Book Review: Simple Chunky Knits

Big yarn doesn’t seem to be going away, and projects worked with super bulky and jumbo yarn — whether with big needles, your arms or a big crochet hook — can be finished quickly for nearly instant gratification that’s also great for gift giving.

Eriko Teranishi’s Chic & Simple Chunky Knits includes 23 projects using really big yarn and arm knitting, needle knitting and crochet to make all sorts of accessories in no time.

The book starts with a gallery of the projects, which includes scarves and cowls, caps, headbands, a vest, a bunch of crocheted bags, a pillow, blanket, basket and other items for the home.

Basic instructions for knitting, crochet and arm knitting are given, and projects are described in words, with charts and with step-by-step photos for the first few projects to describe the techniques.

The style will be familiar to people who have worked with Japanese knitting books, though as is often the case when produced for the American market, there are more words and details than you might find in a Japanese knitting book. If this format is new to you, start with one of the patterns that includes step-by-step instructions so you understand what the chart is telling you to do.

The designs are mostly pretty basic, quick to work and good introductions to the crafting method used. Some of the project have a bit more flair, like a crocheted lacy collar or a rug made up of floral motifs (also crochted). Knitting projects that use needles include a keyhole scarf, a couple of two-toned cowls, a cabled cowl, a Stockinette Stitch hat, a vest with a waist tie, a cabled pillow cover, Stockinette throw and a Moss Stitch stool cover.

This book would be a good option for people who love chunky yarn and quick accessories and don’t mind different crafts for different purposes. It might be a fun way to pick up crochet or arm knitting, too, if you don’t already know how to do them.

About the book: 64 pages, 23 patterns, hardcover. Published by Tuttle Publishing, suggested retail price $14.99.

Looking for more Vest patterns to knit? Check out these Vest Knitting patterns on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for more Cable-styled knitting patterns? Check out these Cable Knit Patterns on Etsy

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During the summer (which is what it is where I am writing from) I like to share patterns for things that you can knit and use even when it’s warm out. And sometimes they are things you can use when it’s cold, too, like this collection of coffee cup cozies. Because hot coffee is a must almost any time of year.

This simple pattern form Darling Jadore is a great one for beginners and could be a good first knitting in the round project. It uses worsted weight yarn and includes video tutorials if you need extra help.

If you want a perfectly plain cozy that you can jazz up with your own designs, check out the Base Doodle Cup Cozy from Jamie Lomax. This free pattern on Ravelry comes in two sizes (short and long) and is meant to be used with her doodle charts to make it your own. You could also keep it plain, add stripes or design your own motifs to stitch on it.

Most coffee cozy patterns that I see are just sleeves meant to go over travel mugs, but what if your mug has a handle? This pattern from Stacey’s Knit Wits has an I-cord loop and button so you can use it on a mug with a handle or a travel cup. It uses DK weight yarn.

Coffee cozies are a fun way to play with stitch patterns and learn new techniques. If you’ve never knit cables before, this cozy from Purple Wool Co. would be a great first cable project, as it features simple braided cables all the way around. It uses worsted weight yarn and is worked in the round.

Try double knitting to make an extra-insulating coffee cozy with this pattern from Tracy Leming. It includes little color changes so you can get the concept of how double knitting works on a small scale. It also can include a little pocket for a tea bag if you want. This one uses worsted weight yarn and is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Or try stranded knitting with the Love in the Air cozy from Danielle Thuen. It features hearts of different sizes and is worked in sock yarn. You’ll need to make sure those floats are nice and loose so it will stretch to hug your cup. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

They’re also a fun way to add a bit of flair to an otherwise plain cup. KnitnKaboodle Designs has this lovely leaf-shaped cozy pattern, which you could use for hot or cold beverages by changing up the fiber you choose (that’s pretty much always true). It is made in pieces that are stitched together and can be worked in a single color or choose different colors for each leaf.

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