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.

One of my favorite things to make on a circular knitting machine is scarves, because they’re a great way to use leftover yarn and certainly faster than knitting by hand.

But if you pay attention to the colors you’re using and how you are using them, you can make fun knitting machine scarves that look like something different when you roll them up.

One of the first versions of this I saw was the sushi scarf, are there are a lot of variations on this one. For example this one from Flower and Anchor that uses five colors of yarn, or this one from Three Threads NE that uses four. These generally are made to look like California rolls, but you could change up the colors to make them different things if you like. Just make sure the outside of the “roll” is black or green to indicate the nori. I found another version on Pinterest if you’re looking for a free pattern, but there’s no image of it rolled up.

Another popular variation is making a scarf that rolls up to look like a mug with coffee, tea or another fun beverage inside. This collection of three mug scarf circular knitting machine patterns from Idaho Cottage Creation includes green tea, a pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream and a candy cane colored confection (which honestly reminds me of the Grinch since it has a green mug!). Again you can change the colors of the mug part and the drink part. The little handle looks like it’s crocheted on these, and it doubles as a loop you can thread the scarf end through when you wear it.

Again there’s a version of the green tea scarf on Pinterest with crocheted elements. I also found a latte done with a striped yarn and a red mug that’s pretty cute and gives you an idea what a different beverage would look like.

I also love this pumpkin pie scarf designed by Jodi Favish Saunier. It has a bit of crocheted edging to give it a fancy crust but you can omit that if you don’t crochet. These are all on Facebook but she also has a watermelon and lemonade pattern that are super cute.

Have you read?