Preface 5
Introduction 7
Chapter 1 Fundamental Truths of Knitting 13
Knits And Purls And All That Jazz 13
Stitch Anatomy: The Naked Truth 14
How Our Stitches Are Built 18
Eastern, Western Or Combination: The Direction You Travel 23
Chapter 2 Gauge 27
The Miracle Mop Of Swatching 28
The Truth Is Out There (Or Make Your Swatch Be Your Best Friend) 31
Build A Better Fabric: Knitting Technique 39
Why Not Matching Gauge Is The Greatest Thing Ever 46
Chapter 3 Patterns 57
What To Knit With (Or How To Be A Top Chef Master) 57
What To Make: Size Does Matter 61
The Secret Language Of Patterns 64
Chapter 4 Cast-Ons 67
Long Tail Cast-On 67
Cable Cast-On 82
Keeping Track: Why Can't I Count To 100? 90
Chapter 5 Increases and Decreases 93
Decrease In Style 93
Increases: The Perfect Additions 110
Chapter 6 Pesky Problems and Secret Solutions 131
Join A New Ball: More Ways Than You Think! 131
Fix That First Stitch: Yarn Interrupted 140
Circular Knitting: Round And Round We Co 142
Short Rows In The Round: The Conspiracy Of Silence 151
End In The Round: Smooth That Slinky 156
Ribbing: Not Always For Our Pleasure 158
Sweater Skills 164
Chapter 7 Finishing 171
Build A Better Bind-Off 171
Blocking: The Finishing Touch 176
Weaving In Ends: Reversible Or Not? 178
Mattress Stitch: A Secret Start 180
Picking Up Stitches: Going Rogue 183
Best Buttonhole Ever 192
Setting In A Sleeve 195
Chapter 8 Final Words of Wisdom 199
About the Author 205
Acknowledgments 205
Index 206