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?

Book Review: Cable Knitting Stitch Dictionary

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.