Discover the most adventurous way to knit dolls!

Amigurumi is the Japanese hobby of creating dolls and anthropomorphic stuffed animals with an anime aesthetic. Long popular in Asia, amigurumi are on an upward trajectory in the U.S. as more crafters discover this unique form of artwork.

Now, two great hobbies-amigurumi and knitting-come together brilliantly in Knit This Doll! Adventurous knitters of all skill levels can test their own creativity as they work their way through menus of options to create truly one-of-a-kind dolls. Each step of the way knitters by selecting skin tones, hair styles, various attributes and even making removable shoes, sweaters, hats, skirts, jeans, and more.

• Combines knitting with the Japanese hobby amigurumi
• Basic pattern for a large, 15-inch doll, with a range of detail options and accessories to make countless combinations of original dolls. No two will be alike!
• Illustrated, step-by-step instructions included throughout

Can you think of a more original way to knit? Grab your knitting needles, unleash your imagination, and get ready to Knit This Doll!

A fun and festive collection of crocheted Christmas baubles and decorations from five talented designers presented in 5 different Christmassy themes. Select one theme or mix and match to create your perfect Christmas tree decorations. The designs are suitable for all levels of crocheters and are quick and simple to make. Each theme offers five new patterns. Choose from Santa's Grotto which includes the classic Santa Claus with his reindeer to traditional Christmas trees, elves and a string of dancing gingerbread men; or why not crochet a delightful Frozen Winter Wonderland of snowflakes, snowmen, hearts and candy bows complete with a Snow Princess. Our Fairy Tale theme is sure to appeal to children and features a fancy Christmas fairy with a jolly pair of Christmas birds, red woodland toadstools and a characterful Christmas gnome If you are looking for something more sophisticated, you will be inspired by the stylish collection of Scandinavian Christmas baubles in classic red & white, complete with bunting or our stunning White Christmas theme featuring an amigurumi Christmas tree, with mistletoe baubles, snowflake bunting and Chinese lanterns with Christmas berries. All the patterns and instructions you need to crochet your bauble collection are included.

Discover the perfect beginning and ending for every knitting project This one-of-a-kind reference presents more than 50 ways to cast on and bind off, creating edges that are tighter, looser, stretchier, lacier, longer-lasting, prettier -- whatever your project needs, you'll find it here. Detailed instructions for each technique are combined with step-by-step photography so that nothing is left to chance. At-a-glance charts identify the best cast on or bind off for various types of knitting, as well as cast on/bind off pairs that work well together. This indispensable guide will ensure that all of your knitting projects are polished and pleasing, from start to finish

"The Knitter's Life List" is a richly illustrated road map to more than 1,000 must-have experiences guaranteed to get any knitter's needles clicking faster. Veteran knitter Gwen W. Steege has canvassed the knitting community to create this inspiring compilation, which includes amazing yarns to try; classic techniques to master; ground-breaking designers to know about; most-loved patterns to knit; knitting-related museums, movies, and books to enjoy; and much more. These are the experiences and events no knitter will want to miss.Novices and masters alike can read about qiviut from the musk ox -- and then check it off their list once they've made something with that luxury fiber. They'll explore classic sweater designs and visit the yarn-friendliest cities. They'll discover brave folks who delight in yarn-bombing; master intarsia; and even try spinning, weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and crochet. With all of this irresistible content to devour, knitters will keep coming back for more challenges to take on -- and check off from "The Knitter's Life List"

There's a new generation of knitters out there, turning the traditional image of granny-knitters on its head. Everyone has heard the mantra 'knitting is the new yoga' but not everyone is lucky enough to have someone to show them the ropes and get them started on their very first row. Unless they have a friend or relative to teach them how to start, often would-be knitters turn to the so-called 'beginners patterns' but these can be confusing, difficult to follow, and more often than not written in 'knit' rather than English. This book is a tried-and-tested guide for people at the very beginning of their knitting lives, looking for guidance and patterns for projects that they can use to make that first all-important step 'Beyond the Scarf'.

Socks are a quick, portable knitting project, but with numerous ways to create the heels and toes, they can seem complex. This accessible book breaks down the key construction techniques with step-by-step tutorials and examples, to demystify the process for new knitters and inspire more confident knitters with new stitch patterns and finishes. Measuring guides, yarn advice and design considerations also ensure you can produce socks that are not only well-knitted, but fit well and are comfortable too. Topics covered include: types of yarn, needles and equipment, including how to use circular and double pointed needles; sock construction techniques for different heels and toes and finally, sizing and measuring with consideration to different sock styles and purposes. There are thirteen complete sock patterns to practise the different construction techniques.

