Increase, Decrease

The secret to knitting great-fitting hats and shaping elegant sleeves lies in using the right increase or decrease techniques. Approachable and insightful, Judith Durant provides clear instructions and step-by-step photographs that showcase swatches for each technique. From working shaped lace to adjusting necklines, you'll soon have a go-to strategy for successfully tackling knitting challenges of all shapes and sizes. Offering 99 different methods for widening or narrowing your fabric, Judith Durant shows you how to shape all of your knitting projects to perfection. Judith Durant is the editor of the best-selling One-Skein Wonders series, which currently includes seven volumes; the author of Cable Left, Cable Right, Increase, Decrease, and Knit One, Bead Too; and the co-author of Knitting Know-How. Durant has been knitting for more than 50 years and has been writing and editing for more than 30 years. She currently lives in Lowell, Massachusetts.  Shape Up Your Knitting



Increases and decreases bring shape and structure to your knitting, but many patterns offer only vague instruction on how to effectively use these techniques. Now you can improve all your knitted projects with dozens of increase and decrease possibilities that add the polished perfection you desire. Explore techniques that make your shaping invisible or decorative -- your choice! Introduction



Part One: Increase



Chapter 1 - Neutral Increases
• Open Neutral Increases
• Closed Neutral IncreasesChapter 2 - Right- and Left-Leaning Increases
• Paired IncreasesChapter 3 - Multiple-Stitch Increases
• Multiple Increases in One Stitch
• Multiple Increases Between StitchesChapter 4 - Centered Double Increases
• Open Centered Double Increases
• Closed Centered Double IncreasesPart Two: Decrease



Chapter 5 - Single Decreases
• Paired Single DecreasesChapter 6 - Double Decreases
• Paired Double Decreases
• Vertical Double DecreasesChapter 7 - Multiple Stitch Decreases
• Reducing Four Stitches to One
• Reducing Five Stitches to OnePart Three: Combinations and Special Circumstances



Chapter 8 - Increase and Decrease for Decorative Effect
• Bobbles
• Ruching
• Closed-Ring Cables
• Textured Patterns
• LaceChapter 9 - Special Circumstances
• Shaping Textured Patterns
• Shaping Lace Patterns
• Shaping Color PatternsAbbreviations

Common Symbols

Index

Acknowledgments

"The ultimate reference on shaping… this is an important addition to every knitting bag." –Margaret Radcliffe, author of The Knowledgeable Knitter



"I adore technique books that help me understand the construction of my stitches. Judith demystifies increases and decreases, helping make us better, more educated knitters." –Laura Nelkin, knitting designer and author of Knockout Knits