Claire Crompton has been working with needlecrafts for over fifteen years. Following her degree in Knitwear Design she has worked in the knitting industry and as a pattern designer for major wool manufacturers such as Sirdar, Courtaulds and DMC. A talented needlewoman, her first book for David & Charles, Cross Stitch Card Collection, is published in Spring 2004. Claire lives in Gunnislake, Cornwall.

Introduction: How to Use This Book; Getting Started; Yarns: plies, textures, choosing suitable yarn Equipment: needles, stitch holders; etc Starting to knit:; holding the needles and yarn; casting on and binding (casting) off; knit, purl and stockinette (stocking) stitch; ribs; shaping; tension; knit perfect tips; abbreviations; Creative Options; lace; cables; twisted stitch; embossed knitting; intarsia; fair isle; circular knitting; short rows; Exploring Choices; medallion knitting; beaded knitting; looped knitting; entelac; mitred squares; smocking; fulling; knitting a garment; reading a pattern; adapting a pattern; knitting a patterned garment; tassels, fringes and cords; edgings; flowers and leaves; buttons; embroidery; correcting mistakes; Stitch Library; Over 130 stitches demonstrated through easy-to-follow instructions; Patterns and Projects; Instruction for how to make the projects featured throughout the book, including scarves, hats, mittens, babies' and children's clothes and bootees, gift bags, jumpers, throws and blankets, sachets and toys. Includes a resource of motifs to add extra interest to the knitting; Suppliers; Bibliography; About the author; Index