Book Review: InstaKnits by Melissa Leapman

While none of us a knitting exclusively for the ‘gram, it’s always nice to make photo-worthy projects that we’ll love to knit and wear (and share on social media). And if they don’t take a ton of time, so much the better!

Melissa Leapman’s InstaKnits includes 24 projects for quick-to-knit accessories and tops, arranged by how much time they will take you to knit.

From a simple striped hat that will take less than two hours to knit in front of a movie to a tweedy, hooded jacket that will get you through a few seasons of your latest binge-worthy show, the book also includes scarves, shawls, summer tops, cowls and more.

Some of my favorites include Just Swirling Around, a super bulky hat with a spiral eyelet pattern (2 hours); Sona, a fun cowl worked in a two-color cable pattern (10 hours); Rosina, a simple tank top with a little waist shaping and a rolled neckline (14-22 hours, depending on the size); Flora, a fun mesh-stitch lace shawl with a lace edging on one side (16 hours); and the aforementioned bulky jacket, Outono, which the book predicts will take 30 to 62 hours, depending on the size. (I am not seeing the book on Ravelry but you can see several of the projects on the cover.)

I’m naturally skeptical of patterns that suggest how long they should take to knit because some of us knit faster than others, but it is nice to have a guideline and know these patterns are faster and those will take longer (if, say, you’re looking for a gift to knit for a party next weekend).

There’s a nice variety in the patterns in terms of type of project and techniques. You’ll find lace, cables, stripes and mosaic projects here. A section at the back of the book covers the basics of how to knit, increase, decrease, make cables and bobbles and other skills.

If you’re looking for a some nice basic and fun patterns that you can make while chilling in front of the TV, as gifts or for a little self-care for yourself, InstaKnits has a lot of great options.

About the book: 160 pages, paperback, 24 patterns. Published July 2022 by Stackpole Books. Suggested retail $26.95. Buy on Amazon.

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Why should the fireplace get all the fun? Instead of knitting stockings this year, why not whip up a pair of Christmas themed socks? These Christmas sock knitting patterns are lots of fun to make and you can wear them to holiday gatherings for years to come.

For our friends in the southern part of the world, there are the Christmas in July socks from the Kiwi Lodge – Kylie (Ravelry link). These shorty socks are covered in Christmas trees and have bright pink heels and toes for a tropical feel. There’s also an option to make a longer sock if you celebrate somewhere it’s colder.

Twin Stitches Designs (Ravelry) has a fun pattern with mix and match colorwork motifs you can use to build your own cozy Christmas socks. From the sample socks I see Christmas puddings, trucks hauling trees, Santa belts, ornaments and a couple of different borders. There may be more patterns included but the listing doesn’t say. Make a pair that matches or use different motifs on each foot for extra holiday cheer.

If you want to stick to Christmas puddings on your holiday socks, check out this cute pattern from Stone Knits. These lovely socks feature a band of puddings around the leg and a bit of holly by the toes.

These vintage holiday light socks from Grey Owl Knits by Sarah are classic looking and lots of fun at the same time. I love this color combination but of course you can make your lights and stripes whatever colors you like or have on hand. They’re worked using stranded knitting.

And if you’d like even more of a mix of patterns for your socks, try Barbara Ceglédi’s Christmas Chaos socks, a free pattern on Ravelry. The pattern includes 25 little motifs you can choose from, ranging from snowflakes and Christmas trees to elf hats, reindeer and hearts.

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