Hot Knits: 30 Cool, Fun Designs to Knit and Wear [Paperback]

Melissa Leapman (Author), Joe VanDeHatert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

Offering an ever-expanding market of youthful knitters 30 fresh and fashionable designs, this knitting guide will appeal to busy knitters at all skill levels. The quick-knit designs fit into modern wardrobes and hectic lifestyles, and include patterns that flatter all shapes and sizes. Illustrated with dramatic fashion photography, this collection includes tanks, pullovers, cardigans, tunics, hoodies, jackets, a tube top, and a dress. The designs feature fun details such as ruffles, leather lacing, and fringed borders, and are worked in a variety of exciting colors and textures as well as price points of yarn. Also provided are "hot tips"-specific comments to aid in a garment's construction-and knitter-friendly details such as how to make successful yarn substitutions, an abbreviations list, and a guide to materials and instructional resources.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melissa Leapman is a widely published sweater designer whose patterns have appeared in Vogue Knitting, Knitter’s, McCall’s, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Knit It!, and Interweave Knits magazines. Leapman has worked as a freelance designer for many leading ready-to-wear manufacturers, noted design houses, and major yarn companies. In addition, her knitting, crochet, and design workshops are extremely popular with crafters at all skill levels. She lives in New York City.


Joe VanDeHatert is a commercial photographer based in Cincinnati. His gorgeous images have been featured in Hot Knits, Yummy Yarns by Kathleen and Nick Greco, and Shibori by Karren K. Brito, all published by Watson—Guptill.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823023389
• ISBN-13: 978-0823023387
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value for the price!, August 3, 2004

By 

Stephanie Hogan (W-B PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hot Knits: 30 Cool, Fun Designs to Knit and Wear (Paperback)

I bought this book sight unseen based on my previous knowledge of Melissa Leapman's designs, and I was not disappointed. I can't decide which of the designs to make first!
This is a collection of women's tops, from a long coat to a tube top and everything in between. The patterns are sized in ranges from XS-XXL, with most designs in sizes S-XL. The instructions are well written, with stitch patterns clearly listed at the beginning of each section, including suggested increase and decrease methods, and full schematics for each piece. Gauge, yarn and needle information is listed in a sidebar.
The designs themselves are stylish and clever - a big chunky rib sweater knit from sleeve to sleeve, a cardigan with figure-flattering hourglass cables, and a body-conscious fully-fashioned tank are some of my favorites. Other patterns are designed to show off beautiful ribbon, hand-dyed or boucle yarn. (Incidentally, most of the yarns can be substituted; there is a section in the back of the book that describes how.) Many of the patterns feature interesting and clever construction, like the cabled basketweave cardigan that is boxy in shape to prevent the agony of increasing or decreasing in pattern, and a pullover with a sideways cable border with self-fringe. Most of the designs are geared toward the intermediate knitter, so if you are comfortable with shaping, picking up stitches and cabling you can probably tackle most of the designs, though there are a few simpler patterns and one killer lace pullover for the experienced.
I can't remember the last time I bought a knitting book or magazine that had so many patterns I wanted to make and wear. That alone makes this book a great buy, but the price seals the deal. Oh, and the "Hot Tips" scattered through the book are a bonus!

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not that hot, September 29, 2004

By 

Deva Robbins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hot Knits: 30 Cool, Fun Designs to Knit and Wear (Paperback)

my basic complaint is that the title doesn't really match the contents. "Hot Knits" made me think they were sexy or somehow ungrandmotherly. I was looking for something more in the "Stitch N'Bitch" vein and man was i disappointed. these designs are not very current although most wouldn't go out of fashion. i felt like i was looking at designs from a catalog my mom likes. this book is fine if you like to knit fancy stitches and produce long tunics or short, boxy sweaters. i hate to say it but most of the designs i wouldn't buy in a store let alone take the time to knit myself. they try to sex them up by photographing the models with the cardigans unbottoned but they are transparent attempts to distract you from the (slightly tweaked) conservative quality of most of the sweaters. i gave it three stars because the designs aren't terrible, they just aren't "Hot". i've been doing more knitting and i recognize that the author is talented and obviously A LOT of thought and work went into the designs. it's just that it's marketed as "Hot" when really it's just "hotter than JC Penney, not as hot as the Gap". if you want to WEAR really cute, young, "Hot" knitted things you made yourself you should try knitty.com. and vogue or rebecca magazines.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Styles, July 14, 2004

By 

Norma tappe (Silver Spring, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Knits: 30 Cool, Fun Designs to Knit and Wear (Paperback)

Initially, when I saw the cover of this book, I passed it over several times. But, I was in a yarn shop, and picked up the book and actually started leafing through it. This book is wonderful, I started making one of the sweaters. The directions are clear. This book is worth the investment. The book is comprised of cardigans, shells, and sweaters. Most of the people that have this book absolutely loves it. I think the patterns represented would please just about anyone.