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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

  3. Everyone I would knit presents for has moved to warm climates – Floria, Arizona, Dubai – so I’m left knitting just for me, my daughter and husband. And they like hats. Hats, hats and more hats.

  4. thanks for having this giveaway, I would love to have it in my library. I am working on some scrubby’s, and other household helpers for everyone this year.

  6. I’d love to knit from this book! I’m 5′ along in a scrumptious double-knit alpaca scarf my teen requested last year- it WILL be under the tree next month, all 7′ of it!

  8. I’m at the end of a shawl, and there are a couple of sweet Neighbor girls who could use a good Winter hat. I’d love to make one of them something a little on the frilly side, with little curly Q’s on it, so it would make her smile, and possibly get her Mom to put it on her, when the weather is cold enough!! She’s in her terrible 2’s!! This book sounds like it would have some interesting projects in it, and would have some last-minute ideas, too, so you won’t be empty-handed for the Holidays!! Have a wonderful Christmas, and all the best in the coming Year!!

  12. I’m knitting a vest for my husband, but have totally lost my mojo to finish it before the holidays. Maybe I just need some quiet time to get back in the groove, and I should be able to carve some out now that Thanksgiving has passed.

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.

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