Knitting Green by Ann Budd

If it comes from a plant, it’s green. If it comes from an animal, it’s green. If it’s naturally dyed, it’s green. Clara Parkes, of Knitter’s Review goes further and says, “Going green may simply involve not buying any new yarn and only using what they have”.

The patterns in this book are simple, basic and refreshing. 20 projects for garments, accessiories, gifts and home furnishings and all different “green” ideas.

There is a vest, actually the one you see above on the cover that is made from eco-wool. Which means it wasn’t dyed or chemically produced in any way. Yarns made from plant fibers that have been organically grown. Projects mixing organic plant based yarns with wools and merinos are included, and they all have their own “green” stamp.

This newest book is from Interweave Press, and although not available (quite yet) you can order it here: http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Knitting-Green.html

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Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]

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