Book Review – Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits

I recently picked up a copy of “Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits” and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. The author has done an incredible job of curating a collection of 12 simple, modern knits that are perfect for the weekend. The patterns are designed for women, men and children and are made using bulky and super bulky yarns, making them exude comfort and ease.

I love the author’s mission to create casual, contemporary, wearable handknits that can serve as foundation pieces in anyone’s wardrobe. The patterns are approachable and not too complex, making them easy to follow and perfect for knitters of all skill levels. The author’s minimalist approach to design is evident in the patterns, and I appreciate how the author focuses on creating simple yet stylish knits that are easy to wear and enjoy.

As a knitter, I can relate to the author’s goal of creating go-to pieces that feel just right, like a favorite soft gray pullover from college. The author’s emphasis on creating knits that are easy to wear and love is something that resonates with me and I believe it will resonate with other knitters as well.

Overall, I highly recommend “Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits” to anyone who loves to knit and is looking for simple, modern and easy-to-wear knits. This collection is filled with patterns that are perfect for the weekend, and you will enjoy creating, and wearing them. The book is well-written, the patterns are easy to follow, and the final results are beautiful, stylish and comfortable, a perfect combination for knits.

Next Pattern:

Stitch dictionaries are a fun way to learn new-to-you knitting stitch patterns or to take a deep dive into a particular technique. Debbie Tomkies offers 100 cable stitch designs and thoughts on how to incorporate them into projects in her Cable Knitting Stitch Dictionary.

Each stitch pattern is shown in a large swatch photo and with written and charted instructions. Any special stitches are included on the page. The stitches are rated on a difficulty scale of 1 to 3, and the pattern notes also indicate how many extra stitches you should add to a project if you’re going to work this cable (since cables pull the fabric closer together you need to compensate for that) as well as how many stitches and rows are in the repeat if you want to design a project yourself.

The cables are arranged into sections: classic cables, combinations, all-over panels, creative cables, motifs and panels and cabled edges and borders.

It’s fun to flip through the designs to think about projects you can add a single cable or two to or make with an allover cabled design. Or you could make swatches of different cables and sew them together into a pillow cover or a throw.

At the back of the book there’s a section on general cable knitting techniques, reading charts, working swatches and avoiding errors (though it mentions working the wrong number of rows between cable turns, it doesn’t share how to count rows between cables to avoid this mistake).

It also talks about how to design your own cables, combine cables in a project, choose the right yarn and needles and determine how many more stitches you need to cast on when working cables instead of stockinette stitch. There’s also a glossary of symbols and abbreviations you may find in cable knitting and other patterns.

The book provides a good overview of things you can do with cables, as well as some fun things you might not have tried like infinity cables and horizontal cables. It’s a great book for a designer who likes to work with cables or a knitter who wants to play with different stitches in their projects.

About the book: 176 pages, paperback, 100 stitch patterns. Published 2024 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $26.99.

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