Not Another Teen Knitting Book

by Vickie Howell

Vickie Howell—host of the DIY Network’s popular Knitty Gritty, cohost of Styleicious, and author of New Knits on the Block—shows teens of all types just how cool knitting can be!

 

One glance at this fun volume (cleverly designed to look like a high school yearbook) will have every teen, from preppies to punks, grabbing for their knitting needles. That’s because Vickie Howell has created something to appeal to every last one of them, whether they’re in the drama club (theater mask hats), celebrating their first car (steering wheel, headrest, and seatbelt cozies), or heading for the track meet (athletic socks). Each hip, urban-styled project represents a different group, event, milestone, or interest; taken as a whole, they truly capture the diversity of the high school experience. Plus, Howell offers “Knitting 101” for beginners, and ranks the projects by difficulty, from “Freshman” for the simplest to “Varsity” for those who enjoy a challenge.  With her help, every young knitter will make the grade!

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2006

Reviews

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of this with some yarn i wanted on ebay. The projects are cutesy, divided up like a high school yearbook -- one page for the jock letter sweater, the punk rocker guitar strap, the goth chick black bag, the geek argyle sweater, etc. I almost like the layout and design of this book better than any of the actual projects.

[Erin Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty bad cover, but the insides are marvellous

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was at the local library, looking for knitting books when I should have been getting books for my YA lit class, when I stumbled onto this book. Excited that I found a book that fulfilled both requirements, I curled up for a quick read and was pleasantly surprised.

The thing that impressed me the most about this book is its accessibility. The beginning chapters gave very clear instructions on the basics. (As a self-taught knitter, I wish I'd had this clear of instructions on my early projects!) And the patterns--even the ones for beginners--were written in a way that was comprehensible but not condescending. The writers weren't afraid to use knitting abbreviations and jargon, either.

I wasn't sure upon picking up the book that I would actually ever knit anything from it. While the yearbook-style layout and clique-specific patterns may appeal to teens, I didn't think I would be a fan. However, I was impressed by the wide variety of patterns: this book covers hats, scarves, sweaters, jackets, shawls, socks, and even fingerless gloves! And despite my dismissal of the cliques, I do wish I'd had a pair of those fingerless gloves for pep band...

Overall, a fun book for knitters of every level. People tell me far too often that knitting is for old people, but this book does a wonderful job of walking away from that stereotype. And though I hadn't thought I would like any of the patterns, I went home and cast on a "save a skein" scarf.

Happy knitting!

[Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some very neat projects in it, but I just honestly don't like wearing knitted items. SO, I ended up making myself a pair of gloves and haven't actually worn them yet.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a teen, so a lot of the projects looked like things I wouldn't be too interested in, but my daughter (a nearly non-knitter) liked a lot of them.

[Mzfitz]

tclib 746.432 howell

cute scarf page 24

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of variety both in patterns and difficulty levels.

[Kirsty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing in here interests me at all

[Theresa]

I skimmed through this before, but need to refresh for Knit Wits projects. My favorite hobby.