Book Review – One More Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit

“One More Skein” by Leigh Radford is a must-have book for knitters who want to turn a little yarn into fun projects and gifts. The author, who is well-known for her alternative approach to knitting and felting in her previous books “AlterKnits” and “AlterKnits Felt”, presents 30 diverse projects that can be completed with one or two average-sized skeins of yarn or multiple bits of leftover yarn.

The book includes a wide range of projects that are perfect for knitters of all skill levels. From an earflap hat sized for the whole family to fingerless mitts, sweaters, britches, and capelets for baby, the projects are quick and relatively easy to make, without sacrificing beauty or ingenuity. The author also includes a hemp jewelry embellished with jump ring “beads”, a felted, pleated sleeve to dress up a vase and a multicolored blanket worked from assorted stash yarn.

One of the things that makes this book stand out is the author’s ability to meld her alternative approach to knitting and felting with the magic of working with a single skein of yarn, which she introduced in her bestselling book “One Skein”. The author’s fascination with the creative potential of these raw materials is evident throughout the book and will inspire knitters to think outside the box and create something truly unique.

Overall, “One More Skein” is a fantastic book for knitters who want to explore the creative potential of a little yarn and create beautiful and unique projects and gifts. The patterns are well-written, easy to follow and the finished results are beautiful and creative, making this book a must-have for any knitter’s library.

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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