Power Cables [Paperback]

Lily Chin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2010

From simple to sculptural, the original cable patterns explored in this must-have resource create a foundation of techniques for designing signature knitwear. Basic twisted stitches, complex interpretations of cables, reversible cables, adding texture and color, turning stitches around, constructing cables with I-cord, and wrapping stitches to create the illusion of cables are some of the integrated techniques detailed in this guide. Contained within are more than 15 original cable patterns for pullovers, jackets, bags, socks, and accessories. Also included is information on a new charting system for predicting cable behavior as well as tips on cabling without a cable needle, choosing the best yarns for specific cable effects, and designing original cable patterns.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Those of us who accompany Lily on her knitting explorations are treated not only to the innovative designs that spring from her needles, but also to a thorough and patient explanation of the 'hows and whys' of new techniques so that we can incorporate them into our own knitting. I can guarantee that once you've picked up Power Cables, you'll never look at cable stitches the same way again." — Janet Szabo, publisher, Twists and Turns: The Newsletter for Lovers of Cable Knitting

"Lily Chin gives quite a comprehensive guide to techniques and patterns using different types of cables. The patterns are fresh and clearly written with helpful photos detailing the different cable styles." — Statesman.com

"A wonderful book and a must for anyone contemplating cable knitting." – Barnes and Noble Bookseller Picks

"Here are cables expected and surprising, simple and 'phony', rendered in brioche or intarsia, with suitable applications for every new idea guaranteed to open your switch stitching horizons. To take a class from Ms. Chin is to be charmed by her, and to leaf through one of her books is no less enchanting." - Twist Collective, April 2010

"Recommended for anyone who knits. I loved this book. When I first picked it up I practically drooled. The projects and illustrations made me want to grab my knitting needles and dive in headfirst. Cables. They scared me, but not with Lily Chin's instructions and charting system. I brought it to my knitting class and my instructor went to work on the Five Way Cabled Shrug. All of us were transfixed as she whipped out a pink vision of loveliness. Wow." - Goodreads.com, June 2010

"...this volume is packed with information to bring you to reversible cable confidence. It's like having an in-depth workshop with Lily herself in book form." - Knitcircus August 2010

"There is a reason this woman has such a reputation for being an innovative thinker and knitter, and she proves it yet again with this remarkable book. You know how mind-blowing Cat Bordhi’s 'New Pathways for Sock Knitters' book was? How it turned almost everything you knew about socks on its ear? This is that kind of book. It makes you think about cables in a way you haven’t thought about them before." – KnittingScholar.com

About the Author

Lily Chin has been a knitwear designer and instructor for more than 20 years and was named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting International. She has crocheted runway pieces for fashion designers Diane von Furstenburg, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, and Vera Wang, and her media appearances include the CBS Morning News, the DIY Network, HGTV, the Jane Pauley Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and the Martha Show. She is the author of Couture Crochet Workshop and Knit and Crochet with Beads. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681675
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681675
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LILY CHIN was named a "Master Knitter" by Vogue Knitting International and has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for more than 25 years. She has worked alongside several of the world's most accomplished fashion designers. She is the author of four previous books. Visit her online at lilychinsignaturecollection.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, Delicious Nourishment for Knitters June 12, 2010

By Cat Bordhi

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

For over two decades, Lily Chin has been one of the modern knitting world's greatest contributors. She is a consummate teacher, a prolific and spot-on technical innovator, a fine designer, and has so much energy and thinks at such a hummingbird speed that I doubt we have even seen half of what she will ultimately contribute. In this book, Lily gathers and presents her encyclopedic knowledge of cable knitting. Ever since 1989, when Lily first published an article about "Ribbles" in Knitters Magazine, she has been known as a choreographer of cables, someone who could make them do wonderful and never-before-imagined things. And this book, Lily's first on cables, combines her early innovations with the many cable acrobatics she has developed since.

So - what will you find in this marvelous book?

--A way of charting cable designs that is so obvious that I have no idea why we haven't always done it this way. Lily will teach the method to you in a few minutes, and you will never feel intimidated by a complex cable again. Plus, her method allows you to extract the essence of a design, then expand or shrink it to fit your needs. And it is all so simple that you won't even be able to forget it.

