Book Review: We Are Knitters

Most knitters who have been around the Internet for very long have probably heard of We Are Knitters, a Spanish company that sells yarn, knitting needles and kits (and now some crochet patterns as well).

Company founders Alberto Bravo and Pepita Marín published a book including 15 of their patterns and information about six of their favorite cities (as well as knitting instructions) called We Are Knitters: Knitspiration to Take Anywhere and Everywhere.

While the travel angle somehow feels dated in coronatimes, the pages of pictures and tips on where to knit in different cities might help with your wanderlust. It’s not enough so that it feels like a travel book exactly but it might inspire you to add some destinations to your “whenever this is over” list.

The patterns are some of the classic WAK designs and are mostly pretty simple straight pieces largely worked in Stockinette, Garter Stitch and other easy stitch patterns. Some of my favorites are the Tuareg Sweater, which is all rectangles but worked in a fun three-color Linen Stitch pattern; the Encina Scarf, which is really a big triangular shawl with alternating Stockinette and purl ridges; and the Olmo Headband, made of braided I-cord.

You can find a full list of the patterns in the book on their website.

The garments offer four sizes, so there’s not a huge range (one tank top ranges from 35 to 44 inches, for example, while a boxy cardigan is 42 to 50 inches) but if you fit in that range and like the We Are Knitters style you’ll probably enjoy this book.

In addition, the book includes a lengthy section on their yarn, care instructions, tools and knitting basics including casting on, knitting, purling, binding off, slip stitches, increases, decreases and working with two strands of yarn held together. Techniques are illustrated with photographs that are sometimes a little hard to make out what is going on, but could serve as a good refresher for someone who already knows how to knit.

If you like big, boxy garments, simple designs, and working with large yarn and needles, that is most of what you will find in this book. It would be good for beginners wanting to build their confidence, knit their first simple garments and finish some fun projects quickly. The accessories here would be fun to knit as gifts or for yourself.

About the book: 176 pages, hardcover, 15 patterns. Published 2019 Abrams Books. Suggested retail $24.99.

Next Pattern:

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.

Next Pattern:

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