The Colorwork Bible: Techniques and Projects for Colorful Knitting

by Jessica Ostermiller

Master beginner and advanced colorwork knitting techniques in Interweave's most comprehensive colorwork guide to-date!  

With chapters outlining more than a half dozen colorwork knitting techniques, The Colorwork Bible is your updated exploration of both beginner- and advanced-level skills with a vibrant, modern palette and inspired projects. Join knitwear designer Jesie Ostermiller as you

   • A variety of small-scale swatch lessons that help you master a technique before diving into a full size project.
   • Stripes, stranding, Fair Isle, brioche, slip-stitch, mosaic, intarsia, and more! Each technique is featured must-make projects you'll want to cast-on today.
   • Valuable tips and tricks, plus essential information on successfully combining colors for the best possible results.
Dig deep into the most colorful techniques in knitting with The Colorwork Bible !

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

Reviews

[Elianastar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth checking out…

In fairness, I have a favorite yarn color work/yarn color theory book so every other one I review is compared to that. This one does cover color theory relative to yarn quite well. If you are new to working in color in yarn crafts, definitely check it out and see what you think for the kind of projects you prefer. I would recommend checking out a print copy at a bookstore or library first - the “Look Inside” feature is too restrictive to make an informed decision, IMO. That is not as big an issue for me when the book is under $5, but this one is more.

Approaches all the most popular color work techniques and there are “swatch/sample” included to try the techniques before launching into a large project - something I wish every “technique” book would include but most do not. I would rather KNOW I did not understand something as well as I thought with a test run before even starting a hat! I swatch every new technique or stitch pattern as a general rule for that reason.

I honestly would not recommend this book if you are looking for color work projects: there are not a lot of projects - it is more technique oriented than project oriented; a few projects may be larger or more “advanced” - even without a new technique to master - than a less confident or experienced knitter may be comfortable tackling in a new technique (sweaters, large brioche shawl); I personally was not particularly inspired by most of the projects included but that is entirely personal taste. They may knock your hand knit socks off!

The techniques themselves appear sufficiently clear that most confident knitters could successfully master these techniques with a bit of yarn and practice.

For those have read this far and are wondering, my favorite yarn color work technique book is “The Essential Guide to Color Knitting” by Margaret Radcliffe

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a college student, a friend offered to teach me stranded colorwork knitting. I actually made a ski sweater with Greek key and other designs not realizing how advanced the technique was compared with my limited ability at the time. Looking back, I wish I had had access to the information contained in Jesie Ostermiller’s new book, The Colorwork Bible: Techniques & Projects for Colorful Knitting. She includes chapters on understanding color, yarn choice, stripes, stranded colorwork, slip stitch and mosaic, intarsia, double knitting and brioche. Each chapter includes explanation, instruction, a wealth of tips including the best/worst types of yarn for that particular technique as well as swatch lessons for each colorwork technique. The final chapter provides a dozen patterns for practicing the various techniques. (By the way, I still have that beautiful ski sweater but now recognize several mistakes!) I checked this book out of my local public library but want to purchase it for my own library as it’s a book I would refer to again and again. Highly recommended.

[Cynthia]

If you are looking to learn colorwork knitting techniques, this is a great resource!
I was under the impression this would have more about picking colors, how to improve your colorwork, little known tips n tricks etc. for the intermediate/advanced knitting. There was a great chapter on color theory and the book was filled with good tips, but most probably helpful for beginners.
I might check this book out from the library again when I feel like learning 2 color brioche or double knitting but since I've been knitting fair isle, stripes, and intarsia for a while, there wasn't a lot new to offer.
The patterns were great and beginner-friendly (for the techniques)! 
I would recommend if you are new to colorwork techniques.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for absolute beginners to knitting who wanted to learn some basics of colorwork. I felt that a few areas were missed that I really wanted to know about: Ie fair isle and how its different to intarsia, fisherman stitch and half fisherman. I also found some of the tutorials confusing, but nothing I couldn't compensate with youtube videos.

Overall there's a lot of helpful information in this book and it's something I enjoyed reading and will reference back to time and time again.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Colorwork Bible is a new tutorial and style guide for planning and using color in knitting projects written by Jesie Ostermiller. Due out 6th Oct 2020 from Penguin Random House on their Interweave Press imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The excerpt provided for review included a chapter selection from chapters 1 (understanding color) and 3 (stripes). Each of the excerpts included good basic instruction in the form of short tutorials, for example the use of color wheels to select and plan color as well as the use of greyscale to determine color dominance and contrast.

Interweave has a 45 year record of excellence in fiber-arts instruction and history. The two chapters which were included aren't comprehensive in terms of a review of the entire book, but they -are- well written and accessible, and the publisher's longstanding excellence allow me to say that the entire book will very likely be similarly well written and high quality and full of useful information. Note: the chapters which were provided did not contain any actual patterns, but the table of contents provided indicate that there are 11 project patterns in the book - including small projects: hat, socks, mittens as well as larger pieces: sweaters, shawl, cowl and jacket.

