Yarn Maker
No. 22 June 2015
The double knitting technique used in this book creates to layers of fabric knitted at the same time, to make items with instarsia patterns appearing on both sides and with double thickness that provides extra insulation. The patterns are for mittens, hats, scarves, pot holders, oven gloves, place mats, bath mat, animal beds, phone case, can cosy, hair scrunchy, christmas tree decorations and storage boxes.
Taking a practical approach to reviewing this book i picked up knitting needles and yarn and attempted a project. I found a chart for the intarsia pattern at the back of the book and immediately realised that charts without ticket lines to indicate a five stitch/row intervals and keep counting were going to be difficult to use, as was a chart on a large sheet attached to the book. You could scan or photocopy the chart and draw on thicker lines to help with counting, I copied the chart I wanted onto a sheet of knitter's graph paper, checked how to cast on in the technique section at the back of the book and started knitting. however I was soon having difficulties as I was failing to recognise that two stitches on my needle were equal to one on the square chart. I also discovered that the stitches along the needle don't look like on the chart, the pattern appears below the needle where the layers are separate. I abandoned the project and looked at the book more carefully.
If you have some experience with double layer knitting then you could start at the front of the book and pick a project that fits you skill level: they are all rated easy, intermediate or experienced. If you are new to the technique then start at the back where there are several pages giving the basic technique. Second go this is what I did and I made myself a small sampler to try out cast on, different selvedges, different ways of holding the yarns , increases and decreases, switching the colours from one layer to the other to make patterns and finally the different methods for casting off. I haven't tried the short-row turns out yet as I'm not starting with the sock pattern. Having made my sampler, got used to the methods and to seeing a knit in one colour plus a purl in the other as equal to one chart square, I'm ready for one of the easy projects and looking forward to progressing from pot holder to scarf and in due course to warm handspun doubleknit and mittens.
I find this book well illustrated, methods nicely described and some useful projects, but the material in the book is not in a logical order for a new comer to the technique
Knit Today
May 14
Knitting double, or double knitting, is a technique where two fabrics are knitted at the same time on the same needles, to create a piece of fabric with no wrong side, making a single piece of knitting that's reversible. It's often used for scarves and blankets for obvious reasons. Double knitting is a relatively slow knitting style, and of course uses more yarn than standard techniques, but the beautiful results are more than worth the wait. Master the technique here with in-depth instructions, step-by-steps, diagrams and clear, informative photography. Then test out what you've learnt on the 30-plus projects, such as hats and scarves that are great for beginners, and more complex designs like mittens, socks, baby blankets and phone cosies, which would suit experienced knitters. Make room on your bookshelf this book is a must-buy.
