Interviews and Reviews

Up, Down, All-Around, Stitch Dictionary & GIVEAWAY!

Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary by Wendy Bernard
Published by Abrams | STC Craft | Photos by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

I have this dirty habit where I agree to things before discussing it with my partner in crime, Megan-Anne. She’s just as guilty, so I never feel bad about it. (Ahhh, the joys of sisterhood!) But when I told her Blue Sky Alpacas asked us to participate in a blog tour for Up, Down, All-Around, Stitch Dictionary by Wendy Bernard and that I’d already agreed to do it, she wasn’t exactly happy with me: “Stitch dictionaries are great, but what are we going to say about it? They’re all the same.”

“They said it’s revolutionary.”

Megan-Anne rolled her eyes and said, “Yeah. Okay. I’ll believe it when I see it.” She sipped her coffee and sat there, all hoity-toity. It was as if she was already dancing around the living room singing “I told you so” at me.

Let me tell you, it was a particularly delightful feeling to watch her gush over the book when it arrived in the mail. While the fact that it’s spiral bound was enough to make her clutch it to her chest, she hadn’t realized that in addition to providing directions on how to work the stitches top-down and bottom-up, it also shows how to do them in the round!

More importantly, I got to do the greatest “I told you so” dance since that time she bleached her hair in the 11th grade and it turned pink.

Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary giveaway

I had planned on knitting a few swatches from the Edging section, but Megan-Anne whisked away the Alpaca Silk yarn and the stitch dictionary before I had the chance. By the time I finished hiding the giveaway swag from the cats reach, she was already balling the yarn and choosing her needles.

blue sky alpacas yarn

Wendy Bernard’s Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary is comprised of 11 sections, which include Knits and Purls, Ribs, Textures Slipped and Fancy, Yarnovers and Eyelets, Cables, Lace, Colorwork, and Hems and Edgings. There’s something in there for every knitter, including a simple pattern at the end of each chapter that showcases one of the featured stitches.

Wendy also makes it easy for knitters to try their hand at designing in her “From Scratch” section where she shows you how to plug your favorite stitch patterns into project formulas. With a little basic math, you can create anything from a lace stole to a slouch cap to a pair of mittens.

Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary Hems and Edging

For me, Hems and Edgings are one of those places where it’s hard it get creative as a designer. I can dream up cables and colorwork until my brain pops from too many ideas, but when it comes to hems I’m like “Uh, put an applied i-cord on it?” Needless to say, I had a particular interest in the sixteen different stitch patterns in that section.

I have to say that I am OBSESSED with the look of the Waves Edging. (In the picture above, it’s the bottom swatch.) I want to put it on everything now. I mean, the Kick Pleat and the Feather Edging are great too. It’s why I insisted Megan-Anne make those for Knitted Wall Art project. But, there is something about those waves that I adore.

blue sky alpacas yarn blocking

::::::KNITTED WALL ART TUTORIAL::::::

Need something to do with all of those swatches you’re going to make? After you’re finished knitting, washing, blocking, and measuring the swatch for whichever garment you’re making, all you’ll need is an old frame, a piece of card stock in a complementary color, and packing tape.
knitted wall art tutorial 1

First, cut your card stock to fit the frame. Next, lay out your hem or edging swatches how you would like them to appear in the frame. Just be certain the right side is face down or else the wrong side will show! Then, lay the card stock over the laid out swatches and tape each end to the back. It’ll look like a hot mess, but that’s okay.
knitted wall art tutorial 2
Now all you have to do is drop it into the frame and you’re ready to hang it! I put the glass pane between the frame back and the card stock, so it wouldn’t flatten the texture of the swatches.
knitted wall art 1

knitted wall art 2

::::::GIVEAWAY::::::

Of course, no blog tour is complete without a giveaway!
giveaway swag

THE PRIZE

THE RULES

  • The giveaway is open to all of our readers currently residing on planet Earth. We’re not shipping to Mars, so don’t ask. Sorry, interplanetary readers!
  • Giveaway is open until Friday, June 20, 2014 at 11:30 PM EST.
  • All comments must include a valid email address or Ravelry ID, so that we can contact you if you are the winner.
  • Winner will be chosen via random number generator and will be contacted within 48 hours after giveaway ends.

HOW TO ENTER

  • Leave a comment letting us know what you love about stitch dictionaries or what you do with your swatches. Don’t forget to include your email or Ravelry ID with your comments or else you’ll be disqualified!
  • Bonus Entries: Tweet, share on Facebook, or Pin this post. Then, come back and leave additional comments for each place you’ve shared.

