Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

This Fun Book of Knit Accessories Could be Yours

by 39 Comments

Boutique knitsBoutique Knits is a fun little book with more than 20 knit accessories with a high-fashion flair. Because who doesn’t want to show off their knitting skills on hats, shawls, mitts and other projects that everyone will notice no matter what else you’re wearing?

These projects have an eye for detail, and even the most basic patterns have fun additions, like that cloche on the cover with its sideswept brim like a flapper’s hair. There are buttons, beads, ruffles and lots of texture knitting in these projects, adding lots of interest for knitting and for wearing. Check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, May 7. I’d love to know if you have a favorite way to embellish your knitting. Mine is probably stripes, but I love a good picot edging, too.

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

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Comments

  7. There are so many beautiful hats in the book. I would love to do them all!. I like to embellish adding little beads or a last row in a different colour.

  9. I love to add beads anywhere I can, and I think a Picot edge adds a bit of interest to a hem!

  10. I love to add beads or found objects that have holes. I also like a little design pattern like a row of ducks. Everything looks better with fringe

  11. What a great giveaway. I love to embroider flowers and leaves on my knits, or little lambs on baby items. I also added crocheted vertical stripes one time.

  12. Ive a wonderful new daughter-in-law who taught herself to knit and does remarkable work. Would love to give her this gem .

  13. The patterns are beautiful!! I would love this book, so I could knit them all!! 🙂

  14. I’m fairly new to knitting, but I’m so excited to try different patterns.

  15. I love lace and try to embellish my items with lace patterns. I would love the chance to win this book.

  21. I’m often surprised to see how a single button can show off the beauty of knit projects, so simple and such a difference! Although the items in this book seem to fashiony for buttons… OH, how I love the cloches! 😀

  22. I love adding cable or lace details to patterns, but would love to try some beading. Thanks for this great giveaway!

  23. I like to add beads to some of my knitting, but mostly just follow the pattern

  24. I like a crocheted decorative edge. I like that felted collar in the book, and the diamond print shrug. Unique. 🙂

  26. I love to embellish my knits. The devil is in the details. I will add knitted flowers to hats, offset beads, add tassels and fringes. Just about anything I need to add that final touch that makes it mine. The options are endless.

  32. I like interesting edgings, too, or a little flower on the side of a hat.

  33. I’ve been known to add a little flower-loom flower, but I’ve gotten a lot of buttons (cats) that I think would be fun on that hat. chime while you walk!

  36. I’m lucky to remember to make my edges neat! Lol. But I do love adding beads or maybe a row or two of eyelets if possible.

  39. I like to explore a pattern and make it my own, therefore I may work it several times before satisfied. Embellishment for me is experimenting with the delightful colours and textures of the yarns to decide which ones suit the patterns.

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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