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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.

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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?

Knit Vests to Help Transition to Warmer Weather

Last year I cleaned out my closet and realized that I had about 24 handknit sweaters. This knowledge hasn’t completely stopped me from knitting more sweaters, but it did get me thinking about places in my wardrobe where I might actually need more knit things, and one thing I noticed a lack of was knit vests.

I have a couple of them and I love them for layering when it starts to get a little warmer, like when it’s cool in the morning but hot in the afternoon, or cold in a building but warmer outside. I’ve already knit myself one new vest this year, and with these patterns I’m pretty sure I’ll be making more.

This chunky vest pattern from Daisy and Peace on Etsy is sort of the quintessential vest you think of when you think of knit vests, with a scoop neck and ribbed edges. It uses bulky yarn and is great for beginners since it is worked flat. There are six sizes available.

The Knit Purl Girl has another pretty take on the basic knit vest, this time with a higher, double folded neckline. The Semper Slipover is worked with a mohair blend and a wool yarn held together to make a DK weight gauge. The tops of each side are worked separately, then joined for working in the round.

Minimi Knit Design has another great take on a classic vest, this time with a v-neck. It’s worked in the round from the top down using worsted weight yarn. Sizing ranges from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm actual bust measurement.

One thing about all the vests I have right now is that they are pullovers, but this version with buttons is pretty cure, too. It’s from MMadisonMarie on Etsy, and it uses fuzzy, chunky yarn and has an oversized fir with a V-neck and button closure. It’s worked flat and comes in three sizes.

Or you could make this cute vest with an I-cord tie, from Nicoline Sofie Knit. It’s worked from the top down starting with all the pieces separate, then joining and working the whole piece back and forth in rows. It has I-cord edging, comes in six sizes, and calls for a combo of alpaca and a glittery yarn.

Svetlana Volkov’s Nola Slipover is made with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together to get a bulky gauge. It has a high neck and roomy armholes, with a slightly cropped body. It’s available in eight sizes and you can get a copy on Ravelry.

Knit a Vest with Cabled Details

Knit a Cozy Vest for Fall

Play with Fisherman’s Rib in This Fun Long Vest Project

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