Preface
Knitting patterns is absolutely the most fun thing to do and I have, through the years, designed many patterned garments. While working on this book, I dove deep into various techniques and came up with a selection of pattern motifs that I hope you will love working with. The idea is that the book will function a little like a dictionary where you can leaf back and forth and let yourself be inspired by various textures and options.
I have chosen three methods of patterning that range from easy to more difficult: surface patterns (also called relief or structure patterns), designs with slipped stitches, and two-color stranded knitting. The surface patterns produce the neatest and finest knitting while the stranded knitting is the strongest.
I have knitted up a lot of garments to show that the motifs can be used in various ways and, at the back of the book, you’ll find basic instructions for these. But don’t feel compelled to do exactly as I have done! You can combine motifs and knit completely different garments. Most of them can be made in different ways and there is nothing that is absolutely right. Perhaps you already have too much yarn in your stash? Use it! Make new color choices, be inspired, and experiment. Do, however, promise to knit with wool yarn and to begin by reading the chapter, “Read this first.”
Thank you to Ōstergötlands Ullspinneri (Ōstergötlands woolen mill) for all the yarn!
It is both fun and peaceful to knit!
Ann-Mari Nilsson
