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Book Review: Two Needles, Many Knits

February 19, 2025 by Sarah White

When I first picked up Quayln Stark’s Two Needles, Many Knits I assumed it was a book that was all patterns using straight knitting needles. It’s not, but it is full of easy to follow knitting instructions and simple patterns (mostly worked flat, though some are in the round) for beginners and those who want to increase their skills.

About half of the book is devoted to knitting skills, so if you’re a brand new knitter or you need to refresh your memory on the basics this is helpful. This covers things like necessary supplies, yarn weights, reading a yarn label, reading and following a pattern and English vs. continental knitting. Tutorials cover how to make a slip knot, long-tail cast on and backward loop cast on, binding off, knitting and purling in English and continental and making basic fabrics.

From there it goes into things like increases and decreases, lace knitting, picking up stitches, cables, finishing projects and fixing mistakes, to name a few. It’s a pretty solid overview of what you need to know to knit basic patterns and beyond.

Speaking of patterns, there are 15 patterns organized into three skill levels. The first three patterns — a garter stitch washcloth, a flat-knit hat in stockinette and a cowl worked in the round — are labeled as practice patterns and are good places to start if you’ve never knit a project before.

The other level one patterns include a sampler scarf, a ribbed pillow cover, a stockinette stitch headband worked flat and stitched into a tube and a tote bag made with garter stitch. Level two patterns are a scarf knit on the bias in multicolored yarn, an envelope purse in an easy textured stitch pattern, a corner to corner baby blanket with a hood added to one corner and a kid’s sized striped hat worked in the round.

Level three brings you a mesh lace shawl, a baby’s basketweave shirt (worked flat), cabled fingerless gloves worked in the round and an adult sized, raglan sleeved, collared pullover with a two-button closure, which brings together a bunch of skills. Honestly it’s not the easiest first sweater project you could try, but if you want to do it and follow along with all the techniques in the book you can pull it off.

There’s nothing super creative here but it’s a nice collection of solid patterns to practice and things you can use or gift as you learn. You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

I think this book would be a good place to start for someone who is somewhat new (or totally new) to knitting and wants a book for reference and some easy patterns to try. Supplement with videos for techniques you don’t get right away and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more confident knitter.

About the book: 152 pages, paperback, 15 patterns. Published 2024 by Callisto Publishing. Suggested retail price $16.99.

Next Pattern:

  • Book Review - Big Book of Baby Knits
  • Knitting Tip: Using Interchangeable Knitting Needles
  • Book Review- Casual Circular Knits
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Knits to Make for Your Labubu

Maybe it’s not your Labubu, but if you’ve ever looked at one of those creepy cute dolls and thought “what that thing needs is a sweater,” you’ve come to the right place. These Labubu knitting patterns are super cute and easy to make whatever your skill level. 

If you want to keep it super basic, there’s this Labubu sweater from flourish AND fiber. It uses sock yarn and is worked from the top down in the round with a bit of ribbing on the edges but otherwise in stockinette stitch. It says it’s meant to fit all current regular Labubu plush pendants. 

Another cute pendant project is the Bubu Cardi by Ginko B. This free Ravelry download uses fingering weight yarn and only uses about 35 yards of yarn, so it’s a perfect scrap knitting project. 

Give your Labubu some springtime flair with this sweet little dress pattern by About Yarn. It’s for a 6.5 inch/17 cm doll and is worked in the round using DK weight yarn. 

Or get them ready for cooler weather with this cute beanie from Stephanie Connolly. Available as a free Ravelry download, this pattern uses DK weight yarn and has a hole in the top for Labubu’s ears and pendant to pull through. 

If you want a more whimsical look, try the Labubu headdress by Shino Craft. This one uses sport weight yarn and makes your critter look like a flower. You can buy it on Ravelry.

Add a touch of colorwork with this adorable heart sweat for a Labubu. This pattern is from kelmadeSG and uses fingering or DK weight yarn (maybe depending on what size doll you have?) and is worked flat in pieces. 

Shirley Durmaz made this cute hoodie for a Labubu with two strands of fingering weight yarn (or you could use a DK weight). It’s available on Ravelry.

If your Labubu fan is also a Taylor Swift fan, you’ll want to knit the free Labubu V Neck Cardigan, inspired by Taylor’s Folklore sweater. It uses fingering weight yarn and you can find it on Ravelry. 

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