Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits: Creative Techniques for Knitting Both Sides Right

by Iris Schreier

Overview

"For me, the design has to be intentional...so that both sides are beautiful and balanced . . . If both knitted sides are similar—or even completely different from each other—the piece is reversible in a way that much, if not most, knitwear is not. Either side can be public." --Iris Schreier

What a winning combination: celebrated author Iris Schreier, 24 exquisite projects, and dozens of in-demand techniques that result in garments that look great on both sides. Using knit/purl, two-color, double knitting, cable, lace, and modular knitting methods, Iris creates beautiful shrugs, shawls, scarves, throws, hats, socks, and more. Some of the items actually have different looks on the front and back while others simply show the same clean, finished fabric throughout. Iris walks novices through all the essentials, then shares modern adaptations of classic stitches, illuminated by photos of hand-knitted swatches. As a bonus, there’s a super-handy yarn substitution chart and an appendix with extra variations for advanced knitters. Knitters of all skill levels can now achieve true “revers-atility”!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454708421
Publisher:	Lark Crafts
Publication date:	09/03/2013
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	1,046,485
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Iris Schreier’s time spent working in the Soho district of New York City exposed her to fresh and hip urban street fashions. She has a passion for designing and uncovering new techniques that simplify established processes. Iris owns a popular yarn company, Art Yarns (artyarns.com), and her work has been published in numerous periodicals, including VOGUE Knitting and Knitter’s Magazine. Iris’s previous books include Lacy Little Knits, Modular Knits, and Exquisite Little Knits (all Lark).

Table of Contents

Introduction 8

The Basics 10

How to Use This Book 10

Tools 11

Yarns and Yarn Substitutions 12

General Knitting Techniques 14

Double Knitting 20

Multidirectional Modular Knitting 23

Abbreviations, Terms, & Stitch Glossary 25

1 One-Yarn Knit/Purl 26

Techniques 28

Garter Stitch Pattern

Stockinette and Reverse Stockinette Pattern

Rib Pattern

Twisted Rib Pattern

Bar Pattern

Uneven Rib Pattern

Cluster Pattern

Projects

Brooklyn Hipster Scarf 31

Sparkle Headband 34

French Cap 36

2 Multi-Yarn Knit/Purl 40

Techniques 42

Decreased Color Change Pattern

Two-Color 1×1 Rib Pattern

Circular Stockinette Pattern

Slip Stitch Pattern with Exposed Weaving

Projects

Asphalt Ascot 45

Sawtooth Scarf 48

Riff Belt 52

Nordic Tracks Hoodie 55

3 Lace 58

Techniques 60

Garter Lace Faggoting Pattern

Alternating Center Double Decrease Pattern

Alternating Matched Decrease Pattern

Projects

Sorbet Shawl 62

La Parisienne Collar 66

4 Cable 68

Techniques 70

Cable Pattern Similar on Both Sides

Cable Pattern-Different on Each Side

Two-Color Cable Pattern

Cable Pattern on One Side, Rib Pattern on Reverse

Projects

Gossamer Collar 74

Courtyard Drape 78

Tiger's Paw Scarf 80

Artful Dodger Scarf 84

5 Double Knitting 88

Techniques 90

Two-Strand Method, Different Sides

Two-Strand Method, Similar Sides

Slip Stitch Method, Different Sides

Projects

Bauhaus Lights Scarf 94

SoHo Hat 97

Bowery Trio 100

Ribbon Candy Scarf 102

Charcoal Möbius Collar 104

Southport Shawl 107

6 Modular 110

Techniques 112

Long Stitch Pattern

Interrupted Garter Pattern in Two Colors

Drop Stitch Pattern

Seamless Modular Construction

Projects

First Impression Shawl 115

Zigzag Posh Shrug 118

Paprika Shake Shawl 122

Shoji Wrap 125

Aegean Wave Afghan 128

More Techniques to Explore 132

Mixed Cables 133

Wavy Design 134

Nine Squares 134

Knit and Purl in Double Knitting 135

Cables in Colors 136

Angular Embossed Knitting 137

Yarn Substitution Chart 142

Acknowledgments 143

About the Author 143

Index 144

Editorial Reviews

10/15/2013
"Reversible knitting" sounds a little intimidating, but at its most basic it's garter stitch, in which each row is knitted, or a simple ribbed pattern, where a predictable knit-purl pattern is offset but equal on both sides. At its most complex, reversible knitting includes advanced techniques such as double knitting or cablework on both sides of the item. Schreier (Lacy Little Knits: Clingy, Soft, and a Little Risqué) explores the possibilities of reversible knitwear and accessories in this collection of contemporary patterns. Many of the projects are suitable for beginners, and most are small and quick to make, allowing knitters new to reversible knitting the opportunity to experiment with new methods on a small scale. Schreier's yarn choices add to the interest of many of the projects and can be unexpected, as is the case with the cabled collar knit with superfine mohair. VERDICT There's enough here to get novices started with any of the reversible knitting techniques, but those who get hooked on double-knitting should look for Alasdair Post-Quinn's Extreme Double Knitting: New Adventures in Reversible Colorwork, which is a more thorough guide.

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