Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round [Paperback]

Margaret Radcliffe (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 13, 2012

Circular knitting has many benefits, including making it easier to follow charts (with the right-side of the work always facing you) and eliminating the need for seams. And it's fun! In Circular Knitting Workshop, master teacher Margaret Radcliffe covers everything you need to know to master the art of circular knitting, presenting Fair Isle, twined, helix, tubular, and other classic techniques in detailed step-by-step photographic sequences. Thirty-five demonstration projects let you try out each technique on a mini sock, hat, bag, mitten, sweater, or vest before applying it to a larger project. Radcliffe even shows you how to easily convert patterns written for straight needles to circular.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Circular knitting can seem intimidating to beginning knitters, but author Margaret Radcliffe soothes those fears. Circular Knitting Workshop discusses every aspect of circular knitting, from cast on methods to converting patterns written for straight needles to circular. Beginners will appreciate the simple pain-free lessons in knitting in the round using circular needles, double-points, or the Magic Loop method. Lessons in Fair Isle, twined, helix, and tubular knitting are also presented for advanced knitters. Mini projects are included for you to try out your new skills before tackling full-sized projects. Whether you’re just starting out in circular knitting or looking for a quick answer, this book will quickly become your go-to guide for knitting in the round. (Knit 'n Style)

From the Back Cover

Round out your knitting skills

Circular knitting is efficient, convenient, and fascinating to learn with Margaret Radcliffe's detailed, step-by-step instructions. A master teacher with a knack for demystifying complex techniques, Radcliffe uses 35 mini sample projects to demonstrate classic techniques such as lace and stranding knit in the round, as well as helix knitting, invisible joins, and ideal cast ons for all your circular knitting. From adapting flat patterns to circular and converting bottom-up projects to top-down, here is everything you need to know to master knitting in the round.

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 1 edition (March 13, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603429999
• ISBN-13: 978-1603429993
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.8 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Needlework
  • #29 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Knitting

More About the Author

A knitter for almost 50 years, a designer for 30, and a teacher for 20, Margaret Radcliffe is the author of the bestselling Knitting Answer Book (Storey Publishing, 2005), The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques (Storey Publishing, 2008), and Circular Knitting Workshop (Storey Publishing, 2012). In 1997, Margaret founded Maggie's Rags and publishes a line of knitting patterns under that name.

Margaret's books explore knitting techniques in a depth well beyond what's usually presented and do so in a way that makes both the techniques and their appropriate uses clear to readers. As a designer, her specialty is rewarding garments that look complicated but rely on the simplest knitting techniques. As a publisher, she focuses on patterns that help knitters learn new techniques and improve their skills. As a teacher, Margaret enthusiastically teaches everything from beginning knitting to garment design, and is acclaimed for her ability to help all knitters to become independent and creative.

Margaret's many teaching venues include the John C. Campbell Folk School, The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA), The National Needlearts Association (TNNA), The Madrona Fiberarts Winter Retreat, Webs, cruise ships and windjammers, and shops and fiber guilds across the U.S. and occasionally in Canada.

For more information on events and knitting patterns visit www.maggiesrags.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 91 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedic Information About Knitting in the Round March 13, 2012

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round by Margaret Radcliffe is a book for all knitting levels and for all knitters who wish to knit in the round. The patterns include sweaters, vests, hats, socks, mittens, gloves and shawls. There is a nice review of the types of needles required for knitting in the round. Types of casting on and joining are covered, along with ways to avoid tight cast ons and loose cast ons. Five basic cast ons are covered: the half-hitch cast-on, the knitted cast-on, the cable cast-on, the ribbed cable cast-on and the long-tail cast-on, all of which are useful for knitting. There is a nice section on finishing techniques and a nice section on ways to convert flat to circular.

The projects are versatile and useful but the main strength of this book is the encyclopedic information it provides for knitting in the round. Whether you're new to knitting in the round or you are an old-timer, there will likely be information in this book that will be helpful to you. I recommend the book based on this information rather than on the patterns which are basic and can be found most anywhere.