Decorate your home this Christmas with 23 festive designs. Ornaments, garlands, afghans, pillows, angels, snowmen, gift-card holders and more are included in this book. Designs are made using mostly worsted-weight yarn, plus size 10 crochet cotton and bulky-weight yarn.

A new, addictive-to-read collection of essays and stories celebrating yarn-specifically, the knitter's reputation for acquiring it in large quantities and storing it away in what's lovingly referred to as a "stash." The pieces in this collection span from comical to earnest, lighthearted to deeply philosophical, in a celebration of the how, why, when, and what of stashes each knitter has accumulated over the years. We'll hear from bestselling authors, designers, yarn-store owners, essayists, sheep farmers, mill owners, and the people behind the world's largest collective online stash, Ravelry.com.

Norwegian sweater construction is demystified in this one-of-a-kind, workshop-based book

Often considered intimidating and complex, Norwegian sweater construction is simplified in this one-of-a-kind, step-by-step book. You'll get all the skills and confidence you need to tackle any Norwegian sweater plus 20 patterns to make modern garments

Beginning with a look at color stranded knitting methods, "Norwegian Sweater Techniques "progresses on to the various types of Norwegian pattern graphs (and how they can differ from Fair Isle patterns). An emphasis is given to the use of ""cutting stitches"" for cardigans and armholes, along with measuring for armholes, sewing along the sides of the cutting stitches, and cutting the fabric to create these openings.Patterns utilize the advantages of Norwegian construction and apply them to non-traditionally Norwegian garmentsDetailed color photos and drawings provide additional guidanceNorwegian techniques yield sturdier construction and a more versatile skill set

Norwegian sweaters have been popular for centuries, and it's no wonder-they're classic, warm, and often feature beautiful colorwork. Now you ""cut without fear"" and create your very own pieces employing these time-honored techniques.

The first-ever knitting book to offer projects exclusively for warm weather The resurgence in the popularity of knitting didn't stop at the Mason Dixon line--but most pattern collections do. Knitting in the Sun is the first book to tap into this wide-open market by providing patterns to create shells, tanks, lightweight wraps, bags, accessories, and more, suitable for knitters in warm climates or during the summer season. While the book includes traditional warm weather stalwarts like cotton and linen, it also features patterns using the best of newer natural offerings like yarns made of or blended with hemp, bamboo, and soysilk. More than 80 full-color photos showcase these beautiful light knits. Kristi Porter (La Jolla, CA) is an author, designer, technical editor, and teacher. In addition to writing Knitting Patterns For Dummies (978-0-470-04556-5), her work has been featured in the Knitgrrl series, the Big Girl Knits series, No Sheep For You, and Knit Wit. She is a frequent contributor to Knitty.com and has been a part of that online magazine since its start in 2002.

This striking collection of colourful crocheted blocks is inspired by patchwork quilt block designs. The inspiration comes directly from the tradition of piecing together scraps of fabric and it also stems from the characteristics and stitches of crocheted pieces. There are 49 fabulous blocks to make, which echo their stitched counterparts with names such as Flying Geese, Hourglass, Tumbling Blocks and Log Cabin - and all of them can be put together into larger designs. Whether you are building up patterns with leftover yarn or setting out with a specific colour scheme in mind, this is a wonderfully creative process of creating a larger design from lots of smaller units. There are four beautiful projects to make: a shoulder bag, a baby blanket, a geometric cushion and a beautiful lap blanket. A useful crochet techniques section describes the various stitches used, notes on colourwork and reading patterns and charts, and there is also advice on assembling the blocks and edging them. And, once you've got to grips with all of this, you can use the lovely blocks as inspiration to create your own lovely crocheted block pieces.

Meet the people, sample the flavor, and experience the kinship through 11 unique events and more than 25 inspiring projects

Throughout history, we've gathered together in the market square. We're there to buy and sell, to get good deals on fibers, fabrics, fruits, vegetables, and bread, but we're also there to see friends, gossip, trade recipes, and admire new clothes. We've got an eye on each other's animals, and we're going to keep them from getting into any trouble. It's our chance to hold someone else's baby or to congratulate a new grandmother. It's a chance to connect, to touch, and to bond with others.