Four stars for the chapters with which I was provided, probably five for the book overall.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Natalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me, knows I love knitting. It started as a college hobby to avoid stress and turned into something I do often. My current obsession is knitting blankets and quite a few people are getting one for Christmas (sh!). Anyway, this book was naturally something I wanted to pick up and read to hone my skills and give me new ideas.

"The Colorwork Bible" by Jessica Ostermiller gives tips and tricks ranging from color to technique. Ostermiller gives easy to follow steps and encourages you to work each new skill until it becomes natural before moving on to the next step or the next level. Ostermiller is easy to read and her instructions make a lot of sense.

I gave this book 4 stars. I loved the portion I was given to review and if the rest of the book is anything like the first few chapters this is a must have for anyone who loves knitting!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC!

[Melise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been knitting since I was 8 years old (nearly 50 years), and my very first knitting project was a striped scarf (made up of all of my grandma’s leftover yarn). So I have a very long history with knitting colorwork. I have already tried all of the techniques described in this book (and taught classes about a few of them), so I wasn’t sure that there would be much of value for me in this book. I decided to review this excerpt just to see if there was anything new to me. And I have to say that, even within this limited sample, I learned some new techniques that I will carry forward in my knitting.

I felt that the section on color theory was well presented and not too intimidating (although as a graphic artist, I already know much of this information, so I am not the best gauge). And as obvious as it seems in retrospect, I never thought to use the b&w camera feature on my phone to help judge value. Genius!!

And the author’s explanation about odd numbered stripes and jogless stripes in circular knitting all presented new information that I had not known. If even this short sample provides this much new information, I can only imagine how much I could learn from the entire book. This one is definitely going to be added to my knitting library in the near future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see colorwork - a knitting term that scares me, yet I admire all the more - and I want to read everything about it.

Thus why I applied to NetGalley for a review copy of this book (and why it took me over a year to review it). Short version: even experienced knitters like myself find colorwork terrifying. But if this excerpt is any sign, they shouldn't.

While I only received 16 pages of the book to review, it was more than enough for me to realize I need to have a copy of this book in my knitting reference section. Yes, the bits and pieces I could read were simplistic - like how to knit rows of different colors - but even for an advanced level knitter like myself, I learned something new. I wanted to click on other reference pages to learn more about 'weaving' a color' up a seam while you work another color, and how on earth multi-colored garments don't turn into a tangled kitty mess of yarn.

While I cannot say if the other sections were as clearly and simply explained as the ones I read, I'll hazard that since it's from Interweave, the book's a gem throughout.

I'd personally buy this for my own reference, and can see it as an excellent addition to any library reference section that doesn't already have a knitting colorwork tome.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Colorwork Bible
Jesie Ostermiller

Knitting

160 pages
Published October 6, 2020
Penguin Group PPG

I’ve been an avid knitter for 20 years now and I find it so cathartic. I love learning new techniques and there is always something to learn. I read a sample of The Colorwork Bible and was impressed.

Nothing brings the right mood to your knitting like color. A handmade item in your favorite color lifts your mood and in a different color might be forgettable. I am an accountant in the real world, so knitting is my escapism and I must admit I love color!

Chapter one is all about color: choosing color, picking multiple colors that work together… It is a primer in color theory to give you the basics on the why and how of colors in your knitting. This is a study type chapter with no yarn use.

The other chapter in the sampler discusses stripes and as a seasoned knitter I can say there is quite a bit of detail on techniques and tips to help make your stripes look great. Also included with the chapter is directions to make a swatch that incorporates the lessons.

From the chapters I’ve read this is great reference tool on color and what you need to end up with a great finished project.

[Cate Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from netgalley of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I was provided the first three chapters of this book and honestly I'm 100% in and asking for a full copy from santa for christmas.

As a beginnerish/intermediate-ish knitter, based on the first few chapters, I see this book becoming an invaluable resource in my knit-learning journey.

There is a great initial chapter on understanding colour - loads of easy to understand detail about the nature of colour and choosing colours.

Subsequent chapters are dedicated to a different colour work technique each - and while I'm already across stripes (the chapter provided) I can see how the format used for this chapter will be great for the other techniques in the full copy of the book. I especially appreciate the swatch section that guides you through a simple swatch of the given technique and the promise of patterns incorporating them later in the book.

Definitely recommend for beginner knitters who want to explore colour techniques in their work!

[Laryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, yes, YES. Stripes, stranded, mosaic, intarsia, double knitting, brioche-- this book covers every kind of color knitting you could fathom. If you're wanting to start with colorwork in your knitting and don't know where to start, this book will guide you. There are step-by-step photos, lessons on swatching, a chapter on yarn choice, and a great chapter on color right in the beginning of the book.

