Customer Reviews

Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters

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

 

 

Erika Knight's books for knitting and crocheting home accessories
Simple Knits, Simple Crochet) are beautiful, yet it's hard to recommend them if you are looking for practical how-tos. They should be regarded as inspiration and idea books really. I would even put them into the category of "Knitting (or crocheting) coffee table books". It's not that they don't have instructions - they do. The problem is, that the instructions are a bit too abbreviated or even a bit slapdash for true beginners, but the actual projects are too basic for the more experienced knitter. The projects in this book for example almost all use either simple stockinette or garter stitches. Shaping is very basic too. The sole exception is the chair cover

That being said, this book is just lovely to look at, and quite inspirational. And if you decide to tackle any of the projects they turn out beautifully. The caveat with simple designs such as these is that they really bring focus to the quality of the yarns you use - meaning, they rather shout out for the expensive (brand) yarns that are used.

I consult this book more than follow the patterns - and I have really enjoyed it. If you like to knit, and to use patterns as a departure rather than a construction manual, this is a fine book to look into. I should add that I'm neither novice nor really experienced but an accessory knitter who enjoys trying new things. And as far as knitting plastic bags goes, that's an old practice as well as a great way to recycle and the bags are surprisingly strong. Mine have lasted far longer than they took to knit!

This book doesn't come close to being true to it's title. Simple? I think not. The "patterns" are more on the confusing side of things, and as one reviewer mentioned, seemed to be more like guidelines rather than actual patterns. There were only two projects in the whole book that even appealed to me; the aran armchair cover and the flower trimmed evening bag. If you have a more ecclectic flair you might find this book to your liking. The pictures in the book also tend to show a close up view of the project without showing you what the whole project looks like completed. I would recommend checking it out from the library first and to leaf through to see if it is your kind of book, otherwise you might end up just as disappointed as me.

In general, I don't think anyone should review a knitting book without having made some of the projects in it, but for this book I am making an exception. If you want to knit a shopping bag with strips of old plastic bags (I think it would wear out in less time than it took to cut all the bags into little strips, never mind the actual knitting) or napkin rings with wire, this book will inspire you to do it. I won't say it will tell you how, because the patterns are more of a concept than a specific pattern. An experienced knitter could follow them -- but an experienced knitter could also do those things without a pattern. And the knitter who is feeling a bit jaded, bored with merely making sweaters out of yarn, and ready to do something exotic may find a starting point here.
But is it practical to have a white Aran slipcover for a chair? Could you let anyone sit on it after you had made it? And that was my favorite pattern in the book. Would a beanbag chair of knitting and denim hold its shape? Would you wear a pre-laddered sweater? Could a pink poodle-shaped wine bottle remain amusing for more than a day or two? I truly don't think these are patterns to be made and used, as much as they are exercises in how to push the knitting envelope.
It is a very attractive book. If you think of it as a conceptual art exhibit, you might enjoy it. But the projects are extreme and, I would think, impractical.

Someone else mentioned that this book has a lot of impractical projects. I happen to think that this book inspires one to think about knitting for your environment instead of just your head, neck, torso and extremities. In addition, using materials that you normally would not think to use.

I haven't tried many of the projects in this book but have tried knitting with wire. It's a challenging media but makes for an interesting fabric. Again, the author helps inspire you to think of knitting in a different way.

The instructions for new knitters are kind of confusing and as a new knitter myself it is a little frustrating but I had never thought of using my knitting in such unique ways. When I get bored with the usual projects, I take this book out to get my creative juices flowing. This book is a keeper.

I enjoyed this book. Although the projects are not for everyday practical items, being a creative sort rather than a practical sort, I found Simple Knits with a Twist encouraged thinking beyond the norm and also promoted recycling of items, such as plastic bags, and leftover yarn. It was helpful to me becaue although I love knitting and crocheting, I don't necessarily enjoy making the same "type" of items all the time, its just enjoyable to make something that is interesting, rather than practical. I agree with other reviews though in that the patterns don't go into great depth, so you will require some knitting know-how to be able to complete the projects. Otherwise it is a very attractive book and nice to flick through the pages.

This book opened my eyes to a world of knitting outside of yarn stores, scarves, and baby blankets. Some of the coolest patterns around for younger knitters! I knit the bag out of tulle, the ribbon slippers, and the wire baskets. So cool. They make great gifts and starting points for different projects.

Most of the projects are quite simple, basic knits and purls, and the focus is really on the materials. I use it mainly as an idea book. Great one for the collection!

