Book Review: The Knit Vibe

Vickie Howell has written more than a dozen books on knitting and crochet, but her latest, The Knit Vibe, is unlike any of her previous titles and indeed probably unlike any knitting book you’ve ever seen.

The book’s subtitle–A Knitter’s Guide to Creativity, Community, and Well-Being for Mind, Body & Soul–lets you in on a little bit of how this book is different.

In addition to knitting and crochet patterns, there are profiles of knitwear designers, others in the industry and people who have used their yarn skills to help raise awareness of issues and to change people’s view of the world and what knitwear can do.

There’s also information on keeping yourself healthy as a knitter or crocheter, including yoga poses to try, tips on supplements for healthy bones and joints and more.

On the spirit side of the spectrum there is discussion of knitting as it relates to Judaism, Catholicism and Native American spirituality, as well as a pagan yarn craft ritual, knitter’s astrology and knitter numerology.

Knit and crochet projects by Howell and others interviewed in the book round out the offerings. Many of them are in Howell’s typical style of pretty easy projects with fun details, though some of the projects by contributors are more detailed, delving into brioche, colorwork, cables and more. Check out the projects on Ravelry for more info.

It’s definitely not like anything you’ve seen in a knitting book before, but if you’re a knitter who likes to connect your craft to your community, your sense of spirituality and the world around you, it’s worth checking out.

About the book: 208 pages, 23 patterns, hardcover. Published October 2019 by Abrams Books. Suggested retail price $29.99

Next Pattern:

Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]

Next Pattern:

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