Knitting With Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Before I launch into the contributions that men have made to the world of knitting, it should be noted that the roots and development of..." (more)
Key Phrases: stitch guide, knit tbl, plait cable, Fair Isle, Finishing Weave, Tip Don't (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Co-founder of menknit.net, an online resource for male knitters, del Vecchio's print version is an excellent sourcebook for knitters of any gender. After a comprehensive introduction to knitting basics, including cast-ons, how to read yarn labels and how to tie a slip knot, del Vecchio offers detailed instructions for everything from a business card holder and iPod case to sweaters, throws and a knee-length coat, keeping projects practical and stylish. A standard sweater is jazzed up with an eye-catching tribal design, and he offers patterns for everyday manly items such as hiking boot socks and a watchman's cap and scarf. Each design comes with detailed instructions and, in true DK fashion, the book is loaded with photos and diagrams, making del Vecchio's projects practically foolproof for knitters of any skill level.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n Bitch oldly announced knitting was no longer for grandma. Girls everywhere were picking up their needles and stitching, reclaiming this "domestic art" as hip and modern. Well it's time to shake things up again and dispel the myth that knitting is a girl thing. Men knit and they have for ages. Sailors knit aboard fishing boats, cowboys knit while tending cattle and surgeons knit to keep their fingers nimble. Men have knitted from the beginning of knitting. When the stigma of knitting as a women's craft began is unclear, but it hasn't kept men from knitting. Still, resources for male knitters are limited. Most pattern books are filled with projects for women and children, providing only a few patterns for men (usually a hat, scarf and raglan sweater). Del Vecchio has collected a wonderful selection of modern patterns for men, giving the book appeal not just to men interested in knitting but also to women looking for more patterns for men. Readers are encouraged to spread the word that men knit--knit in public, start a men-only knitting group, participate in online communities. Resource lists of books, Web sites, and yarns, as well as advice on how to start your own knitting group, are provided at the end of the book. An essential addition to any knitting library, not just because it challenges our ideas of his-and-her crafts but also because of the stunning, modern patterns inside. Jennifer Palmer
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (October 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756622891
• ISBN-13: 978-0756622893
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Men with Balls, October 25, 2006

By	M. Lisa Putman "Teaching the World to Knit On... (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just got my copy. WOW!!!!!!!!!!

One of the best knitting books I've ever seen.

It has superlative instructions for learning to knit English, Continental AND left-handed: increasing, decreasing, joining pieces together in a variety of ways -- all first class. And he charts. And has schematics.

And the patterns. I love almost every one of them. Well thought out and great looking designs -- the hooded sweater with the fold-down cuff which turns into a half-mitten -- fantastic idea! I've never seen it done elsewhere.

O.K. I'm not a guy. But I have guy students. They will be REQUIRED to get this. I do have a husband, 2 grown sons, and about a dozen other male relatives. And, of course, most of the designs are classic and would work equally well for women (with appropriate color changes). The wallet, credit card holder, cup cozy and laptop case are going OTN just as soon as I can get to my stash.

Not to mention that the patterns are easily adapted for women and children ...

WOW!!! I'm in love.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressed!, December 9, 2006

By	Mary-Heather (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

I think there's a great mix of good patterns, resources, and technique, and of course it fills a need in the knitting book world. I wanted this book because I find that there often aren't enough patterns for men, period, no matter the proposed gender of the knitter. On my first quick look-throught the book, I found several projects I want to knit; when I saw the alpaca running sweater, I instantly knew I have to make it for my (very picky) brother. He'll love it. Personally, I think the coffee cozies would be great gifts, and the felted dop kit is so smart; I can see it in all kinds of yarn/fabric lining combos. Several small details of the book - the stitch dictionary (in color) in the back, which gives an easy reference for the projects; the tips on starting a knitting group; the history of men who knit throughout - make Knitting with Balls a good read and reference, as well as a good pattern book.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Can't say it's my style, November 14, 2006

By	Matthew the Raven (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

When I heard that a book for male knitters was coming out, I got rather excited. I was even more excited when I heard the name. Hilarious, I thought. I just had to see it.
When I got my hands on a copy of it, however, it was another story. I really like some of the projects, such as the "utility cloth" (a.k.a. face cloth, dish cloth, towel, etc.) and hiking socks. However, many of the patterns were not quite suited to my taste. Most came in ridiculously bright colors and were suited to the super-trendy urban man. I wish that the author would have done more to appeal to a wider variety of men. For now, this is the best we male knitters have, and it'll have to do.