Customer Reviews

Astounding Knits!: 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a "Believe It or Not!" book for knitters, and it's a lot of fun. Basically, it's a book about oddball knitting projects, with each project described in a few paragraphs and illustrated with photos. Many projects will be familiar to long-time knitting enthusiasts, such as Debbie New's knitted teacups, Althea Crome's miniature masterpiece sweaters, Jan Messent's knitted gardens, and Lauren Porter's full-size knitted Ferrari. Others may be less familiar, such as Gelatin's giant rabbit (viewable from space), Jimini Hignett's knitted body parts, Gayle Roehm's knitted Faberge egg, Inga Hamilton's crocheted reefs, and Merel Karhof's scarves knitted by windmills.

The book illustrates the incredible creativity of artists who knit, as well as the amazing range of possibilities that exist for creating knitted objects and garments. There are only a few patterns, although these include instructions for a penguin sweater (used in zoos), and an "origami" crane for peace. This is a must-have book for any serious knitter/artist, as a source of inspiration and of information on what's already been done. It is also a great gift for any moderately dedicated knitter, as pure, delightful, entertainment.

For another recent book on knitting oddball stuff (things like urban light pole and bicycle rack covers) that includes some patterns and technical how-to info, check out Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti.

This is a most unusual book comprised of exactly what the title says - Astounding Knits. Their definition of what's included in the book is as follows: "It could be something big...It could be something small...It could be unprecedented...It could be kooky. In others, it's all about the idea behind the knitting, as in Reknit's recycled sweater campaign.

Their are miniature knits that can fit on the head of a pin. In Dallas, some knitter knit a yellow road line that is .36 miles long. There is a story about the largest knitting project ever undertaken: "nearly 100,000 squares huge, using countless yards of yarn, all as part of a 2007 campaign to raise awareness of the 1.1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to drinking water." There is a gingerbread house knit in life size. There are knitted buildings with "all the makings of a lifelike miniature city." "Wondering what to do with ten months of your time and 12 miles of yarn? How about knitting a car? How about knitting the car to end all cars - a Ferrari Testarossa with a bit of the F355 thrown in for good measure?" Someone knit a cozy for a REAL motorcycle. There is a knitted seder and a knitted sushi dinner. Someone knit a skeleton of the human body. Someone else knit lungs.

I think you get the idea. This is a book of 101 unusual, astounding projects that have all been knit. It's amazing to me that someone could even come up with the idea to make half of these things. It's bound to get looks of amazement and huge belly laughs when you look at it. All is all, it's a one of a kind piece.

I first bought this book for me, and then I just sent it to a friend for her birthday. We've both been knitting for many, many year, so it's lots of fun to see what people are doing to display their art.