Tweet: Can’t wait to get my hands on @KnitTonicWendy’s Up Down All-Around Stitch Dictionary! Enter to win at @DoctorLlama: http://wp.me/p30KHy-zG

A huge thank you to Blue Sky Alpacas and STC Craft for inviting us to be a part of the Up, Down, All-Around Dictionary Blog Tour! You can find the rest of the tour stops below for more giveaways, tutorials, and patterns using this super-boss stitch dictionary:

May 20: Knit and Tonic
May 22: FreshStitches
May 24: Hey Jen Renee
May 26: Very Shannon
May 28: Miso Crafty Knits
May 30: The Sweatshop of Love
June 3: Stockinette Zombies
June 4: Mari Knits
June 6: Lattes and Llamas, wooooooo!
June 21: Wendy Bernard on the Ready, Set, Knit! podcast

~ Jac
Every time I’m right and my sister is wrong, an angel gets its wings.

148 thoughts on “Up, Down, All-Around, Stitch Dictionary & GIVEAWAY!”

  1. itchycrochet says:

    You know, I am terrible for not swatching I have a very gung ho attitude to things, the few swatches I have made are sat in a bag awaiting an idea, they may very well end up in frames now though.

    I am (shockingly) ItchyCrochet on Ravelry

  2. Jeanine says:

    I love swatching different patterns in between projects with leftovers. Always learn something and it’s a good palette cleanser that provides me with cute coasters! -geo9 on rav

  5. Christine says:

    I’m not terribly creative on my own, so I love stitch dictionaries for the inspiration they give me. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. :)
    karenina4777 on Ravelry

  6. Michelle DesEnfants says:

    I love your idea for showing off swatches! I am also bad at edges, so I would love the section that gives edging ideas. You can just pack that up and send it my way!! :) I am mdesenfants on Ravelry or mdesenfants@netzero.com. I am also loving the GAL!

  9. Debbi Houtz says:

    a stitch dictionary that tells me how to get the look from top down or bottom up AND in the round! gotta have it! and the Blue Sky Alpacas yarn!!! too nice!! thanks for the opportunity– Craftydebbi on Ravelry

  11. Lorysa says:

    I love stitch dictionaries! I love browsing through the different stitches. It’s amazing how so many different patterns can be made from the same basic building blocks.
    As for what I do with my swatches … um … what swatches? ;)
    I’m “singingsheep” on ravelry.

  12. Kim says:

    I have never used a stitch dictionary, because have never had one! I am a pretty new knitter, and use the internet for help on new stitches, but a hard copy book would be great, because I often don’t know what I am looking for! My few swatches I have done get unraveled and put in my scrap yarn. Kimt8511 on Ravelry

  13. Elise says:

    I just love looking through the stitch dictionaries very beautiful illustrations. My swatches get un swatched as I always fear running out of yarn!! Knittingknot on Ravelry

  15. gqradlib says:

    I never properly appreciated my stitch dictionary until I had to put it in storage and live without it for 4 years. (Obviously if I had properly appreciated it, it would never had ended up in storage to start with!) But I’ll be getting it back soon, woohoo! – gracequinn (on Ravelry)

  16. dystini says:

    I love looking through stitch dictionaries. It’s so interesting to see all the different patterns and sometimes they spark an idea that I have to knit right this minute lol
    dystini on Ravelry

  17. Caitlin says:

    I’ve never had a stitch dictionary for knitting; but I would love one, if only for some inspirational ideas! I’m relatively new to knitting, and would love to learn how to do more than the basics! Stuff I’ve seen from this book so far is awesome!
    Caitlinulmer(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. Andree says:

    I have actually been looking to acquire a stitch dictionary. Now that I have (mostly) abandoned my nomadic ways I can accumulate/hoard books, hooray!
    I mostly love stitch dictionaries for scarves. I’m knitting a bunch for the Red Scarf Project for the HIV/AIDS Connection and it’s a great way to try out new stitch patterns and avoid the bored-to-death-is-this-scarf-over-yet feeling.
    osteoandree on Ravelry

  19. Julsknits says:

    It seems like I always make minor alterations to patterns, and that is where a stitch dictionary comes in handy. I change the edginging, or add a bit of something here or there. Dictionaries are inspirational for making patterns my own. I tend to save my swatches for bookmarks, if they are small thin ones.
    Julsknits on Ravelry

  20. Lilly says:

    I love the photos! I think stitch dictionaries are just gorgeous to flip through in general. but i mostly love learning to mix and match to design your own object. Right now, most of my swatches are in a ziploc bag, waiting for an idea. I never thought about framing them!