These days, it's easy to feel like we live in scary times, and sometimes we're less neighborly than we used to be. Our lives are filled with long distances and technology. We're more likely to make cyberfriends than visit with someone down the street. Our lives are full of work, school, and caretaking, but how many of us still live near our families? Our hometowns? How do we reach out to one another?
--From the Introduction

This fun, funky guide helps you find your style and create great hand-knit clothes and accessories that express it. Easy-to-follow instructions with colorful illustrations get you going even if you've never picked up knitting needles before. Cosmo-style quizzes make it fun to explore both your knitting style and your fashion profile. There are projects for you whether your style is:* Tomboy* Dancer* Punk* Preppy* Girly-girl* Arty and funky* Hippie* Fashionista Put your new skills in action by choosing from more than twenty-five hip patterns, including a mellow newsboy cap, a delicate ballet skirt, a casual kerchief, a preppy sleeveless hoodie, and even some in-your-face skull wristbands. Mix and match styles and add details to express your mood and individualize your look! Lots of the projects are so simple you can knit an extraordinary one-of-a-kind item faster than you can drive to the mall and pick up a one-style-fits-all piece.

Crochet is a quick and easy craft and can be addictive! This latest title in the A-Z series will have you create beautiful pieces in no time. Don't know where to start? If you have never held a crochet hook before, the simple instructions and easy-to-follow photographs at the beginning of the book will have you working like an expert in no time. Learn about bobbles and clusters, loop stitches, picots and popcorns, shells and spikes. An expert, but you want to expand your repertoire? Discover broomstick crochet, entrelac crochet, filet and hairpin crochet, Irish crochet, surface and tubular crochet, Tunisian crochet and so much more. We show you how to achieve a perfect finish to your crocheted project and how to add your own special touch with fringes, spirals, edgings and three-dimensional motifs. It's 164 pages of hooking bliss!

The new edition of bestselling knitting classic Best in Show, combining the best of Joanna Osborne and Sally Muir's dog designs. With over 15 knitting patterns for popular dog breeds, including a Labrador, Poodle, Dachshund, Jack Russell and many more, you can knit your precious pet, reproduce your favourite breed, or even knit the dog you have always dreamed of. Sally and Joanna's life-like designs and careful attention to detail enable you to knit the right set for your Greyhound's ears, fluffy perfection for your Bichon Frise's coat and an anatomically accurate curl for your Pug's tail. Join the authors as they guide you through making the world's most popular breeds as realistic as possible, introduce you to famous names (pets and owners!) and regale quirky facts about each one. The knitted dog is, of course, the ideal easy-care companion; it lives forever, there's no feeding, no barking, no moulting, no vets' bills - a perfect pet. Dog patterns included: Dachshund, Jack Russell, West Highland Terrier, Labrador, Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Pug, Border Collie, French Bulldog, Bichon Frise, Greyhound, Yorkshire Terrier, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Border Terrier.

Crocheted mandalas are having a moment! And it is no wonder the mandala is in vogue: one evening is often enough to begin and finish something eye-catching. This book celebrates the sheer fun of making and showcases Haafner Linssen's modern colour schemes and patterns. With full patterns and inspiring photos, a review of crochet techniques that helps you create a perfect circle, a discussion of materials, colours, finishing techniques, and lots of project ideas, this book is a guarantee for many hours of happy mandala-making.

This is knitting with attitude--your attitude. We hit the basics, bypass the boring stuff, forego the granny cardigans of old, and show you how to knit cool creations that will be the envy of all. Choose one of nearly thirty designs, follow the simple directions, and knit fun, trendy items to dress yourself, your friends, your apartment, a baby, or even a pet or two. If following directions isn't in your nature, use the hints provided to make the piece entirely unique.

Get clicking with: Must-know techniques, including basic knits and purls, cables and bobbles, multicolor knitting, and more Info on needles, yarn varieties, and tools of the trade Suggestions for customizing every design and personalizing every project so that they're truly yours Quick references that explain Greek-looking knitting abbreviations and let you inventory your needle stash

Don't follow the crowd. Crack open "Not Your Mama's Knitting" and learn how to express yourself with hip, hyper-chic designs any fashionista would covet.

Discover all the essential skills one stitch at a time. With clear step-by-step tutorials and charts you'll find the stitches quick and easy to learn. The blocks are organised according to skill level, progressing from basic knit and purl stitches to more challenging techniques such as cable and lace. Practice one new stitch at a time before you're ready to move on to the next one. At the back of the book, you'll find a handful of inspirational projects that teach you how to combine your blocks for unique and stylish results.

Forget ugly afghans and dainty doilies and think luxurious throws and sumptuous sweaters. You can crochet cool stuff that will make everyone envious--things to spice up your wardrobe and your pad, or gifts to amaze your ""I could never do that"" friends. Choose from nearly thirty projects ranging from elegant to earthy--from a chic shrug to a recycled denim rug and from fun plush toys to sweaters too good for boys.

