Customer Reviews

Knit to Be Square

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

 

 

If you have Hoxbro's book on Domino Knitting, this won't be an irresistible purchase, but if you missed that book, this fills a void. The items in the book are all based off of modular knit squares and include pillows, wraps, slippers, bags and hats. Lots of hats.

The allure of the book is how to assemble these squares. If you look at the top left hand picture on the cover, you see a little triangular looking shape--that's actually a trapezoidal shaped pillow. That sort of ingenuity is what fuels this book.

Something new to her repertoire is open meshes, which are basically the same as her usual squares, but cast off after only a few rows, creating L shaped pieces which can be combined into really neat grid like combinations. They look impressive but are so easy to actually *do*!

She offers a goodly number of patterns, well broken down by category, and the instructions are clear. The reason this isn't a 5 star in my book is that it really doesn't bring much NEW to the table beyond her previous book or other modular knitting books that were all the rage, what? five years ago? Still, it's a great way to get into modular knitting, and her patterns look impressive and are easy to execute.

This book is a seguel to her original book on Domino Knitting. This technique involves knitting individual squares and assembling them together in novel ways. The first part of the book shows how to make and assemble the squares. The squares are knitting together as you make them, a method that avoids lengthy construction at the end of the project.

The book covers much of the same material in the same book but it also includes new techniques like knitting partial modular squares in an L shape to make an open square and assembling squares to leave open areas.

Projects include slippers, hats, a trapezoidal pillow, bags, an open shawl with L-shaped squares, a colorful shawl, a tea cozy with marimekko styling, (similar to a design from her first book), a caplet or poncho, a rainbow afghan, a pillow made open squares, a backpack and a scarf, also with an open square design.

The designs have a modern feel and are attractive and well-designed. If you are a fan of modular knitting or want to learn more this is a great book to purchase.

I bought this book for the last chapter in it on the abstract stole. I'm having a go at making a cardigan with this technique. I was pleasantly surprised that there were several patterns I would like to make, the felted slippers I have just finished. I found it easy to understand. I would have liked to see more wearable garments in it, unfortunately like many other modular knitting books it lacked in this department. Overall, pretty good.

I am pleased to tell you that Interweave Press sent me" Knit to Be Square: Domino Designs to Knit and Felt" to review and I am going to give it away to one of you. I tried a square and it is amazing the way the square is formed and you have to pay close attention to the instructions the first time you try this type of knitting. Once you try the shapes you will be hooked and want to make all the projects in the book. It is fun and a different way of looking at knitting of a square. Check out the slide shows of some of the projects in this book. Show 1 - Show 2!

Join the domino craze with Knit to Be Square! Vivian Høxbro shows you how to combine modular squares into blocks of varying sizes that become the base for a variety of eye-catching two- and three-dimensional projects. Combine these geometric patterns with felting and you get gorgeous results!

Knit to Be Square includes:

Easy-to-Knit patterns for hats, bags, scarves, pillows, slippers, capelets, afghans, and more.
Quick-to-knit patterns made of small squares that take relatively few stitches to finish.
Ideal patterns for using up your stash.
Easy washing machine felting tips for wool.
Plus! An impressively sized afghan shows you how mitered squares can be used to get a patchwork effect similar to traditional quilts
And more!
But be prepared--this is an addictive form of knitting! One square leads to another, which leads to another, which leads to another.

Vivian Hoxbro re-introduced motif knitting with her domino knits about 10 years ago in Interweave Knits. Her book Domino Knitting shows off this technique of knitting small squares and knitting them together to make bags, hats, sweaters, shawls and pillows.

This sequel shows you some more ways to use squares and also describes the open square (window square) method which makes a very nice net or lace. In addition, the book shows felting and how to make objects like bags (with a loop top using the open square method--nice!)

There are some unique pillows, including a pyramidal shape that would be great on a daybed. There is a variation on the Faroese house-shoe (a felted slipper traditionally used inside houses to protect the floors.)

There are few sweaters. If you like to design, this book will be useful, but if you are looking for finished garments using this technique, this is not what you are going to like. For someone who wants to branch out and create new shawls, scarves, hats and other ideas, this is ideal.

Knit to Be Square: Domino Designs to Knit and Felt by Vivan Hoxbro is a book about knitted mitered squares. I think people either love modular knitting or hate it, and if you fall into the former category this book may be one you really want to own.

Pros

The instructions are incredibly clear. Hoxbro explains how to make the squares, connect the squares, and deal with the ends as you knit. There are great descriptions and combined with the pictures and illustrations make this the best book of its type I have seen.

This book adds the element of felting the squares to add stability and it makes the squares and projects very interesting. Hoxbro's felting sets her book apart from the other "square" or modular knitting books I have come across.

The patterns in the book are clearly written and the color choices by the author are lovely, but as is the case in most books on color, you can certainly change the colors you use when making any of the patterns in the book.

Cons

What struck me most about the book was that this look may, in the wrong hands, become very dated. Some of the patterns may be of the ilk that once made are quickly considered yesterday's news. I'm not a huge fan of putting time into projects that have a short life span because of fashion dictates. And I am afraid to say that I think some of these patterns fall into that category.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of color work and want a book that allows you to experiment with a technique that lets you start with small projects before tackling a big project this book may be the one for you. If you have tried this technique before and found it confusing this book may clear that up. But, if you already have a book about mitered squares you may want to flip through this book, but not add it to your collection.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher.

Frankly, I was a bit disappointed in the book. Hoxbro is the queen of mitered knitting, and the information in the book was stellar. But I wasn't impressed with the patterns.

Lyn in NC

I liked this book so well, I had to get another one for my friend. It is a great book, lots fo easy to follow patterns and loads of pictures. Thumbs up!!!!!!

Easy to follow instructions, interesting and fun patterns. Needed to add this to my must-have books. Would recommend to anyone that wants an easy to do and compile later knitted item.

What a wonderful book with plenty of instructional photos - which is great for me as I am visual and forget to read the words - I am so excited to try this 'new to me' style. Love the patterns and am inspired to make nearly every one in the book.