Customer Reviews

Knit Knack Kit

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

 

 

This kit is the re-packaged version of "Knitting Pretty", by Kris Percival, my first ever knitting book. It's an enjoyable book and it did the trick, but I have a slight bone to pick with the kit. I remember only too well one day a few months after I had become a successful knitter. I wanted to knit my dad a hat for his birthday, and with a smile on my face picked up a pair of circular needles. The experience was horrible! I kept getting tangled and snarled, and after 15 minutes I was in tears! Now I'm a bit more advanced and have successfully completed a hat, and circular needles are my friends. But for a beginner, I would not recommend this kit for the sole reason that it expects people to learn on circulars. I would more recommend buying "Knitting Pretty" and some STRAIGHT needles, instead of buying the Knit Knack Kit. Same book, less money and suffering...

PS: One thing that "Knitting Pretty" doesn't explain, which is crucial to know when you DO pick up circular needles, is that "join yarn" means MAKE SURE THE YARN ISN'T TANGLED. It confused me that the instruction to "join yarn" was in all the "Knitting Pretty" hat patterns, but I had no idea what she meant. So just so you know... Hope I helped!

Okay, this little kit is very nicely packaged and contains some helpful materials. However, the fact that it was nearly identical to the book "Knitting Pretty" in a majority of the patterns (probably only about 5 new patterns total in this kit) and the instructions was not acknowledged on the nice packaging. I had to figure it out myself when I came home to peruse my new purchase and realized that I had seen most of the patterns previously in "Knitting Pretty." While I have no doubt that I will enjoy making one of the few new patterns that this kit offers and using the supplies that are included, I am disappointed that this new product was so misleading in failing to describe its link or similarity to "Knitting Pretty. So, while I do like the idea of the book and this kit, I probably won't be buying any more of the products introduced by Kris Percival or this publisher unless I can get a very good look at it (the kit was wrapped in plastic, which made it impossible to do so) and confirm that I am not rebuying what I already have purchased in the past.

I taught myself to knit from this book. While I agree with others that the round needles were not easy to work with, I was able to get started. The store I bought it at told me there was no yarn included - so I bought a ball and was knitting that night. It's great to inspire someone to knit.

I also saw this item in the Sunday Source, and it's everything I hoped it would be. The pattern cards are great because they are full-color and it's easy to tote one of them around. I didn't get the previous book, and I wasn't expecting yarn, so I was quite happy with the book. I learned the knit stitch when I was a kid, but I didn't know the purl stitch. Both came quickly with the instructions. I haven't been able to put away the needles--I've already made a bunch of bookmarks, the washcloth, and the slippers, and I've only had the book for 2 weeks. At the price, it's a steal.

This is really a very nice kit for beginners as well as knitting to go since most projects are smaller. The 25 projects are all super nice or cute. BUT as a long time crocheter [and a knitter of just a few years] with this kit, what I consider as the big flaw and perhaps an oversight is that all yarn measurements are listed as # of balls/skeins and # of grams/ounces. If there is any yard lengths mentioned on the back of the cards; it is not noted if this is total yards or per skein/ball. I can only say of my own yarn purchasing experience - I do not buy any yarn by the weight; I do however check the yard length which insures that I will have enough yarn to make any project.

Every Friday I teach a small class of 2nd- 6th graders the art of knitting. Initially, I had a hard time finding patterns for the children that were quick, easy to read, and most important...FUN! The children love the cards that come in the kit because they can stand them up on the table in front of them. This saves these newbie knitters from having to put down their work to check a pattern. Also, it includes kid friendly patterns like the head kerchief, child's halter top, and the beer cozy, which we use for our Cokes instead! The skill level ratings on the cards are great as well, because they help the kids decide which patterns are feasible for them. If you have a child who wants to learn how to knit, this is the perfect starting kit.

Fun & Colorful packaging and easy to follow instructions. I purchased this to start off my fall season of knitting and get ahead on some holiday gifts. In fact I think this kit makes a great gift (with a ball of bright colored yarn!) for someone looking to start knitting without purchasing a book full of "How-To Knit"....The circular needles are not the best for a beginner however, they do the trick! Im giving my friends that have been asking me to teach them to knit this kit for Christmas with an item knitted from one of the patterns! The patterns are fun with something for everyone!

I still needed to do a web search for knitting how-to videos to fully understand how to cast on and knit stitch. After I'd completed a dozen or so rows of my dish cloth, the circular needles that came with the kit broke. They were a bit cumbersome anyway, but I was disappointed. I guess I'll buy new needles and start over.

I did like the assortment of projects with varying levels of difficulty. I know it will be helpful to me that the patterns are written out rather than abbreviated like most you find.

I did not like this Kit since I found the designs very basic and some were not particularly practical. However; for the beginner knitter it would be an excellent gift. I did like the scarf pattern and the baby hat. Plus, the designs are well written and convenient to put with the project.

The projects are simple and easy enough, and the setup inside the box is darling.
But the circular knitting needles are horrible. Absolutely horrible. Yarn will not slide easily or maneuver to your liking.
If you get this and are just learning how to knit, go out and by yourself a straight pair of needles, the size specified in the "How-To" book in the kit. Get a different circular pair too, if you want them. But ask for help if you can, so you don't end up getting another bad pair.