technique book and a small project book, the smaller format works for a little knitting item you may stash in a purse or lunch bag for a take-anywhere project.

Reviews:

It really does set off a Domino effect! -- I've had this book for several months now and can't put it down. It is definitely a book for the creative knitter! I've knit and tested most of the patterns in it and have truly become addicted to the technique. The book is tiny, but packed from cover to cover with many ideas and projects from small to large. It emphasizes texture and color in a way that few other techniques do. Photos are clear and beautifully done. I like that the book works it's way from simple projects and techniques to more complex and larger ones towards the end. It grows with you. Charts, diagrams and patterns are clear and easy to understand. I think it is a book that even beginner can benefit from using and grow with. Once you learn domino knitting, you will find yourself "envisioning" other patterns knit using this technique. It is a great way to use up leftover stash yarns, too! Vivian inspires innovation -- Vivian inspires innovation with this beautiful handbook. Sure, most of us can knit a sweater and numerous projects, but Vivian gives us instructions on basics, which can be used to adapt the pattern, and make it ours. She encourages adaptations. I skipped the potholders, started with the baby vest idea, used a larger yarn, turned it into a poncho, and totally redid the neck with a collar. This was accomplished without tearing out any stitches. Also, I would like to add, that I have met Vivian at a yarn market, and she is a wonderful soul, and she even answers her email in Denmark. Be happy knitting. Small book, many ideas -- Not for people who buy books by the pound. But lots of ideas and techniques for the $. I never made it through a potholder project. The first potholder grew into a preschooler sweater that is much worn and loved. Domino Disappointment -- Unfortunately I have to say I was rather disappointed with this book. As an avid knitter of all styles, when I saw this I was intrigued and excited as I thought I had stumbled across something new. However when I got the book and eagerly opened its pages, I found nothing more than techniques I had been using for the last 15 or so years. Yes, they were presented in lovely format, and yes, the garment ideas are beautiful, and yes, for someone just discovering this sort of knitting I can see how they would be amazing. Having made numerous bedspreads and other items in this manner previously myself -- just calling them 'patchwork' [I guess I am just old....] -- I found nothing particularly new or inspiring here. If you are fairly new to the craft of knitting then this book will teach you many things. It is a very easy book to digest, with beautiful full color illustrations of the finished items and clear drawings of techniques, so that a knitter of nearly any skill level could follow the patterns. However if you are an experienced knitter and well versed with stitch patterns and techniques such as entrelac, then I fear like me you too might find this book a shade disappointing. Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) 22 of 26 people found the following review helpful: Good Designs, December 9, 2002 Reviewer: A reader I liked this book better than the Horst Schulz book--Domino Knitting's projects stand up on their own without relying on fancy (read: expensive) yarns. The Amazon price is a more realistic one, considering the size of the book.

