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.

Next Pattern:

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

Next Pattern:

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