Tag: Knitting

Knockout Knits {Book Review}

Posted on October 23, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Knockout Knits New Tricks for for Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, and Other Accessories by Laura Nelkin is a must have book for knitters no matter what their skill level.

Being fairly new to using needles, this book has been wonderful in growing my skills. Each project section starts out with something small and works its way up to something a little more elaborate like a shawl. This approach whether choosing to follow it or not is a great way to go to not be intimidated by a new stitch pattern or variation.

One of the things I love about the patterns in this book is that the author makes it personal. She shares her inspiration behind each of the different projects. Little touches like that can connect with knitters like myself in such a way and get you really excited about the project if aiming to start it.

All the skills and techniques needed to complete any project in this book is included! The full color illustrations and explanations I found to be extremely easy to follow. I really appreciate I don’t need to look elsewhere. This book truly does cover it all. There are cast ons, cast offs, notes on yarn & gauge, tips & tricks, and other resources.

There are 23 patterns total. All patterns are fashion accessories meaning there’s no blankets, pillows, or whatever else. Instead you’ll find are lace shawls, knitted bracelets, all sorts of hat styles, mitts, cowl, shawlettes, boot toppers, scarves, and a few other things. If you are aiming to start knitting with beads there are many patterns and excellent explanations for just that. All but one of the patterns is meant for ladies. That’s right there’s a hat just for guys thrown in there so we can justify our knitting obsession and a need for more yarn by knitting that special guy in our life something.

I opted to knit myself a pair of boot toppers from the pattern in this book and I was extremely happy with the results! I adjusted the pattern a bit to suit my boots and measurements with ease. Results equal extremely satisfied. These boot toppers knit up fast and used a minimal amount of yarn.

I totally learned something new as in wrapping stitches and cross-overs and didn’t feel intimidated in the least bit. That’s right, no frustration, no throwing the pattern book against the wall, and certainly not the fainest notion to knit the same old thing!

There are many projects that only requires a skein or two of yarn meaning you won’t break the bank. Chances are you’ve already got a skein or two laying around just waiting for a special project too. I’m quite eager to start knitting up a few more of these patterns soon.

Overall, I found the patterns in this book to be quite functional as well as fashionable. There’s a lot of patterns out there but I usually opt to spend time working on those that I can incorporate into my wardrobe on a daily basis with a few extras for special occasions. With most books I only have a few favorite patterns but with this book I love them all!

I highly recommend Knockout Knits to any and every knitter. It was like learning new skills from a dear friend and this new friend takes knits to a new level by adding pizzazz and a little sparkle. I honestly am all for sparkles.

All the patterns in the book are on Ravelry for you to favorite, add to library, and queue up.

Interested in Purchasing?

Knockout Knits: New Tricks for Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, and Other Accessories can be purchased in e-book or paperback copy from $11.99-$15.00. An excellent pattern book choice for knitters during the Holiday season!

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.

Boye Assorted Yarn Sleeves

Posted on October 15, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Boye Assorted Yarn Sleeves I’ve found a affordable accessory to have on hand when working with yarn. These basically are used to prevent a collapsing skein of yarn as well as nightmare of a tangled yarn mess from happening.

To use these you simply slide them over a skein of yarn. Yes, it’s really that simple. Each sleeve will keep the skein of yarn together. I’ve found these incredibly helpful when taking my yarn along with me in a tote as well as when just knitting at home.

These come in a variety of sizes and colors. You can’t pick the colors but that’s not that big of a deal. These are a great choice if you need to start a project right away. These are my first choice when I don’t just don’t have time to put my yarn through my ball winder and then in a holder. They are a much nicer alternative to using panty hose or old onion mess bags and they take up an extremely small amount of space. These so far have held up quite will with many uses and there’s been no messes or damage to my my knitted items or snags in the yarn I’m using. Overall a great handy little tool I wish I had known about a lot sooner!

If you are looking for a little something extra to add to your online or craft store purchase these are totally the way to go. Also these make fantastic add-ons if you are planning to get a gift for a fellow knitter or crocheter.

Interested in Purchasing? Boye Assorted Yarn Sleeves can be purchased online at Amazon.com for around $3.00-$4.00 and around the same price at many local craft stores. Aside from the assortment, these also come in a Jumbo (3 – 10 inch sleeves in colors purple & green).

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I put together this blog post to share my thoughts on a product I felt other yarn crafters could benefit from. My thoughts are my own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for doing this post. Affiliate links can be found in this post.

Loom Knitting Basics Kit Review

Posted on October 15, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

The Loom Knitting Basics Kit by Authentic Knitting Board is a must have whether you’ve loomed before or are wanting to pick up a new skill. This kit I’ve found to be a wonderful starter for those of all ages considering my six year old daughter recently learned how to knit on a loom. She has learned by experience and by watching me knit that there’s nothing more rewarding than being able to create items and gifts for friends, family, and those in need.

What’s included in this set?

