Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Book Review: Loopy Mango Knitting

by

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

Next Pattern:

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.

Have you read?

Summer T-Shirt Knitting Patterns

Knitters are always looking for ways to continue to knit and to wear their knits even when it’s hot outside, so there are tots of great T0shirt knitting patterns to choose from. I love knitting short-sleeved shirts because they feel so much faster than sweaters, and you can wear them on top of dresses or even longer-sleeved items when it gets cooler.

There are lots of different styles of knit tops, from the basic to the more detailed. On the more basic side are things like the Perfect T-Shirt from Originally Lovely, a basic raglan tee with nine sizes and worked in worsted weight yarn; Paper Bloom by Yvonne Hugo (free on Ravelry), available in six sizes and worked with cotton and silk yarn for extra coolness; or Iris H’s Amelia Top, also on Ravelry, a slim fit, DK weight top with nine size.

Jazz it up with a bit of lace like on the Athens Lace Hem top by Sarah Hatton (Ravelry). This otherwise simple project has a bit of lace at the bottom, which is an easy way to make a project more interesting without a ton of work. This one uses fingering weight yarn and comes in nine sizes.

Another simple embellishment is to emphasize the lines of your top with different stitches. The Spring Lines top uses twisted ribbing at the center front and V-neck and along the raglan lines to give it a slimmer fit and more interest. This design from Turquoise Toque Designs has 11 size options and is available on Ravelry.

Silfurberg by Joji Locatelli uses both of these elements, with lace panels at the center front and back and purl ridges throughout to make it a little more fun to knit and to wear. The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Learn more on Ravelry.

Keep it simple or add puffed sleeves (and/or long sleeves) to the slim fit Knitty Committee top by Lily Kate France. This one has two length options, waist shaping and optional bust darts to fulfill all your curvy top dreams, and it comes in nine sizes. You’ll find it on Ravelry.

Take it even more romantic with the Daphne Top from Friday Knits, which has puffed sleeves and applied I-cord to emphasize the bust and sweetheart neckline. It comes in eight sizes and uses DK weight yarn.

Or add some sweet flowers with the Gigio pattern from Emilie Luis. This pretty pattern found on Ravelry has cable panels running up the front with the option for adding sweet embroidered flowers. You can also add decorative buttons if you like. It comes in 11 sizes and calls for sport weight yarn.