This is not your typical pattern book, it's much cooler. Anyone who is looking to knit outside the box should consider this book. I know in some areas of the country it's difficult to find a yarn shop with unique patterns/samples/yarns, if you can't get to a trendy shop and are looking for some inspriation then this is the book for you!

This unusual knitting book has many funky ideas like knitting with strips of plastic bags or metallic wires. The projects are beautifully-photographed in the book and the ideas are very refreshing. However, due to the high quality (or cost) of the yarn that's used in most of the patterns, the projects may not be realistic for the average knitter. Overall, this book is the "Fifth Avenue" of knitting books: beautiful and chic at an unrealistic cost.

Turning page after page, I was amazed by the lack of taste of this woman. I will upload some pictures so that you don't need to take me at my word. The idea of using other things than usual yarn is a good idea. Some of the techniques are interesting to learn - but most of them can also be found in .about com or other free online sites, I don't see why I should dish out money to learn how to use recycled plastic bags. (Actually, she only says to cut a spiral off the bag and then make knots to join one strip with the next. The .about com trick was better. You just cut many rounds from each bag and then you join them by making a loop, thus it is much more solid, cannot get undone, and the lump is also less, and no little loose ends. Of course the width has to be less, about 1 inch, because the resulting "plastic yarn" is double. All this is pointless anyway, because where I live most plastic bags are self-recycling and disintegrate into flakes after a few months. Anyway... Back to the book)

So the ideas as such may be interesting, the inspiration to get more daring and explorative is valuable, and the explanations more or less OK, judging from the 2-3 I read entirely. BUT the projects suggested...
I have rarely seen such garish colours, such tasteless combinations. Yes, she does say herself that the infamous pink dog bottle cover is retro kitch that some time ago would be the stuff of church charity bazaars (saying so herself doesn't redeem it), but goes on to add that now it's "de rigueur". Oh really? How come none else than the author got this important information? I haven't seen this sort of trash in other knitting books or magazines of the last 10 years (and believe me, I do have an awesome collection). Neither anything close to the "op art" black and white knitted wall hangings, or the shocking pink rose cushion. And what about something none of the reviewers mentioned as yet, the "barcode dog coat"?
Have you seen some popular American or Brazilian magazines of the '70s and '80s with Kleenex covers and animal/flower/doll potholders? That's the kind of taste. Somewhat funkier, but always embarrassingly "off". Can't imagine how one reviewer would want it on his/her coffee table!
Even the items which are good to look at, which are [only, IMO] the Aran armchair cover and the ribbon boudoir slippers, are highly impractical.
- Slippers are called that because you can slip them in easily and take them off likewise. Here you have to tie the ribbon criss-crossing it just as a ballet shoe. I studied ballet some ages ago and I know it but anybody can see on dancers that the criss-crossing is only at ankle level, not higher, because simply it won't stay there - especially with satin, which is so silky and slippery. Bows become undone, and knots are hard to undo. Oh boy, I so won't be doing that in the morning when getting out of bed just before rushing to the bathroom before getting dressed for work. Or maybe you might put these on when you expect you loved one? Yeah, sure! Then, in the hottest moment, he has to fumble with yet another thing to untie (or you have to stoop and do it). Aaargh!
- The Aran cover. Yes, it looks gorgeous, but look at those bumpy cables and especially those bobbles, just where you have to sit, and maybe you will agree that it's not the most sensible choice of stitch for resting your posterior. Which, if you choose a synthetic yarn, will soonl be on flames. If you do it in wool, it is cooler and healthier, but there is washing machine disaster to fear. If your sweater becomes child size, you might gift it to your child, or to your thinner best friend, but if an armchair cover becomes too small, what do you do with it? Cut it up and make a patchwork felted coat? Also, it might be itchy on your legs if you wear a short dress or shorts or baby doll (after all, you're at home, comfortably lounging). Needless to say, synthetic or wool, you have to take it off in the summer - except if you live on the North Pole. Not to mention the eventuality that you have CATS in your house. You don't have cats and you don't know what they would do to it? I will leave you to your bliss, the scene to picture is too painful, considering the time you will have put on stitching the Aran cover.

Bottom line: I'm going to immediately get rid of this book. I am sure I'll find someone who will like it - the problem being that the under-20 population to which it is obviously geared has fewer knitters.

You might say that it's a question of taste, and that you found these projects really cool and wonderful. Absolutely. To each his own. No problem, be my guest, go on and make them, decorate your house (and dog)with them. They won't mind, I suppose.