| The Knitchicks’ Guide to Sweaters Classic Styles for the Modern Knitter |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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Title: The Knitchicks’ Guide to Sweaters Classic Styles for the Modern Knitter
As the title might suggest, this book is aimed straight at young knitters. The book is ideally suited for knitters in the 12 – 20 age range, with designs and projects that will challenge and inspire them to knit for themselves and others.
The Knitchicks, Marcelle Karp and Pauline Wall, are the British “twins” of the Mason-Dixon knitters and Debbie Stoller, the Stitch N Bitch maven. Pauline Wall started a popular blog and internet group for knitters (www.knitchicks.co.uk). Marcelle Karp is the co-founder (with Debbie Stoller) of Bust Magazine (www.Bust.com), an independently run and edgy magazine “for women with something to get off their chests.” Their chummy approach to knitting will appeal to young knitters who want to learn the craft without fear of turning dowdy in the process. The back cover promises the Knitchicks will “teach you sweater savvy and show you how to declare your knitting independence!”
What Yarns does it Feature?
The Knitchicks like to experiment with all weights of yarn. You’ll find projects in all gauges, from 8 sts./4 in. to 28 sts./4 in. They use readily available yarns from a variety of manufacturers, but there is also a sound introduction to the properties of each fiber, along with a standard yarn weight and gauge chart. Suggestions for yarn substitutions are freely give throughout as well.
The book includes tutorials on basic skills plus projects to inspire tackling something beyond the basic hat or scarf – there are no hats or scarves in this book. The Knitchicks are proponents of circular knitting and provide several simple garments as first steps for novices. The projects are based on simple shapes with a touch of challenge: a Fair Isle border on a plain sweater, lace sleeves on a pullover, a fancy ribbed tank knit in the round, raglans, duplicate stitch embellishment, and lace inserts on sleeves and sweaters. All the patterns are accompanied by schematics, and the Knitchicks utilize charts to graph color and lace patterns. Most of the garments are designed for women and girls, but there are patterns for infants and men, too.
The Knitchicks make the case for knitting as a creative outlet and invite readers to become Knitchicks themselves. With a good bit of hubris, the Knitchicks believe their generation discovered knitting and made it respectable for youth. They boast, “Until very recently, hand knitting has been associated with members of the older generation who remember the shortages of war time and choose (sic) to inflict ghastly creations on defenseless grandchildren!” The designs in this collection are based on simple shapes and basic knitting knowledge. Although they lack the sophistication of more technically challenging projects, these projects will take young knitters from basic skills to completed projects that they will be proud to wear. Once a knitter gets started, there can be no holding them back. This book may be just the thing to invite a new knitter into a lifelong association with knitting.
Using It
This book follows the format of most standard learn to knit books. In the first third of the book, the Knitchicks cover the history of knitting and introduce basic information about tools and accessories. Next is a comprehensive description of yarns, followed by basic techniques from casting on to blocking and finishing. The attractive and colorful layout templates are easy to read. Important information is highlighted in Notes, “Before You Begin” and “Helpful Hints” which call attention to construction techniques, knitting information, and general hints. The book is most notable for crystal clear photographs, especially the close-up shots of knitting needle maneuvers. The section on the Kitchener Stitch is equal parts instruction and coaching/cheerleading. Anyone should be able to perform this skill after following these clever and reassuringly written instructions.
Each design introduces new skills and techniques. The Knitchicks sprinkle suggestions and guidance throughout the book. Each garment is personally introduced by Marcelle or Pauline. They describe what inspired the design and sometimes add insight into the skills needed to complete the garment.
Knitters can glean lots of advice by picking through the notes that accompany each pattern, whether or not they actually knit the garment. The book includes comprehensive and sound advice for the novice knitter. Anyone who learns to knit with this tool will be off to a very good start. Best Pattern (or Best Advice)
The detailed photographs and step-by-step instructions used to illustrate techniques are exceptional learning tools, and probably would be sufficient for a determined knitter to learn the skills on their own. There are excellent illustrations of the knit and purl stitch for both throwers and pickers; very good pickers can learn throwing techniques, and vice versa.
The “Handy Dandy Knitchicks Chart” is a very useful journal template. It is intended to establish the habit of recording useful information about each project. Keeping notes is essential to learning from experience and not repeating ghastly mistakes. Knitters can copy this page to create their own journals. Not to quibble with the Knitchicks, but they do mention Ravelry.com in the Resource section; an introduction to Ravelry’s personal journal pages would also be appropriate in this section.
There is a comprehensive section on steeks, including detailed descriptions of cutting and machine sewing in the sleeves. Granted, the project is a simple drop shoulder square sleeve, but the instructions for sewing in the sleeve are somewhat brief. It may be wise to refer also to a good book on garment construction before attempting to machine-sew the sleeves on your knitting.
Recommendation This handy book is like having a video in a book; it is a complete resource for beginners. The Knitchicks have included the essential advice a beginner will need to comprehend and absorb before moving on to more challenging writers and designers.
There is something to be said for the zeitgeist of a book that aims to encourage young knitters to develop a feisty “stitch ‘n bitch” pride in their knitting. If you are a beginner who wants to learn the basics, or if you are a more advanced knitter looking for a teaching guide to pass along your love of knitting, the Knitchicks Guide to Sweaters should be on your bookshelf.
Where to buy The Knitchicks’ Guide to Sweaters Classic Styles for the Modern Knitter: Yarnmarket.com
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