Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit with 15 Fun and Funky Patterns - Softcover

Okey, Shannon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0823026183 ISBN 13: 9780823026180

Publisher: Watson Guptill Publications, 2005

Synopsis

• Great price point—just 9.95 American dollars!


• 15 funky patterns teach knitting
skills incrementally


• Knitting encourages girls to share and
learn from other girls—making it an
excellent empowerment tool


• Partner Web site provides forum for
teen knitters


Tired of hearing about who's dating who and what Alyssa wore to the last party? Get those teens and tweens started on some practical life skills and girl empowerment! KnitGrrl is an upbeat introduction to knitting, from basic materials, tools, and stitches, to fifteen easy projects designed specifically for teens and tweens. Lower the number of trips to the mall with patterns for an iPod cozy, a ponytail wool beanie, cat toys, text-messaging mittens, starry leg warmers, and ten more great patterns. The organization of the book builds skills incrementally, so friends can learn and share together. Tips on organizing knitting groups, plus quizzes and DIY projects for fun knitting-related items such as stitch markers and hand salve, make this the ultimate BKFF (Best Knitting Friends Forever) guidebook.

About this title

About the Author

Shannon Okey is a writer, designer, and knitter. She contributes to knitty.com, the longest-running free knitting magazine on the Internet. Her article "Attracting Young Adult Readers with Knitting Groups" appeared in the Spring 2005 newsletter of the American Library Association’s Young Adult Services Association (YALSA). She lives in Cleveland.


Kathleen Jacques is the writer and illustrator of the popular online comic Intershadows. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta,
in Canada.

Reviews

Grade 7-10–A lively, teen-friendly book with all the basics, plenty of additional information, and appealing color photos and illustrations. Some knitting experience would serve crafters well, although the introduction is encouraging to newcomers. Topics include reading a yarn label, colors, needles and other tools, reading patterns, mistakes, and more. Various hues are used for the large typeface headings, and individual creativity is encouraged for projects. A few DIY inserts are interspersed throughout, such as a page on hosting a knitting party. Items to make include a faux fur stole, a ponytail roll-brim hat, leg warmers, and a lacy double-diamond scarf. All are accompanied by a color photo of a teen model and the completed garment. Back matter includes lists of yarn companies, online knitting and craft resources, magazines, books, online organizations, and Meet the Designers (readers can ask questions directly, online).–Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. The title clues girls in that this book is shooting for a hip audience, and the text delivers. Everything works here, from the design to the enticing projects: hats and scarves, leg warmers, and purses among them. Okey adds plenty of extra teen-worthy extras, such as a bag with a place for an iPod, and "text-messaging mittens," gloves with a thumb tip that can be flipped, the easier to press tiny buttons. The bright pages feature graphic-novel-style illustrations and plenty of color. Instructions are clearly written and aided by sharp color photographs. More advanced techniques, such as felting and embroidery, are also introduced. There are even suggestions for having a knitting party. The back matter is particularly good; it includes ideas about where to go for help or inspiration: books, magazines, and Web sites, such as www.knitgrrl.com. Not your mother's knitting book. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Watson Guptill Publications
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0823026183
• ISBN 13: 9780823026180
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96