| Easy Knit Squares: 20 Unique Designs Create a Beautiful Sampler Afghan |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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Although this book is targeted at beginner to intermediate skill levels, creative knitters of all abilities will find Easy Knit Squares to be a useful resource. One time-honored way to build knitting skills and/or use stash is to knit a sampler afghan. Lisa Carnahan presents 20 different 12-inch squares that will build your skills as you create a unique afghan. When assembled, the afghan is an interesting combination of texture and line. Horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines contrast in the blocks of openwork, cables and bobbles set off by garter stitch borders. You’ll learn to knit to gauge as you work a variety of stitch techniques into 12-inch squares. Knit all 20 squares and you’ll improve your finishing skills when you combine them into a full-sized afghan. You may prefer to knit a select few of the squares to learn cables, bobbles or simple lace which you can finish into a smaller lap robe or baby mat. Whatever your approach, this booklet will advance your skills on many levels. What Yarns does it Feature? The model sampler afghan is knit in Plymouth Encore, a medium weight machine washable yarn of 75% acrylic and 25% wool, and a good quality yarn for this project. It is readily available in a wide range of colors. Although not clearly stated in the book, you can substitute any yarn of equal weight, either from your stash or from another manufacturer. The afghan is shown in off-white, and all the squares are photographed in light aqua. Using a single color for the model and sample squares adds clarity to the photos, especially for beginners. Knitters who crave All squares knit up at 20 stitches per 4 inches worked over 52 stitches with a garter stitch border. more color can certainly substitute one or many colors and use either the recommended yarn or a substitute. What’s Inside? There are patterns for 20 different easy-to-knit blocks. All squares knit at 20 stitches per 4 inches worked over 52 stitches with a garter stitch border. Most of the blocks feature knit and purl stitches in clever juxtaposition for interesting texture. Some squares feature bobbles, right and left slanted decreases, double decreases, yarn over, or cables. You will learn how to deal with pattern repeats by counting stitches and rows. The photographs are so precise that you can count off rows or stitches on the photos. Most squares include both charted and written directions. The author includes helpful notes where special stitches or abbreviations occur. Many knitters prefer to have the notes printed together with the pattern directions so they don’t have to flip between an appendix and their pattern sheet. Beginners might, however, benefit from some general description of how to knit from charts. A more glaring omission is the lack of advice on assembly. The author simply suggests, “Referring to diagram for pattern placement, sew squares together.” Beginners will need to supplement this book with good technical instructions and illustrations on how to join garter stitch on horizontal and vertical seams. Using It
The author follows the same format for all 20 squares. It’s easily mastered after just one or two squares. The fun comes in learning a new stitch pattern for each square. They won’t exactly knit themselves, but the patterns are not difficult. After completing one or two squares, you’ll want to see how the next one works out. Before you know it, all twenty will be done. Best Pattern (or Best Advice) Each square in the afghan is displayed in a color photo at only 50% reduction of the full 12-inch squares. Garrison Keillor once said that bookworms were not very good at pronunciation because they never hear the words spoken aloud. Likewise, novice knitters who are trying to learn directly from the written word sometimes can’t tell if their knitting matches the instructions. These clear photos show all the stitch detail that beginners need for a critical comparison to their knitting. They can knit a few rows then lay their knitting side-by-side with the photo to check for accuracy. It’s the next best thing to having an instructor or sample swatch at the knitter’s side. Recommendation You’ll learn how to read charts, manipulate different stitches, and try a variety of interesting textural stitches. You will have to supplement this book to master joining the squares, but if you do, you’ll have an attractive afghan and useful learning experience. More experienced knitters who want a portable project will appreciate having the patterns all worked out. The easy squares are portable and don’t require a lot of concentration, perfect for travel, carpool waiting time, or commuting.
For its few shortcomings, this book is still an excellent learning tool at a value price. It rates #8.
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Title: Easy Knit Squares: 20 Unique Designs Create a Beautiful Sampler Afghan
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