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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Knitwear designers can get inspiration from almost anything when it comes to re-creating a color scheme, an image or a texture in stitches. Sometimes the inspiration isn’t always obvious in the finished project, but sometimes it’s more literal.

That’s the way it is with the Tin Ceiling Blanket from Purl Soho. Not just because the inspiration is in the name, but if you’ve ever seen one of these old ceilings you can see that the design of the blanket is quite similar to the pattern of the tin tiles.

This is also a good example of the idea that you don’t have to use fancy stitch patterns or lots of color to make a big impact with your knits. This single-color blanket (designed by Gianna Mueller and inspired by a washcloth and towel set designed by Sandi Rosner) is made completely with knits and purls, other than slipped stitches at the beginning of rows to make neater edges.

The pattern is written out row by row, but there’s also a chart, which means this project is a great opportunity to practice reading a chart where you can check your work against the written pattern if you need to.

It comes in two sizes, a crib blanket and a throw. The yarn used in the sample is an organic cotton sold by the cone, which is a great way to get a large quantity of yarn and have fewer ends to weave in. In fact, you can knit either size of the blanket with just one cone of yarn, which isn’t inexpensive but makes you a great, sturdy, heirloom quality but still washable blanket you’ll use for years to come. (Of course you can use any sport weight yarn you like to make this blanket.)

Check out all the details and grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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