95 of 97 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Techniques to Boost Your Knitting from Excellent to Outstanding April 23, 2012

By Phyllis Staff TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

My grandmother taught me to knit on straight needles, but, when I discovered that circular needles were so much more useful, I gave away all my straight needles and never looked back. It wasn't all chocolate and roses after that, however. There were certain imperfections I just lived with - after all, knitting in the round was much more pleasant than knitting and joining flat pieces. But now, after devouring Margaret Radcliffe's newest work, "Circular Knitting Workshop," I've upped my knitting skills by several levels. Wow - from good to great!

Here's my take on "Circular Knitting Workshop."

PROS:

1. This is a book about techniques - lots and lots of techniques that will boost the quality of your finished products. Of course, there are patterns, many of which are very cute, but their main function is to demonstrate how to use a specific technique. Most are quick and/or small, so you can try them out immediately.

I've already learned several techniques to get rid of that pesky "jog" that shows where a round starts anew. That's always bothered me, and I am so pleased to learn how to avoid it.

2. Knitting with double-pointed needles has never been a favorite with me, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. You'll find a good section on using double-points that will be invaluable when, for example, you want to make seamless sleeves or flat round objects. The color photographs take you through each step so you'll come out with excellent results.

3. Binding off is covered in depth. There are many instances where a tight bind-off detracts from the quality of your finished garment, but now you can choose from a number of stretchy bind-offs that will enhance quality and making wearing the garment a pleasure rather than a trial....

4. If you're like me and like seamless garments, you'll love the section on converting flat patterns to circular. Isn't it great to come to the end of a pattern without having to do all the finishing work? And, be sure to see the section on knitting in loose ends - more ways to avoid that annoying finishing duty.

5. I've always carped about knitting books bound as paperbacks, but the paper in this book is so heavy that, when you open the book, it will stay open where you're working. Overall, the quality of the book itself is excellent, and the photo illustrations are truly helpful.

CONS:

I find nothing to object to in this book. It's filled with "essential" techniques that I'm pleased to master.

OVERALL:

This book belongs in every knitter's library. Get it. You'll be so glad to have it as a handy reference! Don't even ask to borrow my copy; it resides in my library permanently.

Five Stars Plus! Read more ›

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best ever! March 16, 2012

By Kayakinggoddess

Format:Paperback

I just received this as a gift,and still can't get over the beauty and thoroughness of it! The photography is outstanding, and Ms. Radcliffe takes you step by step through everything....e.g. an adorable child's vest with explanations of how to adapt and modify the neckline or other parts. Don't be fooled by the title: even though circular needles are used and explained for all the projects, one could easily adapt the patterns to their own needle preference! Who knew there were so many ways to kitchner....clear and concise, and a must have for your library.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweaters, vests, socks, shawls, mittens, gloves--all done in circular knitting May 21, 2012

By Joanna Daneman #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

This book is a bit different than some of the classics about knitting in the round (for example, Jackie Fee's Sweater Workshop and Knitting without Tears) in that more types of items are included--socks, mittens, vests, baby stuff and fingerless gloves and shawls in addition to pullovers and cardigans. While the books I mentioned as classic references also cover some of these techniques, "Circular Knitting Workshop" is new and more varied and I think this belongs on any knitter's shelf of references for basic knitting. It is especially useful if you are new to circular knitting (where, essentially, one side of the knitting stays towards the knitter at all times, and you do not work back and forth) or if you want to incorporate this technique into your own original designs. Personally, I knit in the round probably 99 percent of the time, even for flat items like shawls; I start them in the center and work outwards, round and round. This book will show you how to do that!

The author discusses TUBES (handy for gloves), working bottom up, top down and how to handle the "jog" which is the unfortunate issue that circular tubes have; the beginning of the new round stacks on top of the old round (you are really knitting up in a spiral) so the new round "jogs" over the old one. You'll see this in stripes; instead of rings of color stacked one on another, you get a jog at the beginning of the new stripe that shows up rather annoyingly. However, the author shows you ways to disguise this.

A number of ways to cast on are demonstrated in good photographs.... There are also a number of intriguing ways to cast off, including a decorative picot cast off I really like (nice for sweater necks or the cuffs of mittens.)

Any size yarn --any gauge, from lacy to bulky, so this book has methods only limited by your imagination. It's a new classic. Highly recommended. Read more ›