Customer Reviews

Knitting 24/7: 30 Projects to Knit, Wear, and Enjoy, On the Go and Around the Clock

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

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Maybe it's just that I'm not the best knitter, but I only see one or two projects in this book that I'd be able to do "on the go". Almost all of them are lace, cables or stranded and when I do any of those, I need to give it my full attention and it doesn't go fast for me. But, the projects are mostly all small, which would make them easy to take with you. And, they are very nice patterns - things I haven't seen in other knitting books. There's a really unique little lace wristlet bag that closes by slipping one handle over the other that I definitely want to make. There is a really nice cabled headband that closes with two buttons that I also want to make. There are 3 pairs of stranded mittens, gloves and handwarmers that are really nice. There are a few socks, which I could do without because I definitely have more than enough sock patterns, but they are nice. There are a couple lace scarf patterns which I also don't need anymore of. But, again they are nice patterns. There are a couple of sweater patterns and a v-neck vest pattern with two buttons at the top that looks really nice. There's a slipper pattern that can be felted or left plain that's really cute. There are also a couple of hat patterns, including a really nice cabled beret.

So, if you are looking for a book of nice accessories, you'll really like this book. The photography is beautiful. I can't say anything about the instructions because I tend to buy knitting books before I actually need them and it will probably be awhile before I get to any of the patterns. Just don't be fooled by the title! The only part of the book that refers to knitting "around the clock" are a few pages that list times you can knit, such as "while waiting at the doctor's office", "while your family is sleeping in", etc. No revelations there. And, again - I don't see these as patterns that you'd want to take with you unless you are really experienced.

Veronik Avery is my absolutely favorite designer and I been waiting with great anticipation to see her new book. Got it today and cannot put it down. The projects reflect Veronik's impeccable taste and are interesting and very wearable.Others gave a pretty good description so I will not repeat. These projects are what many would by happy to get as a gift. Veronik's patterns are the ones I come back to; their beauty is timeless. Often, I'll learn a new technique from her creations that always look professionally finished. Love it,love it,love it!

i love the designs in here, there are some fun twists on classics. i do not like that all the patterns are gaged for 2-4 size needles. it is really hard on my hands to use needles that small, i wish there were some with a larger gage. it really is a fun book though.

If you are a member of Ravelry.com (and if you knit, why not?), look for the Friends of Hook A Frog group. They are starting a knit along with this book come January. Hook a Frog is an on line yarn store, so you won't have any problems getting the items you need to complete the projects. Just keep checking with hookafrog.com for details.

The photos in this book are very good, showing much detail and lovely colors. The patterns are generally on the more difficult side. I disagree with the writer that all these items are something you can toss in your bag to knit on a daily train commute. The patterns are a little too complex to just put down and pick up again. The yarn types listed seemed very basic to me; it would be nice to see some independent fiber producers listed. But I do love this book. I love Avery's designs and color choices. The layout is also nice, and the book size and jacket sleeve cover make it easy to carry and mark your place. It's an excellent purchase for an experienced knitter.

These are great projects to be able to carry with you or complete in a relatively short time frame. The designs are aspirational and many are suitable for those of us just out of the beginner stage and gaining confidence to try advanced stitches and technique. So far I've found the instructions to be clear and helpful. Beautiful photographs too and lovely yarn suggestions.

I thought the patterns were uninspired and very difficult to do on- the- go because of the charts. I confess I was in the mood to buy knitting books and picked this one up because of the "frequently purchased together" tag. In the future, I will be a bit more careful.