Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy [Paperback]

Toni Carr (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 21, 2012

Finally—a knitting book for nerds who love sci-fi, fantasy, comics, and manga!

The best of science fiction, manga, and animaguiri meets knit one, purl two as knit siren and part-time roller derby girl Joan of Dark offers up an out-of-this-world assortment of knitting nerdiness inside Knits for Nerds. The patterns for 30 iconic clothing and accessory items inspired by popular TV shows, books, films, comics, and more--including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Firefly--are presented alongside full-color photographs showcasing completed projects, such as:

* Lieutenant Uhura's sexy Star Trek minidress

* Hobbit feet slippers 

* Firefly-inspired scarf, socks, hat, and jacket

* Tank Girl socks

* Hermione Granger's secret beaded bag

* Manga-inspired leg warmers

* The Big Bang Theory-inspired his and hers sweater-vests

* Lord of the Rings-inspired shrug

In addition to a wardrobe of costume finery, hobbyists will also find instructions for practical projects such as an e-reader cover or a laptop bag crafted of checkered fabric that serves double-duty as a chessboard and carryall, as well as patterns for plush toys inspired by Star Trek, robots, and the comic book Squee! Wear (and knit!) your nerdiness on your sleeve with Knits for Nerds.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joan of Dark (a/k/a Toni Carr) is an avid lover of all things knit and crocheted. She has been featured on two DIY Network shows, Uncommon Threads and Knitty Gritty. She's the author of the book Knockdown Knits (Wiley), and her patterns have been published on KnitPicks.com and in Vampire Knits (Potter Craft). Her sense of style was also profiled in Indianapolis Monthly, Nuvo, and Intake Weekly. With a science fiction writer for a mother, and a father who made sure that her comic book collection was always stocked, she had no choice but to grow up a geek!

joanofdarkknits.blogspot.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (February 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1449407919
• ISBN-13: 978-1449407919
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Knitting

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nerds Do It For Themselves January 28, 2013

By Joel Rockey

Format:Paperback

If you're reading this, it's because you respect what i have to say and you are wise because of it. Now, hear me when i say that i don't care whether you are a nerd, a geek, a dork, a turd burglar, a booger eater, a freak or a super-market employee: YOU NEED TO MAKE YOURSELF SOME HOBBIT FEET!!! Joan of Dark shows you how. If you don't know how to knit, stop picking your nose and get on it, bro.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fandoms inspired great projects February 26, 2012

By Shala Kerrigan TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This collection of fandom inspired knits is just fantastic. Toni Carr got contributions from other designers and put lots of her own patterns in the book. There is a good range of skill levels as well, so beginners will have patterns they can use, and more advanced knitters will also find some lovely lace items. The patterns are written out clearly with fun photos of finished items modeled by roller derby girls at Neil Gaiman's house.

As a long time geek, I was thrilled with the books and movies covered.

The Lord of the Rings inspired Toni Carr's pair of hobbit slippers and Ashley Fay's Light of Eärendil Shrug, a lacy ethereal shrug patterned with leaves.

Neil Gaiman's Death and Mr. Nancy both make an appearance in felted knit hats. A tiny top hat for Death and a bright green fedora for Mr. Nancy.

Firefly makes a strong showing with the Aim to Misbehave Brown Jacket, cunning socks and a cunning scarf.

Star Trek is covered with a Next Generation sweater, an original series mini dress and tribbles.

Also covered are Doctor Horrible, Real Genius, The Big Bang Theory, Temeraire, Harry Potter, Wicked Lovely, Star Wars, and Doctor Who in a variety of projects like fingerless gloves, stuffies, sweaters, shawls and bags.

For the male geek, there is a unisex Harry Potter inspired book bag, a sweater that looks like a Star Trek- The Next Generation Uniform, a wonderful cabled sweater vest and Mr. Nancy's Hat.

The end of the book includes a key to commonly used knitting abbreviations, and an overview of how to knit with photographs.

My daughter, who is a proud nerd and fan, and who loves to knit snatched this up as soon as we got it, and took it for 3 hours. She chortled and giggled and got very enthused. Her favorite patterns are the above mentioned green fedora, the cape pictured on the cover, and Aim to Misbehave jacket, which is a lovely longer jacket for Browncoat fans and the Big Bang Theory Raj inspired cabled sweater vest.

My favorite projects are the shrug mentioned above, the Super Awesome Fantastic Mega Super Cute Manga Leg Warmers which are flared to look just like illustrated chibi style legs, the colorful Tank Girl socks (I love Tank Girl!), and the adorable, quick to knit, button eyed Creepy Filler Bunny.

[I received a complimentary copy of the book to review on my craft blog- Don't Eat the Paste. My reviews are always my honest opinion]

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute knitting book! May 1, 2012

By Stephanie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved Toni Carr's first book Knockdown Knits: 30 Projects from the Roller Derby Track, so I was super excited to find out about her second book, Knits for Nerds.

Most of the patterns in the book are fairly simple. The designs are inspired by the books and shows they reference, so the majority of the patterns are ordinary designs altered (either by color or a small addition) to fit the nerdy theme. The patterns, therefore, are useful for both regular and nerdy use. Two patterns in particular- Creepy Filler Bunny and Robot of the Future- would make adorable kids' toys.

Not every pattern in the book appeals to me, but there are several that I absolutely love. I'm giving the book five stars because I plan to make these patterns multiple times. Also, there is nothing at all wrong with the other patterns. I'm just not a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, and I've never seen an episode of Dr. Who.

The striped Dr. Horrible Gloves are my absolute favorite. They're long, fingerless gloves which button all the way down the side. I'm also planning to make the Baby Elf Beanie and the Top Hat Fascinator (a tiny top hat!). Future projects include the Light of Earendl Shrug (a gorgeous, long-sleeved lacy shrug), Dragon Rider Gloves (patterned fingertipless gloves), Summer Queen Shawl (a pretty lace shawl), and Aim to Misbehave (a long cardigan with lacy edges). There are also two awesome sock patterns inspired by Tank Girl and Firefly, cute vests, Star Trek outfits, and Star Wars princess hats. The patterns in this book will appeal to a wide variety of knitters, not just the nerdy ones.