Woolly Thoughts: Unlock Your Creative Genius with Modular Knitting

by Pat Ashforth, Steve Plummer

Here's the revolutionary way to knit—easy, fun, and foolproof! You can make your own rules and mix your own colors, and you can't go wrong. All you have to do is master a single stitch. The easy techniques in Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer's illustrated book will show you how to make patchwork squares that you can assemble to create colorful sweaters of your own design.
More than 100 drawings and diagrams, plus four pages in full color, illustrate the step-by-step instructions for casting on, knitting, casting off, and sewing up. Even if you've never knitted before, you'll be able to make a sweater after reading the first section. If you're an experienced knitter, you'll find hundreds of ideas for designs, yarns, and textures. The possibilities are endless, and the more you explore, the more inventive you'll become.
Written by two mathematics teachers—one a keen knitter, the other an illustrator— Woolly Thoughts uses mathematical principles to make knitting in squares work every time. Everything you make will be the right size, no matter how tightly or loosely you knit. Forget about conventional knitting patterns, and give your imagination free rein with Ashforth and Plummer's patchwork knitting method.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2007

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written, simple instructions, sparks ideas for making ones own modular knit designs. A good resource book found at Fishwyck lifeline store

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it is so full of ideas and inspiration. I drew at least 4 sketches in my notebook as I went along. (I finished way back in early summer). There are no patterns or instructions, just ideas and the tools so you can build your own. It gave me a lot of inspiration for blankets. I liked how they did the math clearly, showed pictures of charts of all the important things for working it out yourself, and gave additional hints and tips to help you think it through. In short, this book accomplishes exactly what it set out to do. The instructions for the sweaters were great, but I really can't see making a sweater like that, just too daggy. I realize that is besides the point of the book, but still, maybe a handbag or something...?
Highly recommend if you are ready to strike out on your own and try some modular knitting. :)

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just wasn't as innovative as I expected. The ideas on how to make shapes of different sorts were great, but as compared to their patterns on Ravelry, the authors were in the infancy of their careers here. The sweaters are all bulky and awkward, whereas the blankets they do now are beautiful. Some things are just not suited to every garment.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good math based knitting reference, but it doesn't have any patterns.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to use simple garter stitch to create beautiful and intricate geometric designs.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting take on
layout of projects