Knitting

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Giveaway: You Can Knit That

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you can knit that review
The winner is Karey.

I don’t know why I didn’t give this one away sooner, but You Can Knit That by Amy Herzog is a book I would want if I were starting out with sweater and garment knitting, and there are definitely patterns in it that I would still knit.

But this is designed to be a learning book, with lessons and patterns that build off each other, so it’s perfect for people who haven’t knit sweaters, vests and tops before.

Even better, it includes a whole bunch of sizes for each of the patterns, so it’s very likely you can knit straight from these patterns, no modifications required.

There’s also lots of great information that will help build your confidence before you even pick up your needles and as you knit to ensure that you’re making something you will be proud of, that you’ll be happy to wear and that fits.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, March 5. I’d love to know if you have any experience knitting garments, and what your dream sweater that you wish you could knit would be. I’ve made a few of the dream designs in my head, including a circular yoke sweater out of Icelandic wool, a great sweater worked in self-striping Noro and a simple ribbed vest. But there are always more great sweaters to try, right?

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

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Comments

  2. I’m completely intimidated by sweaters. Maybe this is the book that would help me get past that! Thanks for the great giveaway.

  3. My first and only sweater was knitted when I was in junior high school. Got it all finished, wore it ten minutes, then I ripped it out to make something else. That yarn sure got a workout!

  8. I’ve never knit a sweater and would love this. I’ll change fingerless gloves at the wrists so they aren’t baggy, but that’s about it.

  9. Sweaters and other items are so expensive to buy. I’m disabled so I have a lot of free time with not much to do except knit & crochet. Christmas & other special days would be wonderful if I could make something with love that I made with my own hands since I don’t have enough money to buy gifts or buy new ones even for myself on a disability income. Thank you for this great giveaway. 🙂

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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