Knitting is continuing to rise in popularity across all age groups and is getting more media exposure: celebs such as Geri Halliwell and Kiera Knightley have been seen taking up the craze, and over 230,000 hats were knitted for The Big Knit 2006, with that figure expected to double at this year's event.

Helen Ardley studied Textiles at Huddersfield University in the UK before becoming a full-time crochet and knitwear designer. She has worked for a number of international companies, and was the crochet designer for Patons. Helen now works as a freelance crochet and knitwear designer and is the author of Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots and Crocheted Accessories, both published by Hamlyn.

Introduction: The basics: yarns; equipment; casting on; holding yarn; knit and purl; casting off; Get knitting!: selecting a pattern; tension; correcting mistakes; selvedges; increases and decreases; picking up stitches; buttonholes; blocking and pressing; seams; Special textures: twists and cables; bobbles and knots; elongated stitches; loops; Knitting in rounds: circular needles; double pointed needles; medallions; shaping a gusset; turning a heel; Colourwork and embellishments: stripes; slipstitch patterns; intarsia; fairisle; following a chart; cords; trimmings; beads and sequins; crochet; embroidery; Advanced techniques: invisible cast-on; special cast/bind-off; grafting; hems; facings; waistbands; pockets; fastenings THE PROJECTS: Beautiful for baby: newborn blanket; snuggle cardigan; baby slippers; cosy hat and mittens; Cute for kids: rugged hoodie; heart sweater; winter scarf and mittens; tassel hat; Gorgeous for grown-ups: slouchy sweater; perfect pullover; toasty tweed gloves; head-turning hat and scarf; chunky socks Accessories for everyone: box tote bag; squishy cushion; fab felted bag; big blanket; bunny rabbit; STITCH GALLERY: tactile textures; lace patterns; cables and bobbles; mixed patterns; medallions; colourwork; jacquard patterns; fair isle patterns; edgings; ribbon patterns;