Portuguese Knitting

By Rosa Pomar

More than just a history book or a handicraft manual, Portuguese Knitting is a trip to the Portuguese heritage of wool-craft. It discovers knitting memories of the past, traditional patterns and techniques that are brought up to date in the form of beautiful modern pieces such as socks, hats, shawls, cowls, pot holders and leggings.

Easy-to-follow instructions and clear illustrations allow beginners or more experienced knitter to recreate historical pieces in an original, contemporary and always Portuguese way. You can make these pieces as they are shown, or use other colours to create your own unique and original gifts.

If your heart sinks at the thought of purl rows, then Portuguese Knitting might be the book for you. Most Portuguese knitters hold the yarn in a way that makes purling easy—so easy that they prefer it to the knit stitch. For this technique, the yarn runs around the back of the neck, or through a special hook pinned to clothing at shoulder height. With the yarn held at this angle, and the right hand providing tension, the left thumb can flick the yarn over the right needle which then scoops up the new stitch. Who knew that purling could be so easy?