I’m sharing my review of a wonderful new book from one of my favorite knitting authors, Rosemary Drysdale, along with a giveaway. I’ve also included an excerpted pattern for her cozy and unisex Slouchy Hat, so read on for details!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1 was provided to me by Sixth&Spring. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review

I’ve been a huge fan of Rosemary Drysdale’s work since I first got my hands on Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting. Long-time readers will know that while I love books with great patterns, I really love books that teach techniques and skills. I’m lucky enough to live in New York City and have so many opportunities to learn from some of the world’s best crochet and knitting teachers, but even I can’t have Rosemary Drysdale in my apartment when I’m struggling with a new technique. That’s why I love her books, because it feels like I do have her right by my side, walking me through everything step by step.

For this reason, I was excited to try out her new book, Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1, and it didn’t disappoint. In addition to a seed stitch dictionary of 60 patterns (all both charted and written in U.S. terms with great photos), the book also includes 31 knitting project patterns for 6 pillows, 5 cowls, 5 hats, 4 scarves, 3 blankets, 2 bags, 2 baby cardis, 2 women’s pullovers, and a poncho and wristers. (All but one of these project patterns are listed as a level 2/easy difficulty.) Just check out all of the project patterns here on the book’s Ravelry source page, and you’ll see that the book is accurately named. Rosemary doesn’t stick to the “same old” seed stitch patterns but she also explores colorwork, shaping, and interesting stitch combinations.

Besides the patterns, Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1 includes a strong opening section with hints for knitting seed stitch in the round or flat, increasing or decreasing, introducing colorwork, and designing with seed stitch, and a resource-filled back section, which includes designer’s graph paper for both seed stitch and moss stitch. As with other Sixth&Spring books, the photography is fabulous and enticing and the layout is masterful. The only problem that I can see with this book is that as a thick paperback, it’s tough to read and knit at the same time. If you love the seed stitch, are looking for classic patterns with a twist of fun, or want to get your hands on a new stitch dictionary with lots of projects included, then be sure to get a copy of Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1.

Slouchy Hat

Knitting Pattern by Rosemary Drysdale

Published in Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1.

© 2017 Rosemary Drysdale and shared with permission from Sixth&Spring Books.

Note from Underground Crafter:

• This pattern uses standard U.S. knitting pattern abbreviations. You can find a master list of abbreviations here.

Seed stitch elevates a simple color pattern on a winter warmer topped with a fun fur pompom.

EXPERIENCE

• 2 – Easy

SIZE

• One size fits most

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS

• Circumference 19½”/49.5cm
• Length 10½”/26.5cm

MATERIALS

• 1 3½oz/100g skeins (approx 128yd/117m) of Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash (merino wool) each in #1984 Light Yellow (A) and #821 Dark Yellow (B)
• One pair each sizes 10 and 10½ (6 and 6.5mm) needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
• Purchased faux fur pompom
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle

GAUGE

• 16 sts and 20 rows = 4″/10cm over pat st using larger needles. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

NOTE

• When changing colors, twist yarns on WS to prevent holes in work. Carry yarn not in use loosely across WS of work to prevent puckering.

MISTAKE STITCH RIB

• (multiple of 4 sts plus 3)
• Row 1 (RS) K1, *k2, p1, k1; rep from *, end k2.
• Row 2 K1, p1, *k3, p1; rep from *, end k1.
• Rep rows 1 and 2 for mistake st rib.

SEED STITCH

• (over an even number of sts)
• Row 1 (RS) *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS) P the knit sts and k the purl sts.
• Rep row 2 for seed st.

HAT

• With smaller needles and A, cast on 79 sts. Work in mistake st rib for 3″/7.5cm, dec 1 st at end of last WS row—78 sts. Change to larger needles. Work in seed st for 2 rows.

Beg pat st chart

• Row 1 (RS) P1A, *([k1, p1] twice)A, k1B, ([p1, k1] twice)A, p1B; rep from * to last 7 sts, end ([k1, p1] twice)A, k1B, (k1, p1)A.
• Row 2 (WS) (K1, p1)A, (k1, p1)B, (k1, p1, k1)A, *(p1, k1)B, (p1, k1, p1)A, (k1, p1)B, (k1, p1, k1)A; rep from * to last st, p1A.
• Cont in chart pat as established through rnd 14, then rep rnds 1–14 once more, then rnds 1–8 once more.
• Cut B and work with A only to end of hat.

Shape crown

• Dec row 1 (RS) With A, p1, *k3tog tbl, p1; rep from * to last 5 sts, end k3tog, p1, k1—40 sts.
• Work 1 row even in seed st.
• Dec row 2 (RS) With A, *k2tog tbl, p2tog; rep from * to end—20 sts.
• Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through 20 sts twice, pull tog tightly and secure end.

FINISHING

• Sew back seam. Sew pompom to top of hat.

Giveaway

Now that you’ve read my review and checked out a sample pattern, I’m sure you can’t wait to get your hands on a copy of Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1 by Rosemary Drysdale. Lucky for you, the nice folks at Sixth&Spring have set aside one copy for an Underground Crafter reader!

This giveaway is open to readers with mailing addresses in the United States and Canada, except where prohibited by law. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries submitted via the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will receive one copy of Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1, courtesy of Sixth&Spring. Good luck!

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