"Editorial Reviews From Library Journal -- Readers of Vogue Knitting and Threads are familiar with Newton's beautifully crafted knitwear, as are readers of mass circulation periodicals like Family Circle and Woman's Day. Here Newton systematizes her approach to designing handknit garments and, in the process, shares information she searched for in vain when she was a fledgling designer. Using 16 of her original designs as teaching tools, Newton takes the reader from idea to finished garment, emphasizing creative swatching and a lighthearted ""what-if?"" approach as the creative process begins, followed by solid documentation and detailed garment schematics as the design takes its final form. This is not a how-to-knit book. The author assumes her reader has the knitting skills required to put to good use in-depth information on design sources, yarn characteristics, working with silhouette and fit, and designing with stitch patterns, color, and graphics. Highly recommended. - Janice Zlendich, California State Univ. Lib., Fullerton " "How one knit designer does her thing -- Here is a fascinating peek into the way one designer, Deb Newton, does her knitwear. Her designs are very recognizable--interesting stitch texture, shapes from couture. She even cuts and sews knitted ""fabric"" into garments. If you are an experienced knitter and want to design using those tempting stitch dictionary patterns, and if you like the fit and shape of garments to be tailored more than the standard raglan pullover, then this book is for you. The drawings are especially interesting, showing how Newton goes from swatches of yarns knitted in pattern, plus inspirations to a finished garment. If you want a ""how to knit your own"" sweaters for simpler knitting techniques, I don't recommend this book. You can knit your own sweaters using the percentage technique found in ""Knitting Without Tears"" or ""Knitting Around"" by Elizabeth Zimmermann, or you can try ""The Sweater Workshop"" by Jackie Fee. But if you want more high-fashioned, structured design, this book will be a great resource. Fascinating glimpse into a designer's mind -- First, I would like to clear up a few misunderstandings about this book. The author does not trash dime store knitters. She simply states that she finds them to be part of the folk art land scape. However, her constant admonition throughout the book is to buy the best you can afford. You can't cook a gourmet meal with bargain basement ingredients, can you? Also, swatching is an absolutely essential part of the designing process. (Some designers even go so far as to suggest dedicating an entire ball of yarn to swatches) A designer who does not swatch will never know the full potential of a yarn. This is simply a fact. If you don't like swatching (and I don't) the author offers alternatives. However, she makes her swatches so pretty that I am almost tempted to change my mind. The author offers her design system so that [novice] designers can borrow some or all of it until we come up with our own. The system is methodical and seems a great deal of fun. We find inspiration, find a yarn and swatch swatch swatch. I hope everyone will give this book a fair chance. Knitters are artists and artists are not helped by being thin skinned or afraid to try something new. AS noted by other reviewers, this book is not for the total beginner. You are expected to be knowledgable of basic knitting techniques as well as fibers etc. Good with the bad -- First, the good: there is a lot of information here about different fibers, explanations of silhouettes, ease, and different styles that is very helpful. There are tips on sketching and charting your own designs, as well as structural details of different styles, e.g. set-in sleeves, saddle shoulders. Much of the information is opinionated, but the author usually explains her reasoning. The bad: I found many of her technical explanations incomplete and/or difficult to follow (and I've been knitting for about 10 years). I also found the many (many, many) self-gratulating personal references a bit tiresome. 'This is how I do this,' 'I like to do that,' 'Let me tell you all about a perfectly brilliant design idea I had one day while waiting for the bus,' etc. Somehow I got the impression the author has an air of superiority, as if to say her way is NATURALLY the best way, if not the only way. Maybe this irritated me more because I disliked most of her designs and thought them all but unwearable. If you're into 'haute couture' or 'wearable art,' you might enjoy them more; I prefer to design garments which are more subtle.... or, as she might say, 'bland and pedestrian.' (If that means saying ""No"" to big bulky coats knitted of fuzzy chartreuse mohair, complete with giant buttons, then color me bland and pedestrian.) Bottom line: For the technical and structural elements of design, this book is worth looking into, but I'm still looking for a better knitting design book. Inspirational -- I am only a beginning knitter but I've checked this book out of the library several times in the past couple of years. The photos are gorgeous; even the pictures of swatches are eye-candy. This is not a book of patterns, rather, it is a sort of 'how-to' book for design inspiration using various sources; old photographs, coutour fashion, sewing patterns, and of course beautiful yarns and fibers. Don't pass this up if you are not ready to design your own knits. It will inspire you to keep knitting and treat yourself to some gorgeous yarns even if it is only one skein to make swatches from. This book is as much about the process, or journey as it is about the finished product. I was tickled the first time I checked out the book and discovered the author was from Rhode Island. Since then, I've wondered if she still lives here and holds workshops. The first book I bought to learn how to design -- I worked very hard on a child's lace-trimmed sweater from a pattern only to be very disappointed by the result. The dropped shoulders had no shaping and a clumsy-looking knitted seam, the back rode up, and the button band was too narrow to control the curl of the edge. That was when I thought, ""I could do better than this."" I decided to start designing my own stuff. ""Designing Knitwear"" has a lot to offer someone who wants to design their own knitwear. Newton's ideas are inspiring. I don't particularly like the majority of projects she gives directions for, but I learned a lot about the design process from her, and about producing looks that are way beyond the run-of-the-mill. One thing I don't like about the book is that Newton takes the sewing approach, with the flat-knit pieces sewn together, the edges sewn on, etc. I like to keep sewing to a minimum in knitted garments.

A way but not THE way... -- This book is loaded with many great ideas and a good design method, but I had hoped, from the title, that it would include some ideas and methods used by other designers. ""How I Design Knitwear"" would be a more appropriate title. And how she serves anyone by trashing synthetic yarns and craft fair knitters and a another designer who doesn't (gasp!) swatch is beyond me. She is a good writer and teacher and designer, and I don't regret stepping over the trash to get to the many treasures. Good book for would-be designers -- This book is really interesting to read, and has several projects in it, so you can easily see how she designs things. My only complaint is her reference to the ""dime store"" school of knitting, referring to those who knit with the inexpensive acrylics rather than natural fibers or very costly acrylics. This is a good book for later on down the line, not for beginners. NOT your run-of-the-mill knitting book -- I rarely review a book that has several well-written reviews already, but was tempted to add my voice about this book at a time when those who are looking for a good gift for knitters may be abroad in Amazon.com-land. I also have been a knitter for Lo these many years (about 30) and have perused many knitting books and magazines. And I have several knitting friends, some real fanatics, some just beginners. I personally love this book and wholeheartedly agree with some of the other reviewers that it is the most imaginative book about knitting that I have ever come across. However, a word of caution: having spent time in the company of other knitters, I know that I am pretty much a maverick, at the far, wild end of the bell curve. There are a lot of knitters out there, some extremely technically advanced (far more than I) who simply would not know what to do with this book. So, if your target knitter follows patterns to the letter, even if your target knitter can execute Kaffe Fassett designs, if they are color-inside-the-lines type of knitter, it might be better to give them (as I have done to several of my knitting friends) ""The Big Book of Knitting"" by Katharina Buss, which, I have found, is mightily appreciated even by those who have an extensive knitting library. However, if your knitter is bored, bored, bored, even by the most intricate classical designs, then ""Designing Knitwear"" might just light their fire. I agree with the reviewer who said that ""Designing Knitwear"" is not for beginning knitters. So, if your knitter is just learning how to knit, purl, do stockinette stitch, it might be better to choose another book, for now at least. I have to say, though, if you know or are a maverick knitter, you will LOVE ""Designing Knitwear"". One of the patterns is for a white-on-white three-piece shawl that is absolutely stunning and yet so incredibly simple to make. This is the type of stylish ""shawl"" that I would have loved to have seen in the collection of shawls in ""Shawls and Scarves: the Best of Knitter's Magazine"". But hey, that's me. There's room in the world for all knitters, from perfectionist chart-followers to free-form-let's-just-see-what-happens. Happy knitting!"