Tag: Knitting

Finished Friday: Diagonal Comfort Blanket

Posted on April 8, 2016December 10, 2020 by Erin

This is my second knit Diagonal Comfort Blanket. The first I knit in an aqua/teal for my soon to be born baby girl. This blanket with the stripe color changes I made for a friend whom is due in late June. I am pretty tickled on how well the blanket came out. Finished the blanket is about 30×30. It took me about two months off an on of knitting. You can find the free pattern on Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diagonal-comfort-blanket

Gramma Nancy’s Animal Hats (and Booties, Too!) Book Review

Posted on February 26, 2015December 10, 2020 by Erin

Gramma Nancy’s Animal Hats (and Booties, Too!) is a fun 19 pattern book recommended for beginner to advanced knitters. There are patterns for hats, booties, and mittens sized to fit children up the age of 12. These items can be knit separate or together and given to friends and loved ones as a special gift ! If the aim is to create adorable knitted animals designs to be worn whether as a photography prop or for daily use this book is for you! Continue reading

Patchwork Knitting: 18 Projects to Knit and Crochet Johanna Schwarz {Book Review}

Posted on December 5, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Patchwork Knitting: 18 Projects to Knit and Crochet Johanna Schwarz is a unique book! In order to create the designs you must know how to both knit and crochet. One without the other will just not work. So, I would not recommend this book unless you are reasonably comfortable with those two fiber arts skills and are aware you’ll be using them together with every pattern.

The concept is that you’ll be whipping up patches such as squares, rectangles, triangles and other numerous shapes and joining each together using specified crochet stitches. The formula for every piece is explained in detail and when grasped one can start creating any of the projects in the book. Instructions precisely inform how many stitches to cast on, rows to knit, and eyelet holes needed for each pattern. You’ll be working those eyelet holes for the crochet step of the project to seam everything together. I find using crochet instead of seaming with a needle and thread much more fun and easy to do!

There are 18 patterns which includes skirts, slippers, jackets, scarves, hats, shrugs, pullovers, and home decor. The over 130 full color photos give you a good idea of what your creation should look like. Each of pattern pages also features colored diagrams showing exactly where each piece should be placed when putting it together.

There is complete course in how to create slippers with this technique that takes you through start to finish. Near the back of the book there is a section dedicated to step-by-step knitting and crochet skills needed to do any of the patterns within the pages. Following that section is an area for notes.

I believe my first project will either be the afghan or the set of pillows. I am however head over heels for the Quick-Change Artist Jacket that offers two looks in one. It’s simply beautiful but it will take more yarn than I currently have for it right now. I find it amazing how pieces like these can be used to create a very fitted and attractive finished design.

If you are looking for a unique book that you can utilize both your knitting and crochet skills, I would certainly recommend this one. Many of the garment patterns can be worn for almost any occasion! The home decor will certainly be a great conversation piece as well! I did find this book in the Ravelry Community Database so if one has any questions for the author or others using this book, you can leave ideas, comments, or questions over there.

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Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book for review purposes from Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein {Book Review}

Posted on December 2, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein is a must have for needle knitters of any skill level. If you enjoy learning new techniques and creating your own original designs from them, you’ll adore this book. It’s really an extremely well laid out block stitch dictionary that gives you the freedom to mix and match to your hearts desire. I believe one could grow in their knitting needle skills by whipping up one block at a time and in turn the end results could be a beautifully unique afghan of all those blocks!

This book features 150 block patterns that can be used to create a plethora of projects. Aside from the instructions for the numerous blocks there are also over ten patterns which include a bag, scarves, pullover, vest, afghan, shrug, sweater, a few toys, a tote bag, and several hats. There are many pages worth of different types of edgings and joining techniques which are essential in completing all sorts of projects.

The Chapters in this book are as follows;

Chapter 1. Basic Building Blocks
Chapter 2. Ornate Appliqué, Embroidery, and Cords
Chapter 3. Creative Colorwork
Chapter 4. Special Techniques
Chapter 5. Cables and Counterpanes
Chapter 6. Eclectic Styles

Do note aside from the chapters that are several other areas in this book that explains to readers the important of gauge, how to mix-and match blocks, abbreviations to know, handy techniques, & resources. I feel that the book is laid out quite well. In each of the chapters, the first few pages are filled with full color photos as well as the name of each block to be knit in that section. The block instructions and charts are easy to understand and follow.

If you are not a fan of seaming knitted projects this book may not appeal to you. Though I would say that it opens the door for many interesting pieces. In the back of the book there’s copy the pages, cut out the blocks, and try them out on the assembly diagrams in the instructions. It makes for some fun combinations! I really like all the texture and raised designs quite a bit. It’s shown me you can make truly amazing looking things when knitting! I’m looking forward to growing my skills starting with the more simple textures and moving up to dabbling in cables, exploring color work, and much more! I would highly recommend this book for any knitters collection!

About the Author: Beloved knitwear designer NICKY EPSTEIN is the bestselling author of numerous books, including Knitting on Top of the World, Knitting on the Edge, and Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch. Her designs have also been featured in Vogue Knitting magazine and many other knitting publications, on television, and at art exhibitions. She currently resides in New York City and travels extensively, teaching and lecturing.

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Disclosure: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience of the title.

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