Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway: A Couple of Quick Knitting Books

by 71 Comments

quick knitting books giveaway

The winner is Lillian!

It’s too late for these to help you with this year’s holiday knitting, but I have been wanting to do this giveaway for a while and it seems appropriate for this time of year.

The winner this week will get a copy of 60 Quick Knits and 60 More Quick Knits from Sixth & Spring Books. The books both have 20 patterns each for hats, scarves and mittens. The first book uses Cascade 220 and the second Cascade 220 Sport.

There books have a great variety of projects, some solid color things as well as fun colorwork, and lots of techniques worked in. Because most of the projects are small, they work up pretty fast for gifts, or when you just want a new knit accessory for yourself.

If you’d like a chance to win these, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, December 20. I’d love to know which is your favorite to knit: hats, scarves or mittens? I’m usually a scarf girl but I’ve been getting into mittens (and gloves) lately.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. I’ve always preferred mittens. I enjoy complex pattern work in the round. I’ve only knit hats a handful of times and scarfs get boring for me after awhile.

  6. I have attempted knitting in the past, but got more into crocheting…but I would love to give knitting a try again 🙂

  10. If it ever gets cold here again i sure need patterns. Delaware is setting new temp records every day.

  15. I love making hats…so quick yet so impressive! These books will be a great resource for some new patterns for charity knitting.

  17. I think scarfs are the best gift for anyone. they are always a great fashion accessory. I like to knit these for gifts because you do not have to worry about the correct fit, different lengths are great and its a great way to use up some of your stash.

  18. Right now scarves and cowls are my favorite to knit, but I’ve found a charity in the area that wants mittens and hats – so I’m going for mittens & hats this coming year!

  20. I love to crochet but decided to take a big leap into knitting by starting a Persian dreams octagon afghan in 14 colors.

  21. Mostly hats,which- I pass out to the homeless – I tried giving them mitts, but they didn’t go over well. .

  22. I love any knitting and would be happy to win anything at all. I never keep what I make, but pay it forward.

  27. I try to knit a little of everything. I love finding and trying new pattens . It makes my day to try something that I feel is to difficult for me and later see it finished in my hands.

  29. My library is tired of my checking out Quick Knits Hats…now that there is More Quick Knits I would like my own copy…

  34. Love to do them all. Gloves and mittens are really fun. But when I’m feeling just a little low, or some big project just won’t come together, knitting or crocheting a hat is just so satisfying. And when a friend goes ‘I love your hat’ its nice to go here ‘its yours, I’ll make another.’

  41. My favorite to knit or crochet is scarves, great for trying out new stitch patterns! Thanks 😀
    Kim R.

  49. I am a hat gal, especially those with attitude and embellishments.
    Truly a feminine accessory that adds style to any outfit. .

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *