Knitting

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Book Review – Speed Knitting

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speed knitting book giveaway

Congratulations to Gill!

I’m here to help you with your holiday knitting problems, with this week’s giveaway of Speed Knitting.

OK, even if I mail this one more promptly than usual, it might be a little late for this year, but I’ll bet you can still ship up a couple of pairs of bulky mittens, a lacy poncho or a skinny scarf before the holiday season is over.

This book includes 24 projects, worked with big yarn and needles, and tries to hit a lot of different gift recipients, from babies to dogs and cats, teens and women, and a couple that would work for men as well. There are garments, accessories and projects for the home.

It’s got a lot of great basic patterns (see on Ravelry) that you’ll enjoy knitting even when you’re not in a huge hurry.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, Nov. 28. I’d love to know what you’re working on for gift knitting this year. Other than the requisite warm things for my daughter, I’m not sure I’m knitting anything for anyone, but I’ve been known to change my mind at the last minute!

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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Comments

  2. I’ve just learned how to knit, so I’m going to start with the basics and keep it simple for a bit. Hats and scarves mostly

  5. I have completed six afghans for family this year! Your book sounds like a great one for trying to finish up a few more last minute items!

  6. I’m knitting a scarf with a puppy dog head on one end and feet on the other. I usually do more crochet, so this is a nice change for me.

  9. I am working on a cover for my husband to cover his cast while he goes hunting so his hand will stay warm.

  10. I am trying to knit rather quickly a poncho for my 13 yr old niece. She lives in South Florida so no need for the scarves or hats but a poncho is something she can wear when it gets a bit cooler.

  11. I am knitting Slipper Socks for my six girls – two daughtets and four granddaughters. Also Also cabled headbands and a sweater.

  14. I began an ambitious king size Afghan in June on size 8 needles and am just now putting on the finishing edges. I worked on it 5-6 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be a Christmas gift for my brother and his wife. It’s done in a patchwork fashion done with individual designs that are personal to them. He works for the railroad, so there is a train patch, they raise chickens, so I did a chick and rooster patch. Well, you get the idea. It was the biggest project I have ever taken on, developed carpal tunnel, had the hand surgery, and often fretted that it would not be completed by Christmas but it will be. It is my biggest accomplishment.Next I want to make shawls for folks in nursing homes. I think that will give me even a greater sense of worth.

  19. This book looks great. I finished two headbands over the weekend (super fast projects) and am flirting with starting socks for my mom but am a little intimidated by the gauge.

  20. I am currently knitting mini sweater decorations for my granddaughters. I would love to work on something larger for a change.

  22. I am going to start on a Jacques hat by Wool and the Gang for my daughter – other than that I have not thought of what I should make! This book would for sure assist me!

  23. I love quick projects that still reflect the time, talent and love that goes into each piece. Just completed an array of pumpkins in various yarns for a fall centerpiece. Currently working g on completing a scarf for my Blackhawk fan son!, An Afghan for my DIL and a textired throw follow.
    I’d certainly love another book to add to my library.

  24. I will be starting a Poncho for one daughter and using up Xmas yarn by doing Turban headbands and ornament cozies.

  28. I’m done making….cute little sheep pins for my spinning friends, requisite crochet cotton dishcloth for my teacher friends.

  30. I just finished an infant prayer shawl for the parents of a stillborn son. Have made many adult prayer shawls from the prayer shawl website.

  34. I am working on a baby bias blanket. It’s so slow. I am working with small needles. I’m afraid the baby will be ready for college before I finish!!!!!

  37. Not that I realistically think I’ll finish before the 25th but furiously stitching my way through 2 blankets for my 5 and 6 year-old nephews. They are too cool for hats now

  40. I need this book, even though I typically knit with worsted weight or smaller yarn. I love accessories and I just don’t have enough time to make everything I want to gift!

  42. Panchos for my newest GRAND seem to be the order…safer for the carseat…and who wants to be dull and have just one!!

  43. I have just finished ten pairs of mitts to raise funds for my granddaughter’s school. Now I am concentrating on finishing two jumpers for one daughter, fingerless gloves for another daughter and two jumpers for my granddaughter before Christmas day. I love a knitting challenge!

  46. I’m knitting gift sacks w/o Christmas colors so they can be used year round. I’m also making a few flat ornaments, wash clothes, tea towels and head bands to go into sacks. These are for my daughters.

  47. I’m working on a scarf, a shawl, and 2 blankets. Wish I was more of a speed knitter sometimes, but I have to admit I love the process, however fast or slow the progress!

  49. With a possible 4th baby among friends in a year, I’m bust crochet & knitting baby items. Along with hats, mittens, scarfs, socks, blankets, shawls, etc….and a hoodie pullover for an adult son (he actually wants me to make it, in blue or red to match his sporty car)!!

  50. My big project this year is a mermaid tail afghan for my older daughter, who loves The Little Mermaid.

Have you read?

Summer T-Shirt Knitting Patterns

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.