Hip to Knit

by Judith L. Swartz

Book Overview

Knitting is no longer just a grandmother's pastime This extraordinary guide for the newer or younger knitter introduces classic and contemporary patterns that can be completed in a reasonable time,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931499217
• ISBN13: 9781931499217
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Interweave Press
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A great place to start!

This is a great place to start if you have basic knitting skills (can you make a scarf?) and want to bump it up to more complicated patterns. In addition to just being cool-looking, the patterns in the book aren't written in cryptic knitter-code, but written out (VERY WELL) in normal, regular, plain old English. I was scared to death to make a pair of mittens on double-pointed needles, but found the instructions to be so well-written that my first pair came out perfectly... and I don't think I ever had to go back and correct mistakes.They also emphasize the knitter's ability to improvize and make changes based on what he/she wants. They give guidelines for a certain size needles and type of yarn, but there are all sorts of helpful tips for what else might look cool, or how to use something else...All in all, this is a great book for the young and hip knitter... or someone who just wants to be.

Awesome Companion Book

As many have said before, this book is NOT a how to guide to teach you how to knit. I recommend Stitch 'n Bitch for that. This book is an excellent *companion* book however, and I know since I bought it along with Stitch 'n Bitch, the two of them being my first ever knitting books as I taught myself this wonderful craft. Hip To Knit has great beginner projects, starting you out with a scarf, and working your way through various hats, bags, a pair of socks, and then into sweaters. Though the sweaters aren't all that enticing as far as glamour goes, they do look comfortable and easy to make. I especially like the long sweater coat. I am currently 2/3 of the way through the "Most Basic Hat", which was EXACTLY the kind of hat pattern I was looking for. Simple, basic, and with a nice decorative twist (swirling decreases at the crown). I'm using a slightly eyelashy yarn imported from Spain, so I wanted the yarn to shine through instead of a fancy pattern. The instructions are VERY simple, the tips and tricks useful and well written. This book will not please every palette, but it does have at least a handful of patterns I'd like to try, including two more I have already bought the yarn for. I'll keep both Sitch 'n Bitch and Hip To Knit in my craft tote for a long, long time. They're my new "girls' best friend"!

A great book of basic patterns

This is not a learn-to-knit book, but a perfect choice for a new knitter's first book of patterns. Even as a more experienced knitter, I was thrilled to find a book full of items I would love to make for myself and my friends. The projects start out very simple and gradually get more complex, but nothing beyond an advanced beginner level. Techniques and tips are presented throughout the book in sidebars next to relevant projects, and a small section in the back of the book covers some more basic techniques. I really like the way the projects are presented. Each item is nicely photographed so you can clearly see what you will be making. In addition, there are close-ups of the yarn used. Often swatches of other yarns which you might try are shown as well. Throughout, you are given suggestions to encourage you to make your own variations on the patterns. The instructions and schematics are also clear and precise. The "18 contemporary projects for today's knitter" are a striped scarf, a seed stitch scarf, a felted tote bag, a small purse, a basic cap (knit on straight needles), a funky chunky hat (also knit flat), a ribbed stocking cap (knit on circular and double-point needles), striped socks, mittens (both a pattern for flat knitting and one for circular knitting), a ribbed tank top in ribbon yarn, a sleeveless funnel-neck top, a drop-shoulder rolled-neck pullover, a round-neck cardigan, a v-neck pullover vest, a hooded zip-front sweatshirt, a v-neck cabled sweater in either a pullover or cardigan version, a shaped turtleneck with 3/4-length sleeves, and a knee-length coat with patch pockets and collar. A wonderful collection of all the essential patterns you want to knit!

HTK is an excellent book to learn to knit with!

But also has something to offer for those of us who are more experienced.It's contemporary. It's colorful. Perfect size and lots of photos. I knit my way thru the book and tested all the patterns but the last two. My opinion is that HTK is a wonderful book for young adults or new knitters that definitely points them in the right directions for creative knitting by giving them designing information and tips in addition to good, solid, basic patterns. I also like that the book uses yarn size information in addition to suggesting a specific manufacturer. The sizing information, line drawings, technique diagrams and charts are clear, easy to read, and understand.An excellent book to give to new knitters or "growing" knitters or learn from yourself.

Very pleasing to a young knitter's heart

I am a 21 year old self-taught (now intermediate) knitter and I must say that this book has pleased me greatly. I am somewhat conservative, preferring to express myself with sassy colors and yarns rather than oddball styling. Most books for young knitters feature dreadful intarsia sunflowers, pompoms and enough fringe to supply a hippy for months! So, I was cautious but I found this book to be a delight.The 18 patterns in the book are fairly simple making this an ideal second book for a brand new knitter. (The first, of course, should be a good general knitting book) There are small boxes of knitting info sprinkled throughout. For example, the section on making a sweater fit well is informative and useful especially to knitters who like a sleek silhouette.Fortunately, the author respects her audience's intelligence and her constant admonition is to tweak the sweaters to fit the way YOU like it. All the yarn info is supplied so it would be quite easy to make substitutions.Now this is where taste comes in. With any book of patterns, it is good to keep in mind that everyone has their own taste and it is not possible to please everyone. THIS young knitter thought the patterns were cute and fun. The Boyfriend sweater got the guy stamp of approval (most guys HATE froufrou sweaters, this one's nice and simple but with enough texture interest to keep a knitter happy), the watchcap is another sure winner and the little bag makes an ideal present for a female friend. Of course, I suggest investigating this book before you buy, if nothing in it is to your taste then keep looking, you're sure to find a book that is perfect for you. However, the book is fairly inexpensive and provides some valuable info.Good if:you like textureyou are knitting for a guyyou are new and want some cute, easy patternsyou want to fill your wardrobe with winter accessories like hates, mittens and socksNot good if:you are into complex color like mosaic, intarsia or fair isle (this book has no patterns for that)you hate novelty yarns