In hip style, this guide covers:
* All kinds of yarns and materials, and the tools of the trade
* The basic stitches, shaping, finishing techniques, blocking, and more
* Simple projects that give you close-to-instant gratification and more complex ones that take some commitment
* Suggestions for customizing every design and personalizing every project

Intone your creative mantra and get your hooks into a terrific project. With Not Your Mama's Crochet, you won't just make unique, chic items--you'll make a statement.

In this latest book in in the highly successful 20 to Make series, best-selling author Sachiyo Ishii has ventured into the world of crochet and created 20 adorable, amigurumi-style toys and animals. The patterns are both easy and fun to make, and suitable for crocheters of all skill levels. All the patterns are no more than around 10cm (4in) tall, and are made with just one size crochet hook (3mm/UK 11 US C2).

Get hooked on the art of crochet The crochet craze has taken the craft world by storm. If you've caught the bug and want to take your skills from beginner to beguiling, look no further than the friendly guidance in this bestselling guide. In Crocheting For Dummies, 3rd Edition, you'll find out how to choose the right hooks and yarns to complete your project, switch colors as you go, utilize various crochet stiches for different looks, and so much more. Online companion project videos will help readers master the concepts and techniques covered in the book. Julia Roberts and countless other celebrities are doing it and you can, too! Taking the intimidation out of the timeless art of crocheting, this updated edition gives crafters of every skill level the knowledge and know-how to choose the right tools, create basic stitches, and finish off their work to make beautiful pieces of art. From learning to create consistency with gauge swatches to decoding patterns, symbols, and diagrams, this easy-to-follow guide is all you need to create beautiful designs in no time! * Includes fresh new patterns, stitches, and techniques * Covers common crocheting mistakes and how to correct them * Provides guidance on crocheting with eco-awareness, like working with organic yarns, tie-dye yarns, and free trade and sustainably sourced fibers * Gets you up to speed on resources and events held within the crochet community * Provides free online access to videos to teach you how to tackle various stitches and crochet in the round Whether you're a first-time crocheter or looking to expand your skillset, Crocheting For Dummies gives you everything you need to get hooked like a pro.

Forget ugly afghans and dainty doilies and think luxurious throws and sumptuous sweaters. You can crochet cool stuff that will make everyone envious--things to spice up your wardrobe and your pad, or gifts to amaze your ""I could never do that"" friends. Choose from nearly thirty projects ranging from elegant to earthy--from a chic shrug to a recycled denim rug and from fun plush toys to sweaters too good for boys.

In hip style, this guide covers:
* All kinds of yarns and materials, and the tools of the trade
* The basic stitches, shaping, finishing techniques, blocking, and more
* Simple projects that give you close-to-instant gratification and more complex ones that take some commitment
* Suggestions for customizing every design and personalizing every project

Intone your creative mantra and get your hooks into a terrific project. With Not Your Mama's Crochet, you won't just make unique, chic items--you'll make a statement.

Colour is the most personal element a knitter brings to her work. Vibrant colours combined in exciting patterns can make a project sing; dull colours or jarring combinations can just as easily break the same project. Yet even experienced knitters often feel uncertain about stepping outside safe but predictable colour choices. Noted knitwear designer and colour connoisseur Kristin Nicholas encourages readers to conquer their colour inhibitions, learn a little basic colour theory, and create personally satisfying fibre palettes.. Any beautiful display can become the inspiration for an upcoming knitting project! The fresh collection of 25 designs for hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and sweaters that Kristin has created for "Kristin Knits" showcases her extraordinary feel for colour. Her distinctive palette, influenced by Indian and French provincial textiles, is recognizable in five exciting designs for each type of garment. Kristin's innovative stitch combinations are another hallmark of her fearless ways with knitted colour. She adds stripes and checks to rib stitches, bobbles and fringe to edgings, and even embellishes entire projects with a few basic embroidery stitches. Welcome to a Technicolor world of knitting!

Prepare to be amazed by textile artist and pattern designer Britt-Marie Christoffersson's fantastic work and learn how to use embroidery to give knitted garments a new lease of life. Using just 18 simple stitches such as running stitch, couching, blanket stitch and rya knots, Britt-Marie creates over 250 patterns that will inspire you to even more creativity. Embroidery on knitwork can involve knitting a new piece to be embroidered, but it can also be interesting to revamp existing clothing. Even commercially produced sweaters, hats and mittens can be embellished with a needle and yarn. If you wish to embroider knitted garments you can cover the whole item with stitches, or let a few strategically placed details work as a decoration. If there is a hole in the garment you can cover it with embroidery. Using the explanatory drawings in the book, you can renew and alter exactly as you wish. Any knitted item can be enhanced, and if you tire of the embroidery you can simply unstitch it! 260 beautiful stitched items are shown, all displaying amazingly different effects that can be achieved on knitting with just a needle and a length of wool.