34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific collection of elegant but do-able projects for the busy knitter, April 7, 2010
This review is from: Knitting 24/7: 30 Projects to Knit, Wear, and Enjoy, On the Go and Around the Clock (Paperback)
Knitting 24/7 is designed for the busy knitter -- someone who loves to knit but never seems to find enough time in the day to knit as much as she'd like. Veronik Avery, knitting designer and author of Knitting Classic Style, has produced a collection of 30 projects perfect for the multitasking knitter. The projects are mainly smaller ones (there are only three bigger garments, a pullover sweater, a skirt and a vest) such as mittens, scarves, socks and bags. These are interesting projects, using techniques such as stranded colorwork, cables, lace and felting, but are kept manageable by their smaller size or by stitch patterns that are easy to memorize. The yarns used run the range of gauges, from chunky to fingering weight. The fact that most of the items are one-size-fits-most makes this a great resource for gift knitting. Best of all, the designs are stylish and elegant. This would be an excellent addition to any knitter's library and a wonderful gift for a knitter you know.
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54 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Talented Designer's Ho-Hum Collection of Knitted Accessories, April 14, 2010
This review is from: Knitting 24/7: 30 Projects to Knit, Wear, and Enjoy, On the Go and Around the Clock (Paperback)
The title of this pattern collection, KNITTING 24/7, refers to the book's general theme of finding time to knit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week--rather than to patterns for garments that are suitable for wearing at various times of the day or week.
The book's theme is expressed in double-page display pages for "A.M.", "P.M.", and "Weekend". For example, the layout for "A.M." suggests that the knitter "sneak in a few rows --before breakfast . . . --while coffee brews . . . --on the subway . . . --while computer warms up . . ." and so forth. None of the suggestions seem particularly original or useful, as most busy but serious knitters will have thought of these things already.
In keeping with the theme, nearly all of the patterns are for "portable" projects: colorwork mittens, scarves, twisted-stitch-pattern socks, mitts, hats, an oversize shrug, a stole, a shawl, a purse, a market bag, a pillow, a bookmark, and slippers. However, it is questionable whether a project that requires a chart is actually a "portable" project, and whether such a project can be knit successfully when the knitter is "sneaking in a few rows" while standing in line or waiting for coffee to brew. Thus the theme seems forced--simply an excuse to present yet another collection of accessory patterns as something new or different.
Having misunderstood the title of the book (which I ordered sight unseen because I generally love Veronik Avery's designs), I was particularly disappointed to find that the book includes only four garment projects: a skirt, a "grandfather vest", a mesh tank, and an "elemental pullover". The "elemental pullover" is far and away my favorite pattern. It is a lovely classic design for a basic long-sleeved mock turtle pullover, and it is exactly the kind of thing that I expect to find in a Veronik Avery collection. The remaining patterns are all attractive and carefully put together, but are rather ho-hum.
Knitters looking for classic Veronik Avery garment designs should consider purchasing the excellent KNITTING CLASSIC STYLE: 35 MODERN DESIGNS INSPIRED BY FASHION'S ARCHIVES, which is also available from Amazon.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Whimsical and Practical Patterns, April 14, 2010
This review is from: Knitting 24/7: 30 Projects to Knit, Wear, and Enjoy, On the Go and Around the Clock (Paperback)
Knitting 24/7 contains some fun and very useable patterns. Both the practical and whimsical are included which make for a good combination. Looking through the book, I especially liked the beautiful 'Modern Pillow'. It is knit with two colors and has a geometrical design in diamonds and triangles. The 'Arrowhead Kneesocks' are just the thing to wear with a short skirt or even a longer one. It is knit with a twisted rib pattern but has the look of cables. The 'Spiral Tweed Cloche' looks nice and warm. The added button gives it pizazz. Perhaps my favorite pattern in the book is the classic 'Elemental Pullover'. It is "minimal and elegant", a seamless and yoked project that is perfect to wear just about anywhere. It's the kind of sweater I can imagine knitting in a cashmere or alpaca blend. It calls for size 4 (U.S.) needles - that's what gives it the elegant look in addition to its design. The 'Smocked Lace Scarf' is lovely. My only criticism of the design is that it is knit in halves that need to be sewn together. I don't really see the point of that. I also don't like charts, which this pattern utilizes. The 'Pinstripe Slouch Hat' is a variation on a classic. It is reversible and the design divides the hat into columns of stitches. Again, it's a neat variation on a classic pattern. If you like to knit with small stitches and enjoy multi-color knitting, the 'Fleur de Lys Hat' is perfect for you. It is knit in grey and white and looks like a flurry of snowflakes. I intend to knit this project for myself to wear next winter. The 'Heilo Mittens' appear warm and the pattern looks easy if you know how to do two-color knitting. It calls for Dale of Norway Heilo yarn which is one of my favorites. As a book lover, I can't resist the 'Sea Crest Bookmark' which is knit with size 2 (U.S.) needles. It has the appearance of gentle waves.
All in all, this book has something for everyone and includes a lot of patterns, most of them appealing. I'm giving it a '4' because the book uses charts without accompanying line by line patterns for lace and also because there isn't much included about techniques or resources. Otherwise, it's a great book to have if you want to add to your pattern collection. For me, the book is worth buying for the 'Elemental Pullover' alone. Happy knitting!
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