Knitting: Colour, Structure and Design by Alison Ellen

Knitting: colour, structure and design takes a fresh approach to knitting, examining not just the look of a knitted pattern, but how the knitted fabric can be altered with different stitches to change its stretch, drape and thickness. Once understood, the design and application potential of this textile technique is thrilling and endless. Topics covered include: basic stitches, including many different ways of casting on and off, both decorative and functional; new approaches to construct fabric in any direction (not necessarily starting at the bottom and finishing at the top) in order to make any shape without sewn seams; an in-depth section on colour giving design ideas and techniques for knitting with colour and advice on dyeing your own yarns, including decorative effects such as dip-dyeing and tie-dyeing yarn. There are knitting patterns to suit a range of body shapes, with directions for personalizing these to your own requirements. Written by a revered craftsman, this beautifully illustrated book encourages and inspires both experienced knitters and those new to the technique to have the confidence to experiment and develop their own designs.