    I am Cihtiikn on Rav

  21. Lilly says:

    I love the photos! I think stitch dictionaries are just gorgeous to flip through in general. what i like the most though, is learning to mix and match stitches to make your own patters. My swatches are currently in a ziploc, but framing them is a great idea!

    I am Cihtiikn on Rav.

  22. Valerie says:

    I could sit and read stitch dictionaries for hours. Even if I’m not making them, I love imagining how they’re crafted, each slip and loop coming together to form something complex and beautiful. (V-stitch on rav)

  23. Catherine hein says:

    Umm, as a fairly new knitter (a year and a half) I don’t have a stitch dictionary, so maybe this is a good one to start with! And I am terrible for not swatching…

  24. Kitten With A Whiplash says:

    I love to look thru them for inspiration, but since I started designing mostly top-down sweaters, I’ve learned that I’m not good at upsy-turveying the directions. This book has me totally excited! KittenWhiplash on rav

  25. J-Rock says:

    I’m in love with flipping through stitch dictionaries for inspiration, either for projects or modifications. And all of those pesky swatches? Perhaps a patchwork blankets at some point? Only time will tell…
    (ravelry: jwittrock)

  30. Elizabeth L says:

    I actually unravel my swatches! I’m horrible. I don’t block my swatches at all.
    elizlind on raverly

  32. florapie says:

    I am one of those bad people who frogs their swatch and uses the yarn for the project. And yes, it has come back to bite me a few times! I’m florapie on Rav too.

  34. Angie S. says:

    This is such a fantastic idea, I can’t wait to check it out. As a budding knitting pattern designer I live inside stitch dictionaries!! I’m Cantrix on Ravelry.

  37. Dena (ILOVEEWE) says:

    I’d love to try those beautiful Blue Sky Alpaca yarns. And summer is the time to knit swatches and pick the perfect pattern for fall knitting.

  38. salpal1 says:

    wordpress doesn’t seem to want me to enter this give away, but I will keep on trying to post a comment. I love stitch dictionaries because they do all the work for me! My favorite sweater pattern is a plain jane top down one, and this book sounds like it will be so great in helping me add great patterns to it.

  40. knittingdancer says:

    I like to use stitch dictionaries when knitting dishcloths or afghan squares for charity and I have a finished project after trying and learning a new stitch.

  41. Sara Crafts says:

    I usually tuck the swatch in a drawer once I’m finished the project. Sometimes I have to unwind it since I’m forever cutting it too close on yardage. :)

    That section of the book about edgings…. oh my gosh. I need that book!

    Rav ID: SaraMCrafts

  42. KimW says:

    This looks like one of those “desert island” books – lots of possibilities and ways to have knitting fun! I’m KimW on Rav.

  43. Ange Kelly says:

    Ha, until I read this post I did absolutely nothing with my swatches … they usually reside in some forgotten draw … now I have some ideas what to do with them, so thanks very much!
    Rav ID: AngeKelly

  44. Brooke Olson says:

    My Ravelry ID is brhuth.
    I like to make swatches into doll blankets for my kids and sometimes little animals. I love stitch dictionary’s to look at stitches for designing and to learn new stitches.

  45. Kate M says:

    I like to use stitch dictionaries to learn something new. I find it easier to learn things with swatches rather than committing to a full project. This book looks AMAZING. Thanks for the chance to win! (zima21 on Ravelry or kateyhbf@gmail.com)

  48. hkplusc says:

    I love your idea of using swatches to make wall art! I never wash or block my swatches, I just frog them and use the yarn for the project (that is when I bother to knit a swatch).
    That stitch dictionary looks amazing.
    my ravelry ID is iquana

  49. Debbi Satterlee says:

    My ravelry ID is debbi801
    Right now, I tend to frog my swatches. But I love your idea of turning them into art.
    I love stitch dictionaries because they inspire me to learn new stitches and they’re beautiful to page through.

  50. JenniferKay says:

    I haven’t had much experience with stitch dictionaries yet. I look forward to picking this one up. I actually unravel any swatches I make.
    JenniferKay on Ravelry

Comments are closed.