AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary: 200 Modern Knitting Motifs

by Andrea Rangel

Break the rules. Knit outside the lines!

AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary takes an unexpected look at stranded colorwork with 200 new motifs. These unique colorwork charts are perfect for the creative knitter looking to break away from the ordinary. Derived from graphic design elements, these fresh, fun motifs include everything from geometric mountains, waves, and spirals to modern bikes, skulls, and sheep.

Dive into color knitting with confidence with a section on reading charts, working floats, and choosing colors. Learn how stranded colorwork can be used in design with five accompanying projects including mitts, cowls, and sweaters. AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary is the perfect gift for knitters looking for fun pattern ideas or new stitches. Get inspired to break the rules and use your imagination to modify, deconstruct, and combine motifs to create your own unique designs.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, How To

168 pages, Hardcover

Published August 10, 2017

About the author

I'm Andrea and I'm passionate about making and exploring. I live in Victoria, BC and spend most of my time creating knitting patterns, but I also adore sewing, photography and being outside cycling and hiking. Being a part of the making community has been incredibly valuable to me and I hope my contributions of patterns and books inspire other makers.

I've written a whole lot of patterns and three books, KnitOvation Stitch Dictionary, AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary, and Rugged Knits! I'm @AndreaRangelKnits on Instagram.

I love pretty much everything about knitting, so you'll find sweaters, socks, leggings, hats, shawls, and lots more among my patterns. I'm all about a good challenge, so I happily dive into all the techniques like lace, colorwork, and cables, though I can knit Stockinette for miles too. My patterns are meticulous and clear and I offer free pattern support, so send me an email if you ever have a question about one of my designs!

Reviews

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical and modern colorwork stitch dictionary! This is perfect for knitters of any colorwork skill level. Not only does this contain tons of fun stitch patterns for you to incorporate into patterns, but it also has a wealth of succinct information about colorwork knitting, including sections on color theory, color dominance, how to hold multiple colors, and how to work steeks. Five patterns are included at the end of the book, each highlighting how to incorporate the stitch patterns into full garments and accessories.

The stitches are sort of random, sort of broken up into sections–there’s a definitive whimsical section with animals and other fun motifs–but most everything else is randomly included. There are lots of adaptations of traditional motifs that you might find in many other colorwork dictionaries, but there are many other patterns, most of the larger ones, that are unique to this dictionary (at least I haven’t seen them in any other patterns or books), so it’s definitely worth at least a thorough flip through for ideas!

(Please note this is not to be confused with Leigh Radford’s Alterknits books. However, this does complement the subtle pop/mod whimsy of Radford’s patterns!)

(Cross posted on my blog.)

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

hab das vor längerer zeit „gelesen“, hat sehr nice muster und die Intarsia-Tutorialreihe ist auch ganz nett (leider nicht viel besonders innovatives, aber die basics gut erklärt)
genug Muster, solange man StrgF nutzen kann und es nicht ausgedruckt nutzt, auch relativ hilfreich fürs Finden von passenden Motiven, ansonsten extrem nervig, weil nur alphabetisch sortiert wurde und ich nicht nach Maschenanzahl pro Wiederholung oder so suchen kann :/

trotzdem gut genug für die 4 Sterne

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher for this review copy, given in exchange for an honest review.

I love knitting and crochet books, so couldn't wait to read this one. I'm more of a crochet girl, but as by chance I have recently bought a new pair of knitting needles as I wanted to give knitting a try again. To be honest, I'm not a very good knitter and can just about manage to do a few straight lines in one colour, so this book will definitely be a challenge!

It begins with clear instructions on how to knit the swatches, with instructions on how to carry the extra colour across the back of the work. There are lots of swatches to try, with all different patterns. The grid that comes with each swatch looks easy enough to follow and are simple with the squares being in one of two colours. Some of the patterns of the swatches are great - spiders, paw prints, cats, elephants, sheep, owls, bikes to name a few. My imagination went into overdrive thinking how cute the paw prints would look on a knitted dog blanket or the sheep would look on a baby bonnet.

There are also lots of projects at the back using the stitch motifs to try, from hats to mittens to cardigans, all with clear instructions, colour pictures and in different sizes.

A really fun book, and you don't need to be an expert knitter to give this a try!

[Mom2blu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book with a wide variety of stitch diagrams. Lots of diagrams and very little fluff. Gets right to the diagrams you want to see, without excessive chatter or story. Open the book and pick from an amazing array of options! It's amazing how a simple diagram can create some astounding patterns! I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys designing patterns, making up projects as they go, or adding punches of color and design to basic patterns. Well worth a spot on the bookshelf! Will be doing a longer review on my website as well!

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very useful instruction book that should be on every knitter's book shelf.
The designs are not complicated, but look stunning when completed.
If you are new to stranded or fairisle knitting this will spur you on to expand your knowledge and create some beautiful garments.
Very highly recommended.
I am grateful to F+W media and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome stitch dictionary, and some helpful tips for keeping your colourwork neat and bold! I busted this out today for my first real foray into fair isle knitting (I’m trying to substitute one of the panels in my project) and this book has so many great motifs to choose from.

Also, this sentence really hit me for some reason, despite the fact that it’s about keeping yarn untangled: “It never gets better without intervention, but it can easily get much, much worse.”

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good collection of colorwork knitting motifs that includes both contemporary and traditional designs. Instructions are provided for colorwork knitting and several projects are included that can be adapted to use any of the colorwork motifs in the book. The diagrams are clear and photographs are provided of knitted swatches of each motif. A short section at the beginning of the book provides basic information about color selection and knitting. Brief instructions are provided for continental and English color knitting, but no true left handed instructions are provided.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often times, I browse stitch dictionaries from my library and that's good enough for inspirations or for a single stitch pattern for whatever project I've got in mind. This is one I can see adding to my personal knitting library - it's that good. And anyone who knows me as a knitter knows I'm a cables-and-lace knitter, not a colorwork person!

