The Weekend Crafter: Knitting: 20 Simple & Stylish Wearables for Beginners [Paperback]

Catherine Ham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2003 | Series: Weekend Crafter

“Knitting [has] projects beginning knitters will be comforatble trying out...all illustrated by bright, colorful photographs and explained in simple instructions....This one’s fun.”—Booklist. “All projects are suitable for beginning knitters who will appreciate the author’s detailed guidelines for substituting yarns. Recommended for public libraries.” —Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Knitting is hot! Knitting offers projects beginning knitters will be comfortable trying out. There are hats, scarves, and easy sweaters, all illustrated by bright, colorful photographs and explained in simple instructions. The opening section offers an introduction to knitting skills, with very crisp pictures to help readers along. It even gives information on an oft-ignored subject--substituting yarn. This one's fun. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books; 1 edition (April 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579903517
• ISBN-13: 978-1579903510
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not truly for beginners, February 21, 2004

By 

jkaymartin - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Weekend Crafter: Knitting: 20 Simple & Stylish Wearables for Beginners (Paperback)

This is a fine book, with interesting patterns, but based on the spotty lack of information on basic knitting, it really does not function well for beginners. For instance, there is absolutely no written indication on how to weave in the ends (there are better and worse techniques) although one can try to figure it out based on the photos. A beginner should be given this kind of instruction in a detailed, written form in case this is their first attempt. I bought the book planning on giving it to a friend who is just learning to knit, and decided that it wouldn't work for that purpose.

The issue discussed by previous reviewers regarding the notes on knitting the first and last stitches in each row are a fine example. The Cravat-Style Scarf contains instructions that start out telling the knitter to work in k2,p2 ribbing over 24 stitches (thus ending with a p2), then adds a note to knit the first and last stitches in each row. As an advanced knitter, it is easy enough to interpret the intent behind the note, and adjust the stated pattern accordingly. However, it is easy to forget that beginners need much more clear, detailed guidance. Why not print out the full pattern (it would have taken fewer rows of type) to indicate that the pattern should end in k2,p1,k1, and that each row will be the same until you reach the buttonhole, and again, after the buttonhole?

My rating for this book is based on the indication that it is for beginners, when it clearly was written by an expert who has forgotten what it's like to be a beginning knitter. The patterns themselves are fairly simple, however, the communication of them tends towards the intermediate or practiced knitter. If you're an adventurous beginning knitter, or a natural who likes to make up their own patterns and solutions to pattern interpretation, you will probably enjoy this book, as much as I, an experienced knitter, do. The photos are great, and there are some interesting and fun patterns.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Projects for Beginners!, May 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Weekend Crafter: Knitting: 20 Simple & Stylish Wearables for Beginners (Paperback)

This is a great book for people who are tired of technical beginning knit books like me. I don't need to review how to knit, purl, increase and decrease in every book on knitting that I have. If I need to review the basics I get out my Vogue the Ultimate Knitting Guide and refer to it. I want a book with projects that I can do in short amounts of time at an easy level but are motivating. This book meets my needs well.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Instructions, February 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Weekend Crafter: Knitting: 20 Simple & Stylish Wearables for Beginners (Paperback)

I think the previous reviewer must have misread the instructions, as beginners in any field sometimes do. The NOTE in the highlighted box clearly says to knit the first stitch, as well as to knit the last stitch of each row to make a very nice selvedge on your scarf. Put another way, sometimes you begin a row by knitting the first stitch and purling the next three; sometimes you end a row by purling three stitches and knitting one. This keeps the pattern correct. Another possibility is to ignore the NOTE and simply knit and purl the stitches exactly as they present themselves. Then you will have slightly wavy edges to your scarf. It really doesn't matter, but in either case the number of stitches you cast on is still going to be 28.