Customer Reviews

Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit with 15 Fun and Funky Patterns

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first looked at this book I thought, yeah, it's okay, but I've seen the same kind of thing done better - in Melanie Falick's book, for instance, and some of the hipper "Learn to Knit" magazines now available, not to mention "Stitch 'n Bitch" by Debbie Stoller. It's well done, with clear instructions and photos, but I expected to see edgier patterns, more like those you see in the online knitting mag "knitty." Also there is one omission that jumped out at me - the author mentions embroidering with duplicate stitch but gives no instructions for the technique.

HOWEVER, having said that, I must admit that the target audience loves the book! My 17, 15 and 12 year old daughters keep it close at hand when they are knitting and refer to it again and again. That's really the test, isn't it? When asked to explain they told me they find "Stitch 'n Bitch" a little intimidating - too adult and too much information - whereas this book seems to answer all their questions in their language, and they love the illustrations. It speaks to them. So there you have it - my rating is lower than theirs would be, but they're the ones it was written for!

Having just recently 'graduated' from making scarves and just about anything else square or rectangular that didn't require patterns or gauge concerns, i was feeling a bit intimidated and confused over some knitting basics. i have a generous assortment of knitting books, and some are more helpful than others. this is one of the best ones.

i find these instructions to be extremely friendly and clearly expressed. the pictures are clear and accurate. and finally a book that shows and describes that mysterious process of weaving in ends!! this book covers all the basics - yarn fibers, yarn labels, gauge, color chart, needles, etc. and includes a cute and fun 'quiz' which i got a kick out of.

there are great tips throughout the book, colorful photos of the patterns, cute drawings, a nice section on felting (fulling), and even a wonderful recipe for homemade hand salve!

the patterns are defined well by the subtitle of the book "fun and funky". it could be argued that they may be most appealing to the younger crowd, but i think a beginner knitter (or a former knitter in need of a refresher course) would be pleased with the selection. who couldn't use a hat, handbag, scarf/stole, or pair of leg warmers? on top of that and several other items, there's a cool pattern for 'text messaging mittens' that feature thumb panels you can flip off. and dont forget your cat! - you can whip up some cat toys using the adorable wonton and eggroll patterns.

this is a fun book offering very helpful instructions for your foundation in knitting. you will find the cool, beginner-friendly patterns will not only help you learn the basics, but you will also find that they become items that you will use for yourself or as gifts for friends/family/felines.

happy knitting!

Shannon Okey is a designer and loves knitting. She features yarns you can find in stores or online and has plenty of resources for new knitters. Fun items in this book include a kitty dim sum (fill with cat nip) for your cats and ideas for knitting parties. Each book stands alone with all the information you need to get started. So, whether you start with the first or second book, there is enough information to finish all the projects.

For winter, there are unique text-messaging mittens that will be appreciated by anyone who loves to be outdoors and answering their phone in the cold. Also helpful for iPods and would be a great gift along with the music player cozy that works as ear muffs and a CD holder.

Love to ice skate? There is a pattern for leg warmers complete with embroidery, French knot and straight stitch. This book also includes a recipe for homemade hand cream. Knitgrrl has 15 fun projects to try and seems to focus on winter hats, scarves and purses. Knitgrrl 2 has a fun summer theme. Both seem essential!

~The Rebecca Review

I stumbled on this book by accident in the knitting section of Powell's bookstore in Portland, Oregon, and was instantly smitten. Simple, straightforward knitting instructions to get young (and old!) new knitters on their way, plus a collection of projects that are educational, but don't skimp on the fun.

Spend a week's worth of pocket change on this book and you be well on your way to a most satisfying obsession. If you want a second book, I'd pair it with STITCH N' BITCH or KNITTING FOR DUMMIES.

I bought this book for a cousin in her early teens. I taught her to knit, but she lives across the country and I'm not around to help with follow-up questions. She loves the projects and has started several of her friends knitting with it too!

