Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters

By Erika Knight and Athena Dixon

Millions of thoroughly modern knitters, including a growing number under the age of thirty-five, will applaud the fresh interpretations featured in Simple Knits with a Twist," Erika Knight's latest collection of creative designs. By matching classic stitches with other craft techniques and incorporating innovative materials like fine wire, beads, and recycled plastic with conventional yarns, Knight takes knitting beyond its traditional boundaries into new, inspired realms. Easy yet inventive, her projects bring a hip, artsy edge to items once deemed homespun. The twenty projects, which include wire napkin rings, an Aran armchair cover, a patchwork throw, and a beaded silk scarf, teach knitters how to add such creative skills as felting, patchwork, and beading to their repertoires. Each project is featured in a full-page color photo and in close-up how-to shots. For beginners with contemporary tastes and accomplished knitters interested in expanding their range, Simple Knits with a Twist" presents a world of possibilities.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584793619
• ISBN13: 9781584793618
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.5" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this book. Although the projects are not for everyday practical items, being a creative sort rather than a practical sort, I found Simple Knits with a Twist encouraged thinking beyond the norm and also promoted recycling of items, such as plastic bags, and leftover yarn. It was helpful to me becaue although I love knitting and crocheting, I don't necessarily enjoy making the same "type" of items all the time, its just enjoyable to make something that is interesting, rather than practical. I agree with other reviews though in that the patterns don't go into great depth, so you will require some knitting know-how to be able to complete the projects. Otherwise it is a very attractive book and nice to flick through the pages.

Out of the box Knitting

This book opened my eyes to a world of knitting outside of yarn stores, scarves, and baby blankets. Some of the coolest patterns around for younger knitters! I knit the bag out of tulle, the ribbon slippers, and the wire baskets. So cool. They make great gifts and starting points for different projects. Most of the projects are quite simple, basic knits and purls, and the focus is really on the materials. I use it mainly as an idea book. Great one for the collection!

Fun & Creative Book

This is not your typical pattern book, it's much cooler. Anyone who is looking to knit outside the box should consider this book. I know in some areas of the country it's difficult to find a yarn shop with unique patterns/samples/yarns, if you can't get to a trendy shop and are looking for some inspriation then this is the book for you!

Fun and creative ideas

Someone else mentioned that this book has a lot of impractical projects. I happen to think that this book inspires one to think about knitting for your environment instead of just your head, neck, torso and extremities. In addition, using materials that you normally would not think to use. I haven't tried many of the projects in this book but have tried knitting with wire. It's a challenging media but makes for an interesting fabric. Again, the author helps inspire you to think of knitting in a different way. The instructions for new knitters are kind of confusing and as a new knitter myself it is a little frustrating but I had never thought of using my knitting in such unique ways. When I get bored with the usual projects, I take this book out to get my creative juices flowing. This book is a keeper.

great for creative knitters

I consult this book more than follow the patterns - and I have really enjoyed it. If you like to knit, and to use patterns as a departure rather than a construction manual, this is a fine book to look into. I should add that I'm neither novice nor really experienced but an accessory knitter who enjoys trying new things. And as far as knitting plastic bags goes, that's an old practice as well as a great way to recycle and the bags are surprisingly strong. Mine have lasted far longer than they took to knit!