Knitting

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Book Review: Loopy Mango Knitting

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Loopy Mango has been know for years as a maker of really big yarn and the patterns to match. Owner Oejong Kim has just had published a book of patterns using the company’s yarn that it purports can all be knit in a day.

Even if they’re not quite that fast (especially if you’re a new knitter, you’re not going to knit a blanket in a day, no matter how big the yarn is), these projects have simple shapes and stitch patterns that will be quick to knit on the big yarn and needles the projects call for.

The book includes basic knitting instruction — it’s easy to learn on big yarn and needles because you can see what you’re doing — as well as patterns rated by skill level (absolute beginner, beginner and intermediate).

There are 34 patterns, including scarves, sweaters, blankets, hats and more. The projects aren’t listed under the book on Ravelry because some of them are sold in kits but you can check out my flip through of the book on my Instagram page.

Some of my faves are the Mohair Headband, Her Fringe Shawl (a big Garter Stitch triangle with fringe), the Fisherman Rib cowl, a couple of patterns using a fun aster flower stitch, and the Meri-Mohair Sweater, which combines a funny, thinner mohair with a big bulky yarn in a fun textured stripe sweater.

It should be noted that the sweaters are only in one or two sizes, and they are intended to be oversized, so if you have a larger frame or don’t like the oversized look these projects won’t appeal to you.

Still, there’s lots of cute, easy projects here for people who do like the oversized style, and this book might be just the thing if you’re looking for some great gift knitting ideas.

About the book: 192 pages, hardcover, 34 patterns. Published by Abrams, September, 2019. Publisher’s website

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Comments

  1. Hi was wondering what patterns are listed for intermediary knitters. There’s an absence of images and contents for the patterns that are included for this skill level.

  2. Usually patterns are on Ravelry but because some of these were already published on their site, it doesn’t look like they have done so. That said, the whole book is suitable for beginner and intermediate knitters, and 16 patterns are labeled as intermediate.

  4. I don’t think I have my copy of the book anymore, but looking at the video I did, it looks like there is a long mohair dress but that cardigan doesn’t look familiar.

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Knit a Sweet Striped Vest for Kids

I’m trying to include more knits for kids in my posts because I know a lot of people do a lot of their knitting for the little ones in their lives. 

This child’s striped vest from Lion Brand Yarn is not only cute and great for kids who might find a full sweater too hot, it’s also an easy project if you’ve never knit a garment before. 

Lion Brand rates it as level 2 easy/beginner +, probably just because there’s a little shaping and seaming invovled, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. 

The pattern comes in three sizes that are meant to be for ages 6, 8 and 10. The finished chest measurement is 30, 31.5 or 33 inches, which is 76, 80 and 84 cm respectively. This makes the vest a little roomy and makes it easy to slip on over a T-shirt or other top. 

It’s worked in two pieces from the bottom up, with the neckband and armhole bands worked in the round after the body pieces are sewn together. One benefit of knitting stripes on a project like this is that it’s easier to make sure your pieces are the same length because you can just count the stripes (it’s also a little easier to seam because you’re always lining up the stripes). 

If you’re knitting the smallest size, you only need one skein each of the two colors you choose, and for the larger sizes you will only need two, making this project a pretty good value. The suggested yarn is Color Theory, a worsted weight acrylic yarn that comes in 18 relatively muted colors. Of course you can use any worsted weight yarn you like. Keep it acrylic for easy washing or use wool to make this a warmer garment for kids who live in cooler climates. 

You can grab the pattern for free from the Lion Brand website, or get a kit that includes the yarn you need (and needles if you don’t have them already). I think this would be a great basic to knit a kid for back to school in their school colors, or make it holiday with red and green, or whatever colors the child likes. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]