Product Description

Think you're too young? Think you're too old? Author Melanie Falick teaches kids of all ages how to knit with fifteen easy projects, from bouncy beanbags to a rolled-edge sweater. Using straightforward language, step-by-step instructions, and bright candy-colored illustrations, beginners learn the basics, including finer knitting, casting on and binding in the round and shaping. Phototgraphs feature finished projects modeled by a delightful case of young knitters. Best of all, kids get to have fun creating things they can actually usebookmarks, backpacks, bracelets, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64050 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 6-Appealing, full-color photographs and a dynamic layout will draw readers to this book, but the careful crafting of instructions will make them successful knitters. Beautiful photos show a group of young people having fun making and wearing attractive hats, socks, and sweaters. Not only are projects and skills arranged in an orderly progression of difficulty, but the directions also begin explicitly and gradually move toward the standard abbreviations used in commercial patterns (e.g., "knit 1" is written out instead of abbreviated as "k1"). Additional material sets this title above the few others available on the topic. There's good information on proper blocking and laundering of finished garments, dyeing wood with Kool-Aid, making wooden needles, felting wool, sewing knitting bags, the multicultural aspects of knitting, and (most importantly) finding other knitters to help with the inevitable confusions of acquiring a new skill. By following the clear directions, 10 year olds with a mechanical bent can learn the basics unaided. With some help from an experienced knitter, kids as young as five could have a rewarding new hobby. Only a small flaw mars this exemplary workAthere is a reversed diagram, but an errata sheet correcting this error is available. A terrific resource.
Torrie Hodgson, Burlington Public Library, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4^-7. Knitting may not be the first free-time activity kids think of, but this very attractive book is just the thing to get them interested. Special care has been taken with the book's design--everything from the typeface to the layout to the bright background colors and occasional original artwork makes the book look hip and fresh. Dynamic color photos show both boys and girls knitting away at appealing projects--among them, backpacks, hats, puppets, scarfs, and a sweater. The instructions for knitting basics, such as casting on and the garter stitch, are given both in writing and visually, and are so clear that adult books on knitting could pick up some pointers. A list of yarn sources and information on caring for hand-knits round out the treatment. Not your grandmother's knitting book. Ilene Cooper

Ingram
In 15 easy projects, author and knitting expert Melanie Falick teaches kids of all ages how to knit. Through step-by-step instructions and brightly-colored illustrations, beginners learn the fundamentals--from knitting tools and finger-knitting to such basic stitches as purl, mattress, and overcast. Full color.

Customer Reviews

For Beginners, Kids or Adult
While it is certainly easier to learn to knit from a live person, this book is the next best thing. With clear pictures and directions, this book takes you from the tools through how to knit a whole sweater.
Along the way, there are lots of projects designed to practice specific skills: knit, purl, weaving, increasing, ribbing, and so on. This means that, instead of practicing for a long time before you begin your sweater, you can make a bean bag, a hat, a scarf, a back pack, and much more while practicing. At the end, you will be ready to succeed with the simple sweater pattern. Since the pattern goes up to 46" at the chest, many adults will be able to make and enjoy this sweater, too.
My personal favorite pattern in this book is the spiral sock. This pattern makes great slippers, while giving plenty of practice in decreasing. The swatch scarf lets you practice different stitch patterns and use the results in a whimsical scarf. There is even a felting project. All the patterns are given in plain English, but there is a page at the back which explains knitter-ese like "psso". Naturally, all the patterns are simple, but they are designed with beautiful yarns which will give nice results. A beginning knitter who makes several patterns from this book will be ready to go on to grownup patterns!

Great Projects & Easy to Follow
This book is beautiful. The projects are fun and the directions are easy to follow. This is the book I learned with as an adult. The projects are great for both kids and adults.

I HATE IT!!!!!!!!
Okay, So I picked this book up and bought it, thinking it could teach me to knit. Th intructions make it seem very challenging!!!!!! I don't reccomend this book to anyone.