Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #441841 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

From Library Journal
This book includes projects designed to appeal to the new Gen-X knitter and uses such currently popular materials as super-chunky wools, ribbon, and metallic yarns. Among the 18 projects are a felted tote bag, a hooded sweatshirt, a ribbed tank top, and chunky hats that should knit up in no time. Inexplicably, the "Knitting Basics" section at the end of the book does not include information on the knit and the purl stitches, so this project book will have to be used in conjunction with a basic how-to-knit instruction book. Recommended for all public libraries patronized by hip knitters. You know who you are.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"...This engaging collection of new and 'hip' patterns invites personal creativity into each design... a perfect guide for knitters of all levels..." -- Ultimate Knitting. "Guaranteed to appeal to the pickiest fashionista... but don't equate hip with trendy. The patterns are built on the classics..." -- Family Circle Easy Knitting. "Here's a book with all the patterns that every new knitter asks for..." -- Bust magazine. "These easy, quick-to-knit projects are perfect for instant-gratification knitting..." -- Knitter's Magazine. "...features fashion forward patterns like hippie-chic tote bags and bold, chunky hats..." -- Grace magazine. "Geared to the young, new knitters (but still perfect for knitters over 35!) who want to experience the satisfaction of making something using their new-found skill and their own sense of style..." -- Knit It!. "...far more than just another 'golly, knitting is so cool and trendy' book... Swartz's loving and honest voice is a pleasure to read..." -- Knitter's Review.com.

Knitter's Review
"Far more than just another 'golly, knitting is so cool and trendy' book.... Swartz's loving and honest voice is a pleasure to read."

Customer Reviews

Hip to Knit--not so hip
LAME! The projects in this book are awful. The instructions stink, and I don't know any teenager who would want to make, let alone wear, the projects in this book. I would recommend Stitch n' Bitch if you're looking for hip, stylish and young knit designs.

Great beginner projects
Easy projects but not all boring. You know the new knitters curse: row after row after row of stockinette stitch. You can find it, but there are a variety of items, and stitches to try; all clearly explained via drawings and direction.

Swartz does a nice job choosing yarns that pique your interest and shows swatches of different yarns for the same project.

Particularly nice is the sock pattern. It is easy to do,and has clear directions for something that often make new knitters nervous.

The roll neck cardigan is very stylish, as is the ribbon-yarn funnel neck sweater. You get several sweater projects, including a boyfriend sweater, a couple pair of mittens, socks, scarves, hats, and a large "coat". The book is layed out in two sections with simpler projects first in each section.

Swartz will teach you circular knitting on circular needles, and double points. You'll learn cables, how to read a cable pattern, Kitchener stitch for seaming, and a variety of other techniques to make your knitting lovely.

I'd strongly recommend using it in conjunction with a "knitting bible" style publication (I like kathrine buss' Big Book of Knitting). Swartz occasionally assumes you know how to properly decrease for necklines etc. A reference would help out a lot.

Not the best...
The projects in the book are great, but unfortuantely, the measurements as well as some of the other instruction are either incorrect or just plain confusing. I have done two projects based off of the instructions given in the book, and both pieces came out either too large, or too small. I wouldn't recommend this book for beginners, or even those who are a little more experienced at knitting, unless you know enough about taking your own measurements and calculating the number of stitches you will actually need to work with in each project.