Punk Knits: 26 Hot New Designs for Anarchistic Souls and Independent Spirits

by Share Ross, Bam Ross (Photographer)

Rocker/knitter/ Share Ross personifies the indie spirit driving both knitting and music today

Share Ross is addicted to the needle—the knitting needle. A few years back, this punk guitarist and singer wouldn’t have given knitting a second thought. She is a dyed-in-the-wool rocker, and knitting . . . well, knitting was for grannies. Then a friend showed up at her house wearing a scarf that she found totally amazing. When Ross asked her where she’d gotten it, she said she’d knit it herself. Ross was hooked.

With Punk Knits , Ross shares her passion and unorthodox approach to the ancient craft she’s so grateful our grannies preserved. All of the 26 designs—beginner- to intermediate--level projects that include arm- and leg-warmers, scarves, miniskirts, hats, and sweaters—draw their inspiration from the style and independent spirit of rock ’n’ roll legends like Sid Vicious, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith, and the New York Dolls, and they’re all modeled by pierced and tattooed Hollywood rock ’n’ rollers and scenesters.

If you think knitting can’t be punk, consider this from “Knitting can be as artistic as you want. You can make a statement. And by knitting garments instead of buying them, you can snub the corporations that strip away your individuality.” So what’s not punk about knitting?

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts

136 pages, Spiral-bound

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Michelle Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has gotten some serious roasting online, and while it definitely has a gimmicky format, the fact remains that it's one of the few things on the market I've seen that gives patterns which use that crazy eyelash yarn. I love weird yarn books, and already own the other punk knitting book and Knitting Lingerie Style (which is great, but DEFINITELY for an advanced knitter). If you're looking for one of the only deconstructed sweater patterns I've seen around, this is a good book to grab. It also has, rarest of rare treats, TWO skirt patterns, a cool deconstructed (distressed) shrug, and some shredded leg-warmers. There's also a fluffy vest and a more structured one, plus a super cool tie pattern.

This definitely got roasted by knitters who were like, "where would you wear this? So impractical" but it is called PUNK knitting. If you want a cute, alternative touch to your wardrobe, this book has the patterns for it. A lot of these seem great for Christmas gift patterns, too. Just don't use that expensive Colinette yarn for the love lock ponytails, because yeesh, that would be a bad pricing decision.
Edit
Delete
Comment Permalink

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't like any of these.

[Danielle Klassen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will come out and say that I'm a bit of a collector of odd knits books. I've been an avid knitter for nearly a decade and I'm always on the look out for books with unique designs and this one certainly fits the bill. Honestly, of all my collection, this book is one of my favorites. The ideas are fun and I love looking at the inspirations for half of these. I love the patterns and I love that some of them are long haul projects while others are fabulous instant gratification ones. It's got possibly the best beginner project ever with the mod fingerless gloves and I've told a few people now that if they ever want to learn, that will probably be what I teach them to do first. Highly recommended!

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this poorly organized and the patterns poorly explained and even pictured. The patterns are in a haphazard order, not going by category of garment or by difficulty level. The "easy" level was all rectangles and squares, but the next level up was much more complicated, with little middle ground. I honestly didn't like any of the patterns. Perhaps the punk knitting idea was original at the time, but due to the five other very similar books I have read in the past month, nothing seemed new or fresh or even interesting. Still, hot models and the one or two tricks I picked up made me glad I flipped through it.

[Ariel Servadio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, easy patterns for someone like me who doesn't like following them in the first place. Interesting knitted pieces... I'm considering trying a sweater from this book because they seem pretty simple and fun to knit up. I bought this on an impulse... I probably could have taken it out from the library instead but I like having it around to look at when I want to knit something but I don't know what.

[Calophi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a lot of cute patterns in it. I got this for $1.60 on Amazon because I wanted the felted hat contained within it, and I found that there are a bunch of other projects I want to make as well! Mostly the sweaters. I am currently making the Pixie Shoulderette and finding the pattern really easy to follow.

There are a few WTF patterns that I would never, ever, make, but all in all for the little bit I paid for it I feel like I got a great deal.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like it. Punk + Knitting = What's not to like? My main point of dislike was there weren't any patterns that I would've wanted to knit. I did like one pattern, which was this fuzzy, furry leg warmer-type things to wear with your Docs, BUT I also know I wouldn't actually wear something like that.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is somewhere in limbo for me. I liked it, but not enough to own it myself. I liked some of the patterns, but not enough to make, much less wear (there was only one pattern I'm tempted to make.) This is the kind of book that you check out from the library or borrow from a friend, just on the rare chance that you find a pattern or part of a pattern that you like.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best knitting book I've read. I feel like I've read enough patterns to be able to figure things out, but the definitely could have been better written. I did like her description and instructions for the controlled dropped stitch. Unfortunately, none of the actual items appealed to me, so I'm glad I borrowed this book instead of purchased it. I'd have been mighty disappointed.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic and non-creative designs. Nice pictures.

[Mo]

Thanks Wednesday for another cool book!

[Jenny]

Making my first sweater...

[Faith Fielder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, but I haven't made anything from it yet.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared to more advanced knitters. The projects are not as 'punk' as I thought they would be.