Quick Icelandic Knits: Sweaters, Hats, Socks, Mittens and More

Product Description From broad techniques to detailed patterns, this book is brimming with knitwear inspired by Iceland’s extensive knitting tradition, but it’s more than a pattern book—it’s an idea book. Get familiar with the basics of knitting in the round, including the design fundamentals of sweaters with hoods, collars, and special edgings. Discover the elements of traditional Icelandic patterning—and then shake them up! Every pattern in the book, from silky-soft sweaters and cozy cardigans to beanies, slippers, and flip-top mittens, is a breeze to adjust. Change the colors, mix the patterns, and in no time you’ll have designs of your own that will keep anyone, child or adult, warm from head to toe. Featuring guides to understanding raglan shaping, knitting with beads, and adding pockets and button bands, plus a special section on felting hats, slippers, mittens, and bags, Quick Icelandic Knits is sure to inspire knitters of all skill levels to explore the possibilities. From Booklist The adjective quick in this craft book’s title depends on the skill of the knitter and his or her ability to interpret and customize directions. For certain, Scandinavian designer Birgirsdottir provides templates and instructions for making your own Icelandic (which means pullovers and cardigans with fanciful yokes and edgings) sweaters and accessories in her 17 models. Yet the layout and explanations demand studying the pages in advance, flipping back and forth to ensure the item combines the right collars, edgings, cuffs (for mittens), and buttons and buttonholes. Directions are delivered strictly in narrative form, and although good color pictures of finished products accompany each model, there are few illustrations for techniques. Yarn charts are available for raglan and knitting in the round garments, showing numbers of skeins needed (all based on the assumption that knitters can buy Alafoss Lopi wool and that equivalents will yield the right yardage). Plus, the lack of an index will make the page numbering all that much more important. Nonetheless, a good reference for fashioning ski-sweater-like garments for the family. --Barbara Jacobs Review “Easy-to-follow instructions and techniques for (you guessed it) fast-knitting Nordic designs, all stitched in Icelandic wool. … Each pattern offers tips and advice for adjusting the design to suit your style. You’ll learn how to customize each piece by changing colors, mixing up patterns, adding edgings, and more.”— Knit Simple From the Inside Flap CLASSIC KNITWEAR INSPIRED BY ICELAND'S KNITTING TRADITION From Broad Techniques to Detailed Patterns "It's more than a pattern book ... it's an idea book." --Gunn Birgirsdottir - Knitting in the round, including sweaters with hoods, collars, and special edgings. - Cardigans with and without pockets, plus tips for attaching button bands. - Designs and techniques for smaller projects, such as hats, socks, mittens, shawls, and bags. - Sections on raglan shaping and knitting with beads. - Plus, instructions for felted hats, slippers, mittens, and bags! FEATURING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ICELANDIC WOOL From the Back Cover CLASSIC KNITWEAR INSPIRED BY ICELAND’S KNITTING TRADITION From Broad Techniques to Detailed Patterns “It’s more than a pattern book … it’s an idea book.” —Gunn Birgirsdottir • Knitting in the round, including sweaters with hoods, collars, and special edgings. • Cardigans with and without pockets, plus tips for attaching button bands. • Designs and techniques for smaller projects, such as hats, socks, mittens, shawls, and bags. • Sections on raglan shaping and knitting with beads. • Plus, instructions for felted hats, slippers, mittens, and bags! FEATURING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ICELANDIC WOOL About the Author Gunn Birgirsdottir has been knitting since she was a girl. Her family business, established in 1998, produces designs that combine traditional Icelandic patterns with modern touches, al