Dyeing to Knit (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Hand-dyed yarns are so sensuous, with their custom hues and rich blends of colors, that every knitter longs to work with them. But once we've brought home some of those precious skeins, what next? In Dyeing to Knit, designer and dyer Elaine Eskesen demystifies hand-dyed yarns by providing straightforward how-to information both for using the yarns and dyeing your own, and encouraging you to trust your own creative instincts. Includes instructions for 21 patterns, from scarves to sweaters and hats to mittens.

About the Author

Elaine Eskesen started Pine Tree Yarns in 1988 as a small store and dye studio in the summer kitchen of her Maine farmhouse. She moved the business to a historic house in the coastal village of Damariscotta in 1990, and thanks to the Internet, Elaine's extraordinary hand-dyed yarns are available to knitters worldwide. Her writing has appeared in Family Circle Easy Knitting, Knitter’s Magazine, Interweave Knits, and the book KnitLit: Sweaters and Their Stories, among others. Pine Tree Yarns was one of the businesses selected for inclusion in the book Knitter's Stash.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Down East Books (September 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892726679
• ISBN-13: 978-0892726677
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,322 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent introductory dyeing book, November 12, 2005

By	Fluff City Mama (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This book has both lovely pictures and solid instructions - an all too rare combination in fiber books. The author uses and recommends dyes and yarns which are both high quality and easily available, gives instructions that are detailed but not intimidating, puts a strong emphasis on safety, but still understands the fun aspects of playing with color - she gives six different "experimental" dyeing methods that let you run amok with color and produce one-of-a-kind results. She also includes the more conventional single color, space-dyed, and handpainted techniques, and sections on color design and using hand-dyed yarns. This book would be both useful and inspirational for anyone from a complete novice to an intermediate level. As much as I love my other dyeing books, this is the one I would recommend to someone new or to someone who wants to get more serious but still have fun.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Even If Your Not Ready to Try Dyeing Your Own Yarn, June 28, 2006

By	Kate Smith "of www.sensationalcolor.com" - See all my reviews

When I buy a gourmet cookbook I know I may never cook a recipe that has multiple steps and takes hours but I still enjoy reading the recipe and taking away the inspiration to create a fabulous meal for my family and friends. Like a gourmet cookbook, Elaine Eskesen's "Dyeing to Knit" is thoroughly enjoyable even if you are not sure you are ready to dye your own yarn. The book is filled with beautiful photos, wonderful color combinations, design ideas, and fun techniques that you can pour over for hours.

In the opening chapter Elaine shares her love of color and the sources of her inspiration for the colors she chooses. She then takes her readers through an easy to follow understanding of color, their relationships and provides knitted samples to show the interaction between colors when knitted together. Elaine's style is so charming that she may lure even the most reluctant knitter to try creating their own color scheme.

If you do decide to try your hand at dyeing you will be pleased to find clear instructions, recommended tools and dyes that are easily accessible and fun ideas for mixing colors to produce unique effects.

In the chapter on design Elaine tells us how she thinks about designing the pieces she knits and reveals that she doesn't "do complicated knitting" but rather projects that she can "pick up at any moment". In addition six knitting designers share their inspiration and Elaine talks about specific artist and how they have influenced some of her designs.

Patterns for items that easily incorporate color and texture are included but by the time you reach the last chapter you may already be putting together an idea for your own design.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dyeing and knitting for FUN!, February 9, 2007

By	D. D. Anderson "Teacher of teachers" (Swarthmore, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At least once a year, usually when I need a break from my work with people and words, I set aside a day, and my kitchen, for the wonderful play of dyeing yarn because Elaine Eskesen has made it so easy!!!!!! I do this alone, I do it with my children and my students, and there is never a dyed skein that goes to waste in the months after. This book makes me look clever and talented, and eventually makes me or my friends look fabulous when we wear something made from Elaine's patterns. The detailed directions, the expert tips, and the easy patterns are very clear. Buy the accompanying dyekit! And then visit Elaine's shop in Damariscotta, Maine!