The Knitster: 20 Patterns for Hip Knitters by Robbie Dulaney — A Review
The Knitster: 20 Patterns for Hip Knitters by Robbie Dulaney is an intriguing book for anyone who is looking for some interesting patterns to knit this summer. This spiral-bound single volume contains 20 different patterns to make all sorts of knitted goodies for your everyday life, including an Ice-Cream Cosy (great for the summer), a Snowl (a kind of snood/cowl hybrid that might be good for the fall), and a cute design for making your own knitted Friendship Bracelets. I really enjoyed leafing through this book, and found that the designs gave lots of good pointers about how to go about making each one. There are also lots of photos included with each project, so you can get a good idea of what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished. This is a neat book that shows how to make things not usually thought of as “knitwear” in a relatively clear and concise fashion.
On the down-side, however, this book doesn’t hold your hand when it comes to explaining or providing very many diagrams for some of the techniques mentioned between its covers. For any first-time knitters looking at this book – myself included – I recommend keeping a knitting terminology book close-by for quick reference. In case things get even more confusing (I’m looking at you, Entrelac Tie!), there are also some excellent knitting technique videos that have been posted online.
All in all, though, I think this is a very good book for knitters of all levels who are trying to find something to make that’s a bit more interesting than just simple knit-and-purl patterns. I particularly like how the author has provided other ways to use yarn besides for knitting, like making pompoms and using strands to make a backdrop for taking photos. I will certainly keep this book in my collection, and look forward to trying to make some more of the patterns as the summer progresses.
What do you think of The Knitster by Robbie Dulaney? What are some of your favourite knitting books? Let me know. 🙂
4 thoughts on “The Knitster: 20 Patterns for Hip Knitters by Robbie Dulaney — A Review”
I love knitting!!! I started knitting by watching my grandma and trying with chopsticks back when I was 7. It was a mess and I got fed up easily, but the satisfaction of the finished product kept me going. I don’t remember any knitting books that I read because I don’t have time to knit anymore :(.
I can’totally relate to you, I was totally ecstatic when my mom bought me my first knitting book by Klutz when I was in grade 3. Its too bad as you get older you get too busy to knit, but I really am interested in this book.
Yes, so depressing, I wish I had the time to knit again. But I want yarn that won’t lint up. Pure cotton yarn! But I can never find those.
Yes I can relate, at home theres an unfinished scarf that I’ve stopped making and now I can’t continue it because I forgot how I did that specific type of knit.