Simple Knits with a Twist - Review

Author Erika Knight Offers Knitting Projects for Creative Knitters

Mar 9, 2008

"Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters" (AKA "New Knits") by Erika Knight is an interesting knitting book, containing unusual knitting patterns

Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters by Erika Knight is a difficult book to categorize. It is part knitting book and part craft book with an emphasis of exploring further how knitting can be used in a variety of projects. Simple Knits with a Twist by Erika Knight is certainly not a run-of-the-mill knitting book; even traditional knitted items such as throws and cushion covers are approached from unusual angles. Note: The book is titled New Knits in the UK.

The Projects

The range of designs is eclectic and include a knitted poodle bottle cover, satin boudoir slippers though to a fantastic aran chair cover and a gardener's kneeler.

The materials used are varied and veer towards the unusual too, reflecting the diverse nature of the designs. Recycled plastic bags, string, wire, ribbon and fabric feature alongside Rowan yarns. Plenty is made within the book as to the design possibilities of working with recycled and reclaimed materials and ideas are plentiful for innovative ways of using old or discarded items. Some cushions, for instance, are made from old sweaters and don’t actually involve any hand knitting at all, and the bean bag is part knitting and part recycled jeans.

Some of the projects are going to be fairly major undertakings. The chair cover, for instance, although knitted on large needles, will be a large project in both time and yarn. Other projects, for instance the ones using recycled materials, will be almost free to work.

Experience

While Simple Knits with a Twist might be an ideal book for crafters looking to combine knitting into their other crafts, it is probably not for a beginner learning to knit. Although there are "how to" instructions given at the start of the book, many of the projects use some more advanced techniques. This does not mean that the book is unsuitable for a beginner, however, who is looking to develop a knitting style that is a little different from the mainstream. Experienced knitters will find plenty of challenging ideas and the book offers inspiration for people looking to achieve something different from their knitting.

One feature of the book is that, unlike many other knitting books, some other skills are required for some of the projects. The cushion covers, for instance, require "overlocking".

Who is This Book Good For?

This is definitely a book for creative people. It is ideal for knitters looking for new ideas, or for people who think of knitting as just being two dimensional boring objects. Simple Knits with a Twist is also a useful read for people interested in recycling and repurposing. The ideas for using recycled plastic bags, jeans and sweaters are easily adapted into other projects.The book would also be extremely useful for crafters looking to build new techniques into their repertoire and to introduce a new aspect to their work.

This is not a book for people looking for conventional or practical knits.