Destiknit

• Rated 3 stars

“Knitting with Gigi is intended to be a beginner's teaching manual, geared toward children. Along with the 32 page instruction booklet, two skeins of yarn, a pair of straight bamboo knitting needles and one darning needle are also included in the price of the book.

I found, as a mother and one who has taught many to knit, this booklet to be cluttered and difficult to follow - especially so for the intended audience. To be sure, without divulging my own thoughts, I asked my 11 and 8 year olds (who are very familiar with knitting) to peruse the book. Both agreed, this book is not easy to follow. And shouldn't it be?

Knitting with Gigi teaches knitting through story and colorful illustrations. The first complaint of my children is that the illustrations, while colorful, are not easy to understand. Both agreed that photographs of real hands doing the work might be easier to understand. The next complaint is that the knitting is presented in English style, as opposed to Continental Style knitting. A new knitter would never notice this fact but I do believe both knitting styles should be presented, so that the new knitter might have options and find a comfortable knitting style.

Overall, Knitting with Gigi seems like a great value, and it is. I do believe this book can help a child learn to knit and might prove to be a wonderful spring board into the world of knitting.”

Destiknit wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“[a href="http://destiknit.com/2009/11/20/latest-podcast-up-and-a-new-prize-drawing/"Destiknit.com"[/a]


Stephanie van der Linden has been something of a sock knitting rock star for years. Though if you aren’t a German native, if you do not belong to Socken-Kreativ-Liste Yahoo Group or Ravelry, you might not know it. Stephanie’s designs range from feminine and masculine to cute and fun to colorful and unique and of course, traditional. In addition to sock design, Stephanie also designs women, children and infant garments, as well as toys.


Socken aus aller Welt offers 26 socks designs with interesting colorwork, beautiful lace, cables and my favorite – twisted stitches. You will also find interesting techniques such as Vikkel braids, gusseted soles, intarsia, beadwork, embroidery, duplicate stitch and a creative solution to knitting Argyle socks in the round. Each pattern is written out and charts are provided as an addendum to the book.


Although Socken aus aller Welt is a German title, the provided charts do make deciphering the patterns possible. Or if you can wait, sometime in 2010, I am guessing in the Spring, two of Stephanie’s books, Der geniale Sockenworkshop and Socken aus aller Welt will be available in English through Amazon.com.


Want to get your hands on one of the patterns in Socken aus aller Welt? Delfter Blau, a colorwork design featuring a unique gusset placement is available Free as part of a German craft publication, Wolle & Co., on page 12. Click [a href="http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=destiknit.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frech.de%2Fwolle-und-co%2Findex.html"this link"[/a] and then select ‘Wolle & Co.- Ausgabe 1/2009′, a direct PDF download.


Language barrier? What, you don’t speak or read German? Me either! Fortunately this high-tech, super-sonic world we live in makes it possible to do what we think im-possible. After Googling the phrase ‘knitting german to english’, I found many resources to help decipher German knitting instructions to English. Below are two links I found most helpful.


[a href="http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=destiknit.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgrannys-garret.com%2Fknit%2Fhow_to%2Fknitting_symbol_German_to_English.html"Granny’s Garret"[/a]


[a href="http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=destiknit.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.garnstudio.com%2Flang%2Fde%2Fordliste.php%3Flist%3Ddeennl"Garn Studio"[/a]”

Destiknit wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“What Jan Messent does with yarn is nothing short of amazing! Several creative art projects to get you to think outside the box and use your yarns in new and exciting ways. A true inspiration.
”

Destiknit wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“This book encourages knitters to break away from the norm of daytime knitting at the local coffee shop and LYS and instead, have a knit night at the local bar! This fun and light hearted book suggests fun games, themes and alternative meeting places as well as practical tips such as wine stain removal and drink suggestions.

Oh wait, this *is* a knitting book, too! There are over 30 patterns, each ranked in order of drinks consumed from 'designated driver' (attention required) to 'four beers' (easy). Patterns range from wine and beer cozies to socks and sweaters, every knitter can find a pattern to knit! Also included are fantastic knitting instructions and tips, such as 'Tubular Cast On' and 'How to Felt'.

Destiknit wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“While the title reads, "Kids Knitting," I feel this book is a great resource for any beginning knitter, young and old alike. A true lost gem, I found this book collecting dust in a dark, far corner of our library. I was delighted to find inside, not only basic instruction for knitting, but intermediate techniques as well! This book carries a beginning knitter from the knit and purl stitch to increases and decreases. There are several patterns in this book as well, from an easy hat pattern to a sweater pattern and even socks! And let's not forget, a great tutorial for making your very own knitting needles. I recommend this book to anyone interested and/or new to knitting as well as to those who teach knitting.”

Destiknit wrote this review Sunday, April 5 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“The reviews I have read to date do not seem to make mention of one of the greatest features of this book; inspiration. This book caused me to pause and reflect on my surroundings as a source for inspiration, something so simple and yet so effective. The authors/designers drew inspirations from pieces of driftwood to clouds floating by. This truly is a wonderful guide to spinning yarns from a basic single to an elaborate novelty yarn.”

Destiknit wrote this review Sunday, April 5 2009. ( reply | permalink )