Knitting in Circles: 100 Circular Patterns for Sweaters, Bags, Hats, Afghans, and More

521 Pages·2012·31.02 MB·English

by  Nicky Epstein

Copyright © 2012 by Nicky Epstein
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Potter Craft, an imprint of the Crown
Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.pottercraft.com
www.crownpublishing.com
POTTER CRAFT and colophon is a registered trademark of Random House,
Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Epstein, Nicky.
Knitting in circles: 100 circular patterns for sweaters, bags, hats, afghans, and
more / Nicky Epstein.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Knitting—Patterns I. Title
TT825 .E64215 2012
2011046904
eISBN: 978-0-307-58707-7
Fashion photography by Rose Callahan
Swatch photography by Heather Weston
Technical illustrations by Therese Chynoweth
Cover design by Jess Morphew
Cover photography by Rose Callahan and Heather Weston
v3.1
A double dedication to Jo Brandon, my lifelong friend, and Debbie
Macomber, who dubbed me “the SISTER OF MY HEART”
—it is more than mutual!
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Introduction
Notes on Texture and Gauge
Designing with Circles
Project Gallery
ROUND 1 • Basic Circle Shaping
ROUND 2 • Texture & Techniques
ROUND 3 • Lace & Points
ROUND 4 • Colorwork
ROUND 5 • Eclectic
Project Instructions
STELLA LUNA PULLOVER
HEMISPHERE SHRUG & ROTUNDA CAPE
CRYSTAL LACE JACKET
SPRING LEAVES JACKET
ESTHER’S PINWHEEL CAP & SLOUCHY HAT
BRUNHILDA’S WHIRL & CAPELLA COVER-UP
ILLUMINATOR FRINGED VEST
ENTRELAC CAPELET
CIRCULATE CAPE
DAISY MAE PULLOVER
BIG BLOOMS CAPELET
STARSTRUCK TUNIC
RAMBLING REVERSIBLE CABLE SCARF
CIRCLE SAMPLER AFGHAN
KALEIDOSCOPE AFGHAN
HOOPLA BAG
CELESTIAL SHAWL
ETERNITY DRESS
LE CIRQUE BABY AFGHAN
CIRCLES INTO HATS
AUTUMN LEAF BERET
5 Easy Pieces to Make
How to Shape Circles
Knitting Techniques
Joining
Mix-and-Match Circles
General Abbreviations
Resources
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author

INTRODUCTION
Knitting in Circles is the second in a series of books on knitting techniques
incorporating geometric shapes. After going “around the block” in my previous
book, Knitting Block by Block, it seemed only natural that we explore circles.
Over the years, I’ve used a variety of circle shapes in my designs and I thought it
was finally time to share their many unique and beautiful uses with knitters of all
skill levels.
In this book I’ll teach you different ways to shape, create, and embellish
knitted circles, using traditional methods as well as some I’ve come up with on
my own.
As you’ll see, a few circles—or even just one great big one—can be
transformed into fabulous and fashionable knitted sweaters, shawls, afghans,
jackets, and more. Every circle in this book can also make an instant pillow, hat,
or bag. You’ll be astonished at just how many fabulous ways there are to use
them!
Although knitted circles have been around for some time, there has never been
a book like this. I’ve created one hundred circles and twenty original designs so
you can gain an in-depth understanding of all the fun and creative possibilities a
knitted circle can offer. I’ve also included detailed design diagrams for every
project and exclusive mix-and-match circle pages so you can choose your own
look for each piece.
Knitting circles is very travel-friendly. I like to bring along individual circles
to work on, just so I don’t have to carry an entire garment. And because they are
small, you can practice techniques that might be new to you, like entrelac, Fair
Isle, domino, or reversible cables. Get your circle of friends knitting them, too,
and you can quickly make wonderful gifts for loved ones, friends, or those in
need.
So “circle the wagons,” start “thinking in circles,” experience the “circle of
life,” and enjoy knitting “round and round.” I loved making this book, and hope
it will inspire you and other fellow knitters to think in new, creative ways as you
begin Knitting in Circles
Happy Circle Knitting!
(LEFT TO RIGHT) variegated lace weight, metallic, mohair lace weight, hand-dyed baby weight, beaded
silk with sequins, wool DK weight, hand-dyed sequins DK weight, silk and wool worsted weight,
variegated worsted weight, hand-dyed tweed bulky, wool bulky, wool super bulky
NOTES ON TEXTURE AND GAUGE
With all the amazingly beautiful yarns we have access to, you can make the
same circle, and get a wide range of incredible looks, simply by changing yarns.
Try solid, glitter, self-striping, texture-stranded, thick and thin, beaded, and
sequin yarns. The choices are almost endless. Hand-dyed yarn can create
beautiful striping and, in effect, often make circles so gorgeous they can take
your breath away.
Be adventurous and try some of the unusual yarns in your LYS or in your
stash. You will be amazed at how knitting a circle can change and enhance the
essence of yarns, even with the simplest of yarns.
These circle swatches show a variety of yarns in different weights, textures,
and dyeing methods.
As in all knitting, gauge is important if you want your circles to be
approximately the same size. Using a variety of yarn weights and the
corresponding needles will change the size of your circle. The same circle
pattern knit in lace, DK, worsted, and bulky will give you small to large
versions. When you are making a piece, carefully consider adjusting your yarn
choice to get the size and drape that you wish.
Note: Almost all the circle samples in this book were made with the same
gauge, 4½–5 stitches per 1 (2.5cm) using Cascade 220 Superwash yarn, but
because of stitch patterns or different techniques, the finished circles vary up to
¼ to 1½ (6mm–4cm).