--A comprehensive and engaging tour of each family of cabling possibilities, from traditional to freshly minted, from non-reversible to fraternally reversible to identically reversible, from single color to multi-color, from plain to textured, from traveling stitches to mock cables.

--A collection of beautiful cabled stitch patterns which can be used as a stitch dictionary. Check out the sensuous reversible "Textured OXO Cables" on page 71.

--Illustrations that will switch on light bulbs in your brain: check page 125 to immediately see why raised wale cables are a natural playground, or see pages 46-47 to understand how to easily visualize the difference between front and back of reversible cables.

--A collection of stunning cabled designs, including a man's vest (page 92) which I would say is the most handsome man's garment I have ever seen; a sumptuous "Five-Way Cabled Shrug" (page 101) with clever and simple construction, the photo so soft it is hard not to pet the page; several luscious scarves (both reversible, with beautiful edges); an XOX raglan turtleneck pullover (page 58) with a background fabric that shifts in subtle ways; and one of my favorites, a bi-color Brioche Shawl (page 118) which is timeless, rustic, elegant, earthy, and twisting with life.

If you have never worked cables before, this book would be a marvelous start, and will grow with you for years and years to come. If you are an advanced knitter, this book will make your brain sizzle with happiness.

Janet Szabo, author of two superb cable books, wrote a moving foreword for Lily, saying that this book "will stretch the horizons of even the most experienced knitters." I agree, and I wish you hours upon hours and years upon years of exploring cables.

And thank you, Lily, for how you enrich the knitting world, for your witty and bright and clear instruction, and for your unstoppable intelligence and energy that lets you share so much of such value with others. You have written a classic.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exemplary Cable Book June 5, 2010

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lily Chin is one of knitting's foremost designers and, for anyone interested in cable knitting, this is an exceptional book. You won't find it filled with pattern after pattern but what you will find is just about every type of cable and how to knit it.

The first chapter is dedicated to 'Understanding Cables'. Ms. Chin discusses how the book is organized and gives a basic cable primer. In this chapter are samples of many cables and a lovely sweater pattern.

The other chapters are: Wide-Rib Cables, Ribbed Reversible Cables, Textural Cable, Traveling Stitch Cables, Colorful Cable, Raised Wale Cables, and Phony Cables. She ends the books with a chapter on Cable Integration. Each chapter has at least one pattern and some have more. There is a beautiful man's vest and a lovely mitten and hat set. There are several beautiful shawls.

I wish there had been more patterns in the book but it is a wonderful resource and I will use it primarily for that. The photos of the different cables are sharp and easy to see. There are pictures of just about every cable you could encounter and ideas about how to use all of them. This book is definitely for them for the intermediate and more experienced knitter.

Thank you Ms. Chin.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Cables and more cables October 29, 2010

By Marge

Format:Paperback

Power Cables: The Ultimate Guide to Knitting Inventive Cables by Lily M. Chin is a definitive work on cables. The book may not be for the beginner at first glance, but if you want to learn the ins and outs of cables and really understand the engineering behind cables this book will do that. She investigates and explains cables, what makes them reversible, how to incorporate color into cables to make them stand out, how a knitter has to allow for the natural tendency of cables to draw in. In addition, Chin lays out a whole new way to chart cables.

When I first started to knit I went to a class offered by Ms. Chin. The class was about designing your own garments. Ms. Chin's teaching philosophy is about empowering knitters to examine their own creativity. This book tackles the technique of cables with the same eye to having the knitter understand why cables work the way they do so you can use them to your advantage.

One problem with this method is that the explanation is complicated and the book does not always make it clearer. The first chapter of the book talks about a new way to chart that is elegant and actually helps you visualize cables much better than traditional charts, but the patterns in the book use traditional charts and not the new ones Ms. Chin has just taught you.

The patterns in the book are unbelievably wonderful and fresh; probably worth working through the book's complications. I would not attempt them if you are a beginner unless you like a challenge.

Disclosure: Review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.