I love this book!
You know that knitting has become the hip and happenin' pastime when teens pick it up, and so they have, with great enthusiasm. Shannon Okey takes a playful approach with Knitgrrl, her introductory text geared for young women.
She starts by posing a question: Why knit? Her answers are thought-provoking; soon, you'll be perusing succeeding chapters on yarn types, reading a yarn label, choosing colors, all about knitting needles and tools, how to read a pattern, holding your needles and yarn, casting on, knitting, purling, and much more. Great close-up photos make it easy to learn!
I give thumbs-up to the 15 projects: fresh, trendy, and fun, each one teaches different techniques, making this a terrific introductory book for beginning knitters of all ages.
-Sharilyn Miller, author of Bead on a Wire

A shout out goes to author Shannon Okey for coming up with such a fun collection of easy knitting projects for young girls. My daughter is 12 and this book was just right for her spirit, age and skill. It's cool, hip and has a tone that is fresh and informative. The projects are beyond great. And yes, I'll be trying some of these patterns out myself too! They are so tempting!!!

Shannon Okey, Knitgrrl (Watson-Guptill, 2005)

I have to admit, the whole riot grrl thing bugged me. Not because of what they stood for, which was admirable enough, but because of the blatant abuse of the English language. So the title Knitgrrl pretty much prejudiced me before I'd cracked the cover. Once I did, though, the hesitation vanished pretty quickly.

This is an easy-to-follow, fast read that takes the reader through the basics of knitting (probably a bit too fast for a complete neophyte, but perfect for someone like me, who knitted decades ago and needs a quick refresher course), then turns said reader loose into fifteen projects ranging from the most basic to things that will be pieces of cake for experienced knitters, but will challenge those who are still on the novice level. A very good book both for beginners and for those getting back into knitting after a long time away. *** ½

I have had the opportunity to take a good look at Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit with 15 Fun and Funky Projects by Shannon Okey. I'd have to say that it's a pretty nice intro to knitting for 6th through say, 10th graders.

First of all, the projects are all small and trendy: Rocker-Girl Wristlets, Friendship Scarf, Boombox Bag, Faux Fur Stole, Kitty Dim Sum (kitty toys), Stripey Scarf, Ponytail Roll-Brim Hat, Heartfelt Roll-Brim Hat, DIY Leg Warmers, Music Player Cozy, Soda Cozy, Text-Messaging Mittens (trendiest), Downtown Messenger Bag, Lacy Double-Diamond Scarf, and Nakiska Alpine Headband. My favorites are the Downtown Messenger Bag--sturdy, yet sleek and attractive--and the Text-Messaging Mittens which open up just the thumbs of the mittens for quick messages to your best friends.

Okey was able to provide a variety of small, yet imaginative projects by inviting guest designers to contribute to her compilation. That may account for the variety and ingenuity of most of the projects. The only project which looked completely dorky to me were the headphone covers, in pastel stripes. The model looks really happy wearing them, but most of my middle school students would be too embarrassed to wear them, as they look pretty weird.

Next, the beginner knitting instructions. The step-by-step photos of the knit and purl stitches are quite nice, and clear enough for someone trying to teach herself. The slip knot photos must have been edited for space, though, as they do not illustrate the crucial step of pulling the working yarn through the loop. I wouldn't be able to teach myself the slipknot with only the two photographs they offer.

There are lots of "extras" beyond your basic knitting instructions, answering questions like Why Knit? What kind of yarn girl are you? How do I care for my handknits? as well as a list of yarn companies, books, on-line info, and knitting magazines. [...]

This is an attractive, imaginative, hip book for young teens entering the knitting scene and looking for lots of support and ideas for small knitting projects. The only teens who may find this book lacking would be more serious, ambitious, and intermediate level knitting teens who are searching for more advanced projects, such as sweaters and socks.

All in all, if I were the mother of a middle school teen and wanted to interest her in knitting, this would be an excellent choice.

This is a great book filled with really fun projects. Super well written instructions make projects easy to follow and complete! Definitely recommend this book to knitters of all levels!