Customer Reviews

Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As always, keep in mind that "knit" comes before "crochet" in the title. And similar to frozen dinners promising "gravy and roast beef", there are more knit patterns than there are crochet patterns. How many more? There are a total of 20 more knit patterns that crochet patterns for a total amount of 34 patterns - 7 crochet, 27 knit. This is of interest to the crocheter because you have to figure out whether the 7 crochet patterns are worth buying.
The patterns for crochet are as follows: Granny Bag, Crochet Flower Brooch, Cheerful Earmuffs, Gilded Mesh Scarf, Colorful Crochet Flowers, Felted Yule Bling and Felted Trivet and Coasters. The Granny Bag is as you would expect it to be if you are a crocheter, the twist being it is felted and lined. The Cheerful Earmuffs are very cute if you're an earmuff wearer. The Gilded Mesh scarf is great looking. The crochet flowers were all right, but honestly, the Felted Yule Bling and the Felted Trivet and Coasters just left me cold. The most intriguing pattern, the one of the little felted hearts on the cover, is knitted.
Is it worth it for a crocheter to buy this book? Well, if you want to make really cool looking earmuffs, I'd say, yes, you should definitely buy this book. The mesh scarf is great and the fringe is a wonderful twist that I would never have considered. The crochet patterns are well written. But I have to admit I was really disappointed that the heart pattern was only in knit.
The knit patterns look great. The Weekend Socks look terrific, the arm cozies are lovely. Not Being a knitter, I can't say how well they are written, but I'd would presume they would be well written because of the crochet patterns.
What's the verdict? If you're a crocheter, you may want to check this book out in person to see how many patterns you would be likely to use. It does have some great ideas.The knit projects look fantastic and since there are 24 knit patterns, the knitters get more bang for their buck.

I am sure that a lot of effort went into designing the projects that went into this book. Personally I was looking for a book that offered more options for things to knit and crochet that were a bit more practical. For instance: Egg covers - for covering an egg that is served in a little wooden holder? . . . Seriously? I don't have time to knit 'stuff' like that! Would have loved to see ideas that were FUNCTIONAL as well as attractive. I realize that this is personal preferences, but this is one book that I wish I had checked out at the library before I jumped in and bought it! I just don't see myself reaching for this knitting book the next time I want to make a gift for someone! If you are looking for a pattern for gift and want to make a hat, scarf or mittens check out: 60 Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220. Now that is a great knitting book!

Ok, who will like this book and who will NOT?

1. Knitters who like to felt. There are small projects like little hearts to use as pincushions, egg cozies, and other doo-dads. Also felt medallions to embroider and ornament baby wear.

2. Felters who want to do little projects. I mean, little.

3. Anyone with kids who want to try small felting projects

4. People who like fiber-related Christmas or holiday fiddle-faddle

Who will not like it? Anyone who wants bigger stuff or thinks they could figure all this out on their own and not buy a book.

I liked the pincushion idea (the hearts are cute, they could be addictive.) The baby sweater is different and quite modern-retro. The egg cozies are nice--we eat boiled eggs and the little warmers are very pretty and stylish. Other than that however...well, not my kind of thing.

I was all excited to learn to make the bangles, so I ordered the book. If I had not done more research on felting, I would not have had much success doing the project. She should have dealt with shaping the bracelets (I used spray cans). It would have been helpful to have better direction about washing the bangles. I experimented using large safety pins in the center of the bangle after placing it in a mesh lingerie bag. It seemed to crunch up less. I also found that a 12" strip worked better for size.

Love this book! So much more than just another knitting/crocheting pattern book! I even found that it has little sewed gifts that you can make with easy to read instructions. If you don't alawys have the time to work on long craft projects, this is a great book to have!

I borrowed this from the library before purchasing, just to be sure it contained plenty of patterns that I would be using.

This is a very nice book with some sweet, easy-to-make items of a wide variety. I think you'd be hard-pressed not to find something in here when the time comes when you need to make a nice gift for someone, with the exception of men - there is really nothing in here for a man except maybe the felted potholders/trivets/coasters for the male bachelor. (Every girl knows it's bad luck to knit sweaters for your boyfriends anyways ;), so no great loss here.) Most items lean towards females, both in accessories and household items, and there are 3 baby patterns: booties, sweater, and hat.

I was going to list the items here but you can see from Amazon's preview the Contents page of this book. There are many more knitted patterns than crocheted patterns. There are some nice felting projects as well. The designs are tasteful, not hokey or cheesy.

A nice touch included are the recipes ideas of special homemade food items that you can create easily to give along with the knitted/crocheted gift.

It's a sweet book which I know plan to purchase.

This book has lots of cute and fun ideas in it. But some of them are made from old sweaters or pieces of felt and I was sort of disappointed because I was hoping all of the patterns could be knitted. But overall, it's a good book and the patterns are easy to follow. One other note, many of the projects are felted, but there are no felting instructions included in the book for your own knitted work so you'll have to look that up separately.

There are many beautiful ideas for knitting small gift items and using up some of that stash yarn that inhabits the nooks & crannies of knitters' shelves, baskets & drawers.
The patterns are varied, well written and has good photographs of finished items.

If the felted hearts on the cover aren't enough to make you have to have this project book, the scarves, hats, mittens, etc will do it. Perfect projects for those of us with little time to be crafty.

Was excited to get this book. I have already knitted two of the Linen summer wraps on page 15 and have requests for 3 more from friends. They are quick to knit and so much fun!! Have tagged several projects in this book as "must do". I am really enjoying this book not only for the eye-candy but the fun in deciding which color to choose for each project. Thanks, Mags