Knitty Gritty Knits (DIY): 25 Fun & Fabulous Projects by Vickie Howell

From the Publisher

In this stylish new collection, based on DIY Network’s popular TV show, Knitty Gritty, Vickie Howell gives knitters something fresh and exciting to sink their needles into, with great techniques and cool projects for all levels.Well-known personalities, including Melissa Leapman, Melanie Falick, and Iris Schreier, offer their creative input with a variety of hip designs: red-hot ponchos, trendy shrugs, an eyelet-stitch skirt, funky leg warmers, a chenille tank top for teens, and even an iPod case and a wire bracelet. These famous guests also share their secrets for doing reversible knitting, working with color, using novelty yarns, and much more. All techniques are demonstrated with numerous photographs and colorful illustrations.

Children's Literature

The variety of projects in this book—from several funky hats and shrugs to stylish handbags and Afghans—will appeal to knitters from their teens to those in their advanced years. Howell also includes patterns for items not previously imagined to be in the scope of knitting, such as computer and mouse covers and a backgammon board, demonstrating the wide and modern potential of this old craft. Although the complexity of the patterns would make this book an appropriate purchase for more experienced and invested knitters, the instructions—both for the basics and more advanced techniques—are thorough and easy to understand, benefiting even beginning knitters. The introduction includes helpful descriptions and appropriate applications for different yarn and needle types and sizes, whetting the readers' palette for the new vistas about to be opened to them. And the conclusion does not disappoint the trend of thoroughness established throughout the book, as Howell finishes with descriptions and safety tips for dying one's own yarn. Throughout this book from the DIY Network series are helpful gray-scale photographs, a helpful index in the back, and an abbreviation chart toward the beginning.

Jan Zlendich - Library Journal

Howell (Not Another Teen Knitting Book) hosts the DIY Network's popular Knitty Gritty series, which features knitting tutorials by well-known knitwear designers like Lily Chin, Irish Schreier, and Melissa Leapman and projects targeted at the young, hip knitter. In this selection of 25 projects from the show, regular viewers will enjoy seeing the knitting in more detail than is available on the Knitty Gritty web site. Projects include wearables and home décor items, e.g., an interesting take on free-form knitting and a nine-patch baby blanket that teaches techniques for making reversible cables and the two-color brioche stitch. Recommended for public library knitting collections.

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