Kaffe's Classics: 25 Glorious Knitting Designs
All books in the category Knitware
by: Kaffe Fassett
Topics include: slip stitch loosely, fairisle method, foll chart, taking extra sts into patt, use the intarsia method, main knitting, one purlwise, lower ribbing, change needle size, rem sts, pocket markers, foll alt rows, centre sts, sts evenly, foil chart, leave rem, spreading sts, rejoin yarn, foll row, purl across row, using backstitch, colour sequence, sts rem, right side front neck, foil alt row
Book Description:
Book Description -- Kaffe's Classics is a collection of 24 sweaters and one afghan, all fun to knit in the author's trademark vibrant colors and rich patterns. The sweater shapes are basic without being boring and unlikely to go out of fashion. Aimed at intermediate and advanced knitters, the book encourages readers to use their own variations on the designs.
25 glorious knitting designs -- Kaffe Fassett is one of the world's greatest knitwear artists. His designs are masterpieces of rhythm, pattern, and color and are in a class of their own. In this collection of sweaters, jackets, and waistcoats, Kaffe shows you a range of patterns so varied and colorful that you will be inspired to pick up knitting needles and create a designer garment to treasure forever.
Over the past eight years since Glorious Knitting was published I've produced many new patterns for knitters to tackle. Half of this output never appeared in my five hardback books. These patterns were instead published in Rowan collections (some of which are now out of print) or produced as magazine offers. I felt it was time to gather the best of them together in one volume, update the yarns and in some cases give new colourways.... Since most of my ideas come from the timeless world of ethnic decorative arts, it's good to see that, some years on, these patterns seem as fresh as ever and a joy to reknit. Classic structures such as tumbling blocks, zigags and interlocking crosses will never date and should become part of your design vocabulary -- I love to see inventive knitters mix them all up. Think of the patchwork blankets you could do with all your tension squares, or by just getting a group of knitters to contribute their colouring of the patterns in this book. It's a great way to experiment with new colour combinations. simply crochet around each sample piece until they fit together to make a richly detailed blanket -- sell it for charity! It's wondrous indeed to think how these patterns were born out of man's first attempts at communicating a sense of aesthetic, and how culture after culture has made use of these basic structures to enliven surfaces of boxes, bags, buildings and garments. Interlocking crosses draw upon the Byzantine and Japanese cultures; the tumbling blockws design is found in tile work, parquet floors and patchwork quilts and proves such a natural for knitted garments. In this book I give you my first knitted bedcover design featuring this bold pattern. Colour is, of course the most important part of this collection. Many knitters, unused to dealing with intricate palettes, knit one or two patterns by the book and then feel free to play with their own colour combinations. Other less adventurous knitters may feel more hesitant si I have devised tmepting recipes to get them moving. So often, knitters who have broken the ice by following a pattern will start to use that same structure to do a flight of their own fantasy. In our workshops we give knitters a painting to match colours from -- a Van Gogh or a Matisse provide the colouring for a diagonal stripe or the Big Diamond pattern. There has never been anyone in our workshops who hasn't come up with exciting colour combinations when encouraged to use enough tones in their designs. Searching for patterns that are good vehicles for colour gives travelling a strong focus: to see how the same patterns were being employed in Asia and ancient Mexico, for example, is fascinating. The ideas in thsi book span so many cultures and times that I lose count. We have the freedom and luxury of piciing the most exciting patterns from the world and from history (soruces of inspiration can be found in museums, books, television and magazines). Having these basics graphed out for you gives you the opportunity to try endless variations on the world's great classic patterns. Many of the designs in this book would make lively scarves as well as sweaters and jackets -- just knit a long, repeating band of pattern, or two good-sized pieces for borders around a striped or plain central area. Best of all, knit a sampler scarf of all the pattern structures in the book in a riot of colours or in a tasteful selection of dark, flattering tones. Here's to many happy hours with my favorite occupation!
Reviews:
Beautiful Book, even if you don't knit -- Finally this book is out in paper--it's about time. There are some really beautiful patterns in here, within the range of any knitter if you don't mind working with lots of colors. Some are from Glorious Knitting, and probably from his work with Rowan yarns. I love to just read this book. Many of the designs would work well with a well-organized yarn stash. See Sally Melville Styles for ideas on that.