Learn to knit a scarf in a day? Easy.Want to know how to knit a scarf? The secret's out--you canlearn to do it in just a day with the help of this fun guide, nomatter your knitting experience.This handy little guide gives you a clear understanding of theessential steps and techniques involved in creating a great scarf!You'll get a friendly, hands-on introduction to basic knittingtechniques, tools, and terminology, as well as detailed coverage ofthe most common stitches. Plus, you'll get a list of recommendedbeginner routines and advice for fixing common mistakes.* Key knitting techniques, tools of the trade, andterminology* Getting started, step-by-step* Coverage of basic stitches and fixing common mistakes* Online component takes you beyond the book with bonus contentand featuresGet ready to keep those needles clacking as you knit a fabuloushandmade scarf!

Introduction 1What You Can Do In A Day 1Conventions Used in This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 3Icons Used in This Book 3Chapter 1: Knitting Need-to-Knows 5Why Knit? 5Knitting your worries away 5Gaining a feeling of accomplishment 6Keeping your mind and hands occupied 6Creating a one-of-a-kind piece 6Sorting Out What Knitters Need 7The tools 7An understanding of the basics 8Selecting Yarn: The (Quick) Consumer's Guide 9Fiber fundamentals 9A weighty matter 11Yarn packaging 12Reading labels 12Choosing a ball, skein, or hank 13Picking Up Knitting Needles 14Sizing up needles 14Seeing what they're made of 15Grabbing Must-Have Gadgets 16Chapter 2: Deciphering Patterns andGauge 17Reading Stitch Patterns 17Deciphering common abbreviations and shorthand 18Following written stitch patterns 20Measuring Gauge to Get the Size Right 21Considering what affects gauge 23Making a gauge swatch 24Measuring your gauge 25Matching your pattern's gauge 25Chapter 3: Essential Skills: Casting On, Knitting, Purling,and Binding Off 27Casting On 28Now You're Knitting and Purling 31Getting a knack for knitting 32Pushing forward with purling 36Binding (or Casting) Off 37Chapter 4: Basic Stitches You'll Use Again andAgain 41Starting with Garter Stitch 42Knitting and Purling Stockinette Stitch 43Creating Box Stitch 44Chapter 5: Applying Your Knitting Knowledge with Three ScarfPatterns45Ribbed Scarf 46New skill: Switching from knit to purl and back again 46Materials and vital statistics 47Directions 48Box-Stitch Scarf 48Materials and vital statistics 49Directions 49Double-Wrap Garter-Stitch Scarf 50New skill: The double wrap (and beyond) 50Materials and vital statistics 51Directions 52Chapter 6: Oops! Fixing CommonMistakes53Stopping Mistakes or Catching Them Early 53Dealing with Dropped Stitches 54Finding and securing a dropped stitch 55Picking up a dropped stitch in the row below 56To make a knit stitch 57To make a purl stitch 58Rescuing a dropped stitch from several rows below 60In stockinette stitch 60In garter stitch 61Ripping (Your Heart) Out 63Ripping out stitch by stitch 63Ripping out row by row 64Chapter 7: Where to Go from Here 67Taking Your First Steps 67Visiting dummiescom 68