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GIVEAWAY: Modernize Your Colorwork with the Alterknit Stitch Dictionary!

Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


As I've been exploring colorwork and learning to combine strange random yarns into colorful scrapbusting projects, I've been craving some mind-blowing stitch patterns.

Andrea Rangel to the rescue! Andrea is a knitwear designer based out of British Columbia, and you might know her from her book Rugged Knits. How I know her? The ONLY way to dress up your family in matching sweaters: Big Lebowski-esque cardis!!


A Knitter's Dude and Little Dude patterns by Andrea Rangler, from blogger Dayana Knits


(The little one is called Little Dude and the big one is called The Knitter's Dude.)  You know I love Cowichan-style sweaters, especially for little ones. Here's my take on one from Phildar.


Cowichan baby cardigan from Phildar, knit by blogger Dayana Knits


You'll seriously need some Post-Its while you peruse Andrea's new stranded/fair-isle stitch dictionary Alterknit.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


I guarantee you've never have seen most of the 200 patterns she has in there. They range from Turkish to Tudor to Trippy to... Tongue in Cheek. 😏


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


The book starts with some really helpful information on creating stranded colorwork:

  1. Choosing colors
  2. How to hold the yarns in one or two hands
  3. How many stitches to leave between floats
  4. How to catch floats while holding yarn in 1 or 2 hands
  5. VERY INFORMATIVE: How to catch floats to control color dominance


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Then come the swatches!


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Here are just some of the ones that got me -- but I'm curious to see other reviews of this book because I'm sure no two people would ever pick the same ones.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits

Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
This simpler one ended up being my favorite actually!

Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
Love the complexity here, needs a small gauge though.

Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
A knitted meme.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
Such thin lines, love it!

Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
My second favorite, Imperfect is symmetrical yet off somehow.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
For shroomy fun!


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
Carve is amazing.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits
Would be gorgeous with a self-striping yarn.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


For those of you who love the patterns but would have no idea how to use them -- DO NOT FEAR. If you use her yarn weights and gauge, many of those 200 stitch patterns can be integrated into 5 patterns she includes at the end of the book. A cardigan, a yoke sweater, a cowl, mittens and a hat.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


The drawback of this is gauge. I think that many of us would not knit colorwork at such a small gauge (these are 30 sts by 29 rows). This might be a herculean task for the designer, but at least one of the patterns would have been more helpful if written for a variety of yarn weights and gauges.

How cool would these patterns look in a super-bulky?!


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


If you do want to integrate these stitch patterns into other garment patterns you like, just remember that stranded gauges are SQUARE, while stockinette gauges are RECTANGULAR. In other words: don't replace a stockinette sweater with these stitch patterns, replace colorwork only.

I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with this book and the gigantic amount of work that must have went into it! The book is available from Interweave Press.


Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel, reviewed by blogger Dayana Knits


Interweave was kind enough to send me this book to review -- and LUCKY YOU, they are giving away one copy to anyone in the US or Canada!


ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!


To enter, please leave a comment below with your Ravelry, Facebook or Instagram username. You'll get more entries if you:

  1. Facebook: Like this post and MAKE SURE you've liked the page Dayana Knits (you will be sorted differently if you have not, so please please check)
  2. Instagram: Follow @dayanaknits and leave a comment on my post. Extra entries for every friend you tag!
  3. Instagram: Repost by tagging me (not just mentioning me, I don't want to miss it) 


🍀🍀🍀🍀





Comments

  1. I have to try cake or death!

    Ravelry - snowbrocade

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  3. Those are awesome patterns!
    Ravelry username is mintdee

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  4. Love this book! Ravelry ID dalconner

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  5. Ok, trying to leave a comment again. Sorry if it posts twice. I think the Poopin' Pig would make a great knitting group white elephant gift!
    Ravelry name: Oddlyhappy

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  6. This looks like a fabulous book. I can't wait to Oenone.

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  7. Thank you for a thorough review of this book. It is now on my birthday wishlist.

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  8. This book looks AMAZING! Rav amchart

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  9. I look forward to adding this to my knitting library.

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  10. This book looks awesome. I have finally decided to try color work but I am a little leary. I do go so far as to purchase a pattern and yarn, but this book beats it all. I would really love to win this. I am a learn by a book person

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  11. I forgot to add my revelry name connieb239

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  12. This sounds like an amazing book! Thanks for the chance to win. My Ravelry name is: rheaume

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  13. I'm still struggling with colourwork, but seeing the pictures makes we drooling and eager to browse the whole book....

    Inge aka Priegelaarster

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  14. Be atill my heart! This is a must have in my library! RiverCitySTL on Ravelry

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  15. Working on learning fair isle stranded knitting and this looks like a wonderful resource.
    Cablackwood on Ravelry.

