With detailed information on fibers, a primer on technical felting concepts, and a thorough resource guide, this text shows knitters how to create ethereal fabric by combining the precision of knitting with the magic of shibori.

Knitters who already love knitted felt for its softness and durability take their skills to new heights with these wonderful projects for garments, accessories, and home fashions. By incorporating Shibori, the Japanese art of manipulating fabric to create unusual textures and color effects, these projects delight with their fanciful bobbles, pleats, ruffles, and embroidery stitches. Designs include a delicate frilled scarf embellished with beads, a pair of Turkish shoes, an embossed throw, a pleated cape, a water-bottle cover, and a striped "bump" bag made by tying marbles into the fabric before washing to create a bubbled texture. A guide to felting basics, lists of yarn types and equipment, and washing-temperature charts to ensure exact shrinkage are included, and beautiful photographs, step-by-step instructions, full-color illustrations, and sidebars filled with tips and techniques make the projects easy to envision and complete.

Encouraging knitters to think beyond traditional patterns, this guide offers ways to construct and embellish work with smart and quirky personal touches that combine imaginative trims with hardware accents. Covering a wide variety of knitting techniques such as felting, intarsia, Fair Isle, lacework, and cables, the unique examples in this resource include buckles and bolts to close an intricately cabled belt, a chain handle to finish a felted bag, and grommets to complete a half-felted handbag. This collection of modern, stylish patterns will inspire beginning and intermediate knitters with its uncommon techniques and materials, dressing up quick and easy projects with head-turning flair.

Potential for creating designs in textiles can be seen even in the physical properties of cloth. The simple fact that cloth tightly compressed into wrinkles or folds resists the penetration of dye is an opportunity—an opportunity to let the pliancy of textiles speak in making designs and patterns. People around the world have recognized this opportunity, producing resist designs in textiles by shaping and then securing cloth in various ways before dyeing. Yet in no other country has the creative potential of this basic principle been understood and applied as it has in Japan. Here, in fact, it has been expanded into a whole family of traditional resist techniques, involving first shaping the cloth by plucking, pinching, twisting, stitching, folding, pleating, and wrapping it, and then securing the shapes thus made by binding, looping, knotting, clamping, and the like. This entire family of techniques is called shibori. Designs created with shibori processes all share a softness of outline and spontaneity of effect. Spontaneity is shibori's special magic, made possible by exploiting the beauty of the fortuitous things that happen when dye enters shaped cloth. Usually it is in response to the fact that a craft is being lost that the need for preserving and documenting it arises. The motivation behind this book is no exception, but the authors have gone far beyond simple documentation. Extensive research and experimentation have led to the revival here of shibori techniques that were once well known but have now been largely forgotten in Japan. In addition to more conventional techniques, the work of contemporary fiber artists in Japan and abroad in shibori textile art and wearable art is presented, to suggest the extent of the creative innovation possible. The 104 color and 298 black-and-white plates include a photographic Gallery of Shibori Examples, based on Japan's largest collection of traditional shibori fabrics. Included also are a detailed guide to basic natural dyes used in Japan, the making and care of an indigo vat, and a list of suppliers in North America, as well as a glossary and bibliography. Now available in paperback, this full documentation of one of the world's most inventive and exciting dyeing techniques continues as a classic in the textile field.

"Includes information on working with natural dyes!"--Cover.

The Alchemy of Color Knitting is the ultimate reference for knitters who are eager to bring richer, more complex colour to their projects. Gina Wilde, creative director of Alchemy Yarns of Transformation, begins with a concise, complete description of the fundamentals of colour theory - outlining the basics of the colour wheel and colour relationships - all explained from a knitter s point of view. With vital lessons, exercises and 25 inspiring garments to make, knitters will learn to think creatively in their colour choices and consider each colour s origins, lore and myriad meanings.

Knitting expert Kari Cornell teaches you how to make your own baby knits in all of the world’s authentic traditions. Baby Knits from Around the World showcases 20 designs by well-known artisans hailing from classic knitting traditions in Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland, England, the Baltics, Europe, South America, and North America. The book includes detailed instructions for ever-popular baby hats, blankets, sweaters, booties, pants, dresses, toys, and mitts; while introductions to each pattern detail the history of the technique that the design employs. With over 100 gorgeous photos and diagrams throughout, knitters of all proficiency levels are sure to enjoy Kari Cornell’s hand-picked collection of baby knitting projects.

Kidsilk Haze and Aura are two of Rowan's most popular yarns - silky, soft and luxurious. This book of little knits includes tips to show how to deal with various potentially challenging elements, from turning the heel on a luxury bedsock to knitting on four needles. It provides some lace projects and delicate little edgings for jumpers.

Knitting expert Kari Cornell teaches you how to make your own baby knits in all of the world's authentic traditions.Baby Knits from Around the World showcases 20 designs by well-known artisans hailing from classic knitting traditions in Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland, England, the Baltics, Europe, South America, and North America. This book includes detailed instructions for ever-popular baby hats, blankets, sweaters, booties, pants, dresses, toys, and mitts; while introductions to each pattern detail the history of the technique that the design employs. With over 100 gorgeous photos and diagrams throughout, knitters of all proficiency levels are sure to enjoy Kari Cornell's hand-picked collection of baby knitting projects.

A sequel to the best-selling Shibori', this text provides a modern perspective on shaped-resist dyeing techniques in textile design. Japan's top fashion designers are examined, including Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake and a 96-page section features the work of 24 international artists. A sequel to the best-selling 'Shibori', this text provides a modern perspective on shaped-resist dyeing techniques in textile design. Japan's top fashion designers are examined, including Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake and a 96-page section features the work of 24 international artists.'