Knitting Smitten is part of Quadrille's "Simple Makes" series, which includes Fresh Prints, Felt Sew Good, and Scissors, Paper, Craft. This is turning out to be a fantastic series of books! Each title I've reviewed from it (if you click on those three links they'll take you to my reviews) has been fresh and modern and filled with simple-but-not-boring projects, and Knitting Smitten doesn't disappoint.
The book starts with some tips on choosing yarns and deciphering knitting patterns, illustrated with some delightfully quirky pictures of pompoms and little sheep figurines...
... then there are some step-by-step "how tos" for the stitches and other techniques you'll need. I always like seeing photos in this section of a knitting book as I find them much easier to follow than diagrams, and this book includes both the English/US and the Continental techniques for each stitch.
The designs are divided into three sections - knits to wear (including hats, a cowl, a cape and some legwarmers)...
... knits to share (including gifts like a purse, a cable headband and a doggy bowtie) and knits for your home (including a throw, a couple of cushions and a paperweight in the shape of a hedgehog).
I sometimes struggle with knitting books as my skill level is.... not great. But I still want to knit fun stuff! I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have picked this book off the shelf based on the front cover alone, but inside there are loads of projects I would love to knit. None of the projects seem stuffy or old-fashioned and it all looks like stuff I could manage with a bit of practice - though I would have to learn how to knit in the round (eek!) and buy the needles to do so.
I especially loved these cable bracelets...
... this adorable necklace with a teeny knitted bow...
... and these delightful woodland-themed mittens complete with red squirrel and little knitted acorns!
This book would be a great buy if you're looking for some fun, achievable knitting projects to keep you out of mischief in the evenings or you have a friend with a birthday coming up who's recently learned to knit and wants to try some new things.
Knitting Smitten is published by Quadrille. RRP £12.99. It's available from Amazon UK, Amazon USA, The Book Depository and many other bookshops.
Please note: Quadrille sent me a free review copy of this book. The Amazon & Book Depository links in this post are affiliate links.
Oooh, all my knitting attempts in the past have ended in failure or abandonment but those cable bracelets could definitely tempt me to pick up the needles again!
ReplyDeleteThey look great, don't they? Hope your next attempt at knitting goes well! :)
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