A Full color reference guide, fully illustrated with photos and charts
(4) patterns to get you started
32 peg loom with 7/16″ gauge ideal for worsted weight yarn
5 mm crochet hook
darning needle
measure tape
Blue & Orange stitch markers
knit hook

I really like all the included items because I remember starting out a new craft and finding a pattern to work up only to realize half the items I needed I didn’t have on hand! This loom is small but you can do a lot of on it.

The patterns in the spiral bound reference guide are a hat, baby blanket, washcloth, and scarf! The hat and blanket you’ll obviously be knitting in pieces you’ll later have to stitch together but the scarf and the dishcloth come out just the right size! The pros of a small loom is how travel friendly that it is! I’ve taken this loom out with me when in the car, to the park, to knit with while in a waiting room, and so forth. I really like this loom for making scarves! The double knitting possibilities make creating scarves from start to finish so fast!

The reference guide is really nice that comes with this set. It teaches the basics of single knitting, double knitting, and even sock knitting! Basic skills such as casting on, binding off, finishing, how to add a crochet border, working cables, increasing, decreasing, and my more. The written instructions as well as the full color illustrations & charts make learning a breeze. Though if learning from a guide isn’t your thing though it’s a good reference to keep on hand, the companies website is full of video tutorials of many of these techniques! Speaking of the companies website, you can also find many free patterns and helpful tips and information all about loom knitting.

This loom is quite durable. It’s wooden yet it is light weight. It features nylon pegs that have grooves. The grooves are nice and make it easy to to lift the yarn over to create stitches. There’s no worry of yarn snagging in the least. The design is smooth and very well thought out, in my opinion.

I know some people might feel intimidated by wielding knitting needles or a crochet hook but I guarantee you that anyone can work a loom and make truly beautiful one of a kind items of all kinds!

The Authentic Knitting Board Loom Kniting Basics Kit Knitting Looms is priced at $19.99 and everything you need other than the yarn for whatever projects you’d like to make is included. You can purchase it on Amazon.com, The Authenitc Knitting Board website, as well as your local JoAnn fabric and craft store! Perhaps it would make a wonderful gift for yourself or someone you know!

Get Connected for the latest news, deals, and giveaways: Authentic Knitting Board on Facebook | Authentic Knitting Board Main Website | KB Blog full of patterns & Tips

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience with the product.

Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman: 14 Projects to Soothe the Mind & Body {Review}

Posted on October 8, 2014December 10, 2020 by Erin

Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman is book that can help take your mind off the stresses of life. This book was designed with personal peace and relaxation of not just the mind but of the body and soul as well. It’s based around the art of yoga and each of the designs and colors chosen for the projects represent a specific interpretation of colors. For example, green represents soothing, amber represents warmth, blue represents relaxation, and so forth. If you aren’t so much into yoga, I for one believe you can still enjoy the projects found within.

As you go through the book you’ll find acknowledgments, an introduction, a standard abbreviation key, and 14 knit and crochet patterns. I can do both fiber related crafts so I found this book a nice asset to add to my collection. There is no how to knit or how to crochet basics in this pattern book. Most of the patterns are quite easy to follow and feature basics skills that any intermediate to advanced beginner would know how to do. I don’t believe any one would get frustrated or find the patterns to hard to follow. I like that though simple in design there’s a few steps here and there that add a nice design element to many of the items.

The patterns that can be found in this book are a Soothing Knitted Yoga Wrap, Meditative Yoga Mat, Healing Crocheted Yoga Wrap, Happiness Bolster Pillow, Om Crocheted Table Runner, Lotus Blossom Throw with Matching Pillow, Warm Infinity Scarf & Matching Wrist Warmers, Om Scarf, Sophisticated Reversible Scallop Lace Scarf, Swirls of Energy Cowl, Abalone Shell Infinity Scarf, Baby Lotus Wrap, Louts Baby Blankie, and Aura Color Cover Up. These practical patterns can be made as is or you can add you own personal touch. The yarn used in all the patterns is Plymouth yarn. It’s a yarn I’ve never used but looks very nice in all the full color photos. I’m going to have to nab a few skeins.

I knit up the Warm Infinity Scarf pattern quite quickly over the span of a couple of days and am currently working on the matching wrist warmers. The scarf pattern went quickly and was quite enjoyable to work on. At first the pattern took a little bit to get used to but as I went on I sped up in my knitting. I think it really helps that in this book each thing to do is broken down step by step. Working patterns such as these will give you rest from your day to day but improve your knitting or crocheting skills as well! I know a few gals that would probably love if this set was gifted to them for a birthday of Christmas gift too.

If you are into yoga or know someone that is, this would be a good book to work up a few or all of the patterns to give as gifts or to expand your own or their skills as a knitter or crocheter. The patterns are practical, easy to read, and quite appealing.

“Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman” by Anita Closic is published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and the publisher’s retail price is $16.99. You can order directly from the publisher at 610-593-1777 or email info@schifferbooks.com. You can reach the author at the website for her yarn shop, www.agardenofyarn.com. Both the publisher and the yarn shop are in Pennsylvania.

Interested in Purchasing? Basic Knitting and Crocheting for Today’s Woman: 14 Projects to Soothe the Mind & Body can be purchased on Amazon.com for $13.99 as of this posting!

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