Power Cables: The Ultimate Guide to Knitting Inventive Cables - Softcover

Oct 10 Cable is one of knitting's most popular techniques, but who knew it could be so versatile? Lily M. Chin has dedicated her latest book to investigating the nature and possibilities of cabling, breaking down 'the anatomy of cables' so you can get to grips with how they work. The book will ignite a passion for cable stitches, and if it's already alight, you'll be in cabling heaven! You'll learn how to make reversible cables that look just as presentable on each side, find out the hidden beauty of the wrong side of the stitch, and discover intricate stitches such as honeycomb and half-drop rope cable...and that's all before you get to the first of the patterns. Throughout the book Lily intersperses the patterns with detailed instructions on different aspects of cabling, ensuring you're fully equipped to knit each design as you encounter it. We love the 'Five-Way Cabled Shrug' for its elegance and versatility - the simple technique of placing buttons at strategic spots allows for a variety of styles. There's also a chapter on colourwork that will make your cabling pop. Near the end of the book you'll reach the chapter called 'Cable Integration', which talks you through how to invent and incorporate your own cable designs. The luscious photos show off the richness of this ultra-texture technique, while the clear explanations will entice you to tackle the projects and even create your own designs. * Simply Knitting * Sept 10 Many knitters admire cables from afar, but wouldn't know the first thing about creating them! If you're intimidated by cables, or even if you're an expert looking for new ideas, you'll find this a valuable addition to your library. For inside, master knitter Lily Chin demonstrates her technique for creating reversible cables in fine detail. The cables range from simple to sculptural and throughout you'll pick up expert tips and tricks, as well as information on how to design your own cables. An exciting book that could open up a whole new world for you. * Knit Today * Jun 10 I remember Lily Chin as a rising star in the last wave of designer knitting in the late 80's, early 90's. Add to that my love of cables - all-consuming, so I was eager to have this book. As a knitwear designer myself, texture is all important. This book has excellent instructions, many cable stitches - some of which would have been better left out perhaps. There are 15 original patterns, but not that original and is someone colour blind or is it me? I love the hoodie, the stoles (there are two amongst the 15 patterns) but the pink and green colourway, the blue and yellow bag-ouch. However, before you start thinking this sounds awful - go and buy it because it has the best knitting pattern I have ever seen - a five-way cabled shrug that I cannot wait to knit, in fact I am going to be knitting this design in one yarn or another for the rest of my life. You might think from its title that it has five cables, no - it can be worn in five ways - how cool is that? This book also gives you lots of cable stitches to play with all on your own. * Karen Platt * Jun 10 A brilliantly titled and humouresly written book to extend a knitters skills into the territory of cabling. The book is laid out in lessons to build skills and explain the authors charting method, it also includes projects to utilise these skills. Lily recommends that even if you have cabled before that you complete lesson one to get to grips with her charting technique. I took this book on holiday with Mum too, so she was the first one to get a proper look, she was immediately grabbing her needles to try the double sided cable and got in a right pickle- lots of tooth sucking and muttering. It would have been a bit mean spirited of me to take any pleasure in the super knitters' struggles, so I rescued Mum and pointed out the bit about reading the first chapter! After this Mum was away and was soon dangling a very delicate piece of double sided cable under my nose. The patterns in the book have a lovely contemporary feel and include bag, hat, jumpers, men's garments and the most amazing shrug/wrap construction. The writing style is really very sweet with useful little tips about keeping track of right and wrong side rows using peanut and plain M&M's. I reviewed a basic cabling book a while back and I'd want to work through some projects in there first before moving onto this book, just to get my confidence. With fifteen projects and many more ideas I think the book is good value at GBP17.99. I certainly would have looked at it as a Christmas present for Mum- although if she had never read chapter one, she might not have thanked me! * Jennyflowerblue.blogspot.com * Autumn 10 See it, want it, buy it. That was my reaction to this 160-page handbook from Lily Chin. When I took it to a Leeds/Bradford branch meeting it was apparent how many followers this designer has for her wearable pieces, clear instructions, wealth of knowledge and years of experience. Several of the chapters cover reversible cables including cabled brioche (fisherman's rib/knit-one-below) stitch and cables in double knitting. A bonus is instructions for the Russian join - effectively interlocked eye-splices - for use on reversible fabrics. The cable designs are for continuous ones: no Celtic knots emerging from a sea of reverse stocking stitch, for example, and no voluminous cables where the fabric is contorted into folds and pockets. However, I was surprised that I could find no instructions for knitting single stitch cables without a cable needle ('cross stitch' in The Handknitter's Handbook by Montse Stanley but not the 'crossed stitch' of Mary Thomas' Knitting Book) since it is a quicker way of manipulating travelling stitches. But that just goes to show that the book had me thinking. * SlipKnot * Aug/Sep 10 Teaches knitters to cable with confidence, from the most basic twisted stitches to complex and imaginative interpretations. Master knitter Lily Chin shares her signature and sought-after technique for creating reversible cables in thorough detail. Advanced beginners, expert knitters and knitters with an interest in knitwear design will delight in this book. Included are basic instructions for a variety of cables, from simple to sculptural. There are more than 15 original patterns for pullovers, bags, socks and accessories, a new charting technique that shows cables clearly, plus invaluable tips and tricks, including how to design custom cable patterns. * Needle & Handicrafts * Aug 10 Here's the book to show us how to cable with confidence, from the most basic twisted stitches to complex and imaginative interpretations. Master knitter Lily Chin shares her techniques with advanced beginners, expert hand knitters and those with an interest in knitwear design. Basic instructions are included for a variety of cables plus over 15 original patterns. There's a useful charting technique to show cables clearly for hand knitters, which can also be used by machine knitters. * Machine Knitting Monthly * July 10 Billed as the ultimate guide to knitting inventive cables, [this book] by Lily Chin aimes to teach you to cable with confidence, from the most basic twisted stitches to complex and imaginative interpretations. Lily has designed for fashionistas like Ralph Lauren and clothed celebrities like Naomi Campbell and you too can now share her signature style. * Let's Knit *

Expert knitter and crocheter Lily M. Chin has been teaching cable knitting for nearly 20 years to packed houses and eager students. With Power Cables, she shares her designing and teaching expertise to create a must-have resource on this popular technique.

This book takes the you from the most basic twisted stitches through complex and imaginative interpretations of cables that add texture, color, and even nontraditional explorations (such as turning stitches around, constructing cables with I-cord, and wrapping stitches to create the illusion of cables). Lily's signature and sought-after technique for creating reversible cables is thoroughly explained and integrated with the rest of the techniques, teaching the reader to make almost any cable reversible. In addition to knitting any cable pattern, readers will learn Lily's new charting system, which shows the behavior of the cable more clearly. Other tips include cabling without a cable needle, choosing the best yarns to show off different cable effects, and even designing your own cable patterns.

Readers can practice each of these skills in an original knitted pattern?the book contains 15 original patterns for pullovers, jackets, bags, socks, and accessories.