Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters

by Erika Knight

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.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Keep it simple, chic and contemporary! So says Erika, textile designer and fashion design consultant, whose trademark has been the traditional with a twist. Coming into knitting via fine art training, she is highly regarded in her field and works for many international companies designing ready-to-wear ranges. Author of Comforts of Home (Martingale), her latest book is Simple Knits for Cherished Babies (Collins & Brown).

Reviews

[Abbey · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's rare that I simply don't like a knitting book at all, and even rarer when it's by an author whose past work has pleased me fairly often, but this is such a book.

Filled with very odd projects and patterns, pretty much all of which were, imo, totally unusuable or unsuitable for use by ordinary folks, purchasing this would be a waste of money for somebody like me who requires comfort and usefulness mixed with at least a modicum of beauty or "color pop!" in their crafting. It offers many different sorts of textures for lots of supposedly household items to make up, IF you are at all adventureous about that sort of thing then "go to it!", but be warned - most of these designs are terribly pseudo-chichi, (translation: trying to hard to be "chic!!!" that they completely defeat the attempt) and at almost ten years of age most of the designs are pretty much "dated" now, IF they ever were chic, that is! I sincerely doubt it, as there were things in here that, I swear, I saw in magazines in the 1970s - and didn't much like them then, either!

The book itself is beautifully produced, sumptuously photographed, and has beautifully detailed and illustrated instructions for lots of interesting techniques, though. Not at all my sort of thing, but if you're interested in unusual crafts projects, you might want to give it a try by taking a copy out from the library and, should you find you really truly *do* adore something here, then, and only then, would I recommend adding a copy to your own patterns library.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the pictures and the way they were displayed. You could clearly see the knitted item and still get a good glimpse of the smaller details as well. The colors were bright and added a lot to the general feel of the book. I also thought it was ingenuis how they used other materials you might not think about knitting with, such as satin ribbon, plastic bags, and even metal wire. I only found one pattern that I want to knit someday, which was the Woven Woolen Rug, but I'd recommend this book.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...

[Dayini]

A beautiful-looking and inspiring book with projects well-suited for beginner knitters. Unfortately, there aren't any projects that I feel inspired to make! That said, the book will remain in my library.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the wire beaded napkin rings for a friends wedding a couple of years ago, and they're still being talked about.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful projects that use the sorts of yarn and materials I will never be able to afford. But I can dream.

[Natalie]

Some cute and non-traditional knitting patterns. I'm currently making the recycled plastic bag tote.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't necessarily want to a make anything but was really amazed with the creativeness

[lk]

as usual, great patterns

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd projects.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

cool ideas but need skills

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous ideas - particularly the ones of knitting with beaded wire... Beautiful book.