Meet Bestselling Author Patty Lyons!

Are your knits in dire need of some life-saving attention? Take a trip to the specialist with Patty Lyons' Knitting ER, the latest book from worldwide bestseller and internationally recognised knitting instructor and designer Patty Lyons!

After the success of Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag of Tricks and Patty Lyon's Knitting Bag of Tricks: The Official Workbook, Patty Lyons' Knitting ER brings readers a one-of-a-kind reference guide packed with step-by-step repair tutorials, ingenious solutions and insider tips for rescuing knits at any stage.

We sat down with Patty to discuss all things knitting ahead of the release of her third book; get to know her better in this pre-publication interview and find out where you can meet her yourself at one of her upcoming signings!

Patty Lyons’ Knitting Bag of Tricks and Patty Lyons’ Knitting Bag of Tricks: The Official Workbook are global bestsellers that have changed the game for hundreds of thousands of knitters – Patty, how do you feel as we approach the publication of your third book, Patty Lyons’ Knitting ER?

Feeling pretty great! It was two years of work, and I'm very excited for it to get into the world and into knitter's hands.

Patty Lyons’ Knitting ER is packed with knit-saving advice: what can knitters find in this book that they can’t get anywhere else?

There really isn't any book like this. First of all, it involves fixes both on and off the needle. We start with our very important foundational fixes, the ones that every knitter needs to know. Then we move on to more experienced fixes for increases, decreases, edge stitches, short rows and more. Next up is our visit to the specialist for fixes in lace, cables, colorwork, brioche, in the round and more. One of my favorite chapters involve all our "fake fixes". These are all fixes we can make on our stitches after we've bound off, but without cutting. Then, of course, we do visit the knitting surgeon for our fixes that involve holes, and fixes that involve taking scissors to your knitting.

The other thing that was important to me is include fixes for stitches sitting on the needle with the leading leg in front (Western knitting) and with the leading leg in the back (Eastern knitting).

What is your favourite fix in Patty Lyon’s Knitting ER, and why?

I think putting in a cable where we totally missed one. This is a fix made after bind-off and it's pretty magical.

You have taught thousands of knitters how to fix, finesse, and fall back in love with their projects: what is one piece of advice that you would give to all beginner knitters right off the bat?

Make mistakes on purpose! Practice on swatches and really learn about the construction of your stitches.

In all of your years of teaching, what have you noticed to be the most common challenge that knitters face, and how do you advise they navigate that challenge?

Knitters get frustrated that they can never remember how to do something like magic loop, or grafting, and have to look it up each time. This comes from what I call "watching and matching" vs "learning and understanding." YouTube and other video tutorials can be wonderful, but they generally cause knitters to think they are saving time by just looking something up, and watching and matching, rather than taking a bit of time to REALLY understand it and see it. Ultimately it's much faster because what you memorize you forget and what you understand you never forget.

What do you think the “next big thing” in knitting will be?

I have no idea, but I HOPE the "next big thing" will be knitters taking ownership of their knitting!

In one word, how would you describe Patty Lyons’ Knitting ER?

Empowering

Is there anything else that you would like to tell your readers?

Don't be scared. You can do it!

Feel like your knitting is on life support? Don't frog it - fix it with Patty Lyons' Knitting ER! Order from Patty herself at the link here by October 15th to receive a special signed copy and goodie bundle!

You can also purchase Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag Of Tricks and Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag Of Tricks: The Official Workbook at the links here and here.