Knitting Off the Axis: Projects and Techniques for Sideways Knitting [Paperback]

Named one of the Best Craft Books of 2011 by Amazon.

"Fall always bring a surprising book or two and this is the one for me, it’s a book of directional knitting, with the direction being mostly sideways, but not always. The garments in this book are more sculptural than most knitted garments both in the silhouette side to side knitting takes on, and in the surface texture that knitting in multiple directions gives. The book starts with a short introduction to directional knitting, tips that Matthew Gnagy has learned through experience – row gauge, blocking, increasing and decreasing and assembling your garment. The sweaters are striking in their unusual look and shape, modern with clean slim-fitting lines. They are knit mostly from worsted weight yarn, giving an added visual weight and structure. My favorites are in the last two chapters, where the knitting is in multiple directions, and any of the sweaters with cables. Cables going in multiple directions, with the added swoop of an interesting and unique way of increasing and decreasing, appeal to my knitter’s hands and brain. Spinners take note: these sweaters would be a great way to showcase handspun yarns." - Jillian Moreno, Knitty.com

"It's an ingenious collection." - Yarn Market News

“Recommended for experienced knitters with a taste for modern design.” – Austin-American Statesman

“Top-down, bottom-up, been there, done that. If you want to get a new angle on sweater design, you've got to go sideways. Learn how to knit sideways, diagonally and every which way to create unique and stunning designs.” – Crafter’s Choice Book Club Sneak Peek

“Sideways knitting is not that uncommon, but Mathew has managed to use imagination and needles to come at knitting from every angle.” – Karen Platt’s Book of Reviews & Crafts

“If you'd like to take your knitting in a different direction, Knitting Off the Axis is an intriguing and fun book with lots of different options for turning your knitting on its side and beyond. The techniques used to shape these garments take a bit of patience and attention to get right, but the lovely results are well worth the effort of twisting your brain to work in a new and different way.” – About.com Guide to Knitting

“This is the coolest book. Talk about knitting outside the box, well this box is sideways!” – CraftGossip.com

“Each of the patterns is designed in a one-of-a-kind way, focusing on knitting sideways or in an untraditional direction.” – JimmyBeansWool.com

"It shouldn’t surprise you that the designs in this book are unique. The designer is literally looking at the concept of knitting a sweater from a completely new angle. These sweaters are full of creative design elements, but they are beautiful, wearable sweaters, not the kind of wearable art you see on high fashion runways." – KnittingScholar.com

“The sweaters are striking in their unusual look and shape, modern with clean slim-fitting lines. They are knit mostly from worsted weight yarn, giving an added visual weight and structure. My favorites are the in the last two chapters, where the knitting is in multiple directions, and any of the sweaters with cables. Cables going in multiple directions with the added swoop of an interesting and unique way of increasing and decreasing appeal to my knitter’s hands and brain.” – Knitty.com

Mathew Gagny is an accomplished costume designer and pattern maker. His knitwear designs have been published in Knitscene and by Lion Brand Yarns. He has also made knitwear samples for a variety of fashion designers for runway shows. Mathew resides in New York City with his partner and their two cats.