DomiKNITrix: Whip Your Knitting Into Shape (Paperback)

by Jennifer Stafford (Author)
Key Phrases: active sts, long tail style, active stitches, Rep Row, City Coat, Knitting Directions (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Mastering knitting skills requires discipline, attitude, and wit to transform a ho-hum stitcher into a badass knitter--a domiknitrix. Stafford uses the dominatrix language well and with humor in this entertaining, beautifully designed, and instructive book. A stern but encouraging teacher, she approaches knitting and designing knitwear in a way best described as punishing, but she does not expect her readers to do the same. She does expect them to take her advice and discipline their knitting. If you do, she promises results. Rip if you must. Knit a gauge or two or three until you get it right. Her advice is universally good, and she shares many useful tips. Obviously a serious knitwear designer, Stafford favors structured pieces and has included funky, form-fitting projects with broad appeal. She is a strong advocate of continental style, and some of her techniques are different from the standard instructions. This may be a difficult book to learn to knit from, since some steps are glossed over, such as how to make a slip knot; and some techniques, such as provisional cast on, could use an extra step or two for clarification. Knitters with the basics (cast on, knit, and purl) will find this a fun and highly instructional book to take them from scarf to structured clothing. Stafford's unique voice and style are the heart of the book. Unlike with many instruction books that might be flipped through, knitters will find themselves reading Stafford's entertaining prose cover to vinyl cover. Jennifer Palmer
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description
Whip Your Knitting into Shape

do·mi·kni·trix \"dä-mi-'ni-triks \ n, pl -trices [US, var. of dominatrix, re: knitting] (2005): a woman who dominates her knitting; broadly: a badass knitter

You have knitted your last bad piece. Let the DomiKNITrix show you the ropes. Yes, it may be painful to take the time to knit a gauge swatch, count stitches and fix mistakes. But just think of the pleasure you'll get when you knit a gorgeous, perfect sweater with no holes and no uneven stitches.

Learn the rules or else. Inside you'll find a no-nonsense, comprehensive guide to essential knitting operations and finishing techniques, including step-by-step instructions for all the basic stitches used in the patterns in the book.

Get your hands dirty. The book features over 20 spicy projects to satisfy any knitting appetite. For a Knitting Quickie, choose from one of the smaller projects, such as the Mohawk hat or the popular Snow Devil cap. If you want more of a challenge, try the L'il Red Riding Hoodie or the Big Bad Wolf icon sweater, The Slink or City Coat.

Want to be a whip-smart knitter? Let the DomiKNITrix show you how it's done.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; illustrated edition edition (November 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581808534
• ISBN-13: 978-1581808537
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #285,799 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time!, November 15, 2006

By	Ariel Riviello "tyrsis" (Brookline, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Finally a knitting book with some truly well fitting and cleverly constructed items. Not everything in the book is awesome (ie. pillow with intarsia star - boring!), and not everything that is awesome is wearable (ie. mohawk and devil hats), but for the most part is the first knitting book in a while to come out with some modern, creative, imaginative and unique projects. The cover is a little fun and edgy - I was getting funny looks from other people as I was flipping through the book in the subway, and illustrations are pretty funny. This is definitely geared towards the younger and/or edgier crowd, but I think most knitters regardless of age and inclination can appreciate something about this book. The range of sizes offered is definitely better than most, but not specifically catering towards the plus size ladies (I think the largest size offered for a sweater is 43" bust, but there are many non-sweater projects such as hats, bag, pillows, etc). Though you'll find some of the usual chapters in the beginning of the book about knitting basics (casting on, casting off, choosing yarns, etc), I probably would not recommend this as a very first knitting book to someone who has never knitted anything before and is looking to learn. However, if you are a beginner who can knit, purl, increase and decrease, and are looking for cool-looking stuff to make and are willing to take the time to learn some new techniques, do not hesitate to give this book a chance.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark is good...., November 16, 2006

By	Dalsee "DG" (USA) - See all my reviews

An interesting collection of patterns, definitely not your grandmother's knitting manual though she may like a pattern or two. You need to be knowledgeable about knitting--this is not for beginners. One pattern has been intentionally left out, you are to obtain it from her blog. As I write this review, its not yet on her blog.***Update***
***The pattern is now available, you need a code from the book in order to receive the pattern. It is truly a challenge to knit. Jeniffer is an awesome knitwear designer.The Elfin Brife and Gothlet sweaters (patterns) are truly a work of art. 5 ***** Stars

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Whip it good ..., September 6, 2007

By	Jody M. Keene (the South) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The dom theme is evident throughout the book, from the vinyl cover to the illustrations to the models to (a few of) the patterns. It would be silly, but the gimmick works: Stafford is serious about maintaining complete control over one's art, and she's got several good tips and techniques for doing it. Like other knitting books, Domiknitrix has a lengthy how-to section. I can't see a rank beginner teaching herself how to knit from it, but for the knitter who already knows the knit and purl, this is a fantastic resource for more advanced techniques not found elsewhere. I've never seen an explanation of how to install a zipper, for instance, or three (count 'em!) different bind-off options presented in other books. She also goes into a lot of detail about yarn, breaking down and comparing the traits of animal, plant, and mineral (synthetic) fibers.

The patterns themselves are a grab-bag. I have absolutely no use for a mohawk hat or a heart-shaped "Spank Me" pillow. I will never wear a skull vest. However, the Little Red Riding Hoodie is tearing its way to the top of my queue, and hers are some of the first accessories I've actually liked, not just flipped past to get to the good stuff. One stroke of genius is her charts: all her sweaters and vests are constructed so that any of the charts in the book (including three more in an appendix) can be used. Don't like the skull vest? Use the fleur-de-lys chart instead. Seriously, that's just brilliant, folks.

Queue-worthy: string of purls, flower pins, Sweetheart sweater, Swizzle vest, City coat

Why bother?: the hats, the pillows

Conclusion: Great section of intermediate-advanced techniques not found elsewhere.