I am only giving 4 stars because the Highmore Vest, Mod Sweater, Yukon Jacket, & Spark Sweater are only sized up to a 2XL (I would love to see more size inclusive books that include a range of XXS/XS to 5XL). Because this book has so much more to offer than just the patterns (which includes some accessories in addition to the garments listed) I still recommend it for knitters of all sizes & knitting backgrounds. No matter how long you've been knitting, I feel this book is a great resource for colorwork.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

**For this title the Introduction, Chapter 1: The Color Wheel, and Chapter 3: Stripes, were provided for review.**

This promises to be a beautiful and instructive book. The chapter on color theory via the color wheel was engaging, well illustrated and served as a color “workbook” for exploring color combinations. The chapter on stripes started exploring color contrast, stripe size and knitting technique. The guides included solid instructions, with helpful pictorial guides, for a range of striping methods that will be helpful to knitter at all skill levels.

I look forward to seeing the rest of this book, if the rest meets the standard of these sample chapters, this will be a must-have for one’s knitting library.

[Cynthia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Colorwork Bible by Jessie Ostermiller, covering six key colorwork techniques, is a reference book that should be in the library of every knitter. The descriptions are logical and straightforward in easy-to-understand language. The illustrations and photographs are crisp and clear, allowing the reader to easily see the details necessary to replicate each technique.

I especially liked the way the author described options for each technique then explained the effect on the colorwork. The variations and effects are also illustrated with photographs, making it easy understand the impact of decisions that knitters make for each and every project.

After previewing several chapters, I immediately purchased this book and can already see that I will use it often.

[Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on a preview of Chapters 1-3.

This book is chock full of information about learning how to do colorwork. The information provided in chapters 1-3 seemed like really good information for beginners or for someone who doesn't have much experience with colorwork. For colorwork veterans, it's hard to say whether or not the book dives in deeper. There wasn't enough information for me to determine whether this book will teach me anything new. With that in mind, I'd recommend this book to colorwork beginners. Anyone else who is interested in colorwork needs to see a physical copy and find out whether or not they would benefit from buying the book.

This sample was provided to me through Netgalley for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I didn't get to read the whole book but the preview I had was enough to make me want to read it. The information of it was very helpful, as were the pictures explaining it, which make it a lot easier to understand. I loved the chapter about stripes which is exactly what I was looking forward when I try to read this book because it is something I'm learning and struggling with. Such an interesting book.

[Renee Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an abbreviated copy of this title from NetGalley and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The Colorwork Bible looks to be an extensive how-to guide for using color in your knitting. Ms Ostermiller goes to great length to provide you with an understanding of color theory, and I can only guess that her pattern writing is also thorough. I enjoyed what I was able to read, and look forward to picking up the book and learning even more.

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is chock full of top-notch color advice, helpful tutorial sections, and cute patterns (and my main criticism is that I'd have loved some more patterns in the book). I've been knitting for about 15 years and have avoided stranded / floating colorwork, and the tutorials were good enough to get me going. Rented as a library book, decided to buy from my local book shop to keep as a reference.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Lots to learn here! It’s a little intimidating for a knitter still relatively new to color work (me!), but I could see myself dipping in and out for some techniques and tips as I gain experience. On a totally personal note, the patterns aren’t really my style, but I could see how they would appeal to the right knitter.

[Susan Eubank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, basic introduction to 6 main kinds of color work. There are instructions that are easy to follow and 11 projects that mostly use one or two kinds of color work per project. They seem to be deliberately simplified for beginners. I'm not as enamored with the projects as I had hoped, but they were illustrative.

[Jeanette Beaulieu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, I find learning an incredibly difficult and complex skill such as color work knitting incredibly difficult to learn via book form. However, she does give some really solid advice on choosing colors, and fibers for color work (which is why I picked it up in the first place). Her color choices/patterns were not my cup of tea but not the worst read.

[Xinma]

there's a nice intro to techniques that I could see reviewing more. The patterns, alas, are surprisingly poor, despite the potential for beauty being so huge. There's only 1 I would consider making - Ravelry has so many fine examples, it's really no contest.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for beginner knitters, but if you know the basic techniques seems like a detailed explanation.

Would be interested in:
- Kenai Shawl
- Buffalo Plaid Cowl
- Snowbird Hat and Mitts
- Saffron Shawl

[Amanda Karsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photography was bright And colourful with easy to follow visual steps, the first two chapters are a tedious rehashing the basic colour wheel.

[Jenny Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the extensive explanation of the color wheel. Thorough enough that I can use it not only for knitting but also for my other crafts (painting, etc).

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent instructions and clear photos of techniques. I got it from the library and may have to buy a personal copy for reference

[Collin]

To Knit: Snowbird Mitts

[Myrrh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm new to knitting and this has great explanation and workable samples.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for those new to color theory and colorwork! I learned so much!!

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Colorwork Bible... beautiful contrasting color schemes, modern sweaters, hats, mittens, and scarf patterns for intermediate to advanced knitters. Process of picking out color and some projects were explained really well, but author refers troubleshooting to other sources. Would have enjoyed seeing MORE techniques and stitch examples for a book called a Bible, instead of just 10 featured in the book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice brief explainers and tutorials on seven colorwork techniques. Each has a highly detailed swatch lesson too.