Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Book Review: Knitstrips Comic Book

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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

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.