Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook

by Debbie Stoller

Overview

It’s the essential guide for chicks with sticks—because knit happens.

From the tools of the trade to the knitty-gritty of techniques and patterns, all with easy-to-follow step-by-step illustrated techniques. Stockinette stitch, rib stitch, seed stitch. Increasing and decreasing. All the bells and whistles: fringes, tassels, cables, intarsia, crab stitch, and Fair Isle. Plus the stitch doctor’s own special bag of tricks and how to hook up with other knitters. After the how-tos come the why-to: forty hop, stylish patterns, as good for beginners as they are for purely pros.

Featuring:

• Coney Island fireworks scarf
• Punk rock backpack
• Crickets technicolor techno-cozies
• Pippi knee-stockings
• Big bad baby blanket
• To-dye-for sweater
• Princess Snowball cat bed
• Queen of Hearts bikini

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761128182
Publisher:	Workman Publishing Company
Publication date:	09/03/2004
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	155,443
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Debbie Stoller is the bestselling author of the Stitch'n Bitch series of knitting books and calendars. She comes from a long line of Dutch knitters, has a Ph.D. from Yale in the psychology of women, and is the editor-in-chief of Bust magazine. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Table of Contents

Part One: Stitch 'n Bitch
Chapter 1:
Take Back the Knit: Why Young Women are Taking up Knitting Once More

Chapter 2:
What a Girl Wants, What a Girl Needs: Tools of the Trade

Chapter 3:
The Knitty-Gritty: Learning to Cast On, Bind Off, and Knit

Chapter 4:
Purl, too: Learning to Purl and Make Simple Stitch Patterns

Chapter 5:
Shaping Up: Learning to Increase and Decrease

Chapter 6:
Finishing School: Learning to Sew Seams, Pick up Stitches, and Block Your Work

Chapter 7:
Getting Knitty With It: Fancy Things to do With Needles and Yarn

Chapter 8:
Oops, I Knit it Again: The Stitch Doctor’s Guide to Fixing Mistakes

Chapter 9:
A Loosely Knit Group: A Guide to the Wonderful World of Knitters

Part Two: Stitch 'n Bitch Patterns

Scarves and Hats

Bags

Baby Stuff

Sweaters

Summer Stuff

Miscellaneous

Sewing Projects

Editorial Reviews

Once thought to be a hobby for grandmothers, knitting has become for today's twentysomethings what macram was to that same age group in the 1970s. In this nifty guide, Stoller introduces that age-old craft in-depth, making use of the modern products and patterns that have come about as a result of its resurgence. An introduction chronicles the history of knitting from the female perspective, while subsequent chapters cover topics such as yarn type, instruments, stitches, and patterns. Perhaps the most exciting bit is Stoller's "knit as you learn" technique: with every new stitch, she presents a new pattern, thereby allowing knitters to build on their knowledge. Another enticing part of this project, the decidedly hip patterns (collected from women around the world) range from a string bikini to beanie hats; all include easy-to-follow directions and illustrations. Essential for all crafts collections and perfect for a display, given the growing interest in knitting. [See also "Must-Reads for Fall," p. 38.-Ed.]-Rachel Collins, "Library Journal" Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal