The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques: Multicolor Yarns, Plain and Textured Stripes, Entrelac and Double Knitting, Stranding and Intarsia, Mosaic and Shadow Knitting, 150 Color Patterns

The Essential Guide to Color Techniques (TEGCT) is a gorgeous, 319 glossy-page, hardcover book that is written by Margaret Radcliffe. This HK teacher stresses creativity in knitting and arranges her classes from easy to complex, so that all learners can progress through systemically-planned lessons – like those that she presents in this book.TEGCT was written in 2008 and published by Stoney Publishing in MA.On almost every page of the book Chapters before the Appendices, she includes stunning color photos of yarn, knitting, and related paraphernalia, which she uses to demonstrate: color basics; how to create HK stitches; projects; both left-/ and right-hand knitting techniques; correcting mistakes; modifying existing patterns; demystifying steeks; and finishing techniques, among a multitude of other topics.This heavy book also comes in dust jacket, and the book has the following, important 9 chapters: Chapter 1. Color Basics; Chapter 2. Stripes; Chapter 3. Pattern Stitches; Chapter 4. Multicolor Yarns; Chapter 5. Stranded Knitting; Chapter 6.Intarsia; Chapter 7. Other Techniques; Chapter 8. Finishing Touches; and Chapter 9. Design Workshop.4 Appendices (which contain simple 2-color stitch graphics) follow these Chapters:A. Glossary of TechniquesB. Using ChartsC. Garment Sizing GuidelinesD. Abbreviations and SymbolsFinally come the last sections of the book: The Bibliography (including Elizabeth Zimmermann’s books, The Vogue Ultimate Knitting Book, Alice Starmore’s books, and Sally Melville’s books, just to name a few); Acknowledgement; and Index.TEGCT is a book that often sits on my coffee table right next to my Elizabeth Zimmerman (EZ), Alice Starmore, and Sally Melville books; My Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book; and my knitting machine books like those from Susan Guagliumi. I pull these books to page-through, to then become inspired to begin a new knitting project. (See my reviews of these books.)This is a great book in my knitting library, and it should be in yours, too.

This is a review for the hardcover version of the paperback. I'm reviewing it now because I just took it off my shelf to get design ideas for a scarf and was reminded of how good a book it is (the only book I've ever bought a second copy of to leave in our vacation home).It's a shame the book's title is what it is, because it doesn't convey the wealth of information it contains far beyond color knitting. Yes, it begins with an excellent chapter on color theory, using pictures of the color wheel to provide practical tips on choosing color combinations, and has chapters covering any number of beautifully pictured two and multi colored stitches. It also contains a number of projects making use of the techniques covered, and has a very useful chapter on what to do with all those variegated skeins that are hard to know how to put to best use, showing how different variegations look when used with different stitches and patters. However, what sets this book apart is the quality of the color pictures and explicit directions covering a myriad of techniques used in creating them. It covers any number of basic and more advanced techniques by no means confined to multiple colors, as well as being a wealth of information on finishing techniques and embellishments. It also covers knitting on double pointed needles, addressing problems people commonly encounter; double knitting; entrelac; knitting in the round, and steeking, to name just a few. It even covers sweater architecture, with useful diagrams of flat, circular and sideway knitted designs. Beginner+ to intermediate knitters could appreciably advance their skills making use of this book alone Truly one of the best knitting books I've encountered.

This is a must have along with the book below to really understand how to deal with color with all it's implications and meaning. A well balance to color within a creation is tantamount to it's success.This book is a great book to understand and enter into the market. I bought the whole series and read them from cover to cover. This is not for the advanced student, but the beginner.I also think that fashion designers should have a thorough understanding of color theory, which is really not taught that much or well. It is also a very complex subject to learn and understand. BUT!!!!! There is hope!!!if you want to know about Color theory to get even better....COLOR WORKS, the crafter Guide to Color by Deb MenzFOR ANYONE who wants to know about Color Theory this test breaks it down so that ANYONE can understand this subject. I learned more about color theory in this book than all others put together because I now "Understand" the concept.While this book is for the textile artist, ALL artists should get it and is also has cut outs to use when choosing your colour palette whether it be for Fashion Design or Art.This book is a MUST HAVE!!!!

Such depth. Like her Previous volume, The Knowledgeable Knitter, the author packs a lot of theory and history and just plain common sense into her writing. I love this book! And I thought I knew a lot about color theory!

Ranks with Starmore on Fair Isle, and better for me, a beginner, b/c it covers more than FI. I've browsed the Fair Isle knitting books here hoping to learn color theory. I've bought a few: Starmore, of course, Mucklestone (haven't gotten it yet) and this which I will rely on as a reference. So thorough and clear about color theory, combinations, ways to knit with colors and hand dyed yarns, with step by step guidance for steeks for the fearful, many two-color knitting stitch patterns (though B. Walker is still the best source for these imo). Starmore seems to take your knitting experience for granted, though she does explain steeks, etc., the details still eluded me. Here, even the intarsia tips will improve my results inthat technique. This is a terrific addition to my knitting reference library.

I have only explored this book to a limited extent so far, but I can see that it will be useful to me for the rest of my life. I have learnt a great deal from it already and can see where and why I have made mistakes in the past. It says a great deal about the scope of this book that, despite owning for a couple of years now, I have only scratched the surface of its possibilities.If you like knitting and you want to design your own knitwear, albeit in a humble manner, that's to say just knocking up children's jerseys from your 'stash', then I think this book would be invaluable.

This covers all aspects and managed to solve a few of my long-term problems. It has saved me having to go on a course to up my knitting experience. Very useful purchase that I have already referred to on several occasions.

The best knitting book I have ever purchased ... just right for where I am in readiness for learning new knitting techniques ... Thank you!

Wonderful book, lots of colour combinations and techniques; and an easy and interesting grounding in the theories that make them work.

Excellent guide for knitting with different colours and how to. À book for vinding everything you always wanted to know but could not find the right answers. Glad to have bought it.