Knitting patterns are generally presented more with words than pictures. Yes, there are photos and video tutorials that often accompany knitting patterns, but for the most part the techniques, and the patterns themselves, are described with words.
Knitstrips
still has a lot of words, but these knitting patterns are presented as comic strips rather than text-based patterns with photographs.
The 22 patterns in the book are divided into four themes:
- OMJOM (one more, just one more): easy, addictive projects you can’t get enough of
- Focus Pocus: projects that require more attention and technique
- STASH (skeins that are special and here): projects for showing off that yarn you already have
- Bucket List: projects you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t made yet
The illustrations help tell the story of different projects, as well as illustrating techniques and helpful hints.
The idea of the book is what it calls “interactive knitting,” which puts the knitter in control by not providing a particular gauge or yarn weight you should use for each pattern. Instead, each pattern suggests a type of yarn or gauge you’re going for to get the best results with the pattern.
An airy gauge, for example, shows space between the stitches and the knit fabric makes a puddle when you drop it on the ground (or a table, if you prefer), while a medium gauge doesn’t let a lot of light through and makes “mounding peaks” when dropped.
Each pattern shows how the project is constructed and uses both words and illustrations and they often include charts to show you how the project is constructed.
While you’re able to use any yarn and gauge that you like or have available, the designers also offer a yarn suggestion for their projects.
The projects range from a simple stash busting bias knit garter stitch scarf to a two-color brioche cowl. There’s a log cabin baby blanket, a sequence knit hat, a “pajama sweater” (like a pullover shrug), a cowl-collared tunic, a pair of toe-up socks and more. Check out most of the patterns on Ravelry.
There’s a wide rang of styles and skill levels involved, but most are suitable for confident beginners or intermediate knitters. There are no learn to knit instructions here so if you’re a complete beginner you’ll need to learn the basics elsewhere.
The style of this book is a lot of fun and it would make a great gift for a knitter friend. My only complaint is there are no photos of the finished projects (but if you look on the project pages on Ravelry you can see finished projects from some of them).
About the book: 160 pages, paperback, 22 patterns. Published March 2022 by Abrams. Suggested retail price $27.50.
Get the book here: Knitstrips
