Decorative Knitting: 100 Practical Techniques, 200 Inspirational Ideas and 18 Creative Projects [Hardcover]

Kate Haxell (Author), Luise Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

This easy-to-use guide introduces knitters to 100 decorative techniques for embellishing simple designs; it also features 125 ideas for using the techniques and 20 original projects for a variety of items.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Underneath some relatively weak visual layout and disorganized narrative is one of the more inventive knitting books of the season, with emphasis on three-dimensional treatments, beading features, embroidery enhancements, suprayarn additions, and unusual edgings (although, for the last, it's hard to outedge Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge, 2004, and Knitting Over the Edge, 2005). The full-color swatches, unfortunately, are a bit too small to use as guides. Techniques sections are awash in words, without much patternlike advice or illustrations. But it's all worth it to experienced knitters once the projects appear--such as an incredibly inventive cable-and-tail backpack or an elegantly beaded French beret. Ideas that could very well warrant a second book. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Publisher

The current rage for knitting has spawned a flood of "how-to" books. Decorative Knitting is different: it shows how to embellish simple knitted designs with an eye-pleasing array of decorative techniques, so that you can turn a plain item into one that is beautiful, original, and seemingly intricate. Decorative Knitting features clear instructions for a hundred practical techniques, including three-dimensional yarn effects, beading, yarn-mixing, crochet, felting, appliqué, embroidery, and smocking. There are also 125 imaginative ideas for using the techniques and 20 step-by-step projects, which range from a jacket with an embroidered and beaded yoke to a drawn-threadwork table runner. Most of the techniques are quickly learned, even by novice knitters, and this highly illustrated guide is so inviting and easy to use that knitters may even find themselves decorating existing knitwear.

A Crafter's Choice Book Club Main Selection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570763062
• ISBN-13: 978-1570763069
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Embellishments, Tons of Ideas. A Must-Have! 2 Needles Up!, April 21, 2008

By 

Eve Starr Millett "eve starr knits" (texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Decorative Knitting: 100 Practical Techniques, 200 Inspirational Ideas and 18 Creative Projects (Hardcover)

I got this book from the library, and by the time I was halfway through it I had used up my post-its to mark ideas I liked. I gave in and bought the book through Amazon (at a hefty discount off the cover price). It's well-organized, with a key at the bottom of the project pages that take you to the relevant techniques. I love the embellished button ideas, beading designs, placket and tab variations, embroidery library, and 3-D yarn effects. The "Yarn Plus" section features knit swatches made of unusual yarns, ribbons, wire, leather and even an unraveled scouring pad (for purely decorative applications).
I found this book unusual, user-friendly, and within the realm of reality when it comes to actually implementing these ideas. I give it two needles up!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book with Easy to Understand Directions, February 14, 2008

By 

Book Lover - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decorative Knitting: 100 Practical Techniques, 200 Inspirational Ideas and 18 Creative Projects (Hardcover)

I've really enjoyed looking over this book and just added it to my wish list to buy. The directions are very easy to understand and the color pictures are beautiful. A great variety of techniques -- for example it tells you how to do a Frill Cast-On, and also a single frill and a tiered frill. It tells you how to do an I-Cord, and gives you 6 varieties: knotted, 2-color, double twist etc etc.