Years ago Vickie Howell wrote a book for kids about finger knitting, and as those crafty kids have grown up, she wanted to revisit the world of finger knitting for an older audience. The result is what she calls the unofficial sequel to that book, No Needles Knitting.
Instead of knitting by wrapping yarn around the fingers, this technique starts with a chain through which you pull up loops to form the stitches. This makes it more flexible because you can make more than four stitches at a time. You’re also working on a table top instead of holding the work on your fingers, which should produce less strain. (Finger knitting is also explored, as well as finger crochet.)
The book opens with a discussion of the yarns used and how to work knit and purl stitches, make cables, increase, decrease and add new yarn. You’ll also learn how to bind off, weave in ends and seam pieces of knitting together.
From there the book is full of projects to wear and to use in your space. It opens with a super bulky, boxy, striped cardigan, which is rated as a skill level 2 on a scale of 4. If you have some familiarity with knitting or crochet this might be a fine piece to start with, but I might choose something that didn’t need to fit a body to start with.
There’s also a cabled hat, basketweave cowl, flat hat and a couple of scarves, as well as a bag made out of T-shirt yarn, a shawl and a blanket yarn bed coat (aka robe) among other things. I love the tartan super scarf made with a base of stitches and contrasting color yarn woven through the stitches.
In the home section you’ll find things like a flower pillow, a fuzzy throw, a wreath and a throw pillow. There’s also a cute cat bed, a simple trivet and a basket. You can finger knit a vast cozy, stitch a strand of LED lights and turn plastic bags into upcycled hand knit placemats.
The book is fun and colorful and has projects for a variety of skill levels and that give you a lot of different looks, which is fun. There are 28 patterns in all, most of which fall in the skill level 2 or 3 area. There’s one level 4 project (a log cabin style throw) and five rated level 1. There are a few things here I think I’d enjoy making, and it’s also an inspiring book to show you what can be done with a bit of yarn and no needles.
About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 28 projects. Published 2025 by Quarry Books. Suggested retail price $22.99.
