Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Thank goodness I checked this out at the library first, because it would have been a waste of money. Flipping through the pictures there was only one project I liked - a cabled scarf - but oh guess what: there's no pattern for the scarf! After carefully checking every page twice, I finally searched on her website and found out it was just a "prop" - seriously, who puts a knitted "prop" in a knitting book without a pattern??

I LOVE this book, simply because it's DIFFERENT! It provides a lot of ideas that nobody else ever thinks of! Many of them would make very lovely gifts! The items are very down-to-earth, practical, useful items that can be used on an everyday basis! And if you like hiking & camping, or know someone who does - all the better! This is a very refreshing book to add to my collection!