How to Knit in the Woods: 20 Projects for the Great Outdoors [Paperback]

Shannon Okey (Author), Rae Nester (Photographer), Kate Baldwin (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2008

Wow your fellow campers and pick up new skills with these creative and easy-to-follow knitting projects. Featuring 20 outdoor-friendly knitting projects, How to Knit in the Woods is every crafty person's indispensable guide to creativity in the open air. Full of advice on how to choose quick-drying yarns and other outdoor-friendly materials, and how to knit on the go -- this is not your mother's knitting book. Projects range from easy to intermediate and include such gems as a waterproof cartigan, a campfire cushion (which doubles as pillow), marshmallow pot holders, cozy camp socks, and a woodsy washcloth outfitted with a built-in pocket for soap. Easy-to-follow, inspired patterns and a resource guide round out this kitschy yet modern craft guide.

* Unique patterns for cozy, customized outdoor gear * Projects both for knitting outdoors and for using outdoors * Handy tips on knitting with waterproof yarns

Editorial Reviews

Review

"These projects have the campsite in mind--they're designed with stitches easy to execute by firelight." --Lansing State Journal

About the Author

Shannon Okey teaches knitting workshops all over the U.S., designs yarn for several companies, and is a columnist for knit.1. She authored the bestselling and award-winning Knitgrrl series (Watson-Guptill Publications), as well as Spin to Knit and Felt Tips (Interweave Press), Just Socks and Just Gifts (Potter Craft), AlterNation (North Light), and The Pillow Book (Chronicle Books). Okey contributes to Adorn, CRAFT, Yarn Market News, Cutting Edge, and other craft-focused periodicals. She has appeared on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast and DIY Network's Uncommon Threads and Knitty Gritty.

Product Details

• Paperback: 119 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (April 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594850887
• ISBN-13: 978-1594850882
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,304,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shannon Okey is a designer and the author, co-author or editor of many fiber arts-related books, including Knitgrrl, Knitgrrl 2, The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design, Spin to Knit, Felt Frenzy, Crochet Style, Just Socks, Just Gifts, AlterNation, The Pillow Book, How to Knit in the Woods, the second edition of Knitting For Dummies and Alt Fiber. She is currently working on a number of new publishing projects.

Okey is the former editor of UK-based monthly knitting magazine Yarn Forward, and also wrote a column for knit.1 magazine. She owns Knitgrrl Studio, a workshop/studio space in Cleveland, has appeared on several crafty TV shows, including Knitty Gritty, Uncommon Threads, Crafters Coast To Coast and Knitting Daily TV. She teaches all over the world. (You've never had fun til you've tried to teach drop spindle spinning on a cruise ship that's lurching from side to side!)

For the latest news on Shannon and her books, check out her Knitgrrl website which includes her teaching and events schedule, as well as information on upcoming projects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some cute patterns but some errors, August 5, 2008

By 

M. Gibson (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Knit in the Woods: 20 Projects for the Great Outdoors (Paperback)

I pre-ordered this book (which I rarely do) when I first read about it because I love camping and knitting. I agree with the previous reviewer that a lot of these projects wouldn't be useful to use or knit if you're living out of a backpack when you camp, which I often do. But some of them seem to be pretty portable and easy enough to do in low light so I plan to make some of them while doing some less serious camping or even while taking the bus to work - anywhere I'd like to knit but don't have the space / lighting / inclination to tackle a more complicated project.

My main problem with the book is that there seem to be errors I can't find corrections for. There's an errata page on the Knitgrrl website but it only has corrections for a couple of projects. The first thing I tried to knit from this book was the camp towel and I really think the chart is incorrect but can't find anywhere to even ask about it. Also, when I tried to download the entire Tai Shan Hoodie pattern from the errata page it didn't work. Hopefully all the errors will have corrections posted soon but in the mean time it would be very annoying if you were actually in the woods trying to knit a project only to find errors in the pattern.

Anyway, some of the patterns are cute (and I like the use of more eco-friendly yarns) but maybe have a look through it first before you decide if you really need to own a copy.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Projects not really useful for the outdoors, July 4, 2008

By 

ReadNReVu - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Knit in the Woods: 20 Projects for the Great Outdoors (Paperback)

This book is probably written for people who "camp" (if you can call it that) in RVs, or for those whose idea of camping is driving to roadside campgrounds and staying in one place for at least a week at a time, living out of their car and not a backpack. In other words, for those who hang out by the fire all day.

Aside from the insoles for your shoes (if done slightly larger, they could be felted and made a bit thicker), and the camp stool cover (which would be far more practical done in nylon twine or cord), most of the projects would be better off used/worn around town or at home. A hand-knitted washcloth or towel is great for home, but is not going to dry as quickly or be as lightweight as a microfiber towel. Also, there's a cooler hammock to keep it away from bears by hanging it from a tree branch. Honestly, if you're hauling around a cooler, most likely you'd leave it in the car/RV when not using it.

One item that is really irritating is that the charts for the cabled sweater (which has a very nice pattern) have to be downloaded. Not everyone has internet access. Bonus patterns online are one thing, but the main charts for a book's patterns should always be in the book or with the book in a pattern envelope.

It is an okay book, but borrow from your library first, before buying.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars How to knit in the woods, September 15, 2008

By 

Tracy Barrett "tbarrett" (East Bethel, MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Knit in the Woods: 20 Projects for the Great Outdoors (Paperback)

This is a very beginning-knitting book. I was a bit disappointed as I thought there would be a few advanced projects. The hammock they advertised is a tiny little cooler hammock and that was disappointing as I thought it was a bigger one and that is why I bought the book.