Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design: Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits (Teach Yourself Visually) [Paperback]

Sharon Turner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2007

There are lots of stylish knitting patterns out there, but sometimes you want to do your own thing. Maybe you've found a yarn that would make a beautiful hat, and all you need are basic directions for shaping. Or maybe you've had your eye on a cute sweater in a store window and know that you can make a better version yourself—if you could only figure out the measurements. This handy guide demystifies all that knitting math and shows you how to knit custom-fitted, one-of-a-kind fashions that express your style. Master patterns for hats, sweaters, scarves, shawls, bags, mittens, vests, and socks lay out the basic construction for each item in a range of sizes; you choose the yarn and decide which modifications and customizations you want to make.

Precise master patterns show you all the steps involved in constructing handknits

• Master patterns give instructions for multiple sizes and gauges
• A number of shaping, edgings, and stitch patterns accompany each master pattern
• Helpful tips provide additional guidance
• Tables take the work out of knitting math
• Step-by-step instructions accompany each photo
• Color photos, illustrations, and diagrams demonstrate important concepts

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

SHARON TURNER, author of Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting and Monkeysuits, designs some of the most vibrant and imaginative knitwear available today. She sells her patterns and kits through yarn stores and online at Monkeysuits.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Visual; 1 edition (January 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470068175
• ISBN-13: 978-0470068175
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sharon Turner designs knitwear and when her daughters were babies, published Monkeysuits, a line of knitting patterns for babies and children. She is the author of Teach Yourself Visually Knitting, Monkeysuits: Sweaters and More to Knit for Kids, Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design, Knitting Visual Quick Tips, and Find Your Style and Knit It Too. Sharon has served as a technical editor for several knitting books as well. Sharon lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Hague, New York with her wonderful husband and three lovely daughters, and is working hard toward becoming a registered nurse by Summer 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hugs to you, Sharon!, March 15, 2007

By 

knitter (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design: Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits (Teach Yourself Visually) (Paperback)

I love this book. I used to search high and low for patterns that would suit particular yarns from my (huge) stash. Now I can sit down with yarn, needles, this book, and an idea of what I want to make, and I'm ready to go. Sharon Turner has done all the tedious math in this book so I can focus on the design.

I've made a number of garments with this book already: socks, hats, hand warmers, mittens, and even a sweater (which was a piece of cake!). As I've worked on these knitted items, I've begun to get a much better understanding of knitting (patterns aren't so mysterious after all), and I'm finding that I don't even need the book all the time when I want to create something new. On top of that, I've grown really frustrated with run-of-the-mill patterns because they're often so poorly written and buggy. Why struggle through that when I can use this clear, well-written book to create my own unique items?

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Last knitting book you'll ever need, February 5, 2007

By 

Joan M. Parlin (NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design: Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits (Teach Yourself Visually) (Paperback)

This is probably the last knitting book I'll ever have to buy. Yay! I spent hours last year searching for a cabled vest pattern and couldn't find exactly what I was envisioning. Then I got this book with directions for every kind of vest, sweater, scarf, bag, hats, mittens and shawls one could possible want. Not only are there all the elements to incorporate into creating one's own patterns for all these items, but Sharon Turner's directions are so clear that even a rather inexperienced knitter (me!) can easily follow them and create the pattern of one's dreams. Sharon even shows you varied stitch patterns. I sincerely recommend this book for every knitter from inexperienced to expert! Joan Parlin

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure Trove of Knitting Patterns, January 24, 2007

By 

C.W. Knits (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design: Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits (Teach Yourself Visually) (Paperback)

I have been looking for a book like this for ages. I never seem to be able to stick to a knitting pattern from start to finish. There is always something I want to change, and this book shows how to do just that.

The book really does break down the design process, but doesn't leave everything up to you. The author has done all of the dirty work (like the math and yarn calculations), leaving the fun stuff like choosing yarn gauge and style for me! There are charts with many different gauges and sizes included for hats, sweaters, mittens, socks and other stuff. I have never gotten how to do gloves, and there are some very clear pictures of how to do the fingers step by step.

This books is going to get a lot of use. I just wish it were spiral bound.