Extreme Double-Knitting New Adventures in Reversible Colorwork [Paperback]

Alasdair Post-Quinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2011

Double-knitting is the art of creating a knitted fabric with no "wrong" side, but that's only the beginning. Alasdair Post-Quinn has created an exhaustive how-to for double-knitting that thoroughly tackles techniques you didn't even know existed, let alone thought were possible, such as cabled double-knit fabric, knitting different patterns on either side of the fabric (instead of the usual mirror images) and much more. With 14 patterns, nearly 200 pages and more than 400 photos and illustrations, Extreme Double-Knitting is the only double-knitting reference you need!

WHAT OTHER DESIGNERS ARE SAYING...

A brilliant book, bound to become a classic work. Acquiring these double-layer techniques will enhance all aspects of your knitting life. Extreme Double Knitting is a very thorough and clearly explained approach to this fascinating area of knitting. Even if you do not yet see yourself reaching some of the more extreme feats of double-layer knitting offered here, you will be gently enticed to expand your repertoire of skills as far as you wish, with plenty more brain candy awaiting you.

-Lucy Neatby

There are floods of knitting books that beguile with pretty, ingenious patterns. A precious few push back the boundaries of an entire technique. Extreme Double-Knitting does both, exceptionally. A tour-de-force.

-Franklin Habit

In this delicious guide to the subterranean wonderland of double knitting, Alasdair illuminates user-friendly and innovative techniques of layering color, texture, and design.

-Cat Bordhi

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Cooperative Press (2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979201772
• ISBN-13: 978-0979201776
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book November 13, 2011

By Lindsey Stephens

Format:Paperback

Whenever I become interested in a new knitting technique, I start hunting around for the appropriate book or books. Generally, I wind up with 4 or 5 books, each of which sheds a little bit of light on the subject, but misses something else entirely. There are a precious few books out there that manage to cover a topic in such detail that they make other books almost unnecessary. Extreme Double-Knitting is one of these treasures.

Extreme Double-Knitting: New Adventures in Reversible Colorwork is a solid 196 pages of information. It's more than just a collection of double-knitting techniques, it's true insight into the vast possibilities of double-knitting. The sections of the book are:

The Basics - A brief introduction to double-knitting.
Double-knitting Flat and in the Round - 38 pages of double-knitting information including cast-ons, bind-offs, and edge/selvedge options.
Double-knit Shaping - Learn how to setup and work a variety of increases and decreases.
Two-Pattern Double-knitting - This section has the key to double-knit lettering and moving beyond mirror images.
Multi-Color Double-Knitting - Don't limit yourself to just two colors.
New Dimensions in Double-Knitting - Directions and patterns involving double-knit cables and lock-stitches.
Finishing - Tips for finishing off your double-knit projects.
Reading (And Understanding) Your Double-Knitting - This section has fascinating illustrations that really help you to understand the structure of double-knit fabric. It also shows you how to "read" your knitting to check you work as you go.
Troubleshooting - Whenever you try a new technique, something will go wrong. This section has common problems and their solutions.

The appendix in the back contains short descriptions of techniques that didn't get their own chapter in the book such as tubular double-knitting, quadruple knitting and working different stitch patterns (ribbing, seed stitch, etc) in double-knitting. I'm honestly hoping for an Extreme Double-Knitting 2 just so that I can see Alasdair explore double-knit openwork further. (To paraphrase my conversation with a friend: "Double-knit lace?!" "Yeah." "Wow.")

The 14 patterns in the book include a scarf, men's ties, adorable baby booties, a blanket, and more. The patterns for wrist warmers and a variety of hats are all written so that you can easily customize the fit. The double-knit open/closed sign should be a fixture in any yarn store.

There are many knitwear designers out there, but it's rare to find one who has made such a significant contribution to knitting knowledge. I honestly believe that the name Alasdair Post-Quinn will soon become synonymous with double-knitting.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Doubly Pleased January 2, 2012

By Mugginsquilts

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I 'met' Mr. Post-Quinn through the medium of the written word on the ever-popular crafting site, Ravelry, and was extremely fortunate to receive some of his advice first hand. I had the pleasure of viewing several of his videos by linking from there, as well. So when he wrote a book, I KNEW I must obtain a copy 'Post-Haste'...
Never a regret. Honestly, I caressed it the first time it arrived, and opened it with full anticipation of the secrets within its folds. Not disappointed. OVERJOYED would be a more apt descriptive. Mr. Post-Quinn has taken the art of Double-Knitting to heights yet unexplored (and continues to do so...one supposes he will publish more books in the future and his audience drools in anticipation). Comprehensive, detailed, and extremely innovative. MUST read. MUST practice. MUST.MAKE.ALL.THE.THINGS.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally awesome January 29, 2013

By Nicholas Bilyk

Format:Paperback

After an intense day of extreme base jumping, free running, and wing-suit diving, there's nothing better to top off the adrenaline than a session of "Extreme Double Knitting". Normal knitting just doesn't cut it for me anymore. I mean, sure, maybe I will go back to regular knitting when I'm in my winter years, but as a hot-blooded 30-something I need some excitement. My favorite is the chapter on multi-color double knitting, but I wouldn't recommend that for beginners as I nearly blacked out my first time it was so extreme. This book is totally rad, highly recommended, just be sure to get a doctor's checkup first to make sure your heart can handle the extreme nature of this book.