Not Your Mama's Knitting: The Cool and Creative Way to Pick Up Sticks

by Heather Dixon

This is knitting with attitude. Choose from nearly thirty designs, follow the simple directions, and knit fun, trendy items to dress yourself, your friends, your home, a baby, or even a pet. This guide covers must-know techniques, tools of the trade, customizing designs, and more. Get clicking and express yourself with hip, hyper-chic designs any fashionista would covet.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471973823
• ISBN13: 9780471973829
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Book!

If I had the time, I would knit all the patterns in this book...I liked them all that much. There is quite a range of patterns, from frilly girly things to not so frilly girly things. The best thing about this book is that most of the patterns have 2 or more variations given and also tips on how to go about making the pattern completely your own. So you're actually getting at least double the patterns that are written in the book. I would definitely recommend this book to other knitterly types.

Not exactly self-inclusive.

I've been knitting scarves with the garter stitch and stockinette stitch for awhile, so although I'm comfortable with needles in my hands, I don't know too many tricks. I was excited to see the different stitches and lace patterns in the book, but it took more time to work them out than I think it should have because the abbreviations ('yf' 'yo') are not quite explained in the same way in which they are to be used. Also, some abbreviations aren't explained at all. As someone who hasn't encountered stitch patterns before, I found this pretty confusing. Also, I found some errors, most notedly in the instructions to make a six-stitch cable (in case anyone wants to know, the instructions for row four should actually be used for row FIVE; for row four, simply repeat row two). Basically, it has some cool stuff, but if you're pretty new to knitting, make sure you have somebody more advanced around to help you out when the instructions hit a snag. Also, they should have probably hired a proof-reader.

Lots of useful knitting tips & tricks!

If you look past the goofily-styled photos, there's a lot of useful information here that goes beyond the usual beginners' books. Besides the how-to basics, the author covers both English & Continental methods of knitting, how to make your own knitting needles, the basics of techniques like Magic Loop, the "jogless jog" for stripes, and tricks like how to know if you have enough yarn to finish a row. There are also a couple of crochet basics which are useful to know (and instructions for a simple crochet flower, a nice extra). Each pattern concludes with ideas for adapting or personalizing that particular design, which is also helpful.

Better in person than in the photos

I went to a book signing for this book recently and the finished objects are so much nicer than they look in the photos. Now that I've actually seen them, I'm more even impressed with the book than I was at first.

Excellent, Informative Book and an Enjoyable Read

I just purchased this book for my knitting book collection as it seems you can never have enough books on knitting! I would compare it with Stitch N Bitch as it is a good way for a beginner to learn how to knit and the wit in it is really funny. Although I am more of an intermediate knitter, I still love the patterns and really picked up some good tricks in this book. I love that she mentions the magic loop method and actually describes how to do it (which is lacking in a lot of books that mention magic loop). The patterns are gorgeous and somewhat funky I would say, and some of the stitches that are explained are really well written out and understandable. It really is a good read as I just sat down and read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is learning to knit. But I would also recommend it for the more experienced knitter for the patterns, techniques and also just the plain wit and joy of a good knitting book.