Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas [Hardcover]

Melanie Falick (Author), Ericka McConnell (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2003

Knitting has been called "the hot new hobby" and "the new yoga." More women - and men - are knitting today than in many decades. More knitters than ever are demanding quick projects that provide creative fulfillment and relaxation and suit today's busy lifestyles. Weekend Knitting answers their call with 50 original projects from simple slippers to cozy mittens and chair covers. Weekend Knitting Projects is beautifully photographed on locations to evoke the relaxing weekend knitters long for, with beautiful scenery, fresh air, friends, and delicious food. All of the projects are presented in full color photos and some are shown in more than one color option. The book is sprinkled with knitting trivia, quotes about knitting, relaxation techniques, and balanced living. Recipes for treats such as hot cocoa and shortbread are also included, as are sidebars about relaxation activities such as how to give a hand massage and brewing the perfect pot of tea - making Weekend Knitting the book about the knitting lifestyle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melanie Falick is the former editor-in-chief of Interweave Knits magazine. She is the author of Knitting for Baby (STC) Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of All Ages, and Knitting in America: Patterns, Profiles, and Stories of America's Leading Artisans (both Artisan). All there were selected by Crafter's Choice Book Club. Ericka McConnell is a successful lifestyle photographer whose work has appeared in numerous magazines, including Oprah, Martha Stewart Living, Bon Appetit, and House & Garden, as well as the books Yoga Within and Cocktail Parties with a Twist (both STC).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: STC Craft; Edition Unstated edition (October 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584792914
• ISBN-13: 978-1584792918
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melanie Falick is the publishing director of STC Craft / Melanie Falick Books, an imprint of Stewart, Tabori & Chang and Abrams Books.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

150 of 150 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Knit, read and enjoy! October 29, 2003

By Kathy M

Format:Hardcover

I purchased this book two weeks ago. This is not only a good knitting book it is also a good reading book. With the holidays approaching this is an excellent book for a few homemade gifts that work up quickly. So far I have made six pair of the Super Mittens with another pair on the needles. A pair can be made in a day. The butter cookie recipe is good with many variations (just like the knitting patterns). There are also wonderful knitting suggestions for decorating with yarn as well as suggestions for knitting gifts. The only complaint (if one could call it that) is the yardage on the Super Mittens. It calls for 75 yards for all sizes but I found it takes approximately 95-125 yards for the sizes woman's S-man's L. Otherwise it is an excellent book!

134 of 137 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars the perfect knitting book July 8, 2004

By Ara Jane Olufson

Format:Hardcover

i adore this book. i'm a relatively experienced knitter and i've had no problems with any of the patterns so far. i've knit several of the flower washcloths, some turtleneck egg cozies, the super mittens, the felted stash accessories bag, and am currently in the midst of knitting the union square poncho. and i'll probably use this excellent book for many of the other patterns. i think the instructions are quite clear, especially the notes included in each pattern that explain any difficult parts of the project. also, as many other reviewers have noted, the pictures are quite beautiful. it's the perfect book for us younger(ish) knitters who want simple and hip (but not too hip) patterns--with a great range in level of difficulty--that inspire us to knit more.

103 of 108 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Pretty pictures but poor instructions March 8, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I am an experienced knitter and was very excited about getting this book as a gift. The pictures are beautiful and there were several projects that looked challenging enough for me to learn a few new things. I started by making the gloves. After getting confused by the instructions and having to rip out the first glove several times I consulted other patterns and found several errors in this book. In order to finish these I had to completely revise the pattern and ignore the book. Even after this I felt that one bad pattern wasn't worth dismissing the entire book, so I tried the brioche scarf. Once again the pattern was confusing and I had to chart my own waters to complete the scarf. Unless you are using the book merely as inspiration to develop your own projects I would not recommend it.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Knews from knew knitter October 9, 2005

By Katharine Coldiron

Format:Hardcover

This was the first knitting book I bought, and the flower washcloth the second pattern I ever knitted. I taught myself to knit with a DVD I bought (with the first pattern). I tend to jump into things quickly and learn the best I can as I go along, but unless you're a quick study, this should NOT be the first knitting book you pick up. There were so many wonderful patterns in it that I couldn't resist, but if this is the only knitting book you've ever read, you get the impression that all knitters have unlimited money to spend on their knitting (I calculated--knitting the cashmere sweater will run you about $600 at least), can knit at the speed of light, and are extensively knowledgeable about every yarn in the world.

Nevertheless, the book did force me to grow into a pretty good knitter in an extremely short space of time. I also learned about the folly of substituting yarns without testing and careful reading. I have made several of the flower washcloths--they make simply wonderful gifts, no matter what age or gender you are--the berkshire sweater, which was sort of a disaster because I changed both needles and yarn and basically doubled the numbers in the pattern (it's wearable but sort of strange-looking), the pillow, with a cheap cotton instead of silk/cashmere (!) as suggested, the lap blanket, the mohair camisole, and a few pairs of the fingerless mitts.

The book is good if, like I said, you have unlimited time and money to spend on knitting, or are a good substituter, and if you like the unique projects in the book. Some of the projects seem unnecessarily complicated (brioche in the round? for an ordinary hat?), and some are just silly (a hemp cardigan? for a baby?...), but it has lovely pictures, and if you knit the projects correctly, they come out exactly as picture-perfect as the ones in the photos.

-Six-month knitter Read more ›

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and inspiring knitting November 9, 2004

By mstigger5

Format:Hardcover

When I read some of the reviews for this book, I had second thoughts about purchasing it. I am so glad that I did. Looking through the book at the photographs and the patterns is an inspiration. I have only tried out a few of the patterns (Union square poncho, Lopi lace scarf, and the chunky knit mittens) and had no problems. What I also enjoyed in addition to the patterns and photos were the bits of information, such as the recipes, books with knitting, etc. If this is your first pattern book, don't be surprised if you need to use a reference book. I have been knitting for 5+ years and still need to use a reference book at times. This is a fun book and I would recommend this to knitters of all levels of experience.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A book to make you crazy, in a good way. December 11, 2004

By D. Bernardin

Format:Hardcover

I can't stop looking at this book, I love it. However, when I tried to make the lopi scarf I had to use needles three sizes bigger than they indicated. When I was asking a question about the pattern at my very hip knitting store in Portland, Oregon the whole store got into a disscussion about this book. Everyone had problems with the patterns, the pancho turned out huge and with tons of yarn left over, a very experienced knitter couldn't figure out the brioche hat. At least I feel better now about my struggle with the silly lopi scarf! In spite of the problems with the patterns, I do recommend the book. It is beautifully done, and a great inspiration for projects, but be prepared to improvise.