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  16. Vshaw7 on Ravelry and Instagram

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  17. LaurelFaye in Raverly and Facebook. I love exploring new patterns and this book looks perfect. Thanks for sharing your review

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  18. On Ravelry, my name is MichelineL
    On Facebook, micheline lefebvre
    Thank you !

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  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. Wow, this is so cool and different! I am so excited about this book! Thank you for the opportunity to win. My Ravelry name is nysunshine.

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  21. The black faced sheep are killing me!!! And the cardigan in the patterns section!!!!

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  22. This book is wonderful! My ravelry name is txlady129.

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  23. Oh my goodness, the poop in pig is too funny. I want this book because there are a ton of patterns I want to do; and I did not see all of them. My Facebook name is Michelle L. McCabe.

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  24. I love colour work and this book looks amazing. Ravelry = Gailmen

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  25. Looks like an amazing book! Mmhiscox on Ravelry.

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  26. My IG name is Batoftheeye
    Face book is Jen Higgins.

    Looks like an amazing book! Would love to have this to hand!

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  27. Great review!
    Goodstuff on rav

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  28. Would LOVE to win this book! (Ravelry: jones1300

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  29. Wow! This book is extremely impressive and a great way to get yourself to a different level of knitting. I would love to have this book and get the opportunity to ratch up my knitting. Thx. (Ravelry: cindy914)

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  30. This book looks amazing! My username is whirlsie (everywhere lol)

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  31. Love the racoons!
    Rav- Orkilatrish

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  32. Oh thank you, thank you ! Would love to win this book. I am monsouk on ravelry

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  33. Wow, that is a seriously creative and outrageous book! Love the fire images the best!

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  34. Love these and would love the book! roslyn68 on revelry

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  35. Wow. This books looks amazing. It would make a great coffee table book in my house until I get the courage to try color work. Thanks for candid book review. Always appreciated.
    sweetpurls on Instagram and Rav
    sweetpurls.blogspot.com

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  36. I would love to have this book in my collection. Thank you for a review and a chance to win. @nailyaplaskeydesigns on Instagram

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  37. What an inspiring book! It has me dreaming already, just from your review. Please enter me in the drawing. My Ravelry name is LCBraun.

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  38. What a wunderfull book. It's in my wishlist now!
    Ravelry: vrolijk

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  39. I can't wait to get my hands on this wonderful book! It's so full of gorgeous stitch patterns and exciting projects that are so stylish!

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  40. This book seems to be a must have!

    ravelry and facebook nickname: CorvorumCibaria

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  41. I follow your blog and love everything you make, so if you loved this book then naturally I must have it! I am virtually putting together my scraps into those swatches then a scraps blanket.... loveofcuteness on Rav.

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  42. Wow. The giveaway is much creative and impressive. I hope that having it, one can have the best designs to wear in winter season. Thanks for sharing the giveaway offer.

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  43. Thanks for the giveaway! Gauss.

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  44. This book!!! I would love to have this in my knitting library. Thank you for the give away!
    Rav name is dgirl56

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  45. Would love to win a copy of this book!

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  46. Love this! Can see some fun hats in the future! Rav: ma2three

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  47. Great book!
    Ravelry: Sannie

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  48. After all the colourwork I have done, I did not realize the gauge was square! Learn something every day. Rav name: cdncarol

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  49. Whoops, just sent you an email instead of commenting. Sorry!

    Rav: betshsu

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  50. Hello! This book looks fantastic! I'm really glad to try my luck on your giveaway!

    My Ravelry account name is: urielh
    and I added you on instagram (@heyhollycraft)

    Thank you for this amazing giveaway! Have a nice day ^^

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  51. This looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  52. This looks like a great book!

    I'm NicoleS on Ravelry.

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  53. This looks fascinating! I'm Abbeybufo on Rav...

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  54. This post really pick up my curiosity with so much information thanks to you for the giveaway :)
    Ohlalalaine on Ravelry.

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  55. Love this book...masked bandit is a pattern I would love to try...thanks so much for the chance to win!

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  56. Thanks for the thorough review ... And the giveaway! I am gkgreen on Ravelry and @gkgreenknits on Instagram. I have also entered in the other ways you describe above.

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  57. Hi! Awesome book - thanks for the chance to win one! On Ravelry, I am JessKnitastic. :)

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  58. I've just placed a request for my local library system to order this book! Meanwhile, I can hope to win my own copy. Thanks for the drawing,
    Gretchen (aka stashdragon on Ravelry)

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  59. Wow... I would love this book..

    sherryglover1 on Ravelry

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  60. Ravelry - mrsskr
    Facebook - Donna Frost Ritchie
    Instagram - mrsdonnaknits
    I love stranded colorwork, and this book "takes my breath away"!

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  61. This is a wonderfull interesting exiting book to have and try all these new stitches!!

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  62. Looks like an interesting book, Dayana.

    Noreen1009 on Ravelry

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