What I like the most is the variety of stitch patterns. There are ones that are pretty classic - stripes and swirls and such - but with a twist. And then there are ones that are straight-up just quirky fun. And I'm all in for quirky fun! Lions and tiger and bears, oh my! Well, sheep and aliens and bears, oh my. Also chickens, hippos, zombies, several STEM inspired designs... Plenty of different patterns to spark some inspiration.

From a reference point of view - beyond the stitch patterns - there's really good information on color work details, things I'd never even really thought about. Choosing colors sure, and working with floats, but she also gives some really good details on floats, on color dominance (who knew!), on steeks (of course - they still intimidate me though). And I love the organization at the end - a whole table in the index sorting the patterns by row and stitch counts. Super helpful!

There are a few project patterns included too - some samples of putting those stitches to use. Nothing too unique in the actual garments - mitts, beanie, cowl, pullover, and cardigan - but it's helpful to see how these motifs can be incorporated into classic designs to give them a bit of a twist. I haven't made any of the patterns, so no feedback on errors or completeness, but even just as inspiration, they are useful. Which motifs would you put into your favorite beanie pattern, for example? And I've a friend I would love to use the chicken pattern in a cowl for (she's not really a hat person).

So yes, one I would add to my personal library, but until then, I can see checking out my library's copy regularly. Can't wait to get her new one at work - dinosaurs in that one, if the cover is to be believed!

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I agree that some of the stitch patterns in the book are useful, many are derivative in nature and not as easy to execute as other extant patterns. To my eye most of the stitch patterns in the book can be completed with much less effort to obtain equal or better results. I should have made note of the stitch patterns that mimic Barbara G. Walker's 'Mosaic' stitch patterns because there are many in the book. I may go back and look at the book to add to this review. There are a small number of inventive patterns in this book that definitely add to the knitter's repertoire.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

actually bought the hardcover edition but there's no page count in there and the e-book was missing so i added it. i like the book a lot - a lot of the colorwork designs are more graphical as opposed to traditional.

[Melissa Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rangel’s stitch dictionary is aptly named. It is not “just another book of patterns”. Others have already lauded the cute animal patterns, but there is much more here, including a fascinating “greek” series that has me itching to cast on.

Although the book is written for color work, the patterns also work well with texturing, knitting and purling into the color patterns, a technique that has sent me spiraling off into a pile of swatches.

I particularly appreciate the index of swatches by stitch and row counts, and carefully worked projects where Rangel “does the math” with us to show how to adapt patterns to different motifs.

There is lots of meat here for the serious knitter and designer.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great patterns, good mix of traditional looking ones and less common motifs. The only thing that I would have liked would be a few more narrow patterns so they can scale across things like mittens more easily. I like the patterns included in the book as well, but I'm not going to get around to making the sweaters and such anytime soon. This is going on my list of books to buy, and am already using some of the patterns in my current knitting projects.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a collector of stitch dictionaries for those times when I modify designs or create garments. I love the variety of color work motifs ranging from lovely to downright wacky. Her tips are helpful. Keep in mind this is colorwork. I highly recommend this book, even if you use it primarily for inspiration. I purchased the hard copy of the book as I have found ebooks of patterns that cannot be opened in knit companion make it a bit harder to use charts.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A valuable resource for any knitter wanting to know all about stranded color work knitting. Full of color advice, knitting advice, and so many beautiful patterns. Hats, mittens, pullovers and cardigans are beautifully photographed and patterns are presented in an easy-to-follow manner. Recommended.

[Ligaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with wonderful, innovative stitch patterns - I only wish there were more! Clear photographs and accompanying charts. Nice bonus that there are garment designs that incorporate some of the stitch patterns. Great explainer on the importance of "Color Dominance" - something that I, a relatively experienced knitter, knew little about!

[Nicole Smith]

Explore the resources covered by Andrea Rangle in her Alterknit Stitch Dictionary- pick up a few tips, and decide if you want to pick up this book.

There are some great quotes and tips and tricks!

If you want to know more about my favorite tips and quotes, check out my YouTube video review of this book: https://youtu.be/RZ8KDuZy3pk

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO many ideas! This is really sparking some project plans! I wanted to knit a scarf for my teenage son. This book's geometric designs looked very interesting and he had trouble picking out which one he wanted.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's a contemporary look at an older style of knitting: motifs.

If you're looking for a motif for cake or death, raccoons in a trash can, or just beautiful symmetrical shapes; this is the book for you.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. Great charts. Fun projects that have inspired me to try something new. Disappointed that there were not more tutorials / pictures showing the techniques discussed, but still very useful.

[Fin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the overview of the techniques as well as the overall variety of motifs. This book has been instrumental for me in designing my own patterns. I also love how its broken up by theme, it pushes me to imagine pieces where a pattern I like fits.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very clever, unusual designs in here. Looking forward to trying them out.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for knitters. I have been doing intarsia/Fair Isle knitting for about a year and it was an eye opener for me.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fresh collection of two color patterns. Nicely presented: chart and swatch

[mairead! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible -- so inspiring. Will definitely need to purchase as a reference when I get to this. Goal for self is to do a "simpler" one in 2019.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource to have on hand.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of two color patterns. Mostly geometric. I really enjoyed the preface to the projects explaining how to manage mismatches between garment sizes and pattern counts.

[lk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! A must own!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great patterns and personal writing style

[Aagje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous colour work patterns with clear instructions.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, fresh collection of colourwork motifs, but I prefer being able to find x-stitch repeats easily.